I like the speed. It sounds odd, but I like playing fast, the PD's (and some Monkeys!) PvE incredibly fast, but PvP is a different game. You've got to think on your feet, adapt (especially when there's skilled players to fight against), and generally go all out.
PvP is great because it's against other people, and I don't mean that as an excuse to shout 'omgwtfpwned' and some such, I mean it's less formulaic than fighting critters. If someone knows there build and how the game works, there's a bigger chance of being surprised by them. Being beaten by something new/strange/surprising in PvP makes me improve my own game, to get that bit better, so I can get round the same/similar tactic if it comes up again.
I also like hearing Imaginary shout on TeamSpeak when he dies.
For me its probably the challenge (and how much fun it can be). Its also more enjoyable as it is alot more satisfying defeating an actual person rather than just AI (alot more interesting and varied).
I also enjoy having the chance to kill my mates 
Heros
Max Powerz: Lv 50 Tanker
Villains
Max Khaos: Lv 50
Overlord of E.V.I.L.
My Brute - http://maxy-khaos.mybrute.com/
LF SG! Arc ID# 193083
1) Challenge myself
2) Discover a new way to pull the quintessence of my hero
3) Pause repetitive PvE
4) Play with good players
5) Have fun, mock the others, mock myself, bribe everyone and be defeated 40-0 
6) Rant on the forums 
It's actually challenging. And wtfpwning people is what I was born to do.
World of Jackcraft.
Not playing repetative AI.
For the chaotic random nature of playing Vs other people
**Acceptable "support" responses**
Its your fault
Its your computers fault
Its your ISPs fault
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Not playing repetative AI.
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Basically that. In PvE, once you get a good team together, nothing is actually a challenge. It can still be good fun, but still very easy. Against other players it's unpredictable, as Extremus says, you have to think fast and adjust...you're never sure exactly what the other player is going to do.
1)AI is boring after some time
2)PvP gives space for creativity while playing inside the zone as well as with your build.
3)It touches the extremes.You can see really funny or really pleasent situations in PvP zones and at same time really sad incidents.Is really interesting
Everything goes a such a different pace, and seeing another real player there and expecting a clash that might go on gets my heart pumping, even if I'm not that good anyway. But that's always been what I'm like in computer competitions.
Also for some parts the fact that people can have a laugh, I can chat with my enemy and become 'friends' with them too. I'll quote this again because it made me smile:
"Aww I don't wanna fight you Sev, you seem too nice to kill"
And the extremely rare occassion where someone tries to catch me off guard and I can stand my ground. I don't have to neccessarily kill them or inflict damage, just if I can survive.
One thing no one has mentioned here yet, but shouldn't be left out amongst the many other existing reasons: A few do it mainly for what you call "pride in reputation" Gorgo.
[Unnecessary and inflamatory comment removed - Bridger]
ITS JUST SUCH A RUSH!
i been on my blaster lui
doing my defiance but on 1hp with stealth and IR goggles on
going up to snipe someone, its just so cool
my heart rate goes insane i can see the adrenaline
and being a stalker knowing 1 wrong move will get you flatterned in a mob
its intense, so fun
i get head rushes sometimes lol
Fast paced creative playing. Playnig against agtual people is also a lot of fun. It's a change of pace from the grind too.
IN MEMORIUM OF GAYBABY
CRUELY TAKEN FROM THIS WORLD WHILE SO YOUNG
the nimmers wud die without me so i have to save them
nah i play it cos its fun, fast, unpredictable and refilling someones bar from red to green gives a huge rush 
I can't say if I like it or not - I've not seen any Villains at all in Bloody Bay, except for 2 at a distance, who soon disappeared.
Is Siren's Call a better place to look?
@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
Usually but really depends. Made a villain the other day on Defiant and since it had taken me a while to make by the time I took hin into SC it was empty, (BB was quite crowded earlier but since even at level 20 he isnt PvP worthy I wasnt going to try my luck there).
Late evening can be good on Union for SC and Ive seen quite a large group of villains about recently at half one in the morning, by and large BB tends to be empty of anyone really wanting to fight.
