Considering joining GW

I am new to the guild wars community. I am just curious how good this game is in the pvp aspec of the game. Does this game compare to World of Warcraft at all. Please no wow bashing not here to say wow is better just curious if this game is like wow at all.

Well in a pvp sense no gw does not have a wow pvp system

Big difference in pvp. To name a few, character collision (you can body block), builds relying on 8 skills of which you must choose from hundreds at your disposal, primary and secondary class's for a total of around 100 different classes combined. Comparing Guild Wars to World Of Warcraft is like comparing apples to oranges. There is no swimming or mounts, don't need them the way GW is designed. Many more to mention that I know I've missed. Sure others can add.

The great thing about PvP is you can always jump in ready to go. The bad thing about PvP is you can always jump in ready to go.

Guild Wars is build focused, combining skills for the best combination is where it shines. On the other hand, people often do stupid things when making their build such as having 3 area of effect spells but no snare.

PvP also has different levels of PvP play, Guild vs. Guild, Codex Arena, Heroes Ascent is for hard core. Everything else like Random Area's and Alliance Battles is low end. The problem with this is a paradox of you get into high end play, you need experience in PvP which can be shown through titles. Without titles will make transferring to PvP high end extremely hard.

There is currently 1,000+ skills in the game, across 4 game. In order to play high end PvP you need all 4 Guild Wars games. Now it isn't that hard because there is the Guild Wars Trilogy offered at $50.

Before jumping straight into PvP you should at least play or beat the PvE campaigns, in PvE not only can you unlock skills, weapon upgrades and runes for your PvP characters but it is the best way to get to know the game mechanics. Simple things like blocking a ranged attack won't save you from spells like Lightning Orb.

Lastly, playing smart can easily get you into high end play. It takes more than being quick with spells, for example two Assassins will gank your healer on your team. Will you go after the other teams healer or body block for your healer and put pressure on the Assassins.

Take a look at this.

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Player_versus_Player

WoW pvp and GW's pvp are completely different.

Well, WoW.. like most standard MMO's has PvP on a dedicated PvP server where you also PvE to build your character. Guild Wars is not like this at all. Sure you can build a PvE character to level 20 and play PvP, but you're better off making a PvP-Only character. Also... PvP doesn't take place in the normal PvE areas but the dedicated PvP battle islands.

It's a unique PvP system compared to other games, pretty much the only PvP I'll ever play.

I'm sure you will enjoy it if you give it a shot.

I was about to disagree with you, but you redeemed yourself. IMHO I don't believe you need a HIGH pvp experience from ra,jq,ab etc. None of these translate to a better player in higher end pvp simply because of tactics or small tricks in each map. Better player? Maybe. Smarter? Depends on the person. But getting into high end pvp is all about perseverance, working your way from the bottom to reach the top. It is definitely harder than it was than when the game started, but not impossible or hard to do. It is usually the people who complain that never get the full experience from higher end pvp. Once you know what your doing it can be rewarding and fun to play (even if it is a tad dead).

One interesting aspect about GW is that two characters of the same type can have the exact same build, but it comes down to who is the more clever player. I enjoy that aspect of PvP in GW. It isn't who has the most money to pimp out their character, because everyone can pimp out their PvP toon, it's who is the *better* player. Very cool and challenging. Frustrating, too. But enlightening.