Any info on xpac's new classes? Warden and Runekeeper...

Valance

I'm guessing all we know is the names, nothing more. The Runekeeper sounds dwarven, and I'd guess the Warden can serve as a healer or off-healer with some a lot of earth-control/influence powers. (Mainly since that's what wardens have been in every other mmo).

But has anyone found an interview, or something, with any actual info on the new classes?

Wrymstrum

Devs are pretty tight lipped about the details of these classes so far.

dragonace

Originally posted by Valance


I'm guessing all we know is the names, nothing more. The Runekeeper sounds dwarven, and I'd guess the Warden can serve as a healer or off-healer with some a lot of earth-control/influence powers. (Mainly since that's what wardens have been in every other mmo).
But has anyone found an interview, or something, with any actual info on the new classes?

There aren't Runekeepers currently in the game as NPC's that I am aware of but there are Wardens.  I would guess that the Warden we will see as a playable class would much closer resemble what we see from NPC's called Wardens than what we see in other MMOs.

 

The Wardens in game are a Ranger/Hunter/Champion mix it would seem.  For a better and more in-depth analysis of what the new classes might potentially become another player (MithrilSoul ) from the official boards has a very well thought out post here:

 

forums.lotro.com/showthread.php

 

A quick summary of his (MithrilSoul ) ideas:

Rune Master is a combination Tactical DPS/Buffing class

Warden is a hybrid ranged/melee class

 

Thillian

Originally posted by dragonace


 
Originally posted by Valance


I'm guessing all we know is the names, nothing more. The Runekeeper sounds dwarven, and I'd guess the Warden can serve as a healer or off-healer with some a lot of earth-control/influence powers. (Mainly since that's what wardens have been in every other mmo).
But has anyone found an interview, or something, with any actual info on the new classes?

There aren't Runekeepers currently in the game as NPC's that I am aware of but there are Wardens.  I would guess that the Warden we will see as a playable class would much closer resemble what we see from NPC's called Wardens than what we see in other MMOs.

 

 

The Wardens in game are a Ranger/Hunter/Champion mix it would seem.  For a better and more in-depth analysis of what the new classes might potentially become another player (MithrilSoul ) from the official boards has a very well thought out post here:

 

forums.lotro.com/showthread.php

 

A quick summary of his (MithrilSoul ) ideas:

Rune Master is a combination Tactical DPS/Buffing class

Warden is a hybrid ranged/melee class

 

That would be pretty stupid to waste two new classes for a role that is already used by 90% players (DPS)

Im almost certain that warden will be a tanker as strong as guardian and runekeeper a new healer as strong as minstrel. At the moment there is only one class for tanking and only one class for healing.

dragonace

Originally posted by Thillian


 
Originally posted by dragonace


 
Originally posted by Valance


I'm guessing all we know is the names, nothing more. The Runekeeper sounds dwarven, and I'd guess the Warden can serve as a healer or off-healer with some a lot of earth-control/influence powers. (Mainly since that's what wardens have been in every other mmo).
But has anyone found an interview, or something, with any actual info on the new classes?

There aren't Runekeepers currently in the game as NPC's that I am aware of but there are Wardens.  I would guess that the Warden we will see as a playable class would much closer resemble what we see from NPC's called Wardens than what we see in other MMOs.

 

 

The Wardens in game are a Ranger/Hunter/Champion mix it would seem.  For a better and more in-depth analysis of what the new classes might potentially become another player (MithrilSoul ) from the official boards has a very well thought out post here:

 

forums.lotro.com/showthread.php

 

A quick summary of his (MithrilSoul ) ideas:

Rune Master is a combination Tactical DPS/Buffing class

Warden is a hybrid ranged/melee class

 

That would be pretty stupid to waste two new classes for a role that is already used by 90% players (DPS)

 

Im almost certain that warden will be a tanker as strong as guardian and runekeeper a new healer as strong as minstrel. At the moment there is only one class for tanking and only one class for healing.

Ahh... however you are forgetting another bit mentioned by the devs... not sure if I can find it, but I'll try and dig it up.  They said that the two new classes would not infringe on the roles of the existing classes but would fill the gaps.

 

That was the premise that MithrilSoul worked from in that thread that I referenced above.  I don't think that Turbine is interested in giving you 2 strong tanks... If you want a tank... be a guardian.  Now, that's not saying that you might be correct.  But, going off that other comment; it seems like Turbine is trying to identify gaps that do not exist to have the 2 new classes fill.

