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[LOTRO] Barrovian Society Wanders but is not Lost
lowlylowlycook
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar
An MMO set here:
What more could you want?
Well if you already play you might want to play with your fellow PA forumers.
You're in luck because the Barrovian Society is active again on Landroval. Get in contact with Silmion,
Patho, Sevriwin, Sonelan or Sonelon. Or join our chat channel below as ask for an invite.
Most, but not all, of us play on Landroval. Come join us in our private chat channel:
Type
We use this for just chatting, trying to team up to share loot that we don't need and to help each other with crafting.
But if you don't play you might wonder, but is it any good? And is it for me?
Overview
LOTRO is a casual and soloing friendly fantasy MMO in the vein of WoW. It is quest oriented, has built in voice chat and DX10 graphics. It has crafting, special areas for PvP, instances, quests, raids and player housing.
Quests:
Quests are important in LOTRO. If you are killing enemies not needed for some quest you probably have a reason beside xp for doing it.
One thing that sets LOTRO apart from other MMOs is a series of quest lines called "books", a total of 12 to date. These are arcs
of solo and group quests that often end in a special story driven instance. These books are full of recurring themes and
returning characters. Each of the big, content adding patches adds another book and is in fact named after the book it includes.
Monster Play
LOTRO has a unique version of PvP where one side uses monster characters including spiders and orcs to fight. This means the
developers don't have to worry as much about PvP balance for the main characters and also, you can join in the lv 50 pvp once
you open up monster play at lv 10 since all monsters are lv 50.
Playing Music
Songs and music are important in the fight against Sauron and LOTRO includes a music system where you can play lutes, guitars
and more. You play the notes in realtime or download files to play songs. Passers by can hear you play.
Here are a couple youtube vids of the in game music:
Serenade of Water
Erana's Peace
Dragon Warrior Overworld Theme
Bonds of Sea and Fire
Dream of the Shore Bordering Another World
Deeds
LOTRO has a secondary advancement system called deeds. By killing a number of enemies, visiting certain landmarks or doing
a large number of quests in a region you get a deed. This might give you a new title, or add a new trait or add a new level to an
existing trait. For example killing a certain number of Wargs in a region might allow you to be known as Warg-Foe and if you
chose everyone will see that title after your name as you wander around Middle Earth.
Traits
Connected with deeds are traits, the main way of customizing your character. Depending on level, each character gets a
number of trait slots split between virtues than anyone can get, racial traits, class traits and finally "legendary"
traits that only open up after level 45 or so. These traits can either give you an new skill to use or make the skills you have
already better or let you use them more often.
Hope and despair
In keeping with the books and movies LOTRO has an emphasis on hope and despair. Get too much despair from dying,
evil locations or overwhelming enemies and you start to lose moral and power. Get more and you can't use the mini-map
since it has been replaced by the lidless eye. Still more and you will be useless, cowering in a corner. Hope can counteract these effects.
Fighting a Balrog with hope
Oh no, all hope is lost!
Why play LOTRO instead of WoW?
Overall a "better", more mature player base.
More realistic looking graphics.
No huge raiding ladder to climb.
More interesting story lines.
You are a fan of Tokien's books or the LOTR movies.
Why play WoW instead of this?
LOTRO Takes a more powerful computer.
Raiding is your main focus.
You like more stylized and "epic" looking graphics.
You want to play with Mr T.
Your friends play WoW.
Classes
Champion
A true master of arms, the Champion excels at combat, focusing on little other than destroying her foes. The Champion's whirling
blades can strike fear into the heart of even the foulest orc, cutting down swaths of their numbers at once. While a Champion's
training and armor grants her some survivability, it is not her focus, and a Champion can quickly find herself in trouble when
facing several foes on her own.
The Champion is the class of choice for players that enjoy fast-paced combat with multiple options available at any given moment.
Champions can use various weapon styles, but focus on using two weapons simultaneously. With their active play-style Champions are
able to consistently cause large amounts of damage to both single and multiple opponents in combat. Their style of combat revolves
around the idea that the best defense is a good offense.
Champions are very good at dealing out damage, especially AOE damage. They are also the secondary tanks in the game.
Guardian
A doughty fighter and protector of the weak, a skilled Guardian can face even the toughest foes and survive. The Guardian is one
of the few classes willing and able to try to draw more blows onto themselves, so they can retaliate with devastating maneuvers in
response.
The Guardian will be the class of choice for players that enjoy drawing the attention of their foes in combat and taking advantage
of their missteps. Masters of the defensive arts, Guardians use taxing attacks and irksome taunts to draw and hold opponents'
attention, relying on their shield and weapon to turn aside incoming attacks with blocks and parries. A Guardian's combat style
depends on creating openings during an opponent's attack to provide the opportunity for their own counter attack.
