PvP
- See also: PvP Actions, PvP Gear and PvP rank
PvP, or Player-versus-Player, allows players to battle each other in various contests of skill and strength. Currently there are 3 PvP modes, Crystalline Conflict, Frontline, and Rival Wings. Free Trial players do not have access to PvP. Players must reach level 30 and complete their Grand Company-specific version of A Pup No Longer to unlock the Wolves' Den Pier, the PvP hub area, which will allow them to unlock other PvP modes.
Crystalline Conflict is a 5v5 arena where players push a payload from the center to the opposing base, while Frontline is a large battlefield consisting of 3 opposing alliances battling under the banners of Grand Companies, and Rival Wings is a MOBA-inspired 24v24 mode. In PvP, players have special Actions and Traits and can obtain unique gear with the PvP currency, Wolf Marks. Beginning in patch 6.1, Series Malmstones were added as an additional reward system. New items can be purchased with the associated currency, Trophy Crystals.
Each job's PvP action toolkit is entirely separate from their regular PvE actions and therefore requires players to reassign their hotbars for PvP. Most combos are consolidated into one button. Job Gauges are absent in PvP. Limit Break is also a personal resource instead of shared among the party, and each job has a unique Limit Break action. Overall, jobs are generally highly dissimilar in playstyle compared to their PvE counterparts. Several existing PvP actions also reference previous PvE actions and effects that have been removed from the game.
Areas where PvP actions are allowed to be used are indicated by the "crossed daggers" icon to the far right of the experience bar, as shown below:
Unlike PvE, each character has fixed stats based on their job, and there is no character progression system to increase stats or unlock new actions. Because of this, potency calculations in PvP action tooltips are different compared to PvE, with 1 potency corresponding to 1 HP. Furthermore, with the removal of Morale in Patch 4.0, equipment has no effect on any attributes; a level 30 character can fight just as well as a level 100 character.
Official PvP Guide on the Lodestone
PvP Profile
Players are able to see their PvP Profile while in the Wolves' Den Pier (or by opening the PvP profile menu) to see things such as their PvP Rank, Series Malmstones, standardized job actions, as well as their ratio of wins and losses in Crystalline Conflict, Frontline, and Rival Wings. Players can also set PvP actions to their hotbars from this menu. Finally, players can also assign Quick Chat options to their hotbar for Crystalline Conflict.
Wolves' Den Pier
Wolves' Den Pier is the hub area where players can unlock the various PvP duties, as well as engage in Dueling, 1v1 battles. Players can also practice their Job's PvP Actions on the Training Dummies or exchange their Wolf Marks, Trophy Crystals, and other PvP-related items for gear, mounts and minions.
Dueling
Unlocked via It's Time to Duel, Dueling allows 1v1 combat in the Dueling Circle at Wolves' Den Pier.
Crystalline Conflict
Crystalline Conflict is a PvP duty that pit teams Astra and Umbra against one another in tactical confrontations. Each team will have up to five players, with no role restrictions, for a total of ten match participants. Teams are challenged to maintain control over a tactical crystal, which must be transported to a designated location amid the heat of battle.
Unlock
Crystalline Conflict is unlocked via The Crystal (Line's) Call from Gungi Zelungi in the Wolves' Den Pier (X:4.9 Y:6.4).
Maps
Frontline
Frontline is a large battleground featuring 3 opposing forces of the Grand Companies. Up to 72 players, 24 players on each team, will be able to battle for supremacy. It was first introduced in patch 2.3 with a single map: The Borderland Ruins (Secure).
Unlock
Frontline is unlocked via Like Civilized Men and Women from your respective Grand Company.
Maps
The naming scheme for Frontline is technically Map Name (Mode Name), though with retirement of the (Slaughter) mode on The Borderland Ruins there is functionally no distinction anymore. Map/Mode combos are commonly referred to by either separate part by the player base.
- The Borderland Ruins (Secure) is a PvP mode introduced in patch 2.3, as part of the A Realm Reborn expansion. As of patch 6.4, this Frontline map has been made "temporarily unavailable".
- The Borderland Ruins (Slaughter) was a deathmatch version introduced in patch 2.5 and retired in patch 4.0.
- Seal Rock (Seize) is a PvP mode introduced in patch 3.05, as part of the Heavensward expansion.
- The Fields of Glory (Shatter) is a PvP mode introduced in patch 3.3, as part of the Heavensward expansion.
- Onsal Hakair (Danshig Naadam) is a PvP mode introduced in patch 5.15, as part of the Shadowbringers expansion.
Rival Wings
Rival Wings is 24 v 24 mode where players use Machina to destroy Magitek barriers and destroy the opposing party's crystal. It is conceptually similar to a MOBA. It was first introduced in patch 4.15 with a single map: Astragalos.
Unlock
Rival Wings is unlocked via Earning Your Wings from Softknox in Wolves' Den Pier (X:5.7 Y:5.5).
Campaigns
- Astragalos added during patch 4.15 of Stormblood.
- Astralagos was disabled in patch 4.55 with the launch of Hidden Gorge, and is still disabled as of patch 6.51.
- Hidden Gorge added during patch 4.55 of Stormblood.
The Feast
The Feast was a ranked competitive PvP mode featuring 4v4 battles between two light parties consisting of a Tank, a Healer, a Melee DPS and a Ranged DPS. Players can queue for The Feast either solo or in a PvP party.
Maps
- Feasting Grounds (only available in custom Feast matches)
- Lichenweed (only available in custom Feast matches)
- Crystal Tower Training Grounds
Custom Matches
Custom Matches allow 2 teams of 4v4 or 8v8 to freely battle each other in The Feast.
Spectator Mode
Spectator Mode allows players to spectate Custom Matches in parties up to 8 players.
The Wolves' Den / The Fold
The original light party versus mode was located at the Wolves' Den Pier, and was simply referred to as The Wolves' Den. This mode was introduced in patch 2.1, renamed The Fold in patch 3.21 with the addition of The Feast, and finally retired in Patch 4.0.
Achievements
Main article: PvP Achievements.
PvP is associated with several achievements.