Yes, items do play a huge role, as they should. Those items also create even more elements of strategy necessary for PvP. Someone could be using a DPed dagger, in which case you'd want to stay the hell out of the way. Your parry-dexer wouldn't want to go toe-to-toe with a macer if he wants to keep his shield. A mage wouldn't want to tangle with a fast dexer that could stun. Any pure fighter hates to meet a disarm thief.