Seeking Skill-based / Sandbox MMO
 

Since my friends don't seem to keen about joining the "Classic EQ" experience here on P99, I'm trying to find a good MMO that we can play together while I keep P99 a mostly "me time" affair.

My buddy suggested something like Ultima Online, and I really love the premise behind how the game is set up (It's all skill based, no levels, no stat inflation like every EQ and WoW clone has), but we're looking for something a little more, current generation. Here's what we're looking for:

-Either no leveling or leveling has minimal meaning on a players power.
-Strength of a player is determined by their skill choices (e.g., Tactics, Fencing, Swordsmanship, etc...), not by their level or their gear
-Must have both PvE and PvP content
-F2P or P2P, doesn't matter which, we're open to both kinds.

So any suggestions? I've been looking around, and I'm coming up blank; it seems that Ultima Online was a one-of-a-kind experience, but I thought "Hey, maybe someone out there knows of such a game!" and decided to ask here.

So, TL;DR version: Anyone know of a "Skill-based" or "Sandbox" (akin to Ultima Online), current generation MMORPG?

i was going to say witcher 2, but that's single player rpg. good game tho

Ultima is pretty terrible. D3, Neverwinter, Star Wars and a (GASP!!!) World of Darkness MMO are all set to release in the somewhat near future, as well as a bunch of other online multiplayer games. I think MMO-Champ has a list of MMOs, most of which are free to play, just download it off their site.

Dawntide is set to release in a couple decades.

http://www.dawntide.net/

Edit: Whoa I actually read the website and apparently it's in open beta and set to launch in October... last I knew a few months ago it was nearly unplayable. Shrug.

What about Borderlands.

i swear to god i hate that little fucking claptrap :\

why not play team fortress 2 or league of legends or something...

sounds like you want your jollies cheap and easy, don't want to have to grind for em

Just play an FPS. MMOs aren't known for involving skill.

Watch this for the lulz:

http://youtu.be/Fii-KPEmcMw

www.warrock.net

i will teach you