I have never really been able to get into a non-mage character. (I have tried a bards, assassins, and rangers a few times but never really got into and was way behind the curve on gearing them). I spent several years playing without knowing wands, and it kind of works but you are fundamentally limited without protections when you get up to fighting skilled people at hero, especially in group on group fights.

I spent a few years learning a lot of (not a complete list by any means) locations and then got the whole system revamped(tones of new locations) right about the time I was prepareing to make a few characters (like chaotic conjurers) that really need wands.

About that time I finished grad school and started working full time so I haven't really had the time or inclination to expand my location knowledge or the will to keep being a second class player to pad the PK stats of all elite PKers.

I mess around with a defense shifter or LG conjurer every now and then, but I really haven't been able to get into the game the same way since then. I still love the madatory PK/RP and there isn't anything like it anywhere else, but kind of feel like it is a bit cliquish and rigged to feed the egos of "elite" players some of whom may or may not be IMMs (never kept up with conspiracy theories enough to tell). It just seems like area and gear knowledge gives people a really big advantage that can't often be overcome with "skill" at controlling your character, most of the 'elite' players seem to have both but without that I just feel like I am too much of a competitive disadvantage to really enjoy the game.

I really wish they would do something to address the balance issues related to ABS but until they do I will just keep lurking around and playing casual characters every now and then. I just feel like its not worth investing the effort in at this time to make a really serious character.