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November 12, 2006
PvP Ranks (by Race / Faction)
We also looked at PvP ranks by race and faction. Both analyses showed a similar pattern; Horde characters are on average a higher PvP rank than Alliance characters. For example, the graph below plots out the distribution of PvP rank by the two factions. Alliance has more low-ranked characters (Rank 3 and below), while Horde has more high-ranked characters (Rank 4 and above).
The same pattern emerged from the analysis by race. The four Horde races are higher ranked than the four Alliance races – small differences that nonetheless provide a striking division.
There are several reasons for why we might be seeing this pattern:
1) Practice: The Alliance-Horde imbalance (2:1 in our sample) makes it easier for Horde characters to enter PvP BGs. This means that given the same amount of play-time, Horde has less wait time, and thus more practice. This might also encourage forming groups ahead of time (i.e. prefabs) because it doesn't impact wait times, whereas it would in the Alliance case.
2) Motivation: Players who choose to play Horde are more achievement-minded and competitive than players who choose to play Alliance. Thus, one reason why Horde out-performs Alliance is because players on Horde-side are more psychologically matched for PvP-type encounters.
3) Class: Some players also believe that Shamans are disproportionately suited to PvP compared with Paladins. This may give the Horde side an edge. We will explore this in more detail in another post focusing on class differences in PvP ranks.
4) Sampling Bias: It is also possible that what we're seeing is simply due to some unknown sampling bias. For example, Ogrimmar may be more of a hub than Ironforge is (e.g., there is more spillover to Stormwind on Alliance than there is spillover to Undercity on Horde).
Server Sample: RP (High), PvE (High), PvE (High), PvP (High), PvP (High)
Sampling Period: One Week in October 2006
Sampling Resolution: ~12 minutes
Parsing Method: The sample unit is each unique character in each hour of the day.
Data Filter: None
Sample Size: 128,477 characters
Posted at November 12, 2006 05:38 PM
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Comments
I'm surprised at that result - my understanding was that PVP ranks (or at least the higher ones) were based on a ladder containing only active PVP characters of your own faction.
Posted by: Unity at November 13, 2006 11:55 PM
We had that same internal discussion too. But if you check the official PvP rankings on the WoW site, there are many servers on which there are imbalances of the highest ranks. So sometimes, some servers have 2 Horde Marshals but 1 Alliance Marshal, etc.
So while Horde and Alliance aren't yoked in terms of PvP rank, it is apprently possible for one faction to be "ahead".
Posted by: Nick Yee at November 18, 2006 04:32 PM
Interesting study, as compared to Hellscream's server history it's way off however. Over this server's history we've assembled 40 GMs as compared to the Horde's 29 HWLs. The reason for such a imbalance is fairly simple. Hellscream Alliance are more apt to form alliances resulting in "ranking" preforms..than Hellscream Horde. This suggests a higher overall age on the Alliance end than the Horde's. However in the Horde's defense, they did finally "wise" up to create ranking preforms of their own. Fact is at one point last year (2005) Hellscream's Alliance had produced nearly double the rank 14s than our Horde counter-parts. Another thought comes to mind here..is this a study of current ranks or ranks over a certain period of time? I bet the originator of this study may have not taken this into consideration.
The one undeniable fact on Hellscream which concurs with the study are faster Que times for the Horde. But both sides if "organized", (meaning having ranking preforms) they should churn out rank 14s at a equivalent clip. However, the larger the pool of players the higher the potential for rank 14s..for example due to a smaller pool of players the horde (due to the .02% limit) may only have the possibility of having two rank 14s at the same time..while the Alliance with it's larger pool may have the possibility of three rank 14s.
Also I do somewhat disagree with the motivation aspect listed here. One key motivation for many Alliance is to join their adult friends..which was mine..otherwise I too would have probably tried Horde as well. In my experience as a PvPer (1 rank 14 NE hunter and 1 rank 12 Human warlock) I haven't noticed any side as being more competitive than the other. In fact, I'd say Alliance Preforms generally win out vs Horde Preforms especially in the best potential honor/hour ratio BG..which is Arathi Basin.
Posted by: Clonedjedi at November 22, 2006 08:36 AM