Guardians are the main tanks, with both good damage mitigation and ability to draw aggro. They also have the neat ability to give
or send an acorn to someone that will allow them to be summoned later. Handy if you need to repair your shield and want to return
to the battle quickly.
Captain
Bearing her banner into battle, a Captain provides hope and leadership to her fellows, inspiring them to greater deeds. A skilled
Captain can rally a party back from the brink of defeat, or seal a victory against many foes. While a Captain is a respected
fighter on her own accord, she is primarily driven by her powerful sense of leadership to those fighting around her.
The Captain is the class of choice for players who enjoy supporting their fellows while participating in melee combat. Her battle
cries allow her to take advantage of certain events in combat to aid the morale or combat ability of her fellows. A Captain's
style of combat focuses on inspiring those around her to glory.
Captains are the masters of buffing and wipe prevention. Eventually they can absorb their entire group damage for a short time
but yet not succumb to defeat. They are the secondary healers in LOTRO.
Burglar
A stealthy trickster, the Burglar can dart in and out of the shadows to befuddle, weaken, or damage foes. An unexpected strike
from behind by a burglar can stun or trip enemies, allowing others in his party to combine their efforts for a devastating attack.
Unassuming on his own, a burglar would be wise to not be caught alone.
The Burglar is the class of choice for players that enjoy using cunning and tricks to defeat their opponents. Using concealment, a
Burglar can strike from the shadows, taking his opponents unawares. With his wit, a Burglar can show his allies where a foe's
weakness lies -- or trap someone in a riddle. A Burglar's combat style hinges on his ability to outmaneuver and outwit opponents
while hitting them where it hurts.
Burglars can seriously help their group by opening up Fellowship Maneuvers, a special chance for the group to join together to
either do massive damage to their foe or replenish the groups morale (hp) and power (mana). They are also the secondary crowd
control class.
Hunter
Woodsman, pathfinder, and master of the bow, the keen-eyed Hunter can use his arrows to devastating effect from a distance.
Archery is not the only thing the Hunter excels at, for he can lead his companions through the forest at greater speed than they
could on their own, and can set up traps to ambush enemies. The archer is no close-quarters fighter, however, and would generally
rather let his bow do the work than resort to his sword.
The Hunter is the class of choice for players who enjoy striking a target at range. Clever by nature, the Hunter is known to lure
his targets into traps to hinder them, giving him time to use his bow to deadly effect. A Hunter's knowledge of nature also
provides skills that help him and his fellows survive in the wild. A Hunter's combat style depends on the ability to injure a foe
while staying out of harm's way.
The main ranged damage class, Hunters can also port their party to various camps, becoming the taxis of Middle Earth. As a hunter
or with one in your group fed-ex quests can be done in no time flat.
Minstrel
With song and tale, a Minstrel brings hope to places thick with gloom. She can inspire those with desperate minds and heavy hearts
to great deeds. In battle, she can turn the tide with songs that strengthen her allies and dirges which strike fear into the
hearts of enemies.
The Minstrel is the class of choice for players who want to aid their friends, inspiring them to keep going through the darkest of
times. With a vast repertoire of tales both fair and foul, a Minstrel restores the morale of her fellows, as well as causing
enemies to despair. Though able to wield weapons, she prefers to let her words, rather than her sword, speak for her. A Minstrel's
style of combat is based on maintaining hope no matter what the odds.
Minstrels are the main healers in LOTRO, far better at it than any other class. Recently their ability to do damage has been
increased as long as they don't need heal very much. They also have the nice ability to remove dread from fellows who have been
defeated.
Lore Master
A keeper of ancient lore and otherwise lost knowledge, the Lore-master uses his knowledge of the lesser and greater powers of the
world around him to stave off the advances of the shadow for a time, and to treat the wounds and suffering of his companions. In
dire need he can use this knowledge to hurt his foes; but this task being extremely difficult, a wise Lore-master would rarely
attempt it.
The Lore-master will be the class of choice for the player that enjoys using the power of ancient lore to aid their allies and
hinder their foes. Steeped in the histories of Middle-earth Lore-masters are able to aid their fellows in recovering from maladies
caused by the forces of the Dark Lord. They can also use their knowledge to daze, harm, or hinder their enemies, as well as give
of themselves to strengthen another. Some Lore-masters are even said to be able to communicate with animals and request their aid.
A Lore-master's combat style is anchored in the power of knowledge and using it intelligently to defeat evil.
Lore Masters are the main crowd control class with pets and the ability to do some ranged damage. They are also invaluable in
long fights since they can drain power out of foes and pass that power on to their teammates.
