Transcendences - Tips for PvP in the Abyss as a Gladiator

Last night while in the Abyss I learned a nifty little trick that will save you a lot of heartache when PvPing.

Even though this list is being put together by a Gladiator for a Gladiator and other Melee classes I think all of them can be applied to basic PvP. These are just guidelines, or tips and tricks, they are not must dos and must haves. They are in fact the most efficient way I have discovered through my own experience, as a player.

Tactics:
Important Tactics in PvP are essential.  Don't just expect to charge someone head on with out encountering some kind of fight. I personally high recommend the "aerial drop" method of attacking from the top and removing your wings. This is a great suprise tactic that will increase your chance of success.

Still targets are more than likely not aware targets. They are either locked in battle with an environment target or are resting or could even be harvesting. Strike at this time and get the preemptive attack. This will get them off guard or even better at lower health.

Flight battle is fun, but it can be difficult especially with the timer. If you are chasing someone do not forget this. More than one occasion have I run out of time while I was very high and got myself killed. Just remember in the Abyss flight is not unlimited, the Aether rings just allow you to recharge your flight time by 7 seconds a ring that you pass through. As you level though you will get access to better wings at 30, 40 and 50. Save your Kinah though, they are EXPENSIVE.

1 on 1 PvP vs Spellcasters and Rangers:
Gladiators and other Melee are at an extreme disadvantage in 1 on 1 PvP against Rangers, Sorcerers and sometimes Spirit Masters. Because of this, avoid them when they are in groups or around other players. They will snare, sleep and do other capture spells just to upset you and put you at a huge disadvantage.

Potions are going to be your best friends in this kind of situation. Not just normal Life Potions but Healing Potions which are on there own separate timer. These Potions allow you to break any root or snare spell quickly. If you have these on hand, even if a Spellcaster or Ranger’s “huge advantage” against you is quickly lost and it will allow you to get within striking distance.

When you are able to be being skill weaving on the target you will constantly disrupt there spells. Be ready for a Spellcasters’s teleport spell where it will move them back 15 meters from you. They can only do this once in a battle because of the long cool down but if you are not ready for it, it can be devastating. I’m just waiting for one to warp back and fall off the side of a cliff, to there death.

To insure that you are as successful as possible it is best to “air drop” them and if you notice any root skills to use something such as Arial Launch to get a %100 disruption rate. This has worked remarkably for me against Rangers.

1 on 1 PVP vs Healers:
It is very easy to distinguish which kind of support class you are fighting by there weapon. If it is a Chanter they will be using there staff and a Cleric will be using Mace and Shield. If you encounter a Chanter it can be a tuff battle because they are able to heal themselves, but even worse when fighting a Cleric who has more powerful heal spells at there disposal.

Because of these healing skills it is very important to chain your skills as much as possible to insure as much disruption as possible. This will allow you to get your chance to dispatch them. Skills like Aerial Launch can you help you disrupt these healing and kill them a quickly as possible.

The key to killing a Healer as fast as possible is to… well kill them as fast as possible. A Melee class  needs to dish out the hurt like a buffet during dinner time. This will of course, kill them quickly, but will allow those oh so important interruptions to take place.

Group PvP:
A Gladiator is at there prime when doing PvP with others. This gets rid of the Gladiator’s weaknesses and you get the oh so important teamwork, aka other targets for people, to take place. Just like in PvE the team leader should be marking targets for people to concentrate DPS on. This is better suited for a Templar who has less Chain Skill as the Gladiator and can concentrate on numbering targets as you battle. Of course any competent multi-tasking Gladiator could do this as well.

Where do you sit as a Gladiator in the party? You are not the tank, you don’t heal, you don’t support other players, what are you Gladiator? WHAT ARE YOU!? You are the ram, the vanguard unit when it comes to DPS. You are after all the famed reliable and best DPS in the game. Why not put you to use? You’re best suited to attack and attack some more. Just follow the team leader or leader you team effectively and you’re bound for success.

If you do what you are meant to do as a Gladiator, which is just to make thing, your whole party can prosper even when fighting other groups. You will be able to even take down much higher level groups and players if done successfully.

I will do a full article on Group PvP at a later date but this small tisp and tricks is/was meant for Gladiators.

Party vs Legion:
Simple tactic, easy application but you just need to be quick about it…run. Its simple as that, many times in a party have I been hunting Asmodians with a party to have an entire legion strike us down like the sword of god falling from the sky.

Well that is all for now, expect more articles to come that can help both provide you with more information, entertainment and a great gaming experience in Aion.

Don’t forget to join Deilax, Moni and the rest of Pluto Kiss on Server Yustiel!