Considering buying ARMA 2...how is PVP?

[voncrandall 10]

I played the original ARMA for a while, but got a bit bored with the co/op servers and no real pvp. Simply going around and shooting the AI all day just wasn't cutting it for me and there was no real teamwork involved.

I started playing BF1942 and moved onto CoD, Red Orchestra and even WW2 online...so I was curious, what level of pvp is going on in ARMA 2? is it worth getting to solely PVP in...and how does PVP work currently in regards to the map setup..objectives to win (time limit, kill count, etc)?

Thanks in advance..

[walker 0]

Hi voncrandall

Mix on servers is about 40% PvP and 60% coop. Two of the top three most populated servers are running the PvP Berzerk 24/7 with 60+ players the third a 120 player server is running an experimental PvP and has most of its slots full but it peaks at European and US game playing hours.

There are probably 5 other 50 player public coop servers running that get in the top 20 number of players servers and they peak at European and US game playing hours.

Most of the 30 player servers in the top 20 number of player slots are running coops but there are usualy 3 CTFs running more or less all the time.

Evolution seems to be on the decline. Domination is the main dynamic coop form closely followed by "The longest day"

A lot of the new Coops are hybrid PvP/Coop with either asymentric warfare such as "Road Patrol" "Capture the serial killer", "Protection Squad" and Coop team versus High Command run OPFOR like "Blue Dragon".

None of this takes account of hidden and locked clan servers which you need to look in the squads and clan server section of the forum to find. If you want team play you are best joining a clan. I also reccomend you read the manuals thread sticked in the top of this setion.

Clan servers tend to be the bigger servers in MP. Clans usualy run a public recruiting server and to train people in their clan ethos and to gather evidense of TK, griefing and cheater activities for ban lists. Their main clan server is usualy locked and hidden.

Most of the 20 player servers fall in to the smaller clan servers and they run that mix of a 40% 60% split of PvP and coop. Some specialise only playing one form others play a mix but again at that 40% 60% mix.

The sub 10 player severs are usualy client servers with friends playing each other and just about anything goes from DM's to coop campaign to new game form tests and stategy duels between two players playing everything from CTI to road patrol using the High Commander Function.

Kind Regards walker

Edited July 22, 2009 by walker

[galzohar 31]

Just in case it wasn't clear yet, PvP (and COOP for that matter) are entirely user-made missions. That means that pretty much anything (gametype-wise) is possible. That also means that it's a constant work-in-progress, so expect to see better and better as time goes on and gameplay gets fine-tuned with bugs getting fixed. Right now IMO there's still a long way to go, but also it's far from impossible to have an enjoyable PvP session.

As for common PvP gametypes, like said above there's:

Charlie Foxtrot server running their map, which has 2 distant bases where you, the vehicles and the transport aircraft respawn, and there is/are big zone(s) in the center of the island where the 2 sides are supposed to fight. The result of that is usually a slow-paced team deathmatch style of game. Once enough kills are made inside a zone, it'll become "yours" and the next zone that used to belong to the enemy now becomes the new combat zone (refered to as the "zulu"). Vehicles are extremely limited, both because the heaviest is a single LAV, and also because it takes forever to drive them up to the battlefield. Class roles are pre-defined with no weapon switching possible, with a lot of pure rifleman slots but also a couple machinegunner/grenaider slots and a few marksman/sniper slots. This server usually runs on expert or veteran with no crosshairs, but also has dot markers on the main map to show location of friendlies and friendly vehicles.

Berserk sobor has 2 main bases that are protected (enemies cannot move/shoot in/into them), and 3 captureable zones. Once captured by a team, that team can respawn there. You can also respawn at the mobile HQ. Vehicles respawn at each zone you own, but more of them respawn at the base. Vehicles include tanks, APCs, and light vehicles, but there usually aren't enough for everyone so infantry gets used as well. You can also request unarmed (and sometimes light armed) vehicles at the main base. Kits use a specifically made GUI, and are limited in a different manner than the original game. Generally in Berserk you will be finding yourself able to carry less gear than normal. Also most weapons are limited in how many your team can have, so if you were using a Javelin for example, and too many others have already picked a Javelin, then you will have to pick something different before you respawn. This game mode also has GUI-based GPS and shows friendlies on both the GPS and the map, on all difficulties. Most servers seem to run this on "regular" difficulty.