Races
Somehow these seem familer. They must have ripped off like every fantasy RPG ever.
Human/Elf
Dwarf/Hobbit
What areas of middle earth does the game cover right now?
The initial launch of the game will cover the region of Eriador, including the Shire, Rivendell, Breeland, and other landmarks from The Lord of the Rings.
Complete list is:
Angmar:
The Shire:
Bree-Land, including the Barrow Downs:
Misty Mountains
Rivendel
Thorin’s Gate
The Ered Luin
The Trollshaws, the lands between Bree and Rivendel:
The Lone-Lands, including Weathertop:
The North Downs, including the gates to Angmar:
Ettenmoors with PvMP
Evendim, the lake country:
Expansion packs will open up Gondor, Rohan, Moria, and Mordor.
An MMO set here:
What more could you want?
Well if you already play you might want to play with your fellow PA forumers.
You're in luck because the Barrovian Society is active again on Landroval. Get in contact with Silmion,
Patho, Sevriwin, Sonelan or Sonelon. Or join our chat channel below as ask for an invite.
Most, but not all, of us play on Landroval. Come join us in our private chat channel:
Type
/joinchannel pennyarcade wangRight click on the tab you want to display the PA channel and adjust the filter to include user channel #1. Then type
/1 Hey guys! Look at me! I read the OP!
We use this for just chatting, trying to team up to share loot that we don't need and to help each other with crafting.
But if you don't play you might wonder, but is it any good? And is it for me?
Overview
LOTRO is a casual and soloing friendly fantasy MMO in the vein of WoW. It is quest oriented, has built in voice chat and DX10 graphics. It has crafting, special areas for PvP, instances, quests, raids and player housing.
Quests:
Quests are important in LOTRO. If you are killing enemies not needed for some quest you probably have a reason beside xp for doing it.
One thing that sets LOTRO apart from other MMOs is a series of quest lines called "books", a total of 12 to date. These are arcs
of solo and group quests that often end in a special story driven instance. These books are full of recurring themes and
returning characters. Each of the big, content adding patches adds another book and is in fact named after the book it includes.
Monster Play
LOTRO has a unique version of PvP where one side uses monster characters including spiders and orcs to fight. This means the
developers don't have to worry as much about PvP balance for the main characters and also, you can join in the lv 50 pvp once
you open up monster play at lv 10 since all monsters are lv 50.
Playing Music
Songs and music are important in the fight against Sauron and LOTRO includes a music system where you can play lutes, guitars
and more. You play the notes in realtime or download files to play songs. Passers by can hear you play.
Here are a couple youtube vids of the in game music:
Serenade of Water
Erana's Peace
Dragon Warrior Overworld Theme
Bonds of Sea and Fire
Dream of the Shore Bordering Another World
Deeds
LOTRO has a secondary advancement system called deeds. By killing a number of enemies, visiting certain landmarks or doing
a large number of quests in a region you get a deed. This might give you a new title, or add a new trait or add a new level to an
existing trait. For example killing a certain number of Wargs in a region might allow you to be known as Warg-Foe and if you
chose everyone will see that title after your name as you wander around Middle Earth.
Traits
Connected with deeds are traits, the main way of customizing your character. Depending on level, each character gets a
number of trait slots split between virtues than anyone can get, racial traits, class traits and finally "legendary"
traits that only open up after level 45 or so. These traits can either give you an new skill to use or make the skills you have
already better or let you use them more often.
Hope and despair
In keeping with the books and movies LOTRO has an emphasis on hope and despair. Get too much despair from dying,
evil locations or overwhelming enemies and you start to lose moral and power. Get more and you can't use the mini-map
since it has been replaced by the lidless eye. Still more and you will be useless, cowering in a corner. Hope can counteract these effects.
Fighting a Balrog with hope
Oh no, all hope is lost!
Why play LOTRO instead of WoW?
Overall a "better", more mature player base.
More realistic looking graphics.
No huge raiding ladder to climb.
More interesting story lines.
You are a fan of Tokien's books or the LOTR movies.
Why play WoW instead of this?
LOTRO Takes a more powerful computer.
Raiding is your main focus.
You like more stylized and "epic" looking graphics.
You want to play with Mr T.
Your friends play WoW.
Classes
Champion
A true master of arms, the Champion excels at combat, focusing on little other than destroying her foes. The Champion's whirling
blades can strike fear into the heart of even the foulest orc, cutting down swaths of their numbers at once. While a Champion's
training and armor grants her some survivability, it is not her focus, and a Champion can quickly find herself in trouble when
facing several foes on her own.
