🛡️ PvP Fundamentals · Lesson 15 of 17

Brackets, Gear & Getting Started

PvP is its own game mode with its own gear and rules. Here is how to start without getting stomped.

7 min read

The brackets

  • Arenas are 2v2 and 3v3; Solo Shuffle queues you solo into rotating 3v3 rounds; Rated Battlegrounds are 8v8.
  • Unrated Battlegrounds and skirmishes are the low-pressure place to learn.
  • Rating rises when you win and falls when you lose - everyone starts at the bottom.

PvP gear

  • PvP gear scales up in rated PvP, so your effective item level is higher inside arenas and BGs.
  • Earn honor and conquest to buy and upgrade PvP gear.
  • A PvP trinket to break crowd control and your PvP talents are must-haves.

Mindset

  • You will lose a lot while learning - that is normal; focus on one improvement per session.
  • Watch what kills you and counter it next time.

Key takeaways

  • Start in skirmishes and unrated BGs, then move to rated.
  • PvP gear scales up in rated play; grab a trinket and set your PvP talents.
  • Losing is part of learning - improve one thing at a time.
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