In order of importance these are the tings you need as your base in order to be successful in DF.

1: Mentality - Getting yourself in the proper mentality for Darkfall PvP is of the most paramount importance. Hardcore style PvP is summed up in this one very simple statement.

Live for the fight and fight to live.

PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION!!!

No matter what DF is a game of aggression. Shoot first and ask questions later ALWAYS. You can always res a person that is knocked down easier than discerning a threat in the moment.

If for whatever reason you disagree with these statements then you will not be successful in DF PvP.

2: Character - A character is completely combat viable at the 40K prowess mark. If you do not have a high prow toon yet then SIT AND PLAN OUT WHAT YOU WANT BEFORE YOU SPEND POINTS. Min/maxing is your friend.

3: Hot keys - Unless you are using some form of game pad then remove every default bind in the game and reset your keys so that everything is within the SKILL BOX reach of your left hand.

Remove Q and E strafe binding. Put binds on Q, SHFT+Q, E, SHFT+E , R, SHFT+R, T, SHFT+T, F, SHFT+F. Then do the same using CTRL and same letter keys.

You should not put any active skills in number slots greater than #6 that are not rebound to a different key.

Put the combat skills you use the most on E,R,F. Using shft and ctrl that gives you 9 abilities on 3 keys. Other than those everything else is up to you to get comfortable with.

Get your keys set and start fighting. You need to be so familiar with your keys that you can use them on the fly with no issues ever. In PvP every microsecond counts. Be efficient ALWAYS.

4: Gear to win - See post Donk Tzu: The Art of Go Bags

If you are not gearing yourself properly then you are setting yourself up for failure. Better itemization yields better chances of results. DON"T BE CHEAP.

5: Composition - Keep synergy dynamics in mind when making groups, be they small scale or full groups.

6: Tactics - When in a group elect 1 person to make calls. I'll repeat this because it is very important.

1 PERSON MAKES CALLS AND DECISIONS
1 PERSONA HACE LLAMADAS Y DECISIONES
1 человек делает ЗВОНКИ И РЕШЕНИЯ
1 pessoa faz chamadas E DECISÕES
1 maður gerir símtöl og ákvarðanir

If you outnumber the enemy you fight from range, if you are outnumbered you get in the enemies face. When equal numbers the fight is on so WIN.

Range wins fights. Shooting is your friend. GET BETTER AIM.

Once a fight is going...DO NOT BREAK AND RUN UNLESS YOU ARE SURE YOU CAN ESCAPE. The second you turn to flee you lose.



This has been a PSA from your friendly neighborhood Don K Leaps

Any other guides that can be written are just elaborations on these points.

Direct any questions you may have to posts below this as I am reserving second post for future editions.

NOTE: I posted this in the secure area because I do not give hints and tips to recruits who are not going to stick around.

As once before, that pretty much covers it from one of the best I have ever seen in Darkfall. Those of you who wish to use it, do so, those still working through these current hurt feelings moments, there it is, better said than most.

If it is still like the old DFO, learning when and how to retreat can be a good thing too: have some big tanks cover the glass canons with huge effect spells. So the enemy hesitates enough to let you get ground.
If you can have reinforcement, retreat to a good fighting ground (high, with cover on top but nothing on bottom) and stall the other force enough for the reinforcement to get to you. Focus on healing and doing flashy spells to impress. If possible, focus fire one target or two to down them so they lose time reviving and think again about attacking.

If this is not possible, a full retreat should be made with small 2 men groups in every direction but the ennemy's. Then groups which are followed by 1 or 2 guys can join other free ones to ambush the fuckers and destroy all their stray.

Also one thing Donk forgot: consider dieing as a learning experience, not defeat. Don't go out with gear you're not willing to lose.