Non-Rail MMORPG w/ PVP and Crafting

SubtleBreeze

I am looking for a  MMORPG to replace TSW.

  1.  Grind -- I don't mind working for things, but I don't like repetitive boring treadmills.  TSW started to lose me when they introduced just 3 scenarios that are very stingy with their augment drops, so that you must do the same 3 scenarios over and over and over again.

  2.  PVP -- Yes please!  I like for the game to have a variety of fun things to choose from instead of just following a single rail, and pvp is definitely fun for me.  However, I am not looking for a fps.

  3.  PVE -- I like raiding.  I also like roaming around solo stumbling into mobs to fight and things to discover.

  4.  Crafting -- Crafting and gathering is a plus.  I would also prefer that there be an Auction House of some sort.

  5.  Graphics -- I've learned that graphics are more important to me than I used to think.  I was hyped about Wildstar, but once I started playing I learned that I just could not live with cartoon graphics.  I liked the graphics in ESO, but other aspects made that game unenjoyable for me.

  6.  Difficulty -- Since I've recently been disappointed in the games I've tried, I am leery of investing the time to overcome a steep learning curve before I know whether I even like the game.  But so long as I'm having fun along the way, complexity is fine with me.  Since in game I like to try things out and die a lot, I would not like a game that had serious consequences to dying.

  7.  Games I've tried -- I've played TSW to endgame.  Recently I've started playing Rift which seems OK but not something I will immerse myself in.  ESO had aspects that I liked such as the crafting, but also had aspects that I did not like, such as inadequate inventory space so that I had to juggle alts just to store crafting stuff.  I briefly tried Guild Wars 2 but it did not grab me.  I briefly tried Defiance but did not like its aiming system and dealing with ammo.

  8.  Payment Plan -- I do not like an intrusive cash shop, and certainly do not want a "pay to win" game (i.e. where there is constant pressure to spend more and more cash to be competitive).  I am not fond of Rift's lock boxes.  Pay to play, and/or subscription model is fine with me.