Hey folks,

so ... in before I begin I just wanted to warn you: I will take GuildWars 2 (again) as an example.
TL;DR version down below.

In my opinion - and I know many PvP/RvR/WvW/AvA/whatever participants share it - such a vast PvP system as AvA in TESO will need a something to keep players play this PvP-system.
There were always rewards for PvP-participation in many games.
Dark Age of Camelot has Realm Ranks and Realm Abilities which defined the characters role in RvR and made you know that your character has a clear progression - and a role in Realm vs Realm.
Warhammer Online has Ranks and PvP-only armors. Your character had special class abilities - similiar to Realm Abilities of DAoC - before you entered RvR.
World of Warcraft has Ranks/Honor (?) and PvP-only gear, too, though it just had open-PvP, Arena and Battlegrounds as PvP.

Alliance vs Alliance is a PvP system with sieging and taking bases (like mines and supply bases) for your Alliance. Sure, sounds easy. But we shouldn't forget: Its a Player vs Player-System where you can encounter enemies. Some will even want to search for enemies to have battles. This raises a question: How defines Zenimax the Alliance vs Alliance system? Is it a sieging-battleground or a PvP-area?
It is defined mostly by the community. Since the aesthetics of the AvA-area will always be the same you just have to options: Following events (helping with sieging) or PvPing. Oh yeah, and you are able to be The Emperor by capturing the Imperial City (which will contain sieging and eventually PvP).
Being an Emperor sure sounds like a cool progression. But there will also be http://tamrielfoundry.com/development-faq/#allianceranks which you are able to invest into upgrading your character and equipment.

Today, a modern MMORPG - with a similiar system - tried to create "character progression" in their system. Some people might know what game I'm talkin 'bout: GuildWars 2.
Well ... Its fun because I've been also waiting just until this patch. It was delayed twice or three times for months. They announced a "WvW"-patch and ... Well, I don't really want to cry about stuff I didn't get.
In this World vs World system your character's only WvW-progression is: https://d3b4yo2b5lbfy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/c8d06WvW-Progression-English.jpg.
The screenshot shows ALL available skills till rank 1920. Well ... Those should make your character unique.
This proves how experience is important with such a system.

I think everybody who will participate in ESO's AvA want to see a decent progression and a role for your character. Wether it is: Carrying supply, being The (one and only) Emperor, an Assassin creeping on the keep wall lurking for enemies or just a competetive player.
And I know even players who don't have that much time to invest into a game will want to see their character playing a role or having a decent progression. This shouldn't throw up a "casual vs hardcoe"-discussion because this is not the point. There will be masses of players running around where everybody can join up, capturing bases, sieging keeps. I know there will be roleplaying commanders along with huge crowd of soldiers. And I know there will be solo- and teamplayers who just want to play this Alliance vs Alliance system.

There should be character upgrades which really help you in PvP aspects and sieging aspects. Carrying more resources - No problem. Having an enhanced magicka regeneration or a skill for enhancing it by investing Alliance Points? No problem.
Such things make you define your unique role on the battlefields.

TL;DR: GuildWars 2's WvW progression is sh*t. Zenimax should create an AvA progression with impact on your character's (in PvP and sieging aspects) role.

See you on the battlefield.

DAoC

<3