Also on Union Warburg tends to be a bit dead with the same faces on for a few punch ups and duals on roof tops, that still going on btw? Been a while for me.
Thanks for the replies, keep em comming .
In PvE, I'm fighting mobs that are designed to be killed. I'm sorry, but after doing it for a little while it got boring.
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One thing no one has mentioned here yet, but shouldn't be left out amongst the many other existing reasons: A few do it mainly for what you call "pride in reputation" Gorgo.
[Unnecessary and inflamatory comment removed - Bridger]
[/ QUOTE ]
OMG, what a sad, really bad censorship this is...
But as i was saying; pvp offers way more opportunities to boost your ego then PvE does and some ppl really like that aspect.
And ofcourse there is the fun and real challenge of fighting more or less unpredictable opponents in a fast paced environment where coordination and communication plays a much more important role and where knowing thy enemy and thy friends is more vital then ever. Sounds like fun 
It's fast, it's fun and you get to kill "real" people. I also like the general whining and trash talk. Seeing people get [censored] off over a silly game always makes me laugh
Fighting l33t since 1974
Don't "lol"! Laugh!
Sanity Inc
@8Qbit
NPC's = Thick as planks (running into debuffs etc times infinity)
PC's = Very bright, and you never truly know what the other person is going to do even if you've seen what powers they use.
Bottom line, PvP is much more challenging, which means much more fun for me.
@SinghMC
I have always been interested in man-vs-man, having played fighting games like Virtua Fighter series and tekken for over 10 years now(organising an international tournament here in Finland the coming weekend even). In different varieties even, I also put my playing of chess into this category ..
Fighting a computer AI and and a human shouldnt be mentioned even in the same sentence.
PvE has more goals than that though, like immersive RP-aspects of the game, which I enjoy on occasion letting loose my imagination.. but when it comes to fighting, PVP is on another lvl from fighting against a computer.
May the more experienced, skilled and inventive player win!
As a blaster (mostly) it can either be extremely painful, or extremely prejudiced in your favour, both of which scenarios I find fun.
And *points to sig*
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[ QUOTE ]
One thing no one has mentioned here yet, but shouldn't be left out amongst the many other existing reasons: A few do it mainly for what you call "pride in reputation" Gorgo.
[Unnecessary and inflamatory comment removed - Bridger]
[/ QUOTE ]
OMG, what a sad, really bad censorship this is...
But as i was saying; pvp offers way more opportunities to boost your ego then PvE does and some ppl really like that aspect.
And ofcourse there is the fun and real challenge of fighting more or less unpredictable opponents in a fast paced environment where coordination and communication plays a much more important role and where knowing thy enemy and thy friends is more vital then ever. Sounds like fun
[/ QUOTE ]
First off, 'censorship' posts are prohibited by the Message Board Rules and Guidelines.
I guess what I should have done is remove your entire post, but I felt it was better to leave the reasonable bit and remove the unnecessary part - which was insulting and derogatory towards PvP players and served no purpose other than to rile people up.
In future, if you have a concern or complaint about my moderation of these boards, please PM me and we can discuss the matter.
Excitement.
You know your having fun when you manage to outsmart and drop a powerful player accompanied by trembling in your hands. Outsmarting and dropping an AI doesnt have the same "rush". Seeing as the OP mentioned psychology, maybe an interesting experiment would be to have some players compete against humans and some against AI's (some knowing they are AI's and some not). Then have everyone rate there experience. Just a thought
My MA IDs:
Fiend Space: 211464
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Excitement.
You know your having fun when you manage to outsmart and drop a powerful player accompanied by trembling in your hands.
[/ QUOTE ]
There is a certain joy you get for bringing down specific players
**Acceptable "support" responses**
Its your fault
Its your computers fault
Its your ISPs fault
As an ex psychology student I find myself very interested in why people here enjoy PvP as opposed for instance PvE.
Is PvE too formulaic? Do you like a to challenge yourself? Do you like to challenge others? Do you like to have pride in a well earned reputation? Or do you just do it because its an element of the game and you want to get value for your money?
Genuinely interested in people's views behind the toons. Also maybe what has brought you round to it and past background.