Ten Ton Hammer - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

Welcome, fellow heroes, to Ten Ton Hammer’s introduction to PvP action in Champions Online. Being a superhero game, Champions Online can allow you to prove, once and for all, that your hero can kick the ass of your friend’s character! Just like the age old argument of who would win in a fight, Superman or Hulk, you too can settle your grudges and claim bragging rights. (BTW, the correct answer is Superman.)

The purpose of this article is to show you how to get started throwing down in PvP in Champions Online. Later articles will delve into the higher tiers, different styles, and rewards. Please remember that any suggestions given in this article are subject to possible changes in the future due to patching, so no griping! My twin  .45s don’t take kindly to smarminess.

Now, some people will wonder why you should do some PvP when they’re so many villains to fight. To those naysayers, my twin .45s have a few arguments. First, it’s a heck of a lot of fun to throw down against friends and strangers. It’s also a refreshing change of pace from fighting computerized opponents. A living, breathing opponent provides a more stimulating challenge. Mostly, there’s just the fun of cracking heads for the sheer joy of it! Who doesn’t love seeing some fool who thinks he’s the best thing since Predator running from you in fear as your lightning bolts pound him into the ground?

Another great reason for playing PvP is the challenge. Unlike other MMOs, you don’t know what your opponent is capable of when you start. You can’t just look at him and go, “Oh, he’s a rogue, so I’d better back up and hit him with some ranged attacks.” There’s no obvious healer or ranged dps to concentrate on first. That pint-sized wimpy dude might just be a damage dealing death machine with the ability to tank thrown in. Forget your normal tried and true PvP tactics, my friend. Champions Online throws those preconceptions out the window. Lastly, there are rewards you can achieve through PvP. You can gain access to costume pieces, perks, or vanity pets. Yes, there are luchador (Mexican wrestling) costume pieces for you to grab!

Your first exposure to PvP action will be the UTC Cage Match. UTC stands for the Ultimate Tournament of Champions which represents standard PvP play in Champions Online. After leaving the tutorial at level 5, you can enter a queue for the Cage Match at any time by clicking on the closed fist icon on the lower left of your mini-map on the upper right of your screen. This will open the PvP menu. To join a match, click on the Hero Games tab, select UTC Cage Match and then click on join queue. No running to some capital city for some PvP throwdown!

When a match is ready, you’ll be notified and asked if you wish to join. Doing so will send you to a locker room. From the teleport pad in the corner, you’ll see right away if you’re on the blue team or red team by the color of the teleport pad and light. The goal of Cage Match is to be the first team to score a total of 15 points by dropping your enemies.

Once the match starts you’ll want to make your way out to the arena to fight the opposing team. There are three ways to get to the arena from the locker room. The first is to use the teleport which will take you directly into the arena. The second and third entrances are two doors in the room adjacent to the locker room. If you walk straight out of the locker room to the far door, that door will open onto a smaller room that opens out into the arena. This is a good route to take if the enemy is camping the other entrances as it allows you to get a chance to scope out the action in the arena room beforehand. The third option is to take the door at the far end of the adjacent room. This door opens directly into the arena.

The arena itself is a large room with a wire mesh cage taking up most of the room in the center. There are several openings in the wire mesh allowing you to go inside the cage and back out again. Remember! The wire mesh does block line of sight, so if you’re getting hit by somebody from a distance, you can just roll a few feet into the cage and provide yourself some cover. Around the walls of the arena room are various crates and barrels you can pick up and happily throw at your opponents. If you get whacked, you’ll respawn back in the locker room.

Here’s some tips for ya. First, use the wire mesh to provide cover for you. You also need to keep in mind that with everybody having a travel power, moving around can get extremely chaotic. The room isn’t that high, but it is high enough for people to fly around and try to hit you from a distance. If you’re pure melee, you’ll need to pick something up and throw it at them! If you’re really hurting somebody, keep on them -most of your powers will continue to work as you move. Lastly, try to work with your team. When you first start doing some PvP, expect to die a lot. Expect to die a lot more if you don’t work as a team. An added perk is that you can talk to your opponents during the match, so make sure you have some good taunts ready to shatter their self-esteem!

Once a match is over, you’ll be returned to where you were when you entered the match. From there, just go ahead and join another queue for some two-fisted PvP smackdown. Don't forget to check your Acclaim in your character information window. You gain Acclaim based on your ranking and whether you win or lose a match. After level 10, you’ll gain access to other maps and some differing styles of PvP action. Until then, make sure that you’re the one walking out victoriously from the Cage Match! Make your foes quake in their boots crying out that you’re their daddy!