The Champion is the class of choice for players that enjoy fast-paced combat with multiple options available at any given moment.
Champions can use various weapon styles, but focus on using two weapons simultaneously. With their active play-style Champions are
able to consistently cause large amounts of damage to both single and multiple opponents in combat. Their style of combat revolves
around the idea that the best defense is a good offense.
Champions are very good at dealing out damage, especially AOE damage. They are also the secondary tanks in the game.
Guardian
A doughty fighter and protector of the weak, a skilled Guardian can face even the toughest foes and survive. The Guardian is one
of the few classes willing and able to try to draw more blows onto themselves, so they can retaliate with devastating maneuvers in
response.
The Guardian will be the class of choice for players that enjoy drawing the attention of their foes in combat and taking advantage
of their missteps. Masters of the defensive arts, Guardians use taxing attacks and irksome taunts to draw and hold opponents'
attention, relying on their shield and weapon to turn aside incoming attacks with blocks and parries. A Guardian's combat style
depends on creating openings during an opponent's attack to provide the opportunity for their own counter attack.
Guardians are the main tanks, with both good damage mitigation and ability to draw aggro. They also have the neat ability to give
or send an acorn to someone that will allow them to be summoned later. Handy if you need to repair your shield and want to return
to the battle quickly.
Captain
Bearing her banner into battle, a Captain provides hope and leadership to her fellows, inspiring them to greater deeds. A skilled
Captain can rally a party back from the brink of defeat, or seal a victory against many foes. While a Captain is a respected
fighter on her own accord, she is primarily driven by her powerful sense of leadership to those fighting around her.
The Captain is the class of choice for players who enjoy supporting their fellows while participating in melee combat. Her battle
cries allow her to take advantage of certain events in combat to aid the morale or combat ability of her fellows. A Captain's
style of combat focuses on inspiring those around her to glory.
Captains are the masters of buffing and wipe prevention. Eventually they can absorb their entire group damage for a short time
but yet not succumb to defeat. They are the secondary healers in LOTRO.
Burglar
A stealthy trickster, the Burglar can dart in and out of the shadows to befuddle, weaken, or damage foes. An unexpected strike
from behind by a burglar can stun or trip enemies, allowing others in his party to combine their efforts for a devastating attack.
Unassuming on his own, a burglar would be wise to not be caught alone.
The Burglar is the class of choice for players that enjoy using cunning and tricks to defeat their opponents. Using concealment, a
Burglar can strike from the shadows, taking his opponents unawares. With his wit, a Burglar can show his allies where a foe's
weakness lies -- or trap someone in a riddle. A Burglar's combat style hinges on his ability to outmaneuver and outwit opponents
while hitting them where it hurts.
Burglars can seriously help their group by opening up Fellowship Maneuvers, a special chance for the group to join together to
either do massive damage to their foe or replenish the groups morale (hp) and power (mana). They are also the secondary crowd
control class.
Hunter
Woodsman, pathfinder, and master of the bow, the keen-eyed Hunter can use his arrows to devastating effect from a distance.
Archery is not the only thing the Hunter excels at, for he can lead his companions through the forest at greater speed than they
could on their own, and can set up traps to ambush enemies. The archer is no close-quarters fighter, however, and would generally
rather let his bow do the work than resort to his sword.
The Hunter is the class of choice for players who enjoy striking a target at range. Clever by nature, the Hunter is known to lure
his targets into traps to hinder them, giving him time to use his bow to deadly effect. A Hunter's knowledge of nature also
provides skills that help him and his fellows survive in the wild. A Hunter's combat style depends on the ability to injure a foe
while staying out of harm's way.
The main ranged damage class, Hunters can also port their party to various camps, becoming the taxis of Middle Earth. As a hunter
or with one in your group fed-ex quests can be done in no time flat.
Minstrel
With song and tale, a Minstrel brings hope to places thick with gloom. She can inspire those with desperate minds and heavy hearts
to great deeds. In battle, she can turn the tide with songs that strengthen her allies and dirges which strike fear into the
hearts of enemies.
The Minstrel is the class of choice for players who want to aid their friends, inspiring them to keep going through the darkest of
times. With a vast repertoire of tales both fair and foul, a Minstrel restores the morale of her fellows, as well as causing
enemies to despair. Though able to wield weapons, she prefers to let her words, rather than her sword, speak for her. A Minstrel's
style of combat is based on maintaining hope no matter what the odds.
Minstrels are the main healers in LOTRO, far better at it than any other class. Recently their ability to do damage has been
increased as long as they don't need heal very much. They also have the nice ability to remove dread from fellows who have been
defeated.
