Arena Tips and Tricks

[Akamaz]

ok, now i know how difficult it will be to get anyone to post trade secrets regarding PVP tips, but Just in case you want to break that stereotype, feel free to post your suggestions here!

[Freeze Warning]

Heh, I think we should talk Darknesse into starting an arena dojo :D

Actually, you could combine this with your SG idea, make a team called PCity Bushido or something and hold class in the arena. One of the arena gurus could hold scheduled matches, then discuss how his teammates could improve their arena techniques. Nothing learns ya fightin' likes doin' it!! :shinner:

Freeze

[Akamaz]

I agree, that sounds like a pretty good idea, having a training class in the arena, now if we can just arrange matches... do they have a password feature for making private matches?

[Blackbat]

I agree, that sounds like a pretty good idea, having a training class in the arena, now if we can just arrange matches... do they have a password feature for making private matches?

You can just create a match, check the option for "No Observers" and instead of listing the match, fill it up by Invite only.

[Esbat]

If you're dealing with a foe does a hit and run tactic inorder to dodge a PBAoE attack like Burn or Blazing Aura, and they're running and jumping over the attack and hitting you in the process corner yourself, at a corner of the map, and keep dropping your attack. It may not be "honorable" but it give you the advantage.

[Xanatos]

If you're fighting against Invauln tankers there are two primary ways of dealing with them:

1. Brawl their toggles off
2. Debuff them to the point where their toggles mean nothing.

Now if you're a Defender or controller you should be able to use tactic #2 (although some controllers/defenders are exceptions - i.e. force fielders) The idea is that not only are you debuffing their defense, but also their accuracy. I've fought Dark/Dark and Rad/Rad Defenders who made it completely impossible for MC Xanatos to hit them. (He has no hamidon enhancers)

Tactic #1 is used by scrappers, tankers, and...*gulp*...blasters. If you're a scrapper you should benefit from higher damage then invauln the tank, so: brawl, hit, brawl, hit, brawl, hit... Eventually the tank shoudl drop. The problem is that the tanker will be tryign to do exactly the same thing to you.
N.B.1. - I think Dark Melee has some form of debuffs in its attacks - which would make it ideal vs Invauln tanks.
N.B.2. Energy Melee tanks are good when fighting most Invauln Tanks. Not all tanks have Unyielding and Resist Energy Six slotted - which often makes them vulnerable to the damage an EM tanker can give out.

Blasters...Ah hell I dunno. Blaster melee powers (fire sword/ice sword, etc) are also able to drop toggles ala brawl. I'm working on it :)

*edit*
Some powers have a chance to turn off one or more of a target’s Toggle powers. These powers include:
Inherent: Brawl (33% chance of dropping one toggle)
Blaster: Devices: Time Bomb (100% chance of dropping one toggle, 75% chance of dropping a second toggle, 50% chance of dropping a third toggle, and 25% chance of dropping a fourth toggle)
Blaster: Devices: Trip Mine (75% chance of dropping one toggle, 37% chance of dropping a second toggle)
Blaster: Electrical Manipulation: Charged Brawl (100% chance of dropping one toggle, 20% chance of dropping a second toggle)
Blaster: Electrical Manipulation: Havok Punch (100% chance of dropping one toggle, 75% chance of dropping a second toggle 50% chance of dropping a third toggle)
Blaster: Energy Manipulation: Bone Smasher (100% chance of dropping one toggle, 75% chance of dropping a second toggle 50% chance of dropping a third toggle)
Blaster: Energy Manipulation: Energy Punch (100% chance of dropping one toggle, 20% chance of dropping a second toggle)
Blaster: Fire Manipulation: Fire Sword (100% chance of dropping one toggle, 20% chance of dropping a second toggle)
Blaster: Fire Manipulation: Fire Sword Circle (75% chance of dropping one toggle, 38% chance of dropping a second toggle 19% chance of dropping a third toggle)
Blaster: Ice Manipulation: Frozen Fists (100% chance of dropping one toggle, 20% chance of dropping a second toggle)
Blaster: Ice Manipulation: Ice Sword (100% chance of dropping one toggle, 40% chance of dropping a second toggle 15% chance of dropping a third toggle,

[Darknesse]

If you're dealing with a foe does a hit and run tactic inorder to dodge a PBAoE attack like Burn or Blazing Aura, and they're running and jumping over the attack and hitting you in the process corner yourself, at a corner of the map, and keep dropping your attack. It may not be "honorable" but it give you the advantage.

Two things.

1: That only works on someone that has no range and has no fire resistance, and doesn't have elude or something.

Basically, it only works for a small section of levels in PVP.

2: It is not a tactic for victory, but basically is the same thing as running around until time runs out and getting a draw.

[Magna Harrier]

Xan, you're ice/ice as well, right? Were Invunerable tankers just as much a pain for you as for me? Above a certain point, I can't freeze ray them down, and it's just a matter of time.
Other than that, I now have newfound love for my freeze rays.

