PvP Arena Guide

Starting Out

Arenas exist for practice only until you hit level 70. You can join the arena, get to know the terrain and pick up some tactics for future use, but that's the extent of the benefits from the arena pre-70.

Once you hit level 70, however, arenas become much more complex. You can create and/or join a team to compete in ranked arena matches. These matches bring you points and allow you purchase arena gear from the goblin arena quartermaster, stationed in Area 52. In addition, there is a tournament which can bring your team world-wide fame.

There are two arenas in which to battle. The Circle of Blood Arena can be found in Blade's Edge Mountains. The other arena, the Ring of Trials is located in Nagrand. Both arenas are run by the Steamwheedle Cartel fighting circuit and can be reached by talking to one of the many arena goblins located throughout the major cities in the world.

Arena battles are joined in the same manner as battlegrounds. Speak to an arena goblin to be transported to an arena. From there you are given the option to join as a team, a group or solo and you may choose to fight in one of the three types of matches: 2v2, 3v3 or 5v5.
Matches

There are two ways to compete in arena matches - for practice or for rank. The practice matches bring you no points and do not increase your team's ranking. You can enter the practice matches solo (though you will be assigned a teammate) or you can enter them as a team.

Ranked matches can only be entered by teams and they count towards your team's arena ranking on your server. Arena rankings will be updated on the official WoW site
Making a Team

You make a team much like you make a guild. There are three types of teams 2v2, 3v3, and 5v5. In each, you will need at least the number of people to create a team to make the team, but you can have 2 times that number on your team. For example, for the 2v2 team, you will need at least two people (counting yourself) on the team. You can have a total of 4 players (including yourself) total on the team. The extra two players will serve as bench players, because only two players from one team may be in the 2v2 arena at a time.

You are allowed to be on one of each type of team, but you cannot be on two of the same type of team. This means you can be on a 2v2 team, a 3v3 team and a 5v5 team. You cannot be on two 2v2 teams. Teams are separate from guilds, so you can be on an arena team (or three) and still remain in your guild. You can also be on arena teams with players from other guilds. There are no restrictions as to who is on your team, other than they must be in the same faction as you are.

You buy a team charter from one of the many arena promoters that are scattered around the major cities. The team charter costs are as follows:

* 2 vs. 2 - 80g
* 3 vs. 3 - 120g
* 5 vs. 5 - 200g

The 5v5 teams are the only teams who can compete in the arena tournament. The 2v2 and 3v3 teams can compete for server rankings and arena points only.
Arena Points

Arena Points are handed out for winning arena matches. The number of points you get is based on the ELO chess system. This system takes your calculated chance of winning and awards points based on the significance of your win. If you have a small chance of winning, and do win, you will be awarded a greater number of points than if you had a high chance of winning.

You can spend arena points at the arena quartermaster for new gear. The arena quartermaster is located inside Area 52 in Netherstorm in the Outlands.
Tournament

The arena tournament is open to all 5v5 groups, and all 5v5 groups compete in it. According to the WoW Arena FAQ, teams will have until April 15 to reach the highest rankings in their battlegroups. From there, the top teams will have the opportunity to copy their characters to a test realm and compete against one another for the top regional spot. At the end, the winners of the regional events may compete in the World of Warcraft Season 1 global finals event. Prizes for this competition will be announced at a later date.