What Is the PK System in Lineage 2M?

The PK System in L2M Diamonds is a core gameplay mechanic that governs player-vs-player (PvP) combat, especially when players attack or kill others outside of formal PvP settings. It is designed to create risk, tension, and consequences for hostile actions.

Below is a breakdown of how it works.

1. PK (Player Killing) Basics

In Lineage 2M, you can attack other players freely in most open-world areas.

When you attack or kill another player without mutual consent, this is considered PK.

Two basic terms are important:

PK Attack

You initiate combat against another player who is not flagged for PvP.

PK Kill

You successfully kill a non-aggressive or non-flagged player.

Both actions influence your Karma and PC status, which changes how the world reacts to you.

2. The Karma System

Karma is the core of the PK system.

Every time you kill a non-hostile player, you gain Karma points (bad karma).

How Karma Works:

Higher Karma = more severe penalties.

Karma increases when you kill neutral players.

Karma decreases slowly over time or by killing monsters.

Penalties for High Karma:

The more Karma you accumulate, the worse your situation becomes:

Guard Aggro

NPC guards in towns and safe zones will attack you on sight.

Increased Death Penalties

When you die with high Karma:

You have a higher chance to drop items.

You may lose more EXP.

You respawn far away or in harsher locations.

Becoming “Chaotic”

When Karma exceeds a certain threshold, your name color changes to red, marking you as a hostile player.

Chaotic players are valid targets for anyone—killing a red-named player does not give the killer Karma.

3. Name Colors and What They Mean

Lineage 2M uses color-coded player names to signal their PvP status:

ColorMeaning

WhiteNormal player (no PvP activity)

PurpleTemporarily aggressive (recently attacked a player)

RedChaotic (high Karma from PK kills)

4. How to Reduce Karma

If you accumulate too much Karma, you can reduce it in a few ways:

Kill monsters

Normal grinding slowly reduces Karma over time.

Do not attack players

Karma drops if you avoid PvP for a while.

Die

Death reduces Karma significantly, but with major item-loss risk.

5. PK vs. PvP — What’s the Difference?

Not all player combat is considered PK.

PvP (Fair Combat):

Occurs in designated zones.

Happens when both players voluntarily engage.

Often linked to sieges, guild wars, territory battles, or PvP arenas.

No Karma is gained for killing in fair PvP.

PK (Hostile Combat):

One-sided attacks.

Killing neutral or unsuspecting players.

Causes Karma penalties.

6. Why Players PK in Lineage 2M

Despite risks, PK is common due to:

Grinding spot competition

Revenge and clan conflicts

Blocking other players from farming rare drops

Open-world PvP culture inherited from the original Lineage series

7. PK Protection Features

Lineage 2M includes protection for newer or weaker players:

Safe Zones

Towns and certain areas prohibit combat.

Newbie Protection

New players cannot be targeted in certain zones or levels.

Teleport & Escape Skills

Useful for avoiding hostile PKers.

Summary

The PK system in Lineage 2M is built around:

Open-world PvP freedom

A Karma penalty system

Name color states (white/purple/red)

High-risk consequences for repeated PK

It’s a system that rewards strategic PvP but punishes random killing through Karma and item-drop risks. Managing your Karma—and knowing when to engage in open-world combat—is an important part of mastering cheap L2M Diamonds.