Considering DAoCFollow

I have been playing DAOC for 2 or 3 weeks and it has been fun. I have tried a few servers, realms and classes in this time. Obviously I am no expert yet. I currently have 3 guys on the server I am on. DAOC seems to be ALL ABOUT the pvp play. The pve is ok and it is fun to group up with friends and do dungeons, but the real fun is defending the realm from the other realms! Since DAOC has been out for a while there arent a lot of low lvl around so you pretty much need to get to lvl 21 before the fun pvp starts. I have played a lot of other mmorpg games and this one has the best pvp I have seen it is REALLY FUN! Also since the game is older most of the complainers are gone already so the people playing actually like the game!

Answers to your questions:

Raids - Raids are not guild specific in DAoC nor are raids limited to a certain amount of people except for a few encounters. Most raids are considered "pick-up" Raids. Either they are scheduled on the realm/server boards or you can get into them simply by finding out where and when and asking the raid leader to join. Also...most Raids in DAoC you only have to do one time to get what you wanted from it. (For example: If you want a specific artifact (TOA) you go get credit for it then farm/buy the scrolls and bing instant Item.)

Guilds - I have seen people play the entire game without guilds. They are not necessary in DAoC. Guilds in DAoC tend to be centered around groups of people that enjoy each others company and help each other out. Either monetarily or with getting gear/exp.

PvP - Class balance is an issue that Mythic has never really been able to get right. Overall though People > AI computer mobs, and I rather enjoy beating a FOTM uber class with my wimpy lil scout. The PvP reward system beats WoW HANDS DOWN no contest there. As well as the overall pvp system.

Overall - DAoC is a great game, but its a bit dated as it is 4 years old. Leveling is a cinch and now a-days you can pretty much pvp yourself to 50 if you have someone providing you with gear. The game is a blast to play and if your planning on playing WAR (Under development by mythic) you should get an idea of what RvR is really about.

As a former WoW player since release I have seen all WoW has to offer. Even as far as C'Thun(newest raid boss). Honestly...this game has more to offer than WoW hands down. I've only played for about a week now..going on my first toon(hib vampiir) to level 27. I'm on the RP server Guinevere btw if you need help names Fothrin. Let me break it down for ya.

1: Graphics
DAOC: First of all..DAoC is 4 years old so the graphics are definately out-dated. But imo they loot so much better than WoW's cartoony look. This is coming from an EQ1 fan heh.

2: Gameplay
DAOC wins again: Honestly...the PvP and PvE are so much better than WoW. Also the crafting is actually rewarding too. Player housing and guild housing add to the depth of the game. Along with the leveling/skill system(specialization points etc). Kinda like the WoW talent tree in a very vague way, only thing I could compare it too to WoW. A good variety of races(unlike WoW's 4). A good variety of classes as well tho there are some balance issues..unlike WoW skill>gear here (from my experiences).

3: PvP
DAoC for sure wins this one: Honestly the only pvp I've done was levels 20-24...and thats the Thidranki BG. And I'll tell you what, its 100x better than all WoWs BGs combined. First, no player cap, 2nd the Realm points that you get(kinda like honor) from killing your foes can be spent on new abilities and stats(sweet huh?). Another cool aspect is enemy names only show up as Race and Realm rank(Honor rank). Makes it alot more fun when your trying to spot the healer and take him out and they all look the same :) to an extent of course.

4: End-game
I have yet to see any so I cannot comment on this.

To sum it up DAoC>WoW. Hell I had more fun PvE with EQ1 than WoW...and frankly the PvP sucked as well. Do what I did...14 day free trial...if you like download the rest of the Expansions(hard to find at retail stores heh) and signup..Already canceled my WoW subscription, thought about selling my account heh. And yes..WAR is gonna be the ****. Just wish the graphics didnt quite look so cartoony like WoW's.

The graphics have recently been updated. It looks awesome now!

The upgrades are to the Catacombs and Darkness Risings clients..If you are playing in one of these clients, you are fine.

I usually play in the ToA client (graphics are not as nice, but less lag) when I PvP even though I have the DR expansion...I just don't usually use it.