History YMMV / AsheronsCall

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: This contributed heavily to ''Asheron's Call'' 2 death. Fans of the first game just wanted the first game with a modern graphic engine and some online fantasy game staples like mounts and two-handed weapons that were sorely missing in the first game. Turbine produced something more akin to ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', hoping to attract a completely new crowd of gamers. It didn't.
* TheWoobie: ''Holy shit'' [[https://asheron.fandom.com/wiki/Leikotha_Arenir Leikotha Arenir]]. She was said to be the WorldsMostBeautifulWoman when she was alive, but was turned into an undead mummy by [[EvilSorcerer Nerash]], and [[IWasQuiteTheLooker retained none of her former beauty]]. She was so traumatized by this that she [[HeroicBSOD wept for thirty days straight.]] Even after Nerash's death, she was unable to to find a way to return to life.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: This contributed heavily to ''Asheron's Call'' 2 death. Fans of the first game just wanted the first game with a modern graphic engine and some online fantasy game staples like mounts and two-handed weapons that were sorely missing in the first game. Turbine produced something more akin to ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', hoping to attract a completely new crowd of gamers. It didn't.

* GameBreaker: Shields for melee characters, namely because of how the game mechanics worked the shield didn't just add to your armor level but instead worked like an extra "layer" of armor, making them much more effective than any other piece of armor. In addition, while they only protected about the front 90 degree arc the monsters were [[ArtificialStupidity too dumb to try to get around behind you]]. They were so overpowered that some of the higher level monsters just [[BarrierBustingBlow ignored them outright]].

* JerkassWoobie: The [[VillainousHarlequin Jester]] in the Graveyard. Despite being completely insane, he has a rather sad story as he was the court Jester for the good Lord Cynreft Mhoire (the original ruler of the place now called the Graveyard) he planned to trick [[EvilSorcerer Rytheran]] himself into into giving him godlike powers so he wouldn't pose a threat. Unfortunately, Rytheran used the [[TomeOfEldritchLore Book Of Eibhil], to destroy House Mhoire, and, the Lord {{Misblamed}} the Jester and imprisoned him.

* JerkassWoobie: The [[VillainousHarlequin Jester]] in the Graveyard. Despite being completely insane, he has a rather sad story as he was the court Jester for the good Lord Cynreft Mhoire (the original ruler of the place now called the Graveyard) he planned to trick {{EvilSorcerer Rytheran]] himself into into giving him godlike powers so he wouldn't pose a threat. Unfortunately, Rytheran used the [[TomeOfEldrtichLore Book Of Eibhil], to destroy House Mhoire, and, the Lord {{Misblamed}} the Jester and imprisoned him.

* JerkassWoobie: The [[VillanousHarlequin Jester]] in the Graveyard. Despite being completely insane, he has a rather sad story as he was the court Jester for the good Lord Cynreft Mhoire (the original ruler of the place now called the Graveyard) he planned to trick {{EvilSorcerer Rytheran]] himself into into giving him godlike powers so he wouldn't pose a threat. Unfortunately, Rytheran used the [[TomeOfEldrtichLore Book Of Eibhil], to destroy House Mhoire, and, the Lord {{Misblamed}} the Jester and imprisoned him.

* ThatOneLevel: The dungeon [[EldritchLocation Portal Space]], when first introduced, was frankly, unbelievable. It was divided into four sections, with each having a different level restriction (the highest level section was just level 80+ with no upper limit). The problem, all four dungeons had the same level enemies as the 80+ section, meaning they were basically unkillable by say, level 20-39 people. As such, everyone but the high level group had to [[LuckBasedMission just run through and hope for the best]]. They eventually removed the upper level limits for all the sections, making it not all that hard (although you still needed at least 4 people, as there were some places were you would have to, say, flip a switch in one section to open a door in another.