Lore Master
A keeper of ancient lore and otherwise lost knowledge, the Lore-master uses his knowledge of the lesser and greater powers of the
world around him to stave off the advances of the shadow for a time, and to treat the wounds and suffering of his companions. In
dire need he can use this knowledge to hurt his foes; but this task being extremely difficult, a wise Lore-master would rarely
attempt it.
The Lore-master will be the class of choice for the player that enjoys using the power of ancient lore to aid their allies and
hinder their foes. Steeped in the histories of Middle-earth Lore-masters are able to aid their fellows in recovering from maladies
caused by the forces of the Dark Lord. They can also use their knowledge to daze, harm, or hinder their enemies, as well as give
of themselves to strengthen another. Some Lore-masters are even said to be able to communicate with animals and request their aid.
A Lore-master's combat style is anchored in the power of knowledge and using it intelligently to defeat evil.
Lore Masters are the main crowd control class with pets and the ability to do some ranged damage. They are also invaluable in
long fights since they can drain power out of foes and pass that power on to their teammates.
Races
Somehow these seem familer. They must have ripped off like every fantasy RPG ever.
Human/Elf
Dwarf/Hobbit
What areas of middle earth does the game cover right now?
The initial launch of the game will cover the region of Eriador, including the Shire, Rivendell, Breeland, and other landmarks from The Lord of the Rings.
Complete list is:
Angmar:
Expansion packs will open up Gondor, Rohan, Moria, and Mordor.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
lowlylowlycook on
0
Posts
There is now player housing in LOTRO. It uses instanced neighborhoods to keep things compact. Players can buy a house that is
shared among all characters on a server and kinships that have been around for long enough can buy a house shared by the kinship.
Houses can be used for storage, hanging up trophies, decorating. Also you can quickly port to both your own house and your kin's.
Fellowship Maneuvers
In combat sometimes you can break through the defenses of your enemy. This can either happen randomly or because of
a special attack by a burglar and occasionally a guardian. When this happens you get a wheel that contains four colored circles:
You are given a short time to hit one of those 4 buttons. Red means doing damage right now, yellow means doing a strong DOT,
green means healing morale and blue replenishes your power supply. Simple enough, but if you and your fellowship can coordinate
then much more is possible.
For instance if you fellowship can hit
power and both will continue over time.
If you can hit
AND you will summon a shade of an oathbreaker to fight on your side!
There are many possible fellowhip maneuvers. You can get info on them here
Raiding
So far there are two instances for more than the normal 6 person fellowships.
The Rift is a 12 man instance in Angmar that leads to a fight against a Balrog.
Helegrod is a 24 man instance in the Misty Mountains. It leads to a fight with the dragon Thorog.
Player vs Monster Play
Short Version
It takes place in an area known as Ettenmoors, north of Rivendel where Aragorn’s grandfather, Arador, met his end at the hands of
the Hill-trolls dwelling in the Coldfells.
Monster play allows players to assume the role of different monster characters including orcs, wargs, and spiders, that can
directly battle regular Free People characters in certain regions created for these battles. Earn Destiny Points through questing
and fighting to purchase upgrades for your monster or perks for your main character!
Long version
analogues of the player classes. It seems like each player can have one of each kind of monster.
Orc Reaver:
Player equivalent: Champion
Role: Melee fighter
Uruk Warleader:
Player equivalent: Captain / Minstrel
Role: Healer, buffer, melee fighter
Uruk Blackarrow:
Player equivalent: Hunter
Role: Ranged damage
Spider Weaver:
Player equivalent: Loremaster
Role: Ranged damage, debuffs, damage over time
Warg Stalker:
Player equivalent: Burglar
Role: Stealth, melee damage
You start out with a few skills and a basic look for your monster. Since you start at level 50, you don't gain experience for
kills and quests, you gain Destiny Points (DP). You can also gain destiny points for certain things in regular play. DP can be
spent on temporary buffs in regular play, but mostly should be used in monster-play because they are the currency you use for
buying new skills and looks and so on.
You also gain infamy points for killing opposing players, which are how you go up in rank. Rank is necessary to unlock the higher
level skills, so just doing the monster-quests in the Ettenmoors will only take you so far. The amount of infamy you get for a
player kill is dependent on what rank the two of you are.
Monsters are generally weaker than players, so you'll want to join a raid if you're going to be killing players. Usually just
asking in OOC will get you an invite. You get buffs for being in large groups. It's generally not possible to solo an opposing
player, but I'm not certain.
The Ettenmoors has 5 strongholds that you must capture or defend from the opposing side. You'll have to explore the whole region
to mark the strongholds on your map. They are guarded by high-level NPCs of the side that currently has possession of the places.
