I've read so much bad about the F2P model in AOC that I havent bothered to try it before now. I'm a former premium and have more access to game content and systems than players who have never paid anything. 

My experience with F2P:

- Full access to all my characters(10+), but cant create new ones.

- Full access to Turan, including Solo instances, group instance and raid.

- Can communicate with everyone in tells and can use global.

- Can earn AA's and my offline time trainer continues to work, although I cant add new feats to it, but whatever I had timing before I went F2P will finish.

- Can sell up to 20 items on the trader, on each character. 

I also have access to two T1 raids, and one other lvl 80 dungeon, but the big surprise was that I had full access to Turan as that allows me to continue to grind Rare trophys without having to subscribe.

The way I see it, going F2P is a good option in a period where you'll not be so active while still being able to farm rare trophies and do a odd Ardashir Fort run.

Could not agree more. A lot of good stuff for free. Good game.