Lower-Level PvP Characters?

As much fun as the PvP is at higher levels, I gotta say that there's a part of me that would sometimes like to just go and PvP in Ascalon for a while, where you could count on a more limited skill selection. The problem is that the only way to do this is with a PvE character, and since you still get XP for killing enemies in PvP, you'll eventually get to level 11 and then you'll not be able to play there anymore with that character.

So, how difficult would it be to add the option in the PvP character screen to play with lower-level characters at lower-level arenas and strict limits on which unlocked items and skills you can use?

First off, allow me to say I feel the same way, perhaps for a different reason.

The first time I PvP'd at all in GW, I was Level 14 and in the Yak's Bend Arena. It was an eye-opener for me to play there and see how skilled some teams were. I participated in about 10-12 matches and my team won 1.

With my new characters I hope to practice a bit more in the Ascalon arena before moving to Yak's Bend. That way I can sort of "grow" into the PvP skill and mind-set.

BUT.

As to your suggestion, it would actually be fairly difficult game-wise. You would need to lose attribute points, health, and energy as well. These may actually be easier to code a limit on than skills, runes, weapons, etc. however it would require more developer time.

And then, would you come back as a Level 7 for a level 7 max arena? That would be pretty unfair to everyone else, who may be competing with lower levels. You would always be at the maximum power possible for that arena, forever.

No, far better for us to go ahead and bite the bullet and move on to a more advanced arena, even if you may not be the absolute best. That way at least when we win, we can feel like we earned the win.

I think you misunderstand. I don't mean "My level 20 character PvE gets regressed every time he comes here to play." I mean "I can use the exclusivelly PvP Character Creation side of the game to create a level 10 character which I can then use to play in lower-level arenas."

True, but I don't think it would be any more unfair than, say, a PvE character that was level 10. Frankly, I've found that you have to be within a couple levels of the max anyway to be the best. Of course, since your skills and items would be limited whereas the PvE characters' would not be, they could potentially have better stuff (either from skipping ahead in the game to better skills or being twinked). And then, of course, there's the fact that the arenas don't kick you if you level while playing, so you can occasionally fight against level 11s, albeit not for very long.

The same could be said about normal PvP characters, though.