Hey guys, I've been playing mmos for a year and i've gotten really bored of them. Currently I'm playing Cabal online and it's not fun anymore. So, I've been thinking of stepping out of the rpg genre for a while.

can you recommend any UNIQUE mmos? I don't want anything that's like the typical mmorpg with swords and "i hit you, you hit me" mechanics. I guess i'm mainly tired of swords, can't stand to look at them anymore. I'm looking for something STRATEGIC to play...playing rpgs and grinding has numbed my brain.

Here's some i'm considerign:
Gunbound
Atlantica Online
Drift City
Ace Online
(NO GUNZ)

Please suggest any mmo that i might like. Just don't suggest any sword weaponry mmoprgs to me...tired.

lol, i just thought of the word.

no MELEE combat mmorpgs! couldn't think of the word and had to use sword. XD rpg grinding kills brain cells.
ALSO,

must be free to play.

I'm thinking EVE Online might be right up your alley. It's extremely in-depth...a hell of a lot of thinking involved. It can be grindy, sure...but supposedly, the PvP is second-to-none, and it's definitely a thinking man's PvP. No melee--it's all spaceship-based. The graphics are tremendous, and it's all based on 1 server--so the entire game's populace is there in the galaxy with you (and the galaxy is HUUUUUUUUUGE). The PvE content is...well, grindy and annoying, but if you can get in with a good player Corporation, make your way into lo-sec space and start PvP'ing (make sure your Corp teaches you right!), you might well have a really good time.

Oh, and should it need be said: EVE Online is a subscription-based game. The client download is free (there are free trials available all the time), but then you have to pay a monthly fee to continue playing after the trial is complete.

Good luck!

Try Guild Wars. Yes, you have to buy it to play -- buts its free afterwards! I'd recommend to buy Nightfall or Factions first, as they are the most unique. Prophecies is kinda similar to other MMORPG's, like WOW, but this game has no grinding involved. Its more strategic-based and there are some painfully hard quests and missions, but they're easy once you find the right build. There is sword-weaponry, but you do not have to choose to be a warrior.

There are six core classes:

Warrior - A warrior who uses strength, tactics, hammers, axes, and swords to fight.

Ranger - A nature lover, who uses pets and charms and the environment for survival.

Monk - A healer type person.

Mesmer - Can mess up other classes, destroy hexes, use energy, and pretty much mess up other people. Great for PvP.

Necromancer - A dark magic user. Uses blood magic, curses, soul reaping, and death magic for their own torment.

Elementalist - Uses the four elements: air, earth, water, fire.

Assassin (FACTIONS ONLY) - Self-explanatory, uses daggers to fight.

Ritualist (FACTIONS ONLY) - Uses spirits to help fight, covers their eyes to communicate with the spiritual world.

Paragon (NIGHTFALL ONLY) - Spear-wielding protector of Elona.

Dervish (NIGHTFALL ONLY) A scythe wielder, covers their head with a hood.