DDO has been free to play for quite a while and you can actually access a fair amount of the game without paying anything. However spending even $5.00 converts a F2P account into what Turbine calls a Premium Account and for the most part I think that spending a little money is well worth the differences.
Here is a wiki chart comparing the types of accounts and another one on the DDO site.
The biggest difference between the F2P and the Premium is the step up from 2 character slots to 4. The extra auction items you can list is also nice. Plus of course whatever you get with the turbine points you buy. Going VIP and paying the monthly subscription gets you access to more content, more character slots, the ability to open all quest difficulties and the super nice shared bank slot.
DDO also allows you to earn turbine points to buy in game stuff via favor which you earn through completing quests. I don't think there is any content you can't buy with Turbine Pts.
We are having a fun time trying to revitalize the branch in DDO if any NORbies want to come hang out with us please do.
You can sign up for an account here and maybe someday I can get me a gelatinous cube pet. You should see them with their hats on... Ohhh so cute.
