DNNA PvP Community and Etiquette
I will be frank. If you want to enter the PvP scene, be ready to face some anger - perhaps from your side or your opponent's. The DNNA PvP Community is a harsh place, with strict expectations. Hate is a normal thing.
PvP Respect
The PvP community is split into several groups - Chill roomers, Group PvPers, and 1v1 PvPers. Many 1v1 players also play group PvP, so there is little distinction. So it's more accurately split into two groups - Chill roomers and "real" PvPers. Chill roomers are people who go to "chill rooms" to earn PvP points and medals, or boost their PvP rank. "Real" PvPers make up the PvP community. They are aggressive and competitive, but that does not mean they are bad people. Respect is very important among them.
The community knows each other rather well. They don't all like each other, but they know who is who and whether or not they are good. For the PvP community, skill = respect. If you are good at PvP, people will notice you and respect you - provided you are not 1000% douchebag as well. In that case, they will respect your skill but hate you.
Skill in PvP is not measured by wins. It is measured by your actual skill in PvP - how well you know your class, how well you know other classes, how well you respond to attacks, how well you combo, etc. Those who use skills considered "Blacklisted" will not be considered skillful. Those who show particular skill in 1v1 get more respect, especially from the PvPers who 1v1 a lot.
Respect is given to those who have good personalities and have skill with their class (many PvPers are known for playing a specific class exceptionally well). Another aspect of PvP respect is experience. If you have been PvPing for a long time and have a lot of experience, you will be respected.
Some very notable/skilled PvPers on NA by class are...
Watch them play to better yourself. This is by no means an inexhaustible list. There are many fantastic PvPers on the NA server and beyond. These are simply from the top of my head.
The community knows each other rather well. They don't all like each other, but they know who is who and whether or not they are good. For the PvP community, skill = respect. If you are good at PvP, people will notice you and respect you - provided you are not 1000% douchebag as well. In that case, they will respect your skill but hate you.
Skill in PvP is not measured by wins. It is measured by your actual skill in PvP - how well you know your class, how well you know other classes, how well you respond to attacks, how well you combo, etc. Those who use skills considered "Blacklisted" will not be considered skillful. Those who show particular skill in 1v1 get more respect, especially from the PvPers who 1v1 a lot.
Respect is given to those who have good personalities and have skill with their class (many PvPers are known for playing a specific class exceptionally well). Another aspect of PvP respect is experience. If you have been PvPing for a long time and have a lot of experience, you will be respected.
Some very notable/skilled PvPers on NA by class are...
- Paladin : UhFrog (Crusader), Zeplic, Kavalan
- Sharpshooter : Thuy (Sniper)
- Acrobat : Kainara, Xiwi
- Swordsman : Reita (Gladiator), MrTryHard
- Elementalist : Doggonefool (Pyromancer), Eiyra
- Engineer: TinyHole (Shooting Star; Non-summon), Snacks (Shooting Star, Non-summon)
- Screamer : Khamiala
- Lancer : Combara
Watch them play to better yourself. This is by no means an inexhaustible list. There are many fantastic PvPers on the NA server and beyond. These are simply from the top of my head.
Some notable players who used to be active on NA...
They still hold a lot of respect in the community. If you find older PvP videos of them, it won't hurt you to watch and absorb their skills.
- Tachiagare (Priest), Venomist (Mystic; Now at DN EU), Numnut (Engineer; Non-Summon)
They still hold a lot of respect in the community. If you find older PvP videos of them, it won't hurt you to watch and absorb their skills.
Class Discrimination
The PvE Class discrimination does not apply to PvP. By "class discrimination" here, I mean that certain people will dislike you simply for playing a certain class. Many PvPers dislike some classes because they are...
- Overpowered in terms of damage
- Overpowered in terms of utility
- Mostly played by people with too much attitude/"salt"
- A combination of any of the above
The classes mostly singled out for these reasons are
People of all classes will complain and have differing opinions about other classes or how classes match up against each other; don't be surprised if someone or several people complain that [class not listed here] is overpowered for reasons [a], [b], and [c].
- Screamer : The class that the majority of the PvP Community dislikes playing against. Namely Dark Summoner. Extremely handy utility with decent SA and fairly good damage makes it a menacing and even unfair class. When I say handy, I do mean there are a lot of spirit hands.
- Alchemist : The second most disliked class; both subclasses are avoided. The utility, range, SA and damage of their skills, particularly Ground Zero and Magma Monument makes it a class with a lot of advantages. Adept's Ground Zero EX leaves flames on the ground that can be downright unfair. Physician's Love Sick skill leaves you unable to attack for some time... also unfair.
- Assassin : Very overpowered at release. They have been nerfed, but the disdain towards them still stands. Chasers still have very high utility and skills that cancel other skills often. Bringers are disliked in Ladder for their summons and heals that give them large advantage in some cases. Light Fury's Sunshine Spark EX also gets a little hate.
- Priest : Disliked in some group PvP because of their large field utility with relics.
People of all classes will complain and have differing opinions about other classes or how classes match up against each other; don't be surprised if someone or several people complain that [class not listed here] is overpowered for reasons [a], [b], and [c].