[Yin]

Storm Defenders/Controllers: Never let Hurricane down. I don't care if you're on the last smidget of endurance, turn everything else off and keep it up. It's the last line of defense in some cases. No saying all, but some Tankers and Scrappers just can't get through it, and when you throw Lightning Storm out there it just gets even better. We CAN take out Tankers/Scrappers. It just takes longer. ;)

[Akamaz]

well, howling twilight seems to work wonders agains tankers, last night in the arena i ended up dropping the toggles on 2 tanks (one EM/invuln and one SS/invuln. both were about 4 levels higher than me, and it's so much fun watching the blasters on your team wipe out a pair of stunned slowed inv tanks with no toggles...

mind you, we barely won the match, but it was still fun

[Lord Napalm]

I've found that the only defense not affected by brawl is Unstoppable. Sure, you'll be vulnerable every 4 mins, but most matches only last 10-15 mins anyway, and the risk has been worth it.

My poor toggles.... *sniff*

[Darknesse]

Taunt-run is dead thanks to supression.

Unstoppable is a toggle, and it's usually just best to wait until it drops THEN strike.

[vyxzuw]

Unstoppable is a toggle, and it's usually just best to wait until it drops THEN strike.

Um, you mean click power...

[Randomus]

Do not ever turn off Dispersion Bubble.

Ever.

Make sure your snipe powers are full on damage. If you're worried about accuracy, use an Aim power, an inspiration or get Tactics.

Try to be as sneaky as possible for your initial strike. If you're in a map that has a forest canopy like Perez Park or the Hollows, you have a good chance of remaining unseen in the foliage. In an exception to rule #1, you can turn off DP briefly as you're sneaking through the leaves. As soon as your snipe is fired, MOVE as quickly as possible and put DP back up.

If you're fighting a tank, well. Uh. Hmm.

Don't.

Same for Controllers, you have no defense against them whatever Dispersion Bubble claims.

[Grae Knight]

Quick tidbit...if you are having a tough time against a FF defender or a FF mm with that pain in the ass bubble up that keeps you away and you or a teammate happen to be a Illusion Controller, Blind is your friend! Blind has a minor sleep component to it and will cause both bubbles to drop.

Enjoy :)

[Akamaz]

thanks for sharing your arena tips everybody!

[Green Tower]

Heh. Not one post in all of 2007. We're a sad bunch of douche bags...I mean, PvPers.

[Sir Serpa]

I'll post some stuff later, lol

[Sir Serpa]

Toggle dropping isn't as reliable anymore. Melee-ers, keep brawl in your attack chain just in case...Ranged/controllers, you usually have other ways of dealing with em.

Taunt-Run is not dead for Brutes. A HIGHLY effective tool for a Brute to keep teammates safe is to fly and spam webnade. This tactic works best with Fiery Aura because you can keep your toggles up, fly in, taunt, webnade, heal if neccesary, and fly out. Main thing is to keep that aggro. Most of your teammates will have a self heal, albeit the majority will have Aid-Self. Give them a chance to use it!

When dealing with MMs, do anything to separate the Master from his servants. One tactic I use regularly with my Bubbler is to fly directly above the MM and fly down directly ontop of him with Force Bubble or Repulsion Field. Bomb may work if slotted for Knockback, but I haven't tried it myself.

Utilize Line of Sight. If fighting a ranged opponent and need to Aid Self or use some other interruptible power, hide behind a tree or the stairs. Utilize your surroundings. That's what makes a good Arena PVPer.

If you ever see Build up, Aim, or Power Build Up/Power Boost...RUN! That will end your fight 75% of the time. Break line of sight for as long as possible, get out of range, ANYTHING. Just get away from them.

Kinetics? Melee is your friend...But not right away. Gauge your opponent and see how much time you can spend infront of them. My general strat with Dmitry is to Siphon Power, Fulcrum Shift, Siphon Speed, then move into melee. This combo, when used throughout a fight, will keep a Kin alive. SP and FS are 20% Debuffs for Trollers and Corrs, and 25% Debuffs for defenders. Siphon Speed also follows the same numbers. It may not seem like a lot, but every little bit helps. Transfusion should be utilize as often as possible, and if you can, Transference a foe's end to 0, thus dropping their toggles, before engaging them in melee.



That's all I can think of right now. Have some stuff to do, but I'll post more when I get back.

[Grae Knight]

I can add this..

Don't bring a Brute or a Tanker to the Arena unless it is a 1v1 against another melee toon.
Since spines ranged attacks got their range nerfed that are not as effective in team arena PvP.
Villains have 3 things going for them in Arena PvP: Corruptors, Fortunatas and Perma-dom Dominators.
Blasters still rip up opposition, Fire/EM in particular.
Defenders and controllers are still great in team PvP.