Is this game easy to start?Follow

to answer you questions...

yes but it's bearable

yes

no, no, yes

good, even though most whine that it's not

pvp is what daoc is all about... it's where all your hard work and practice in PvE pays off and tells you whether your good or still need more practice. in a word "awesome"

Is it going to be alot of grinding XP thru PT's over and over again ala FFXI?

You are playing an MMO, take a guess.

Is there any solo play available at all to continue your char?

Depends on your class.

Are crafts fun and intersting and usefull?

No, No, and Sometimes

How is class balance?

Overpowered:
Sorceror
Bainshee
Warlock
Enchanter
Spiritmaster
Cabalist

Underpowered:
Thane
Valkyrie
Friar (Some disagree)
Paladin (Again, some will disagree)
Infiltrator (A little)
Shadowblade (A little)
Nightshade (A little)

Most other classes are balanced

What is the PVP like?

Basically, low realm point characters run in 3 or 4 group mobs (Zergs) and high realm point characters run in organized groups (Gank Groups) that can usually wipe a Zerg easily. Soloers such as Shadowblades, Hunters, Nightshades, Rangers, Infiltrators, and Scouts run around in groups completely stealthed (Stealthzergs) and all gangbang 1 or 2 people. The battlegrounds (PvP areas from level 1 to 45) are extremely fun. New Frontiers is fun depending on your class

Lavis - I'd like to hear your impressions after a few days. I have some friends who have asked me to give it a go. I'm downloading the trial, but I'm not yet sure if I want to make a retail purchase (I'll find out soon enough, I guess).

Couple of points: Soloing depends more on you than your class. A buddy of mine is soloing a healer (which everyone but him will tell you is impossible). It's slow but can be done.

Crafting is the real grind, but you don't have to do it, but it can be useful and a money maker. Check out salvaging....

Class balance? People whine all the time because they got there powerleveled-don't know the class-whiny little butt- self smacked down by a <insert class here> so <insert class here> and so one is overpowered or they are underpowered etc.... If all you do is grouped with people and never solo, and just grind your way to the top you will get your butt kicked by people who took the time to learn the character, and how to work it. I just learned a few weeks ago that I can quickcast the boss pet with my BD. Talk about a lifesaver, even if that just means I can run, sometimes it lets me win. That was something my buddy who is working on his second lvl 50 (49.5 other day) and has more lvl 35+'s than I can shake a stick at didn't even know... The point is that you have to experiment till you find what you like and work that character the way you like....

I started playing back when there were tons of low level people and no /level 20 but I still soloed more than gorup until I have almost 40. Any time I start a new char, I solo it for a few levels, even inthe twenties just to get the hang of it and see what sort of abilities I have and think of didfferent ways to use them. Low level soloing is jsut fine in my opinion. If, on the other hand, you'd like to group more even at low levels, look into getting into a decent guild. I've found that being in a guild gets you alot mroe group oppertunities. I've even let a new player all lv 10 or something group with my alts over 20. Someone to talk to still adds to the fun and alot of classes can at least be of a bit of help. Don't neglect the BG's either. Last time I was there, the below 20 bgs didnt offten ahve much going on in them (but you can solo pve there waiting for someone to show up to fight!) Anyway, have fun.

Dudes, let's be honest about DAOC: the class balance sucks, crafting sucks, the UI sucks, the grind only semi-sucks.

But, for some reason the PvP (RvR) is some of the best PvP going in any MMORPG. Go figure.

See you on the Frontiers.