Player vs Player

See also: PvP (Diablo II)

Also known as PvP, Player vs Player is engaging in combat against other players. While the ability to go hostile in a multiplayer game was enabled in Diablo II, PvP in Diablo III will be segregated from PvE games into Battle Arenas. Just like in Diablo II, players will take to battle with the same "characters from the single player/co-op game" . Rather than a "last man standing" mode, the style of PvP will be similar to a "team deathmatch" mode. Players will get knocked out of the match for a few seconds when they die and the match will be determined by a time limit and kill count.

PvP Matchmaking and Progression

Using a skill-based system, Battle.net will attempt to pair equal teams against each other via matchmaking. The ability to setup custom games will also be available if one team desires to play against another specific team. Advancement will be in the form of progression-based rewards which can include special titles and achievements.. There is also a portion of the Banner that will be dedicated to PvP. While the matchmaking system will use an internal rating, there will be no visible PvP ranking. Instead, players will have a "PvP level" which they can progress through based on the amount of PvP'ing they have done.

PvP Matchmaking and Ranking

Using a skill-based system, Battle.net will attempt to pair equal teams against each other via matchmaking. The ability to setup custom games will also be available if one team desires to play against another specific team. Advancement will be in the form of progression-based rewards which can include special titles, vanity pets, and achievements..

PvP in Hardcore

It was stated at the Blizzcon 2010 Diablo 3 Open Q&A Panel that PvP will exist in Hardcore mode, meaning death would be permanent, however it was not clear how the "best out of" format would be support this way.

PvP Mechanics

In the open Q&A at Blizzcon 2010, clarification was made regarding PvP versus PvE balance. The final answer is that PvE balance is never going to be affected by the PvP. The main focus of Diablo III is PvE and Blizzard intends to keep it that way . Some mechanics will be implemented, such as Skill Cooldowns and adjusted modifiers on Passive Skills, to accommodate any PvP imbalances. It was apparent at the Blizzcon Diablo III demo for example, that the Toughness trait had different modifiers in PvM compared to PvP:

20% per rank in PvM

10% per rank in PvP