The PvP server is designed to allow open combat between members of the Horde and the Alliance. As such, players on this server have a greater ability to resolve issues on their own. Based on this, certain policies may be different from those on non-PvP servers.

PvP also refers to PvP realms, which are Realms where Open Combat happens much more often since around level 20 players will be pushed into adventuring in contested territories. By level 30, pretty much all your leveling will be done in contested territories.

Prior to release 2.0, players needed to attain a PvP rank or reach a certain reputation with a PvP faction to be able to purchase items from a PvP vendor with gold. Generally, it took much time and effort to obtain the rank and reputation need to purchase the best epic items available and few players were able put forth the massive effort.

There are three categories of Arena teams: 2v2, 3v3, and 5v5. Any player can be a member of one or more Arena teams, but only one of each type.

In World of Warcraft, player vs. player (commonly abbreviated PvP) denotes player versus player combat of any kind.

In the wake of the recent Scourge invasion, the Eastern Plaguelands of Lordaeron have gained new strategic importance in the ongoing struggle between the powers of Azeroth. Naxxramas looms on the horizon, and the Scourge is preparing to move once again.

In faraway Silithus, geysers of a strange red crystalline dust have started to appear in the desert. Both the Alliance and the Horde have taken an interest in this new substance, which is called silithyst, and researchers on both sides have discovered unique and valuable properties in the dust. The Horde and Alliance camps in the region have both been outfitted with turn-in stations where adventurers can unload the silithyst they collect.

Powerful monsters at every turn, challenging quests to test your limits, treacherous terrain to thwart and confuse - no doubt about it, Outland is a dangerous place. Adding to this constant peril will be the threat of being attacked by players from the opposing faction. In their efforts to gain a foothold in this hostile land, the Alliance and the Horde have discovered that they are both after the same things - and neither side is backing down.

The massively multiplayer online genre is relatively new. Games such as World of Warcraft offer things that players could previously only dream of. The game's scope, complexity, and variety of options dwarf everything that has come before.