The PVP Honor system, and at least WSG really should be in from the start for a number of reasons. Low level and low gear pvp is one of the more fun parts of the game, as SoD has clearly shown. You are already going the extra mile to enforce faction balance for the PvP realm, so why not add the ranking system too? There are a TON of reasons why you should enable it from the start, and we have already learned the lessons why back in 2019, I remember the start of P2 being an Alliance player on Skeram, and I can honestly say that was the least enjoyable part of classic (shoutout to the group that held down Scholo entrance, y’all are the GOAT)
1.) DHKs - I think the biggest reason, especially early in the server’s lifecycle is so that Dishonorable Kills are tracked and penalized. back in 2019 fresh 60s going out to barrens/redridge ect. and killing the quest givers was a huge problem for players. Ranking and DHKs decentivize people from doing this and keep pvp between players, not NPCs. Now technically this doesn’t stop people from killing the quest givers, but the majority of people on the pvp server are going to want to rank, and losing honor to killing Mankrik is pretty counterproductive.
2.) Low Level rewards - The low level rewards from pvp offer an alternative gear path for certain items as rewards for players on their leveling journey, as otherwise these items never see use outside of niche twink pvp later on. Protector’s sword, Sergeant’s cloak, Wrist armors. All are examples of items that are actually really nice rewards in their level bands for players who spend the time to get them.
3.) BGs - BGs (at least WSG) being in from the start would be a nice and welcomed change of pace for many players during their leveling journey, as well as remove some of the ganking issues prevalent on pvp servers. With raids being locked until the 12th, I think many people who would be rushing to 60 will take their time and would like to be able to do BGs to break up questing and profession grind. SoD PVP in the phases, despite its balance issues, was one of the highlights of the entire season. I know I enjoyed pvping at the different level bands and it was interesting to see how the pvp scene changed at each band. It would be a shame to miss out on that for the Anniversary realms in my opinion
There are several other reasons I’m sure people will harp on in this thread, but these three are probably the biggest reasons to go ahead and put it in. I would like to take a moment and say that I do think it should be gated similar to how SoD was. I think locking people out of the higher ranks until later phases is a good way to balance the pvp rewards. I’d like to see something like this
Ranks 1-6 available in weeks 1-6(or maybe 8?)
Ranks 7-11 available after 6(or 8) weeks
Ranks ranks 12-13 unlock in P2
Rank 14 unlock in AQ.
This keeps the level 60 rewards relevant for their item level for players who rank, but not insanely overpowered for the content. Getting the epic R13 gear in MC is a bad idea, but the blue gear? It will reduce loot competition for most raids since there is no longer decay, and people can still spend their time ranking up.
As far as the BGs and their rep rewards go, I would say WSG in from the start, then AB once ranks 7-11 are available, and AV at the start of P2. The reputation rewards from these factions are very strong, and probably shouldn’t be available until after MC. An argument could be made for the WSG shoulders, but the pants and AB/AV rewards are very strong and were balanced around later patches in vanilla.