The Arena

[ShesSoSurreal]

The arena is a great part of the game, or..used to be. It needs some attention, some work, some updates...anything. My guild and I still use the arena a lot, but we often are disappointed and talk about how much better it can be. It has so much potential to be fun, but lacks a  few things.  Its a great place to practice your class, waste some time, have some fun without any quest commitment, spend time with friends...except that its not, because its neglected. Honestly, I think it hasn't been noticed because we can now /duel. Which is fine, dueling is great. <i>Except that we do not all have that option. PvP servers are unable to duel. The only way we can fight against our own faction is in this arena: </i>The arena that uses PvE mechanics, the arena where you can't avoid potions.With pvp servers up and running, what would be so hard to make the arena have pvp values? Its not much practice if your attacks aren't accurate. Its also not so much fun... If I want to organize arena matches, they should be like a real duel. A test of your playing skills or class, we are players, not mobs. It makes no sense that the arena isn't playable. Maybe on pvp its more noticeable to us because we have to fight other people to survive, all I'm saying is that it needs to be looked at. And fixed.The arena is fun, running around, fighting your friends, playing matches...winning or losing, it's a rush. And then a big fat let down when your opponent accidentally runs into a health potion. Well, that was a waste of time, wish health and power potions were laying around in all of Norrath...Sometimes you go into the arena with full intentions of a battle allowing the use of potions. I don't know about everyone else but, we usually agree to avoid them. Which is more difficult then it sounds. Why isn't this optional? It's a great feature, don't get me wrong! But only if its desired. It really shouldn't be difficult to make an option for the potions.Those are my two biggest issues. But I'm SURE there can be other suggestions to help revive the arena. More rewards? More games? More rooms? More options?For example, this isnt as important to me, but something I notice: I for one like the arena champions, it allows you to play with lower level folks who wouldn't stand a chance one on one. It does even out the battle field, but maybe it can be improved? I don't know, this is me rambling now, trying to inspire someone to have an idea and post it. While I do like the champs, I don't think this should be the only way of playing with different levels, I've tried mentoring in the arena.. it works.. kinda? I didn't sit and watch but it didn't seem right. Maybe it was because of the PvE mechanics? Not sure, but we should be able to lower our level to make things fair..maybe without dragging in someone else to mentor?Does anyone else see what I'm talking about? The arena could be fun, if it were to be revamped. I pointed out the two things I see as actual issues, and one thing that isn't as big of a deal, just a comment...but some other things could always be fun. Comments? Suggestions? Maybe it will catch SOEs eye and something will be done. I would love to have fun in the arena.

[Andorryl]

/cheer AluraThe arena is decent and I have some fun in it.  But over all, it's a waste of space.The suggestions in the OP would make it immeasurably better!  (Make it PvP values and make the potions optional!)The arena currently lets you treat players as mobs.  My wizard can one-shot a group.  A coercer can keep someone mezzed for 45 seconds.  An assassin can keep you stifled for 13 seconds <i>while</i> sipping tea and decapping you for 15k.  Also, the LOS range to see invised or stealth players is within melee range.The other problem is that it's nearly impossible to avoid the potions.  Put in a small check box in the arena creation screen that allows you to remove them (and those silly extra skills lying around.)Another problem is that you can't open 90% of your windows (guild, inventory, bags, etc.)The main problem is PvE values vs players.  I don't think that it would be very difficult at all to make it a zone with PvP values.  Make these small but wonderful changes and you'll add 5% more game content with little effort and make a lot of people very happy.  Or just let it rot...Edited for a typo

[interstellarmatter]

I get the feeling that a revamp Arena is on their to-do list.  They seem to be going back and trying to fill in all the missing voids in the game recently.  They are probably caught up in the new expansion at the moment.  It wouldn't surprise me if you heard something about a arena revamp at the start of next year.