Thillian

There are no gaps, and basically only 3 group roles. Tank, Healer, DPS. Everything else is mix. The only strong class that can heal is minstrel, the only class that can tank is guardian. The other 5 classes are DPS/buffers, debuffers. Apparently, the first two groups need more classes - healers, tankers. It's not rare to see fellowships looking for a minstrel or guardian, eventho minstrel is one of the most played class.

dragonace

Originally posted by Thillian


There are no gaps, and basically only 3 group roles. Tank, Healer, DPS. Everything else is mix. The only strong class that can heal is minstrel, the only class that can tank is guardian. The other 5 classes are DPS/buffers, debuffers. Apparently, the first two groups need more classes - healers, tankers. It's not rare to see fellowships looking for a minstrel or guardian, eventho minstrel is one of the most played class.

I don't disagree that those would be good roles to have the 2 new classes fill as a secondary choice.  Not sure if they will make them as good as the Minstrel or Guardian though.

 

As for healing... I have a level 50 Minstrel as my main, and he is far and away the best healer in the game.  With that being said... I now have a level 42 Lore-Master, and now that I have the 2 traits slotted that make healing faster, and heal for more (not to mention my two self heals) ... he doesn't do too bad.   Especially since I can keep the fight to just a single opponent the vast majority of the time.

 

I've grouped with Captains but never played one myself... their HOT heal is a very nice supplement for a Minstrel in the right group.

So... is healing really in short supply?   Heh, I suppose more is always better... especially if it comes in a package that offers other sought-after utilities or group buffs.

 

I still haven't found that Dev. quote I was looking for... I think it answers perfectly what we are talking about here... I'll still keep looking for it.

Katashi-kun

Originally posted by Thillian


 minstrel is one of the most played class.

Uh, I beg to differ, at least on Elendilmir...there are like 100+ Hunters to every 1 Minstrel, and overall prolly 300 melee to every 1 Minstrel!

Its the least played class cause too many ppl think they're weak where they are prolly the best class at non-stop solo, can do a ton of AoE DPS and of course gotta have one for fellowships and raids almost always!  All I ever see are people in all channels "Were good to go, just need a Minstrel!"  "LF Minstrel"  "Only need a minstrel to begin!"  all the time!

On occasion I see the same with Lore-Master but usually only for the Rift where they're required as much as Minstrel.

Thillian

Just go to social panel and sort out level 50 people by class. I was trying 3 different EU servers. In all of them burglars were least played by far, then captains, then loremasters. Minstrels were second most played after hunters. And after minstrels there were guardians. And still, fellowships struggle to find a minstrel and a guardian for a group, because they are a must. No group specifically needs burglar, lm, captain or whatever, they can all be suplemented.

dragonace

Ahh... found the article I was looking for, although it was Jeffrey Steefel, not a Dev.  But, I think he safely qualifies as an authentic source. 

 

From this link:   www.warcry.com/articles/view/interviews/askturbine/3082-Lord-of-the-Rings-Online-Mines-of-Moria-Interview-with-Jeffrey-S.3

 

WarCry: Can you tell me anything about how the new classes, how they might fit in a typical fellowship, what kind of role they're going to serve ...

Jeffrey Steefel: This will be as unsatisfying for you as other folks that I've talked to for about a week or so, but that's one of the things that we're not talking specifically about at all. We know exactly what their roles are and we're working on building it out right now, but that's something we're going to be talking about ... over the next couple months, we're going to be rolling out more and more information about the classes and what they do and how they fit. Our stance is, they were specifically designed to complement the class roles that we have now; they're going to round out the abilities of players' parties, and they're going to give players new ways to experience Middle Earth.

Thillian

Originally posted by dragonace


Ahh... found the article I was looking for, although it was Jeffrey Steefel, not a Dev.  But, I think he safely qualifies as an authentic source. 
 
From this link:   www.warcry.com/articles/view/interviews/askturbine/3082-Lord-of-the-Rings-Online-Mines-of-Moria-Interview-with-Jeffrey-S.3
 
WarCry: Can you tell me anything about how the new classes, how they might fit in a typical fellowship, what kind of role they're going to serve ...
Jeffrey Steefel: This will be as unsatisfying for you as other folks that I've talked to for about a week or so, but that's one of the things that we're not talking specifically about at all. We know exactly what their roles are and we're working on building it out right now, but that's something we're going to be talking about ... over the next couple months, we're going to be rolling out more and more information about the classes and what they do and how they fit. Our stance is, they were specifically designed to complement the class roles that we have now; they're going to round out the abilities of players' parties, and they're going to give players new ways to experience Middle Earth.

