What about the PvP arena?
PVP in planeshift is very under developed, and requires no player skill, just stats. And its not entertaining to watch two people battle. I'm just being frank though, the game is not about PVP, playing Planeshift for the PVP is like buying a car because it comes with free peanuts...
Why do you think so many people RP fight? Its because the PVP system is dreadful.