* ScrappyMechanic: Initially, Spell Research qualified as this. You put a bunch of spell components into a special window to see what happens. You could fail to cast the spell (fizzle) if you either didn't have a high enough skill level, or if you didn't have the right combination of components. Additionally, Spell Economy made it so that the more well-known a spell was, the less effective it became, rendering recipes well-guarded. An Excel macro (known as Split-Pea) was developed to take most of the pain out of the trial and error. Spell Economy was dropped fairly quickly after launch. Later, in mid-2004, Spell Research was dropped as well as having to carry around most types of components, instead being able to obtain Foci for each magic skill that essentially function as every component needed short of Prismatic Tapers and the appropriate Scarab for the level of your spells. The old component system is still an option if you wish to use it, and is even recommended for melee/missile characters that only have item magic for the recall spells. The later introduced Void Magic requires the use of a foci, however, the spells otherwise requiring components that are impossible to obtain such as Bottled Rage.

* ThatOneLevel: The dungeon [[EldritchLocation Portal Space]], when first introduced, was frankly, unbelievable. It was divided into four sections, with each having a different level restriction (the highest level section was just level 80+ with no upper limit). The problem, all four dungeons had the same level enemies as the 80+ section, meaning they were basically unkillable by say, level 20-39 people. As such, everyone but the high level group had to [[LuckBasedMission just run through and hope for the best]]. They eventually removed the upper level limits for all the sections, making it not all that hard (although you still needed at least 4 people, as there were some places were you would have to, say, flip a switch in one section to open one in another.

* CompleteMonster: [[MadScientist Aerbax]] was once just a common virindi puppet who gained sapience from a freak incident, after which he broke off from the Quiddity to pursue his own experiments, and sees himself as some kind of [[AGodAmI god]] who just views everyone else as worthless inferiors to be killed or experimented on. He started by making more powerful versions of existing monsters, before eventually experimenting on humans. His most famous "project" was Martine--an innocent human settler turned into an insane, terrifying HumanoidAbomination--but in one quest in portal space, Lilitha--a famous human archer who had mysteriously vanished decades earlier--is trapped there, and she appears to be a "prototype" of Martine who has been [[AndIMustScream trapped there and subject to hideous experiments for so long she has gone hopelessly insane]]. Later on, Aerbax would go on to experiment on other virindi, create his "Prodigal Sons", superpowered unique versions of other monsters, before finally turning himself into an EldritchAbomination.

* CompleteMonster: [[MadScientist Aerbax]] was [[FromNobodyToNightmare once just a common virindi puppet]] who gained sapience from a freak incident, after which he broke off from the Quiddity to pursue his own experiments, and sees himself as some kind of [[AGodAmI god]] who just views everyone else as worthless inferiors to be killed or experimented on. He started by making more powerful versions of existing monsters, before eventually experimenting on humans. His most famous "project" was Martine--an innocent human settler turned into an insane, terrifying HumanoidAbomination--but in one quest in portal space, Lilitha--a famous human archer who had mysteriously vanished decades earlier--is trapped there, and she appears to be a "prototype" of Martine who has been [[AndIMustScream trapped there and subject to hideous experiments for so long she has gone hopelessly insane]]. Later on, Aerbax would go on to experiment on other virindi, create his "Prodigal Sons", superpowered unique versions of other monsters, before finally turning himself into an EldritchAbomination.

* CompleteMonster: [[MadScientist Aerbax]] was once just a common virindi puppet who gained sapience from a freak incident, after which he broke off from the Quiddity to pursue his own experiments, and sees himself as some kind of [[AGodAmI god]] who just views everyone else as worthless inferiors to be killed or experimented on. He started by making more powerful versions of existing monsters, before eventually experimenting on humans. His most famous "project" was Martine--an innocent human settler turned into an insane, terrifying HumanoidAbomination--but in one quest in portal space, Lilitha--a famous human archer who had mysteriously vanished decades earlier--is trapped there, and she appears to be a "prototype" of Martine who has been [[AndIMustScream trapped there and subject to hideous experiments for so long she has gone hopelessly insane]]. Later on, Aerbax would go on to experiment on other virindi, create his "Prodigal Sons", superpowered unique versions of other monsters, before finally turning himself into an EldritchAbomination.

