Duel Me

My knowledge of dueling is mostly gleaned from the Simpsons episode in which Homer challenges a Southern colonel to a duel and ends up creating a tomato-tobacco hybrid called a Tomacco. But maybe it's time I dusted off my dueling gloves and brushed up on my pistol skills.

According to the update notes for the test server, the duel is on.

Of course the forums are firing at full force. The most common complaints fall into two categories:

The pro-PvP camp is upset because you get full death penalties if you die in a duel.

The anti-PvP camp is upset because people will spam you with unwanted /duel invites.

You can try this thread or this one or this one if you are so inclined.

I say let's wait and see how it all turns out. First of all, it's only on the Test Server for now. They might decide to not even implement it.

Moreover, dueling was in Everquest since the beginning and it's my understanding that it did not have a detrimental effect on PvE gameplay. I can't guarantee it but I'm willing to bet the devs implement a block all duel invites option. Give them a little time.

As for the death penalty issue, I'm not crazy about it (perhaps a minimum coin wager based on level instead?) but I'm willing to see how it pans out. Moorgard addresses the death penalty issue here. It is unclear at this point whether there is a surrender feature which might, in part, solve the problem.

And remember, the main PvP will be the arena combat in the expansion.

Right now I'm laughing picturing my friends and I dueling each other online. I think it will be fun. If it does turn out to be annoying believe me I'll be the first to let you know and blast SOE for it.

And hey, dueling has a tradition: Vice-President Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804. Some people even duel their spouse - here is a description of a medieval duel between a man and a woman.

So give dueling a chance. If you disagree just find me online and challenge me to a duel. Aha, got you there! Now if I can just figure out how to grow a Tomacco...