Wiki — PvP System
Player vs. Player combat in Aetheria is governed by PvP modes, skull rules, and world types. Understand the system to fight smart.
World Types
Each game world has a fixed PvP type that determines the rules of engagement:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| No-PvP | Player vs. player combat is completely disabled. Safe for PvE-focused players. |
| PvP | Standard PvP with skull system and level restrictions. Unjustified kills incur penalties. |
| PvP-Enforced | Full PvP — no skulls, no penalties, no level restrictions. Kill anyone anywhere (except protection zones). |
Expert PvP Modes
On PvP and PvP-Enforced worlds, players can select their PvP mode. Each mode modifies damage dealt and taken:
| Mode | Damage Dealt | Damage Taken | Can Initiate? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dove (Defensive) | -10% | -20% | No — cannot initiate PvP |
| White (Balanced) | 0% | 0% | Yes |
| Yellow (Aggressive) | +10% | +5% | Yes |
| Red (Dangerous) | +20% | +10% | Yes |
| Black (Lethal) | +30% | +20% | Yes |
PvP mode can be changed at any time, but not during combat (10-second cooldown after last attack).
Skull System (PvP worlds only)
- White Skull: Attacking an unmarked player. Clears after a cooldown.
- Red Skull: Killing an unmarked player (unjustified kill). Long cooldown. Other players can attack you freely.
- Black Skull: Multiple unjustified kills. Severe penalties — cannot enter protection zones, reduced stats.
- Guild war kills are always justified — no skull penalty.
- Self-defense: if attacked first, retaliating does not incur a skull.
Level Difference Rule
On PvP worlds, you cannot attack a player whose level is less than 65% of your level. This prevents high-level players from griefing low-level characters.
Protection Zones
Combat is disabled in protection zones (temples, depots, banks). You cannot attack or be attacked while inside a PZ. Aggressive spells are also blocked.
PZ Lock
After engaging in aggressive combat (attacking a player or creature), you are "PZ locked" for several seconds — you cannot log out until the lock expires. This prevents combat logging to escape death.