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Thinking about playing - need help understanding some things
lasu1
Member Posts: 8
Greetings! So, I've just now downloaded LOTRO. It's installed and all booted up. It looks fun. However, I cannot - for the life of me, figure out the Turbine website.
Here are my interests:
Exploration and Roleplaying
Small group expeditions (i.e., 5 man instances, 5 man quest parties, etc.)
Laid back, lore-filled, quests. I'm a huge Tolkien nerd. I've read everything I can get my hands on during my 30+ years of life.
Here are my questions:
I can't figure out the cost for a monthly subscription. How much is it? I can't find it anywhere on LOTRO's site. I'm trying to figure out whether a subscription would be the best bet for me.
I noticed that Rise of Isengard expac has a special deal which includes the "quest packs" for Mirkwood, Eriador, and a few other places. I'm not so interested in Mirkwood, but I am in Eriador, and I definitely would like to visit Moria. So, my question: should I just subscribe to the game for a month, buy the RoI "Legendary" pack (with the quest packs) and then go F2P? That should give me quite a bit of explorable areas, no? I should also be able to play in the Isengard expansion when I level up to it, right?
Sort of like (2) above, but I really don't understand what xpacs I need to buy. I know I'll have to get Isengard sooner or later for the endgame. But, do I need to buy Moria/Mirkwood/other xpacs? If so, how much do they cost? As I said above, Moria sounds great.
I've decided to make my first character on "Laurelin" because it was the only English RP realm I could find. Is that a good choice?
Thanks Much!
Comments
As far as the servers go, it's been awhile and I can't really remember the specifics. They have lists of which servers are unofficially designated as what type all over the place, just google "lotro servers" or something of that nature. Unoficially because although Turbine doesn't label them, the community has kind of a unwritten law that certain servers are to be kept under certain rulesets, at least that is how it was when I played.
With regards to the f2p/sub business, the method that I always used to hear about was to sub up for a month and discover all the pertinent locations that you wanted to visit, then drop back to f2p. It lets you keep all the quest packs and things that were granted to you as a subscribing player, you just lose the TP stipend. The exploring bit was supposedly to allow you to keep the fast travel locations that you discovered while subbed, since they didn't at the time give f2p players access to fast travel. Buying expansion packs under a sub will take you about two or three months to accumulate enough points, since if you are already getting that TP stipend then you should never ever buy points seperately.
Some people also say it is possible to fund quest and expansion packs solely through grinding feats, but that quickly becomes a massive chore as the farther you move out from the starter zones, the larger the kill numbers become. I remember at a certain point it wanted like 500 kills for a slaughter feat.
The list on their site is pretty accurate, http://www.lotro.com/free.php?tier=details. Personally I found it a better value to go VIP and stay that way, but there were the occasional players that claimed they got more value out of buying TPs and remaining f2p. That is true for some people, it all depends on your playstyle and how much you really want out of the game.
Hey, thanks a lot for the reply. Yeah, I'm definitely enjoying the game so far. The quests are the best I've encountered in an MMO (in the Dwarf starting area, at least.) So, the only way to buy the expansions is through the Turbine store? I.e., there's no way for me just to buy "Mines of Moria" with cash?
I've found - after some searching, that the "subscription" is the typical $14.99/month. That seems fine, at least for a few months.
So, just to check...what expansions do I need to buy? Here are my guesses:
Moria
Isengard
Mirkwood
Is that right?
Also, does the $59.99 Isengard expansion deal that includes this: "Access to the Path of the Fellowship Quest Packs including Trollshaws, Eregion, Lothlórien and Moria plus the Mirkwood Quest Pack as a special bonus"
So, does that mean that I only have to buy the "Isengard" expansion to have access to Lothlorien, Eregian, and Mirkwood? Because those areas sound like areas that I would very much enjoy questing in!
Thanks so much. I'm sorry that I am so dense. It's jsut hard to figure out what the costs are. I don't have a problem paying, of course...the problem is...uh, that I live on a budget (translation: I'm married.)
Thanks again!