Raiding one of the opposing sides strongholds is fairly risky because usually burglars and wargs will be scouting around and will
alert their side, so expect a band of players coming up behind you just as you're pulling their Lieutenant / Warboss.
With book 12, a new PvMP dungeon was added to the Ettenmoors, to which only the side with 3 or more strongholds has access to. If
you should lose control of your strongholds while within the dungeon, the other side can then send in a raid after you, so watch
the hell out.
In my experience, it's pretty fun. There's a lot of back and forth between people defending strongholds, and attacking. The other
side will try to trick you into sending your raid, then secretly sneak over to another stronghold. The quests are pretty mundane,
but some of them are hilariously evil.
WHAT ABOUT CRAFTING?!
Short version:
Every character can choose a Vocation made up of 3 professions. Each profession uses materials that spawn in the world, items
that drop off mobs, items sold by vendors and finally items made by other crafters to make items. If you "master" a level of
crafting then you have a chance to make "crit" items that are better than the normal ones.
While crafting is well designed and indeed some of the best gear in the game is crafted, the fact that every character can have 3
professions means that actually crafting is a pretty big money sink, with almost all items selling for less than the materials
needed to make them. Because of this, I highly recommend making your first character an explorer and just selling the materials
you gather at the Auction House. But if you enjoy the idea of making your own items to by all means go for it.
Long version:
Vocations
Armorer
Metalsmith
Prospector
Tailor
Armorers can create a wide variety of armour, but they specialize in heavy armour and shields. As capable miners and smelters,
they can procure and prepare the metal they need; they can also craft clothes and leather armour, but will need to trade for the
tanned hides required to create these items. This is an excellent choice of trade for one who relies on heavy armour and shields.
Explorer
Tailor
Forestor
Prospector
Explorers are resourceful folk who can live off the land, crafting leather armour and clothing while gathering anything useful
they come across. Explorer is an excellent choice for anyone who wears Light or Medium armour, or wants to specialize in resource
gathering.
Armsman
Weaponsmith
Prospector
Wood worker
Armsmen are capable of crafting any weapon their fellow adventurers might ever need, so this is an excellent vocation for anyone
who relies on their fighting abilities. An Armsman is proficient in mining and smelting, but will need to trade for wood with
which to make bows, spears, and the like.
Tinker
Jeweller
Prospector
Cook
A Tinker’s greatest skill is that of jewelcraft, and a skilled Tinker can create baubles of both beauty and utility. Tinkers can
harvest the precious metals and stones they needs for their work, and given the long hours this trade requires, it’s a good thing
that a Tinker is also a fair hand at preparing a hearty meal!
Yeoman
Cook
Farmer
Tailor
Yeomen are the salt of the earth, tilling soil and preparing food with age-old skills and knowledge. They can also create clothes
and leather armours, but need to trade their produce for the hides required.
Woodsman
Wood Worker
Forestor
Farmer
Woodsmen are the foremost bowyers in Middle-earth, and are capable of crafting fine weapons from the raw wood they gather and
treat. Their knowledge of plants and nature also makes them proficient Farmers. Woodsman is an excellent choice of vocation for
anyone who wants to create their own mighty bows.
Historian
Scholar
Weaponsmith
Farmer
Historians are unique in their access to the Scholarly arts, which allows them to research ancient lore and use their discoveries
to the advantage of their fellows. In addition, a Historian has the more practical talents of cultivating land and forging the
blades that are so often spoken of in the histories they study.
Professions
Once you’ve chosen a Vocation, visit a provisioner for any of your three Professions to purchase tools, recipes, and many
ingredients needed by that Profession. (Note: though provisioners carry a wide selection, many items needed for crafting,
including some special rare recipes, are found as loot or must be obtained from other players.) Provisioner NPCs are usually
located in the vicinity of the Mistresses or Masters of Apprentices, and in many additional towns. Following are details about the
ten different Professions that make up LOTRO’s Vocations.
Cook
A long march can be made all the easier with the promise of a good meal at the end. While it may seem a mundane talent, a good
cook is every adventurer's best friend!
Farmer
Farmers grow items, such as pipeweed, in the field and harvest them, usually as supplies for other crafting Vocations.
Forester
Foresters gather resources such as wood from the forest, to be used by other crafting Vocations.
Jeweller
Simple adornments and objects of beauty are the heart of the jeweller's trade. However, exceptional adornments can go far to
increasing the stature and confidence of an adventurer, and a skilled jeweller can produce true works of art.
Metalsmith
Metal armors and sturdy shields are the metalsmith's domain. Though their initial products may be of simple make, eventually their
skills will allow them to work finer materials and greater designs.
