o some, fighting players of the opposing faction is something to engage in from time to time when the mood strikes them. To others, it is a way of life. This page compiles some assorted information about the mechanics of PvP combat. The top of this page has links to other sections with more detail on individual aspects of the PvP system. For a more fundamental explanation of the PvP system, see our Realm Types page. The Honor System, World PvP, and Arena pages have detailed information about the three main PvP systems in the game.

Local Defense Channel
This channel broadcasts messages when a friendly NPC in the zone is attacked. You can turn these "zone under attack" messages on or off by joining or leaving their channels. By default they are both off; to join either type /join LocalDefense for messages in your current zone only and /join WorldDefense to see messages when any zone is attacked.

Resurrection Timer
Players that die in PvP, either versus another player or versus a PvP-flagged NPC, suffer an increasing penalty to their resurrection timer. When you die the first time, there is no time penalty before you can resurrect. Each successive death tacks on 30 seconds of wait time to resurrect. The maximum time penalty is a five minute wait before the option to resurrect appears. This delay does not apply to players that are resurrected by other players or from the use of items such as Goblin Jumper Cables.

Crowd Control Spells and Diminishing Returns
Crowd Control spells such as Charm, Fear, and Stun are subject to diminishing returns in PvP. If a second spell of the same type is used against the same player within 15 seconds of the first spell's effect wearing off, the second spell's duration will be reduced by 50%, the third's duration will be reduced by 75%, and the player will be immune to the fourth casting. Crowd Control effects in PvP will last no longer than 12 seconds instead of the full duration, with a chance of a heartbeat resist. This diminishing returns effect also applies to spells with slowing and/or movement-impairing effects, such as Frost Nova, Entangling Roots, and Frost Shock.

Other Information

• There are faction-specific graveyards in many zones throughout the world.
• Certain areas, such as the Arena in Stranglethorn Vale, are flagged for free-for-all PvP. While in one of these areas, players can attack anyone - even members of their own faction.
• Resurrecting a PvP-enabled player corpse will flag you for PvP.
• Healing and buffing NPCs will not flag you for PvP unless those NPCs are in combat.
• Members of your faction who are participating in PvP have light green names.
• Pets and totems do not attack PvP-flagged players if you're not in PvP.
• Steamwheedle Cartel guards will attack players who are fighting each other and not dueling - it's bad for business.
• Skills will not increase from use while engaged in PvP.
• Patrolling scouts that can see through stealth and invisibility are located in all capital cities.
• A 5 minute timer will appear over the player's unit frame showing the countdown until your PvP flag is cleared.

World PvP
Check out 30 player-submitted World PvP screenshots.



Cities Under Siege Screenshot Gallery
We've spent over a year collecting screenshots of large-scale attacks on the major cities of World of Warcraft. We now present to you this special player-submitted screenshot gallery consisting of 102 screenshots.