there are actually quite a few differences
combat is fully controlled and requires more skill than playing rock, paper, scissors with everybody you meet
the story goes way more in depth and is much more interesting because it doesn't revolve around this and that being corrupted by some demon powers
the things you can do with your guild are much more in depth than WoW. For example, you can build forts and battle other guilds
blood, gore, and amazing fatalities. I know you've always wanted to behead that dastardly rogue that keeps ganking you in WoW. Well in AoC, you can
this was mentioned, but graphics. Hands down, best graphics I have seen in any MMO. I'm very impressed and loving every second of it
environments are very unique and have a great feel to them. I always got bored with the environments in WoW
mobs are varied and all look different. They aren't just re textured models
the gear has 3d depth to it and actually looks like armor because it is not just a texture drawn onto your body, and same as mobs, gear isn't grossly re textured
cities feel more like actual cities with their size and population. Stormwind, Iron Forge, Undercity etc. all tried to be capital cities, but Tarantia shoots them all down
the music in AoC is far, far, far, far better than WoW. WoW has its moments with music, but I think AoC really has musical genius
on the topic of sound, sound effects make you feel more like you're in battle. This goes in hand with the blood and gore in the game. It's nice to hear some blood gurgle in your enemy's throat every now and then
classes are much more dynamic with more selections, but it's all the same basic idea as it is in most every MMO. The rogue, soldier, mage, dark mage etc. There has been the same classes since the beginning of RPG time
in my opinion mounts are cooler. You can battle on your mount as well as attack with it. There are less mount choices (Rhino, Horse, and Mammoth) but they feel more realistic, and more like actual animals. Horses in WoW drove me nuts. They seemed so incredibly fake
characters themselves are much more realistic because you can see the expressions on their faces and there is much more body movement
there isn't a /dance in AoC which makes me kinda sad
i personally like the inns better. Especially the ones in Stygia
i believe AoC is just an all around better game than WoW, but that's just my opinion
oh and yes, the average WoW player is a complete blubbering idiot.. so it is very, very nice to get away from that