Yes apparently, he's just exaggarating. There are already classes that do almost the same, just in a bit different way. That doesn't change the fact, that there can be a new tanking class with maybe strong ranged attacks in addition (warden), and a healer with stronger tactical damage (runemaster). There are 7 classes out there now and lets not lie to ourselves, they all pretty much suck at the moment. All classes except minstrel and guardian are just optional in 99% cases whereas minstrel and guardian is a neccessity. So apparently they need to add more full-group tanks and full-group healers. And I'm dead sure they realize that.

dragonace

Originally posted by Thillian


Just go to social panel and sort out level 50 people by class. I was trying 3 different EU servers. In all of them burglars were least played by far, then captains, then loremasters. Minstrels were second most played after hunters. And after minstrels there were guardians. And still, fellowships struggle to find a minstrel and a guardian for a group, because they are a must. No group specifically needs burglar, lm, captain or whatever, they can all be suplemented.

Heh... as to your comment on no group needing burglar, lm, captain...  I've not seen that the case in high-end group content.  Perhaps your server is different... but LM, Captain, and Burglar too for the conjunctions and extra CC... are always sought after for my groups.  I do wish that they had made the group size 7 instead of 6 though... as 1 class is always getting left off. 

 

There is quite a thread going on the official forums now that 2 of the MUST classes for doing The Rift is Lore Master and Captain.    It has been done RARELY without a LM, but so far it looks like it's never been done without Captain.

 

 

Captain is the king of buffs, and their summon ability is unique and very useful in some situations.  Then let's not forget Last Stand.  No other class can pull that off.  For high-end groups anyway... it's almost become a necessity. 

 

The Captain's biggest problem is that they only really come into their own when in a group.  They are also hurt in that they can only be played by the Human race.

 

I really think that all the classes do a really good job of providing unique benefits to the group make-up.  As, I mentioned though with the class-size being 6 there is always going to be at least 1 class not represented.  For raid-size groups obviously that isn't an issue. 

 

dragonace

 

Originally posted by Thillian

Originally posted by dragonace


Ahh... found the article I was looking for, although it was Jeffrey Steefel, not a Dev.  But, I think he safely qualifies as an authentic source. 
 
From this link:   www.warcry.com/articles/view/interviews/askturbine/3082-Lord-of-the-Rings-Online-Mines-of-Moria-Interview-with-Jeffrey-S.3
 
WarCry: Can you tell me anything about how the new classes, how they might fit in a typical fellowship, what kind of role they're going to serve ...
Jeffrey Steefel: This will be as unsatisfying for you as other folks that I've talked to for about a week or so, but that's one of the things that we're not talking specifically about at all. We know exactly what their roles are and we're working on building it out right now, but that's something we're going to be talking about ... over the next couple months, we're going to be rolling out more and more information about the classes and what they do and how they fit. Our stance is, they were specifically designed to complement the class roles that we have now; they're going to round out the abilities of players' parties, and they're going to give players new ways to experience Middle Earth.

Yes apparently, he's just exaggarating. There are already classes that do almost the same, just in a bit different way. That doesn't change the fact, that there can be a new tanking class with maybe strong ranged attacks in addition (warden), and a healer with stronger tactical damage (runemaster). There are 7 classes out there now and lets not lie to ourselves, they all pretty much suck at the moment. All classes except minstrel and guardian are just optional in 99% cases whereas minstrel and guardian is a neccessity. So apparently they need to add more full-group tanks and full-group healers. And I'm dead sure they realize that.

Well obviously we have 2 TOTALLY different opinions on that part then.  I've liked every class I've played so far (5 of them).   That's been the tough part for me... I like each new class I play so much, I have a hard time going back to the old ones. 

 

 

Guess we'll just have to disagree on this topic... as I've found Turbines take on the classes to be near perfect for my play-style.  Hopefully one of the 2 new classes will be more to your liking. 

 

Edit:  On the comment of Minstrel and Guardian being a neccessity... I've probably grouped with less Guardians than any other class.  We just added a Captain or Champion and did just fine.  The same is true when I switched off of my Minstrel and started playing the Lore-Master almost exclusively now... very rarely do we find the need to look for a Minstrel... my LM and a Captain seem to do just fine.

So, while your experiences might be true for you... they are not necessarily true for everyone. 

wykkid79

99% of the content in LotRO doesn't require any specific class.  Some of the harder 6 man stuff requires a guardian and minstrel but very little.  Raids are optimal when all classes are in the raid.  And solo stuff it really doesn't matter.

 

So I find it funny when people say the two new classes "must" be this or that to fill the roles of the only 2 needed classes.  I've seen 6 mans run with 2 captains healing and a champion tanking.  Or a lore-master healing and a captain half-tanking and half-healing.  Are they as good as having a guard or minstrel?  Probably not.  But they do have their advantages and it can be done.