[azxten]

I'm thinking about making a custom PvP server of some kind. My initial thought is a "duels" type server where there is some kind of outfitting and leveling mechanic built in and a leaderboard.

Just fast one on one duels where you both agree to a certain level and choose a race/class. For example you choose level 40 duel, both people are leveled to 40 and can choose gear from a vendor with level range appropriate stuff, possibly puts players into an instanced zone for the fight.

If this is successful and popular I could see it expanding from there to group v group duels, raid mob recreations, etc. Goal of the server is to just rip out all of the tedium and let people fight. You should be able to fight again within 10 seconds of ending a duel. No waiting on hp/mana or running back to your corpse.

To provide a lasting result from winning duels beyond the score board I was thinking players could be forced to have certain appearances based on their score. So even if you're wearing full plate you look like a naked newb if your PvP score is low, on the other hand if your PvP score is high you can have full golden plate or whatever even as a caster. Purely an aesthetic thing where your score effects your appearance.

Aside from that idea I was also thinking of some kind of level capped PvP server. Up to maybe level 20 or so. Limited zones with custom interconnects something like blackburrow/gfay/crushbone as the total map size. Wipe characters weekly or something. Could do random level/zone assignment last man standing kind of PvP too. Every hour the server resets and everyone is assigned the same random level with a different random location. Ten players, they're all made level 30, and enter a random non-hostile spot in the world. Goal is to live as long as possible. Mobs drop random level appropriate loot and also get harder over time. Let's say they're level 25 initially, then after 10 minutes all the mobs change to level 30, another 10 minutes and they're 35, etc. This is done in a way to force players to a central zone, the old battle royale type forcefield wall where you have to stay in bounds but instead its done with increasingly harder mobs filling up zones. Death from a mob or player and you're out until the next game starts. Full item loot so there is strategy involved choosing between fighting mobs for loot, fighting players to take their loot, and just hiding to pass the time.

Open to ideas like this for sort of "mini/fast" PvP server concepts that would be viable with low populations. I kind of like the idea of combining both of these concepts. Having a duel function and general hang out zone and also being able to sign up for this kind of hourly battle royale game. The duel/hang out zone is the hub for various types of PvP mini games. Almost like a PvP server that is a framework for EQ PvP and your character exists ephemerally and persistently in some way and is then modified in terms of level, gear, etc to standardize across players allowing for short term variable PvP scenarios.

Your character is "Azxten" but it has no class. Your class is chosen in any given scenario/duel. Your appearance persists and improves over time. Gear doesn't exist outside scenarios/duels.