Editing New Player Guide (section)

==What's Unique About Asheron's Call==
=== Graphics===
Okay, we'll get this out of the way first as it is often the first thing people notice when loading the game.

Asheron's Call graphics are based on an older engine that does not handle the high details many new games have.  This engine was upgraded with the Throne of Destiny expansion, but still does not have the awe-inspiring glory of newer game titles.

However, even though the resolution may not be as great as other games, there are distinct advantages.  

===No Instances===
Buildings on the landscape act like real buildings. They have working doors, there is no 'zoning' in and out of a building.  Windows are truly windows and you can watch what is going on outside through them.

The world has no zones or instances (the [[Colosseum]] being the only exception). You can run from one end of Dereth to the other, the mountains you see in the distance you can travel to, no matter how far away they are.

With over 500 square miles to explore, AC's world gives players huge scope and freedom.

===Monster Hordes===
In addition, these graphics allow for a much higher concentration of monsters, allowing you to be a true hero and fight entire swarms and emerge victorious.

These touches add a form of realism you don't get in other games. As you play you can find yourself immersed in Dereth as completely as you can any other MMORPG.

The gameplay of AC is unlike any other MMORPG, and that is where AC shines.

===Skill-based Character Growth===
AC does not have character classes as many other MMORPGs do.  There is no 'healer' class, no 'tank' class, no 'attack' class.

With AC you have complete control of the design of your character, allowing you to mix and match skills from any of the traditional class based systems into a character that is truly your own design.  The bad news is with this freedom, you can create some extraordinarily bad designs.  However, even these designs can succeed, and some players take pride in taking a so-called unplayable design to very high levels.

When grouping for quests, player mixes of skills allow for much greater freedom in creating your groups.  A group does not have to consist of a healer, a tank, a leader and damage specialist. Instead, parts of these roles can be taken by anyone in the group.

This also allows for a greater ability to 'solo'.  Very little of the content in AC cannot be soloed by a powerful enough character.

===Monthly Content Updates===
{{Related|Patches}}

Almost every month, Turbine releases new content.  Content is divided into 'Story Arcs' that are delivered in parts month by month.  Each update brings new quests, new items, new places to explore.

And Turbine has been doing this for over '''twelve''' years.  There is a considerable amount of things to see and do, so you won't run out soon.

===Third Party Utilities===
AC is unique among MMORPGs in that it allows the use of 3rd party utilities to enhance or design AC gameplay to match your form of enjoyment.

3rd party utilities are available to help you in looting, crafting, managing your stuffs, buffing, finding your way around the world, keeping track of your quest timers and many other useful additions.

Also 3rd party utilities can be used to set up a 'bot' which is an unattended character that can provide services to the community. Bot's provide trading in the AC Marketplace, Bot's provide buffs, portals to far away locations, and services of every kind.

However, this power comes with a downside.  Some people use bots to level while they are away from the computer. This is commonly called a UCM for Unattended Combat Macro. UCMs are against the AC rules, and can lead to the character account being banned.  However, it is difficult to tell the difference between an attended combat macro (which is legal) and an unattended one.  In AC you WILL find macros fighting.

===No Mounts===
Nope, no horses, flying dragons, speedsters, land rovers, jet airplanes or other methods of transportation.

Instead, you play a super character, faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap tall buildings at a single bound.  The run skill allows for faster travel than mounts in other games. You don't have to buy anything special to use it, just add points to your quickness and run skills.  With portals to far areas dotting the landscape, and the ability to run as fast as a Volkswagen going up a mountain pass, you will find you don't need a mount.