Etiquette
Now, we know it's good to be nice to people, especially PvPers who tend to be volatile (who wouldn't be upset after losing?). Etiquette is important to surviving the PvP community. Here, we'll help you out a bit.
Understand and Respect the BL
The Blacklist is informal. Nothing stops you from using skills considered "Blacklisted" - except potential hate from PvPers and your own code of conduct. The Blacklist applies to 1v1 matches in the Forest Gauntlet or Lost Temple maps. Using a BL skill in a 1v1 match on these maps goes against the common community's understanding. This will upset your opponent, and warrant them to use any BL skill they please. Even if you are frustrated or losing, using these will often simply make the other player angry as well - and if you're desperate enough to use one.. chances are you won't survive your opponent without BL. Group PvP or any other map than the two listed is OKAY to use BL skills.
Respect Older, Experienced Players
They deserve it. Many are considerably nice, but any normal person will not tolerate disrespect. Even if they are nice and don't get upset, chances are the PvP community that respect and love them will.
Kiting
Do not kite. Running away and turning around to toss a powerful skill will make people very angry. Kiting is not how you PvP in Dragon Nest.
Endless AFK and Chills
Do not AFK in Endless, please. It ruins the game for the players, and though they are nice people, they will not be happy at all. Some will report. In a chill room, please don't start a fight. Farming kills can annoy people, too.
Group Team Balance
In a group setting, if the other team is missing a player, the other team will have someone "sit" or "sit out" to balance the teams.
After a Kill
Don't sheath your weapon and make emoticons (laughing and dancing especially) after you kill your opponent. It's just rude. Don't expect your opponent to be pleased with your behavior if you do this.
Middle of match AFK
If they AFK in the middle of the match to do something urgent, please respect that and don't hit them.
RQ and DC
Actually, no one cares if you rage quit. Most people will be like "lol." If you disconnect, people will assume you have DC'd and continue on with their life. It isn't a big deal.
Complaining
It's hard not to complain about how terrible the lag in DN NA is. However, it does make you come off as a sore loser who needs an excuse. Some will mind if you complain.
GG and GF
After a 1v1 match, saying "Good game" or "Good fight" have mixed responses. Some people do not care whether it is said to them - and they in turn will not say it (unless they believe it was a good fight and they had fun). Saying "gg" (good game) can sound condescending to some; "gf" is generally nicer seeming. Some players, after a win, only say "gf" if their opponent said it first as to not seem condescending.
Understand and Respect the BL
The Blacklist is informal. Nothing stops you from using skills considered "Blacklisted" - except potential hate from PvPers and your own code of conduct. The Blacklist applies to 1v1 matches in the Forest Gauntlet or Lost Temple maps. Using a BL skill in a 1v1 match on these maps goes against the common community's understanding. This will upset your opponent, and warrant them to use any BL skill they please. Even if you are frustrated or losing, using these will often simply make the other player angry as well - and if you're desperate enough to use one.. chances are you won't survive your opponent without BL. Group PvP or any other map than the two listed is OKAY to use BL skills.
Respect Older, Experienced Players
They deserve it. Many are considerably nice, but any normal person will not tolerate disrespect. Even if they are nice and don't get upset, chances are the PvP community that respect and love them will.
Kiting
Do not kite. Running away and turning around to toss a powerful skill will make people very angry. Kiting is not how you PvP in Dragon Nest.
Endless AFK and Chills
Do not AFK in Endless, please. It ruins the game for the players, and though they are nice people, they will not be happy at all. Some will report. In a chill room, please don't start a fight. Farming kills can annoy people, too.
Group Team Balance
In a group setting, if the other team is missing a player, the other team will have someone "sit" or "sit out" to balance the teams.
After a Kill
Don't sheath your weapon and make emoticons (laughing and dancing especially) after you kill your opponent. It's just rude. Don't expect your opponent to be pleased with your behavior if you do this.
Middle of match AFK
If they AFK in the middle of the match to do something urgent, please respect that and don't hit them.
RQ and DC
Actually, no one cares if you rage quit. Most people will be like "lol." If you disconnect, people will assume you have DC'd and continue on with their life. It isn't a big deal.
Complaining
It's hard not to complain about how terrible the lag in DN NA is. However, it does make you come off as a sore loser who needs an excuse. Some will mind if you complain.
GG and GF
After a 1v1 match, saying "Good game" or "Good fight" have mixed responses. Some people do not care whether it is said to them - and they in turn will not say it (unless they believe it was a good fight and they had fun). Saying "gg" (good game) can sound condescending to some; "gf" is generally nicer seeming. Some players, after a win, only say "gf" if their opponent said it first as to not seem condescending.
PvP Forums
The PvP Forums are just as vicious as the arena. Watch what you say, and try not to be provoked by others. The forums are generally fairly toxic. It is not easy to find a nice thread, and even harder to find a nice thread that everyone responds positively to. If you like drama, this (and the General Forums) is the place to be. It would be good if you didn't cause trouble though.
End Note
DN NA's PvP really is great, even if not all of the community is to your liking. If you're really passionate about PvP, or at least really passionate about having fun, you should find some friends around the arena in no time.