Battleground modes and proposed hardcore server

Scars of Honor is described as having multiple PvP rule sets, including battleground formats with different relationships to character gear. The discussion also outlines a possible future hardcore server for a public test, with permanent death and cosmetic rewards.

Battleground gear rules

Two main battleground or arena approaches are described.

In one mode, players enter using the gear they have earned through normal progression, including equipment obtained from dungeons and raids. This allows stronger-geared characters to have an advantage over newly leveled characters.

In another mode, players are stripped of their existing gear on entry and are provided with the same level of equipment. This mode is intended to emphasize player skill rather than long-term gear progression. Better temporary items can be found inside the battleground itself, but those items are lost at the end of the match.

Item loss and punishment

The discussion rejects the idea of losing valuable persistent loot earned elsewhere in the game as a battleground penalty. A more limited loss system is described instead: in at least one battleground mode, players can drop items that were issued specifically for that battleground rather than their permanent character gear.

Punishments for PvP activities are treated cautiously. Item loss is considered too harsh if it affects persistent progression, while lighter penalties such as short debuffs are treated as more acceptable possibilities.

Skill-based battleground design

The equalized-gear battleground mode is explicitly framed as a test of player skill. The design goal is to let players prove whether success comes from execution and decision-making rather than from accumulated equipment.

This mode is also described as drawing some inspiration from battle royale design, particularly the idea of entering on equal footing and improving temporary power during the match.

Proposed hardcore server

A separate idea discussed for a future public test is a hardcore server. In this context, hardcore means that when a character dies, that character is no longer available. The proposal is treated as technically achievable through server-side configuration.

Possible hardcore conditions mentioned include:

• permanent death
• increased danger during leveling
• aggressive enemies throughout the world
• possible open-world PvP as part of the challenge

The basic completion condition discussed is reaching maximum level on the hardcore server. Additional challenge conditions are considered, but max level is presented as the initial benchmark.

Hardcore rewards

The proposed reward for completing the hardcore challenge is cosmetic rather than power-based. Several reward types are discussed, including a mount, a cape, and a more elaborate effect. Community preference in the discussion favors fiery wings as a prestige cosmetic.

The reward is imagined as a long-term status symbol that marks a player as having completed the first official hardcore challenge. Achievements, milestones, and leaderboards are also mentioned as desirable supporting features.

Risks and edge cases

Open-world PvP on a hardcore server is acknowledged as difficult to balance because of griefing and ambush risks, especially around low-level areas. At the same time, that danger is presented as part of the appeal of a true hardcore environment.

The overall direction suggests a server meant for a small number of highly competitive players rather than the default experience for the entire player base.

Source

• Recording: Discussing the new Major Scars OF Honor Event + Playing GW2 and dropping Spoilers!
• YouTube: Watch on YouTube
• Published: Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 8:54 PM UTC