* CompleteMonster: [[EldritchAbomination Aerbax]] started out [[FromNobodyToNightmare as a mere virindi puppet]] that gained sentience due to a freak magical incident. After gaining sentience, he split off from the virindi directive and began doing MadScientist like experiments. He started by creating new monsters or [[UndergroundMonkey more powerful versions of existing ones]], which killed numerous people. but eventually went on to experimenting on humans. His most successful and infamous effort was probably turning Candeth Martine, an innocent human settler, into a completely insane, superpowered HumanoidAbomination, who eventually escaped his control, only to be manipulated by Gaerlan (an evil Empyrean who is the third ArcVillain). However, Martine wasn't his first attempt as in one quest you go to [[EldritchLocation portal space]] and find Lilitha, a famous archer who mysteriously disappeared years ago and has apparently been trapped all this time and [[AndIMustScream driven hopelessly insane by the horrific experiments Aerbax and his followers put her through]], including [[AnArmAndALeg removing and reattaching her limbs repeatedly.]] He later experimented on his fellow virindi, including combining them with shadows. In the "Favored Sons" arc (the sixth arc, where he finally appears in person) he commits even more atrocities, namely turning several creatures into superpowered monsters similar to Martine, which he calls his "Prodigal Sons", one of which is the [[EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys tusker]] Oolutanga (usually called "King Bobo" by the other tuskers). Originally he was granted sentience in one of Aerbax's experiment, he [[HopeSpot managed to escape for a time]], only to be recaptured and turned into Aerbax's "Prodigal Tusker", who is basically an evil superpowered KillerGorilla. He also tries to create a "Prodigal Human" out of Dojiro Sangi , who would basically be Martine 2.0. In the quest the players find him before he is fully transformed. Unfortunately, the transformation is both irreversible and [[FateWorseThanDeath extremely painful,]] forcing the players to MercyKill him. While Aerbax doesn't have much in game dialogue, he seems to be a combination of EvilutionaryBiologist and AGodAmI, and basically views all other creatures as his playthings.

** Being able to slide around while casting magic was an oversight of the (still intact and in-use) original physics engine. It's been said that Turbine once had a fix ready but decided to leave it out for fear of mage PvP coming down to who fired the first shot (mages are almost game-breakingly powerful in this game) and people subsequently losing interest.
** Being able to PKL (player killer lite, basically standard PvP with almost none of the risks and drawbacks) glitch through a locked door with another player totally ruins any quests that rely on keys or lockpicking.

CompleteMonster: [[EldritchAbomination Aerbax]] started out [[FromNobodyToNightmare as a mere virindi puppet]] that gained sentience due to a freak magical incident. After gaining sentience, he split off from the virindi directive and began doing MadScientist like experiments. He started by creating new monsters or [[UndergroundMonkey more powerful versions of existing ones]], which killed numerous people. but eventually went on to experimenting on humans. His most successful and infamous effort was probably turning Candeth Martine, an innocent human settler, into a completely insane, superpowered HumanoidAbomination, who eventually escaped his control, only to be manipulated by Gaerlan (an evil Empyrean who is the third ArcVillain). However, Martine wasn't his first attempt as in one quest you go to [[EldritchLocation portal space]] and find Lilitha, a famous archer who mysteriously disappeared years ago and has apparently been trapped all this time and [[AndIMustScream driven hopelessly insane by the horrific experiments Aerbax and his followers put her through]], including [[AnArmAndALeg removing and reattaching her limbs repeatedly.]] He later experimented on his fellow virindi, including combining them with shadows. In the "Favored Sons" arc (the sixth arc, where he finally appears in person) he commits even more atrocities, namely turning several creatures into superpowered monsters similar to Martine, which he calls his "Prodigal Sons", one of which is the [[EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys tusker]] Oolutanga (usually called "King Bobo" by the other tuskers). Originally he was granted sentience in one of Aerbax's experiment, he [[HopeSpot managed to escape for a time]], only to be recaptured and turned into Aerbax's "Prodigal Tusker", who is basically an evil superpowered KillerGorilla. He also tries to create a "Prodigal Human" out of Dojiro Sangi , who would basically be Martine 2.0. In the quest the players find him before he is fully transformed. Unfortunately, the transformation is both irreversible and [[FateWorseThanDeath extremely painful,]] forcing the players to MercyKill him. While Aerbax doesn't have much in game dialogue, he seems to be a combination of EvilutionaryBiologist and AGodAmI, and basically views all other creatures as his playthings.

