The new addition of PvP is GREAT. Someone's too powerful? Organize a mob and kill him. Want to have wars where your enemies stay dead? Now, it's possible. If you don't like PvP, a "hardcore" server obviously isn't right for you. When people have a permaban at risk, there won't be many people anticipating combat anyway. Before, someone could just raid your base as you stood there helpless without any defense. Now, you can fight back! Plus, people still PvPed with lava and TNT anyway. How is this different?

Anyway, I've been a heavy PvPer since the day it was added. I was one of the first to play on Jigabot's deathban server where this plugin came from, so I've made a bit of pointers on how to survive and thrive in a PvP environment.

Bases-

Chances are, your base should be deep underground (y=12 - 16) and completely concealed. Make your entrance no more than a single block at a certian coordinates that must be removed to reveal the ladder. A good base should have a mine, some kind of farm, and ample storage. However, there is an ever-present threat of wirecrafters, or people who use see-through texture packs to find hidden goodies. I'd recommend making your underground base AT LEAST 3k away from spawn. If you're worried about wireframers, build under a natural lava lake (lava conceals bases quite well) or under a deep ocean (most people like to wireframe where they can easily walk, not swim. As of 1.8, even chests that are completely covered can be wireframed, so I'd recommend hiding your stash far away from your main area. Never show anyone your base unless you trust them, and most importantly, write down the coords!

If you MUST make an above ground base, I'd recommend doing so at least 5k away from spawn and having multiple teammates to defend. If one hostile finds your base, they'll make sure the entire server knows it's location. Giving people (even noobs) the coords isn't recommended, they might come back to bite once they're armored up.

Combat-

If you like it, don't bring it! Typical PvP gear should consist of iron armor (preferably full), plenty of food, a bow with a few arrows, a diamond or iron sword, and a bucket of lava. Cobble, dirt, or another common block is recommended for sticky situations to tower away, also perhaps a bucket of water for dousing yourself. Your sword is your main weapon, NOT your bow. The bow does decent damage, but it slows you down and takes a while to fire. It's only recommended for fleeing enemies to finish them off, the sword can dish out way more damage. A diamond sword is preferable, but iron doesn't do that much less damage and is a fine substitute. Although it may seem mindless, sword fighting is actually rather complicated. Remember that jumping grants you crits, a whopping eight damage per hit with a diamond sword. Also, blocking halves incoming damage, so quickly blocking after a swipe can get you out of some tough situations. Never charge straight at the enemy, always strafe around him and try to stay right outside of his range. If you can hit him and he can't reach you, that's a great distance. Some sword fights last seconds, others can get pretty lengthy. If the enemy runs, by all means either chase him or try to shoot him down. If he sucessfully escapes, leave the area. He'll probably be back with allies or new gear. Regarding armor, even a brand new set of leather is better than a half dead set of diamond, at least until 1.9 comes out. Iron armor is by far recommended, diamond armor is foolish unless you're showing off. It dies surprisingly fast and is a waste of 24 diamonds that could have been put to good use.

If you're being chased, feel free to heed your enemy! Set down blocks haphazardly, tower, make a boat, go in circles, anything to make your pursuer give up. If YOU'RE the chaser, you may come across combat loggers, or people who log out in the middle of combat. That's what the lava's for. If you know where they logged out, make a pit and fill it with lava. You may not get their drops, but they'll have a pleasant suprise to log in to.

Of course, don't be an asshole and go around killing noobs. In fact, help noobs. Give them food, give them weapons. Allies are very useful on these type of servers, the last thing you want is a bounty over your head with no friends to back you up.

Please smavi, leave PvP in! I typed this on my phone, so sorry for any spelling or grammatical errors.