> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.pawtato.gg/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.pawtato.gg/pawtato-land/gameplay/player-vs.-player/arena.md).

# Arena

The **Arena** is live! Here you challenge other players to direct Hero-versus-Hero battles.

{% hint style="info" %}
📍 **Jump in:** [Open the Arena in Pawtato Land](https://pawtato.gg/?ar=1)
{% endhint %}

The Arena landing screen has two ways in: **Challenges** — the one-off duels described below — and [**Tournaments**](/pawtato-land/gameplay/player-vs.-player/arena-tournaments.md), scheduled bracketed competitions you register a lineup for ahead of time. A third category, **Ranked Ladder**, is still to come.

## Current Modes

* **Solo** - your Hero fights the opponent's Hero **1 vs 1**.
* **Squad** - **3 Heroes against 3 Heroes**, in two variants:
  * **Ordered** - the lineup order is **fixed**; the Heroes fight in the order you set them.
  * **Shuffle** - the lineup order is **randomized** before the fight begins.

Every mode is played in a match format of **Best of 1**, **Best of 3** or **Best of 5** - the first side to win the majority of rounds takes the match.

A **Squad** lineup must be **three different Heroes** - the same Hero can't fill more than one slot, whether you're issuing a challenge or accepting one.

{% hint style="info" %}
More Arena modes are on the way.
{% endhint %}

## How it works

1. Click the [**Arena**](https://pawtato.gg/?ar=1) building on the World Map to enter.
2. Click **Challenge a Rival** to issue a challenge: pick your champion Hero, the Combat Mode (**Solo** / **Squad**) and the match format (**Best of 1 / 3 / 5**).
3. Decide **who can accept**:
   * **Name Your Rival** - a **direct duel** aimed at one specific player.
   * **Make Challenge public** - an **open challenge** any player can accept, up to a challenger limit you choose (up to **10**). Each challenger fights your champion in their own separate duel.
4. Optionally attach a **wager** - both sides stake it, and the winner takes all (a small TATO fee applies to wagered challenges).
5. Once an opponent accepts, the battle resolves automatically round by round - watch the battle and the result from your challenge list.

Your Hero's [Stats](/pawtato-land/gameplay/heroes/stats.md), [Equipment](/pawtato-land/gameplay/equipment.md) and [Skills](/pawtato-land/gameplay/heroes/skills.md) decide the fight - test your build against the [Training Dummies](/pawtato-land/gameplay/adventure/training-dummies.md) before you step in.

## Finding duels

The Arena screen has three tabs:

* **Available Duels** - challenges you can act on right now: **Direct Duels** other players aimed at you, and **Public Duels** - open challenges anyone can join.
* **My Duels** - the challenges you've issued (direct or public), where you watch results as they come in or withdraw an open challenge.
* **History** - your recorded battles.

Use the **Wager only** filter to show just the challenges that stake a prize.

The **Arena** building on the World Map flags duels that need you personally: a **crossed-swords** mark when someone has challenged **you** directly and the invitation is still open, and a **question mark** when one of your own challenges has resolved and is waiting for you to reveal the outcome. **Public duels don't mark the map** — they're addressed to nobody in particular, so you'll find them in **Available Duels** instead. A separate **gold trophy** on the same building means a [Tournament](/pawtato-land/gameplay/player-vs.-player/arena-tournaments.md) wants your attention.

To take on a duel aimed at you, hit **Accept** to fight (or **Respond** to open its details first). On a **Public Duel** you can also hit **Decline** - it then disappears from *your* Available Duels only; the challenge stays open for the host and everyone else.

{% hint style="info" %}
When you open a **public** challenge with a wager, the wager and Arena fee are reserved once for **each** potential challenger you allow. Any slots that go unfilled are refunded automatically when the challenge expires. Wagered public challenges are also announced in **world chat** with a jump-to-Arena link, so rivals can find and accept them.
{% endhint %}

## What counts in the Arena

The Arena is a pure test of your build. When a challenge is issued and accepted, each Hero's stats are **snapshotted** - and only permanent power is counted:

* ✅ **Base stats**, **equipment** bonuses, **selected Skills** and **titles** all count.
* ❌ **Potion buffs**, **altar buffs** and other temporary consumable stat boosts are **nullified** - they give you no advantage here.
* ❌ **Injuries are ignored** - a wounded Hero fights at full strength.

{% hint style="info" %}
This keeps every Arena match a fair contest of how you built and geared your Hero, not who chugged the most potions right before the fight. Save your buffs for the [Dungeons](/pawtato-land/gameplay/adventure.md) and other PvE content, where they still apply.
{% endhint %}