[MaCloud1032]

As long as it gets the pvp rule set and not pve crap.  Due to pve rule sets in there scouts perma stun lock.  My Harm Touch can hit for 9k in pvp it hits for about 2k

[Razgriz]

My guildies and I were just talking about the arena last night. We want a way to try PvP builds against our own faction before taking them to the field, or to test who really has the better character build aside from k/d or title. We'd love if the arena had the following changes: <b>-Levels 10+</b> PvP is enabled at 10, so the arena should be as well. <b>-Optional Potions/Abilities</b> They can be fun, but usually they're just annoying. <b>-PvP Ruleset</b> Control immunities, PvP damage and healing values, and stealth/invis visibility at the PvP range are a must. It's impossible to accurately test out PvP builds when you can indefinitely stun lock, mez cycle, etc. The arena could be great. It certainly has the potential, but could use some serious changes. PvPers don't have the option to /duel, and a way to spar against your friends with the PvP ruleset would give players a chance to build their PvP skills in relative safety. As an added benefit, guilds could train their new level 10 members and help them against the twinks more than saying "Get Ad3 and MC."

[Vocare]

<p>I have to agree with everything said here accept for the thought that they may have this on the back burner. My guess is that they put it in it was not as popular as they thought it would be, so they forgot about it. It is not popular for all the reasons stated above. My #1 gripe is the stupid potions around that you can't get rid of....please how hard would that be.....that change alone would get me to go in and play when my fellow guild members want to go practice PvP in there.</p><p>Gothica</p>

[Kendricke]

<p>We wrote up a fairly lengthy article on this subject over at Clockwork Gamer back in ...oh, let me see here...*shuffles some papers*...it's around here somewhere...ah, yes!</p><p>We wrote up an article called "<a href="http://kendricke.wordpress.com/2007/06/26/mano-e-mano/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mano e Mano</a>" back in June.  The article covered a quick generalized overview of differences between World of Warcraft Battlegrounds and Everquest II Arenas, and several suggestions on what could be done to Arenas to make them a more exciting part of gameplay.</p><p><b>From the article:</b></p><p><i>"Why stick to just deathmatch and capture the flag.  What about mounted Circus Maximus style death races (think MarioKart or Crash Bandicoot).  My Warhorse vs his Warg vs your Rhino...10 laps...anything goes.  One of my favorite player created games in old Everquest was Gnomeball (Take a gnome corpse in the Zek Arena + /consent all + two teams with /corpse macros...) and it wouldn't be terribly difficult to offer up a polo style variation.  Even a take off on the old American Gladiators show, where two teams have to race through identical dungeon mazes (filled with traps and monsters) to get to the middle first."</i></p>

[Ravaan]

<p>completely agree I hope a dev responds to this post give us "casual" PVPers a hope. I would love to see a total revamp of them ... make them into more like battlegrounds or whatnot.</p><p>make different "games" like capture the flag, seiging keeps ... or capturing spawn points (ala battlefield).</p><p>put the PVP ruleset in place so no one is one shotting other classes or controlling them constantly.</p><p>I like no love PVP i just can't stand the ganking by those 8 levels higher than me that i have no chance of fighting back against.</p>

[Kalyai]

<p>I came from WoW...I played on a PvE server over there, and at first couldn't understand why anyone would wnat to kill another player....then I hit Arathi Basin, one of the battlegrounds, and was hooked.  PvP with a purpose...not just killing your opponents!</p><p>I loved the battlegrounds and when I left WoW and came over here to play EQ2 on a PvP Server, I heard there was an arena and I was completely ecstatic, thinking it was like my beloved battlegrounds, only to find that it is not....</p><p>Please Devs!!  Battlegrounds would be so much fun!!  The way the arena is now, it is collecting dust...its practically useless... give us something akin to battlegrounds and watch the arena become one of the most used aspects of the game!!</p>

[Norrsken]

Also, make it possible to go raid vs raid in there once pvp rules apply. Heh.

[toenukl]

Awesome suggestions by OP that I have thought about many times myself. These changes would definitely make an unused feature in the game much more desirable.

[trovan2]

<p>I love to play the arena, but it is hard to find ANYONE to play.</p><p>I have almost all the champions!! (I need like two or three).</p>

[Norrsken]

One thing they could do with the arena is tie it in with lon somehow, like, being capable of using some cards as champs in the arena.