AAS has 2 main bases and 6 zones in between, and at the start each team controls 3 of those. In AAS you can only capture the next zone that isn't yours based on alphabetical order. A zone is captured by having more players than the opposing team inside the zone, and starting to capture a zone will disable the ability of the enemy to respawn there (you can respawn in zone you fully own). This sometimes results in some spawn camping. You can pick pretty much any weapon from a box placed near each spawn point, as well as save your loadout via the action menu so you spawn with it every time. Vehicles vary based on map - some have only light vehicles and some have tanks and airplanes. Unlike berserk, though, there's no GUI indication of vehicles respawning at the main base, and the heavier vehicles usually only respawn there.

Edited July 22, 2009 by galzohar

[An Fiach 10]

I played the original ARMA for a while, but got a bit bored with the co/op servers and no real pvp. Simply going around and shooting the AI all day just wasn't cutting it for me and there was no real teamwork involved.

I started playing BF1942 and moved onto CoD, Red Orchestra and even WW2 online...so I was curious, what level of pvp is going on in ARMA 2? is it worth getting to solely PVP in...and how does PVP work currently in regards to the map setup..objectives to win (time limit, kill count, etc)?

Thanks in advance..

Honestly, right now, no. People haven't had time to put out that many good pvp missions yet. I'd give it about a month if that is all you are interested in.

[haberman13 10]

I have been having a GREAT time pvp'ing in this game. I don't dig coop, as I don't get a thrill from killing AI. (but I am trying, and can see its value, i'm just not there yet)

There are only a few full PVP servers - but they have low pings (for me in WI), and the combat is INTENSE.

[Tom_Anger 0]

We have 6 Berzerk Maps running in rotation on the Urban Resistance Server and they are pretty fun. There are other servers doing the same. We can also call up Advance & Secure too, but for now it looks like Berzerk wins. You get your player interface, vast weapons to choose from at weapon crates, and 3 bases to capture and hold for points. Back and forth fighting for hours.

I'll say it again - some sort of consistency is key for gamers. The new PVP maps that are coming out (TDM, DM, some CTF, etc) are mediocre (some are actually pretty bad, but some folks are giving it a shot to try things out) so don't play into those as being a what you see is what you get. Consider many of them Beta. In a few months with addons, scripts, etc., the game will knock your socks off. Add some patches and even better.

If there are only 4-10 servers running PVP/TVT missions strong and on a regular basis, find a couple of favorites and enjoy. The reason COD, BF, etc have many active TVT servers is because that is the structure of the game (basically that is it). I'm not knocking down those games (I actually enjoy them as well). Hope you find some fun gaming sessions bud.

[Nightbreed 10]

Thinking also of buying ARMA 2 and was wondering if there are any dedicated Aussie servers for the game.

After playing games like BF2, COD4 and such were your stuck in a small map, is ARMA 2 similiar to OFP as i prefer something more realaistic were u dont go running around spraying bullets .

[Bad Pilot 0]

Thinking also of buying ARMA 2 and was wondering if there are any dedicated Aussie servers for the game.

After playing games like BF2, COD4 and such were your stuck in a small map, is ARMA 2 similiar to OFP as i prefer something more realaistic were u dont go running around spraying bullets .

oh yeah! you can circle as many klicks as you like to a target. patience and positioning pays off.

[King Poulet 1]

I was wondering, is the re-spawning system is still the same like OFP?

Like, you need to join a game 30 mins after it start? or do you respawn 15 sec later or you have to wait your sqad to entirely die before respawning?

thanks

[galzohar 31]

It's all up to what the mission maker did. Most missions have quick respawns, though some send you on a long trip back to the action after the respawn.