Aerbax started out [[FromNobodyToNightmare as a mere virindi puppet]] that gained sentience due to a freak magical incident. After gaining sentience, he split off from the virindi directive and began doing MadScientist like experiments. He started by creating new monsters or [[UndergroundMonkey more powerful versions of existing ones]], which killed numerous people. but eventually went on to experimenting on humans. His most successful and infamous effort was probably turning Candeth Martine, an innocent human settler, into a completely insane, superpowered HumanoidAbomination, who eventually escaped his control, only to be manipulated by Gaerlan (an evil Empyrean who is the third ArcVillain). However, Martine wasn't his first attempt as in one quest you go to [[EldritchLocation portal space]] and find Lilitha, a famous archer who mysteriously disappeared years ago and has apparently been trapped all this time and [[AndIMustScream driven hopelessly insane by the horrific experiments Aerbax and his followers put her through]], including [[AnArmAndALeg removing and reattaching her limbs repeatedly.]] He later experimented on his fellow virindi, including combining them with shadows. In the "Favored Sons" arc (the sixth arc, where he finally appears in person) he commits even more atrocities, namely turning several creatures into superpowered monsters similar to Martine, which he calls his "Prodigal Sons", one of which is the [[EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys tusker]] Oolutanga (usually called "King Bobo" by the other tuskers). Originally he was granted sentience in one of Aerbax's experiment, he [[HopeSpot managed to escape for a time]], only to be recaptured and turned into Aerbax's "Prodigal Tusker", who is basically an evil superpowered KillerGorilla. He also tries to create a "Prodigal Human" out of Dojiro Sangi , who would basically be Martine 2.0. In the quest the players find him before he is fully transformed. Unfortunately, the transformation is both irreversible and [[FateWorseThanDeath extremely painful,]] forcing the players to MercyKill him. While Aerbax doesn't have much in game dialogue, he seems to be a combination of EvilutionaryBiologist and AGodAmI, and basically views all other creatures as his playthings.

* GameBreaker: Shields for melee characters, namely because of how the game mechanics worked the shield didn't just add to your armor level but instead worked like an extra "layer" of armor, making them much more effective than any other piece of armor. They were so overpowered that some of the higher level monsters just [[BarrierBustingBlow ignored them outright]].

* DemonicSpiders: Hollow minions of all kinds due to their [[AntiMagic ability to ignore magic protection]]

* GoodBadBugs: Being able to slide around while casting magic was an oversight of the (still intact and in-use) original physics engine. It's been said that Turbine once had a fix ready but decided to leave it out for fear of mage PvP coming down to who fired the first shot (mages are almost game-breakingly powerful in this game) and people subsequently losing interest.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: This contributed heavily to ''Asheron's Call'' 2 death. Fans of the first game just wanted the first game with a modern graphic engine and some online fantasy game staples like mounts and two-handed weapons that were sorely missing in the first game. Turbine produced something more akin to ''WorldOfWarcraft'', hoping to attract a completely new crowd of gamers. It didn't.

* DemonicSpiders: Hollow minions of all kind due to their [[AntiMagic ability to ignore magic protection]]

* MegatonAnnouncement: The April 2010 patch notes. Two races from Asheron's Call 2 backported to [=AC1=]? A new crafting skill? A new aetheria slot based on ''VideoGame/TheLordOfTheRingsOnline'' Legendary item system? Character appearance recustomization? All this when the game is, in its twilight years? Holy. Crap.
** The announcements kept coming -- they added another new race not too long after that update, and despite Turbine being bought out, the support for the game has continued (although, admittedly it's not getting as much support as it used to). Still, not bad for one of the oldest [=MMOs=] in history.
** Several new races since then including ''steampunk, clockwork androids'', a completely new magic system, Olthoi Monster Play, and, oh yeah: [[spoiler: [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Bael'Zharon the Hopeslayer]], the first major antagonist of the game from 10 years ago ''is back'' and this time there's [[OhCrap no one around to re-seal him.]]]]

* MegatonAnnouncement: The April 2010 patch notes. Two races from Asheron's Call 2 backported to [=AC1=]? A new crafting skill? A new aetheria slot based on the {{Lord of the Rings Online}} Legendary item system? Character appearance recustomization? All this when the game is, in its twilight years? Holy. Crap.