PvP - what does it mean, captain ?

[King of Crowns]

pvp is one player trying to kill another player. To be successful at pvp you have to limit what the other players options are. If you are unable to do this due to speed or lack of firepower then you will not be able to kill the other player. Balance of the fight doesn't matter in an open world game, it will always be whomever finds whatever they can catch and kill. if you want to have an open world you cannot have balance in battle unless the battle is pre arranged. I will agree that the best fights are the ones that are close to even but those do not happen very often in the open world setting. But a seal clubbing is still PVP even though, it may be boring or discouraging it is still pvp. part of playing on the pvp server is understanding that there will be times when you get caught in situations that you will loose your crap no matter how good you are at the game. its going to happen to everyone so if you cant handle it go to the pve server.

[Jarlath Morrow]

As @Ruthless4u points out, there are many ways that players can compete.

To me, the real thrill of PvP combat is looking past the movements of the enemy ship and the firing of its cannons and coming to a guess as to what the other player is thinking, planning, and worrying about.

[Slamz]

"War."

PvP to me means war. I don't do duels in a war. I don't do arranged fights in a war. I don't hold back because "it's not fair" in a war. I give no quarter and want none. In a war, I sneak up on your cargo ship, blast your crew to death and steal your cargo with you not having a chance, because it's war. When I run cargo I get escorts, because there's a war out there. I spend half my time thinking how I can kill you in the most unfair way possible and the other half of my time thinking how I can avoid having you kill me in the most unfair way possible. This thought process drives about 90% of my interest in any game.

And if I'm very lucky, I get to do this in a game where kills have strategic meaning in themselves. I'll fight for funsies but I'd prefer it if it mattered more.

[randommexi]

pvp is, sailing around the KPR area and ganking noobs.

[Bartholomew.E.Dogg]

getting into a fight with enemy ship or ships even if the odds are not necessarily in your favour. Not being afraid to lose a ship.  The idea that a fight should be even is quite unrealistic.

[IndianaGeoff]

2 hours ago, randommexi said:

pvp is, sailing around the KPR area and ganking noobs.

Or south of Savannah.  But newbs mostly learn after one time.

[Macjimm]

PvP is player vs player combat or conflict.  Single players pitting themselves against other single players in a fight or competition.   It may be a deathmatch battle of opposing nations or groups but essentially individuals are acting independantly.  Could be a duel.  Could also be making efforts in trading to defeat an opponent by creating a situation where he is unable to profit.

TvT is team vs team.  Similar to PvP but with groups rather than individuals.  TvT battles can degenerate into PvP if there is a lack of coordination, communication and mutual support.  Ganking is TvT (not TvP)  with a group having a size of just one.  

PvE is player verses an AI environment.  The game mechanics will not allow player vs player conflict.  Combat is permitted with NPCs but not between players.  PvE includes TvE where groups of players work cooperatively against NPCs.  Pure PvE is difficult in multi-player because conflict is possible in trading.

I like enjoy the TvT (and PvP) environment in NA.   Having risk of loss from other players, while I travel or trade, adds excitement and challenge to the gameplay.