Yeah, my renown rank is just a half a level behind my actual rank. The renown gear is a nice bonus, kinda like WOW honor rewards, except you get a new set at each tier while levling.

I love the Shaman class, altho I am thinking about rolling a DPS class soon since it seems healers in WAR actually like to heal in PVP.

I am also really digging this game as well from a PVP stand point. I see lower ranked players competing well against high ranked characters, all the classes seem fairly balanced, or as balanced as you can get for a MMO. The non PVP part of the game seems decent but I have never been one for lore and what not so I wouldnt dare compare.