Prospector
Prospectors gather stone and ore from the earth for use in other crafting Vocations.
Scholar
Perhaps the most mysterious of the professions, the Scholar collects fragments of lost lore and attempts to interpret their
secrets. By doing so, he can create scrolls for other craftsmen to read and improve their chances of producing a superior product.
Other practical applications include lore by which specific enemies (orcs, trolls, the dead) might be best combated, dyes, and
cures for various maladies.
Tailor
A skilled tailor can make simple clothing from common cloth, but with time and practice they can learn to create garments of great
beauty that provide significant protection to their wearer. The Tailor can also work with tanned hides to produce leather armor –
light, tough and suitable for travel.
Weaponsmith
As the name would suggest, the Weaponsmith is the primary source of melee weapons. Swords, daggers, and axes of all varieties are
the Weaponsmith's purview, ranging from bronze training gear to mighty weapons of ancient design and great renown.
Woodworker
As any archer will tell you, it takes more than a stick and a string to make a worthy weapon. The woodworker is an expert bowyer,
but expands his trade to include staves, spears, and other hafted weapons. A master Woodworker can produce weapons that even an
elven hero would be proud to wield on the battlefield.
Yea so that’s a brief over view of the crafting.
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You can buy the game at most retailers and online . Seems you can get it for $20 or even less. I'd start by putting the DVD into your computer.
I mean how do I play for free?
You can get a 7 day trial http://www.lotro.com/trial. It's a 4.7GB download. The high rez client is even bigger.
Also players that signed up before the game went live have founder's status, that includes a lower monthly cost. If you get an invite from one of these players you get some of the same benefits. If that sounds interesting, just post in the thread asking for one.
I don't want to spend all day patching this game. What do I do?
How do I play with you guys?
Well there used to be, and still is, a PA kinship on Landroval called The Barrovian Society, but it isn't very active anymore.
Strike that! We have resurected The Barrovian Society. Get in contact with Silmion,
Patho, Sevriwin, Sonelan or Sonelon. Or join our chat channel below as ask for an invite.
Landroval is still the most popular server here but some play on different servers.
Since many of us are in various kinships now, I made a private channel for us on Landroval. To join try something like: If you have already joined other private chats, you will have to use the correct number in place of /1.
Don't forget to add private channel #1 under filters so you won't miss our witty banter.
I'm now in a kinship called The Crafting Union which does some runs in the Rift but has characters at all levels and plenty of alts on too. It seems to be a good place to get help find groups etc. If you'd like to join us just post in this thread and I'll see if I can get you invited. Or put Beoleofu or Worric on your friends list and get in touch in game.
There is now a PA kinship called Annarchists. To join get in touch with one of the officers:
Sylvya, Sonelan, or Theode
What are some good links?
Official Websites
Official Forums
Lorebook Sort of an offical wiki with a lot of background info.
Crafting
List of shard droppers Shards are used for 1-off recipies and make some of the best items in the game.
General Info and Guides
The LORO wiki A good place to start when needing info.
Ten Ton Hammer A good place to find some detailed guides.
LOTRO Life Another place to find some guides.
Maps and Quest info
Middle Earth HQ Super nice maps.
The Brasse Questing Guides
Music
The Brass's Music guide
ABC file repository
MIDI related tool
Hey do you guys have any nice screenshots? Would you add mine?
We now have a thread for those here.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Are you on Landroval, Wren? Also, why does Angmar suck? I thought it was supposed to be like..the "epitome" of later questing.
XBL
Im on silverlode
angmar is all "oh hey kill these creatures among all these level 51's, some of which are signature"
the very first parts aren't terrible, pretty standard actually. but the eastern (and then northern) parts quickly become fucked up.
If you want your kinships info added then PM me with some kind of blurb and contact info and I'll add it.
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Didn't fantasy RPGs rip off LOTR first?
Heh, maybe. Sarcasm on the internet is just sooo hard.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
P.S. Nice OP!
Makes sense though, it's Angmar, not the Shire.,
A very fine line in MMOs, a very fine line indeed.
If you noticed, I have some regions without screenshots so far. If you were to take some nice ones in those regions, I'd gladly use them. Also if anyone could "redo" the Tom, Bill and Bert shot from the Trollshaws I'd gladly replace the one I have.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Second: Is this game solo friendly at all?
Third: I have played a Turbine game before and had it cancelled on me while I was really enjoying it, is this game at all close to being cancelled? The reason I ask is I would like to save the free trial until my wife and I can do it together, but right now her game playing is still pretty focused on WoW, so I want to know how likely it is that LotR will still be online several months down the road.
