The Proving Grounds made it's first appearances in Q3Test and the Quake III Demo along with the other tier one levels. In this medium sized arena you must defeat Hunter, a ruthless female warrior decorated with the a helmet and pelt constructed from the carcass of a Sorlag, a reptilian mercenary creature you'll face another of later in the game. Hunter is on a personal quest for vengance against the Sorg Clan to make them pay for crimes against her ancestors, the colonists of Tau Ceti.

The level follows a tightly connected symmetrical layout, split down the centre along the path of the two teleporters. The left landing room beside the lightning gun has been significantly reworked for the Quake Live version of the Proving Grounds, marking the only break in the symmetry of the original layout. In this version it is merely a mirror of the opposite side with a shotgun and some health, but in QZTOURNEY2 the level has been squared off and a jump pad has been added, allowing for some interesting attack/defence scenarios in team games between the room and upper stairways or lightning gun hall.

The playing field is just right for duels, providing a number of interesting tactical opportunities. The lightning gun makes its debut here, floating before a large gothic mural. It operates slightly differently than in the first game, being less powerful and can't be discharged in liquid to fry opponents, but can be very effective in close quarters against opponents who are slow to dodge or who are in mid air.

The only viable hiding place here is behind the lower teleporter, allowing you to quickly shoot any opponents who snap in off into the fog beneath the suspended bridge. The fog beneath the bridge here obscures a steep drop that you won't survive should you fall, the likes of which hasn't appeared in the levels preceding this one in the first tier, so stay lightfooted when fighting nearby.

The teleporter provides a strategic advantage when being chased, allowing you to easily lead enemies into a trap, and can provide a quick exit leaving you unscathed should you need to exit the ground floor of the main room swiftly.

The Proving Grounds is a well designed arena suitable for small team games, medium sized free for all matches or duels, and it's easy to see why it was chosen for inclusion in the game demo and test versions.

There are no secrets in this level.