If you have been inspired to take on some Player vs Player in World of Warcraft because of our series, then I am super excited for you. It’s been a few weeks since I dove head first back into PvP with my Frost Mage, and I’m really enjoying actually where PvP is at right now in World of Warcraft. It is not easy, but it can be fun.
I wanted to shift our discussion to gear. Sometimes, I start this off by addressing a common fear about PvP especially for battlegrounds. Many players will avoid PvP because they feel they need gear. However, that logic is a little catch 22. Currency from PVP allows you to acquire epic level PvP items. So, if you don’t do PvP you never will get that epic PvP set. However, there is an entry level way to get into PvP Gear.
In Cataclysm all the crafting professions make a PvP set of gear. You know that gear right? It was the high level Blue stuff you bought and quickly got rid of so you could qualify for Heroic Runs. However, never fear, you can always purchase it again, or gather materials to have a fellow guildie craft them for you.
The main difference between PvE gear and PvP is the stat RESILIENCE. Resilience increases your survivability in an encounter. There was a time when there was a CAP to hit for Resilience, but now the cap has been removed. So, you can stack as much as you want. ELDACAR over at the BATTLEMASTERS website had a great article on the difference between Stamina and Resilience, and why Resilience is important to your over-all survivability.
In my experience, Resilience makes survival a whole lot easier. I spent a long time leveling my mage with his heirlooms on, which was a waste of time. I switched out a full BC PvP set, then a Wrath PvP set and it made a world of difference in terms of survivability. I felt darn near unkillable wearing cloth of all things.
Survivability increases your enjoyment of PvP, because you win more encounters and spend less time rezzing at the Graveyard. However, in the end, I do not feel that PvP gear is a barrier to PvP play. Your stats for damage will be roughly the same with PvE gear and Healing gear. You can compete in all types of PvP without wearing a set of resilience gear.
So, over all, my recommendation is to go ahead and try PvP without the gear until you feel PvP is something you enjoy. Around that time you understand if you enjoy PvP on your toon, you can probably look at investing in some gear with your Honor Points that you have or buying crafted gear through the AH.