I can't see any evidence that it is. It has a pretty solid base of subscribers, maybe second to WoW in the US. But I don't really see how we'd know something like that anyway.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
I pretty much have the huggy-wuggies for captain, so I'll be making a new one on Landroval soon.
Does anyone have a teamspeak or ventrilo server they go to for MMO play, or do you guys usually just use the in-game chat?
Ka-Chung!
Ka-Chung!
Edit: I use the in-game chat a lot, but I'd imagine we would use the Penny Arcade Ventrilo server.
I can download anything else without any problems, but that doesn't necessarily mean the problem isn't on my end. I'm kind of stupid about these sort of things. Any suggestions?
Maybe look for a torrent of the client?
Skexis:
So far as I can tell, most people use in game voice for both normal grouping and for raids. My kin has vent but it's used for just chatting with those you aren't grouped with. Maybe some of the bigger kinships use vent for their raids but I've never been asked to join a server.
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MWO: Adamski
I'll see if I can get you some screenshots of some of those places!
However, now I have to figure out how to play my level 27 guardian again. Guess I'm going to go prospecting and Deed collecting in The Shire until I've got it under my belt again. Good gravy so pretty!
I found a download at GamersHell.com. I'm going to see if this works. I hope this site is reputable, because boy would my face be red otherwise.
I quit this game after getting my Captain and Minstrel to 50. I really liked both of those classes, but I suppose I should try something different for the trial. Maybe a guardian or champion.
I've got a 17 hobbit burglar on Landroval named Kelbrand, who feels horrendously outclassed whenever he groups up with anyone.
Important stuff:
- no new raids this patch
- new region (larger than Evendim), supposedly people who did Book 12 know what it is
- new Monster-play class, Orc Defiler to fill the role of full-on healing for monsters
- it seems that there will be new mounts?
- a bunch of other minor stuff...
Here's the link: http://www.lotrolife.com/dev_chat_27_2_08/
In other news, killed my first troll the other day. :P I might have failed to heal my comrade because I was taking too many screenshots, but we got the bastard eventually. This was a fun fight.
At least up to the low-30's, for sure... I can't say past that, though.
I've almost exclusively solo'ed 4 of my 5 toons, (28 burgler, 34 captain, 31 lore master, 30 hunter -- the 34 minstrel is for grouping with my husband and a couple of RL friends). It's getting tough to find good solo-able quests, and the xp (and cash flow) are a bit slower, but it's definitely possible and enjoyable. The drawback is that a lot of the best stuff that can be gotten outside of a raid or a critical success on a crafting comes from group quests, so you'll probably not have the best available equipment for your level most of the time, unless you go buy crit'ed stuff from a crafter (or are one).
Also, it's much more conducive than any other MMO I've played to casual grouping -- i.e. getting together for a quest or two and then going off your own separate ways, rather than being tied to the group for the rest of the evening.
If you're going to solo a lot, I suggest taking up Explorer as a crafting vocation, because if you're out solo, you can collect ores and woods in passing, and then sell them (processed or unprocessed) at the Auction House for a decent price to people who either can't or don't want to collect their own raw materials. I know someone who makes most of their in-game cash just buying unprocessed ore & wood, processing them, and selling the ingots & finished wood... raw materials are a lucrative business. :P
I always feel like I'm missing out on some cool storyline aspect if I don't do some quest line. I completely skipped Great Barrows with every character (other than the bit at the end of Book 1), and part of me is just SURE that there was some cool bit of plot that I've completely missed out on.
But yeah, now that the aurochs have been downgraded, I may go back and pick up some of the quests I skipped over before. I'm still a bit scared to try them solo with the burgler or lore master, though... something about having the damage-absorbing power of wet tissue paper makes me think twice about tangling with something that big, especially since if I don't bother it, it's not going to bother me.
Oh wow this quest was among my favorite moments!
Good thing I didn't do that quest while going for the undying title :P
You have no idea how many near death experiences I had before getting to 20 (or was it 15?). After getting it I just went on a death spree. Yay!
Hopefully I can get him to 20 tomorrow. Also, I tried the Penny Arcade channel, but it wouldn't let me join it.
XBL
Thats how you get in, though oddly enough whenever I get on no one, at all, is on.
Well we had 3 on this morning so that's a record. More need to join up though.
[edit] Ok, another idea for the OP. How about I add a section to the third post which is something like:
Then follow that with a buch of spoilered pics. Which could be in whatever resolution since they wouldn't break the H scroll and also I wouldn't have to upload them to photobucket or be so unlazy as to find another host. Also I could give credit for each pic.
Sound good? If so post your pics here and maybe a caption for each and I'll add them to the OP as they come in.
[Edit the second] Added in some links. If you think there should be more, let me know what to add.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)