Ever since paid transfers were introduced, quite some time ago, there has been one very prominent restriction: no transfers from PvE servers to PvP servers. The general reason given for this is that it wouldn't be fair; people who level to 70 on a PvP server have a significantly harder time of it that people who do it on a PvE server, and letting people transfer from PvE to PvP is just going to encourage them to level where it's safe easy and then transfer to go around ganking and raiding and whatever else they want to do. Well, that restriction is lifted: paid transfers from PvE to PvP servers
will be available from now on.
Blizzard's stated reason for this is that "providing a smooth and enjoyable experience for all players is always a priority for us," and that these transfers are being implemented "to provide players with more mobility and freedom to easily play with their friends." While these are valid reasons to a certain extent, I still think this will be pretty unpopular with players on PvP servers.
[thanks, Nega]
Tags: paid-character-transfer, pct, pve-server, pve-to-pvp, pvp-server, transfer
Filed under: Realm News, PvP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
g8rcody Sep 11th 2008 2:34PM
ha!
Harmun Sep 11th 2008 3:08PM
Wow, total fail.
The reason it's worth slogging through to the end game on PvP servers is the knowledge that one day you will be powerful enough to get them back. Where's the justice in allowing anyone with a couple of dollars to level on easy mode, not having corpse runs in Tanaris or having their escort quests ganked at the last second, be able to join a server where we did have to go through that? Leveling is not inherently as fun as being a high level, and when it's a PvP server, it's actually not fun at all. It's a real chore to get ganked an average of 3 times a day. It's frustrating, and the only reason people do it is because they want to be able to do it back.
If anyone here thinks that leveling on a PvP server is not that much harder than in a PvE server, I strongly suggest they try it on Skullcrusher. As Alliance, if they really want to prove my point. It's a huge difference! It magnifies the amount of time you need to spend by a significant factor.
I would be OK with transfers from PvE to PvP only if the account already had a 70 (or 80, if its after the expansion) earned on a PvP server. It's not at all a good idea for Blizzard to completely devalue all the corpse runs and gank anger we went through earning our place in a PvP server- and I hope they realize this.
Smurk Sep 11th 2008 3:19PM
Harman, speak for yourself. Some people like the added challenge and danger of levelling on a PVP server. How often do you feel really "threatened" by AI mobs? Having to hide from a 'skull,' on the other hand, or psyching yourself up for a dangerous run through STV? Maybe not fun for you, but it is for some.
Ahoni Sep 11th 2008 3:19PM
@Harmun
This is exactly the reasoning people use for hazing. Whether it is college frats, high school sports or any other situation. People harassed me and made my life miserable, and I put up with all of that only so I can turn around and do the same thing to them? What an enlightened position.
Harmun Sep 11th 2008 3:25PM
I think that if either of us is "speaking for ourselves", it's you. Who on earth likes trying to hide from 70s on ganking sprees in STV? They move faster than you, they're only focusing on PvP while you also have to focus on PvE, and they have much more time than you. The best defense is to go check your bank alt and waste their time, but as soon as one gets bored, and another takes his place.
I got my toons to 70 on a PvP server despite this, not because of this, and I am fairly sure that many people leveling on a PvP server would tell you the same thing: "Yeah, it sucks for now, but just you wait until I hit 70!"
native Sep 11th 2008 3:27PM
@ Harum
"If anyone here thinks that leveling on a PvP server is not that much harder than in a PvE server, I strongly suggest they try it on Skullcrusher. "
thats ok. i'll just transfer my PvE guy over instead. i'll take your word for it. lawl.
Harmun Sep 11th 2008 3:29PM
@Ahoni the hazing metaphor is unfortunately true. Luckily, this is a video game that condones violence between players, and not the real world where hazing involves real damage to real people, and is usually kept secret.
I strongly oppose any institution in the real world that allows hazing, but in this video game, I decided that I wanted to be a part of what felt like an epic battle between horde and alliance. I had to work twice as hard to get to 70 as a PvE player does, and now for a few dollars, they will get to join the same club as me without the work. Does this mean that Blizzard thinks my double effort expended is worth the price of a character xfer?
