Why do I feel useless as a new player in Gloria Victis?

Early PvP is gear-gated — veterans have far better crafted gear, so even skilled new players lose duels. It's normal. Fight with your guild, gear up via crafting/gold first, use a value weapon like the spear, and play objectives. The combat shines once you're past the gear wall.

Why You Feel Useless in Gloria Victis (The Gear Gap)

It's the loudest complaint from new players, and it's real: in your first fights you'll chip away for 30-some damage while a geared veteran hits you for hundreds. Even skilled players who came from Mordhau or Mount & Blade feel it. You're not bad — early PvP in Gloria Victis is gear-gated.

Why it happens

Gear quality scales hard (crafted items run from +1 up to +6), and a fully geared opponent has both better weapons and better armor. Skill closes the gap but doesn't erase it. Until you're geared, expect to lose straight-up duels to veterans — and expect to get focused because they can see your starter kit.

How to push through the gear wall

Don't solo-duel veterans yet

Fight with your nation and your guild. Numbers and focus fire beat individual gear. You contribute by assisting, not by 1v1ing.

Gear up before you grind PvP

Spend your first hours gathering and crafting (or buying crafted gear with gold) so you arrive to fights competitive, not naked.

Pick a value weapon

A spear punches above your gear with reach and armor pen — great while you're under-geared.

Play the objective, not the duel

Capturing flags, defending walls, and supporting the line all progress you and your nation without needing to win duels.

Bottom line: the first ~20 hours are about getting geared and finding a guild, not winning duels. Push past that wall and the skill-based combat finally shines. If grinding to competitive gear sounds miserable to you, that's the honest dealbreaker to know up front.