u/7jwk77

I’ve never really played MMOs before, but they always seemed interesting to me. The problem is that they also look super confusing and kinda overwhelming from the outside with all the classes, builds, raids, currencies, guilds, etc.

I usually like games where you can grind, collect gear, customize characters, and playing with others, so MMOs seem like something I might enjoy. I just don’t know if it’s worth getting into in 2026 as a completely new player.

For people who actively play MMOs:

• What makes them fun for you?
• Are they hard to learn for beginners?
• Which MMO would you recommend for someone totally new?(pref not insane p2w)
• Is it possible to play casually without falling behind?

Also if anyone has tips for getting started or avoiding beginner mistakes, I’d appreciate it a lot.

]A few friends and I are looking for an MMO to sink some hours into together — we want something we can grind, progress, and play different roles (tank/heal/dps) through dungeons, raids, or open-world challenges.

Here’s what we’re hoping for:

• Free-to-play or reasonably priced (no heavy pay-to-win)
• Active community that’s still alive in 2026
• Player-driven economy where we can grind, trade, and maybe get rich off in-game markets
• Co-op/group content like raids, bosses, dungeons, etc. (Clans or something similar would be nice)
• Decent amount of progression)

Any recommendations for something we can really grind together without feeling like we’re fighting a P2W wall?