Harmun Sep 11th 2008 3:38PM
@native I'll try to take some solace in the fact that you wasted a few hours earning the money you'll use to switch to my server, but then I'll realize that you're probably horde, and that you'll be just one more face trying to prevent my mage from leaving Gadgetzan to finish those damned pirate quests.
Smurk Sep 11th 2008 3:57PM
"now for a few dollars, they will get to join the same club as me without the work."
A club defined in the past by (drawing from your posts) anger, frustration, boredom and lust for dominance. A good sales pitch for people to pay for this new option rather than "earn" a PVP 70.
Harmun Sep 11th 2008 5:00PM
"A good sales pitch for people to pay for this new option rather than "earn" a PVP 70."
Agreed- transfers are getting a great deal. They get to be a well geared level 70 in a PVP realm where they can gank lower level players if they choose, and have never had to be ganked by a higher level player.
I picked PVP because I wanted to be part of a large scale war with intelligent players on both sides, and the fact that they got a free ride and I had to get to 70 the hard way cheapens my experience. Instead of endless corpse runs, I could have spend all that time earning gold or grinding rep.
vinniedcleaner Sep 11th 2008 8:55PM
The key is "intelligent" players... gankers are no more than morons who are trying to compensate for what they lack in real life. If you really want to experience the thrill of a lkarge scale battle between good and evil, then petition Blizzard to implement a global KoS list filled with these gankers and put a price on their head....
Wasuremono Sep 11th 2008 9:15PM
I don't agree with this in the same spirit as Harmun except I jus think they should end this "hazing" right of passage. No more ganking lowbies. It's pointless and completely not fun for one of the parties involved. Prehaps ending the ability for an alt to transfer unto a 70 alt and take vengence might actually encourage same level pvp in on pvp servers instead of the gankfest it is now.
I have never been killed by some on my level leveling 3 times to 70 on a pvp server, not because I am a good player but because I was never attacked by someone the same level as me. All of my multiple deaths were by skulls, and that just isn't fun.
Sneekr Sep 11th 2008 2:35PM
Wow, didn't see this coming, kind of came out of no where.
Barnister Sep 11th 2008 2:36PM
Oh, hell!
I see drama incoming a la "Them carebears had it too easy! They don't deserve it! We are the pros, the Alpha and Omega!"
Manatank Sep 11th 2008 3:04PM
I'm sure you will see that from many players on PvP servers who have consistently believed they are better players simply because they had a greater chance to be griefed while leveling.
Assuming they truly are better PvPers, then they should have no trouble crushing the new max level "carebears" in their midst.
Preston Sep 11th 2008 3:27PM
Mock it all you want, but it's 100% true that PvE servers are far easier to level on. People will level up on a low-pop PvE, then transfer at 70 to the PvP server they really want to play on.
This game has jumped the shark.
rick gregory Sep 11th 2008 3:19PM
Of course. The people against this never really had a good reason - it was always a variation on "we had to walk uphill both ways in my day..."
The old rule ignored several issues:
1) the player who levelled on a pvp server, transferred to a PvE to play with friends, friends quit. That person DID level PvP, so the primary objection doesn't hold.
2) People who could level on a new/low pop PvP server with minimal ganking and then transfer to a more populated PvP server.
3) Guild recruitment is much harder when guilds on PvE servers can't get raiders on a PvP server to move over because of reason 2... Player might want to move, guild might love to have them but the player can't take the chance and get stranded. Now they can.
4) The converse of #3 - My 70s can now potentially transfer to PvP realms in my timezone or with better raid times which gives me more options.
jbodar Sep 11th 2008 7:20PM
Manatank, FT-F'ing-W!
Drew Sep 11th 2008 2:36PM
Corporate wins again!
Smurk Sep 11th 2008 2:36PM
Levelling on a PVP server isn't that difficult anymore because there are so few people in Azeroth. People who REALLY wanted a PVP toon have almost certainly rolled one by now, but if more people want to play 70-80 on my server, fine by me. More buyers for my Wrath-ready auctions.