You may just want to start out small and go with the core game for now until you find out if you like it before dropping cash on any of the expansions. The content for Moria and beyond is pretty muc hall for higher level characters and there will be little to nothing to do if you are not in the level ranges of the expansions.
I don't know anything about Isengard, as I stopped playing long before that came about, but all the individual quest packs can be purchased seperately with TP acquired either through in-game accomplishments (feats, some quests), or through purchase using the store. If you become a VIP though (what they call a paid subscriber), you get all the Eriador and Lothlorien quest packs automatically, and will retain them after cancelling the sub. The only reason they include that in the Isengard expansion is so new players could just buy that one thing and get all the content automatically, I believe.
Also bear in mind that you don't have to buy all of those packs at once, since it'll be some time slogging through Eriador before you can access either of them. The proper order is Moria>Mirkwood>Isengard, but honestly by the time you get to Moria, you'll be well over the minimum level for entry and will be able to just go around and do Isengard if you want. I recommend going VIP for at least a few months, then you get all the Eriador quest packs unlocked automatically and can do whatever until upwards of 50 (I think?) when it is time to go to Moria. By the time you reach that level, assuming you are frugal with the 500 points per month that you get as a subscriber, you can easily buy expansion packs at no extra cost.
One other thing to add to what people have already said....regarding the servers...if you are looking for an RP server, go with Landroval. It's considered the unofficial RP server and has the largest RP community and second largest overall population. If you want to RP, Landroval is the way to go.
Thanks a lot.
You guys are fantastic. So far, the game looks fun for the sort of player that I am (very lore-aware, RP, questing, and exploration.) It also seems to be conducive to my casual playstyle (I used to so love being a hardcore gamer, but alas I've not the time any longer...which sucks lol), which is more of a "check out how beautiful this is" type of player.
I think I am going to try your idea, Twoday. I will subscribe so I can have the limits removed from my account. Then, I will experience the content and let my points accrue. After awhile I will take note of where I am at points/expansion pack wise and decide what packs/expansions would be most useful.
I've never tried F2P before, but I've got to say that it seems fairly useful. I can buy what I want. A
Thanks again, and any further input is definitely welcome,
Thastandi (my in-game name on the Laurelin server)
EDIT: I didn't know about Landroval. I will re-roll my character on Landroval. I'm still up in the air of whether to play a Hunter or a Runekeeper. I've always been a healer in prior games, but I've never tried a Hunter. So, either way is a win-win, I guess.
Minstrel is also an amazing healer. I can't speak for Rune Keeper but some arguably say that the minstrel is the better healer in the game.
I've played with a Rune Keeper and they seemed to do a good job though they do have to build up their healing power (or attack power). Stil, when many think healer they think Minstrel.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
Don't worry about rerolling.
Landroval was the only RP server when the US side was seperate (and only had unofficial status too).
Laurelin is the "official" (since retail launch) RP server and when the game went global (no more EU/US separation) it retained that status.
So it remains the true "official" RP server.
Although I understand that on Landroval you are likely to get a different kind of RP than on Laurelin, not that I have encountered this but lots of people will say it is true (and not in a bad way).
<--- Plays Feldsparr Steelhelm on Laurelin, Lord of Baruk Khazad.
Not that a new starter will even notice this but Minstrels got a MASSIVE revision in RoI release. Changed the fundamental play methods of the class.
Jury's are still out on wether it is a good or bad thing.
Yeah, that's why I couldn't really say. It "used" to be that the Minstrel was "the" healer. But with changes to classes and great players or bad players playing these classes sometimes you never know.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
Don't subscribe until you hit 20th level. There is really no point in doing so until then, because the content up to that is free and you don't really need swift travel yet. And at 20, subscribers can buy a horse in game (as opposed to store) by doing a simply quest. (Well, acquire the riding skill, rather).
Also, don't play on Landroval. It was the unofficial RPG server, but now there is an official RP server, Laurellin. It's much better than Landroval. It's was a European server, but a lot of nonEuropeans are moving over to it because it is an official RP server,not a phony one. (Then again, Landroval is full of phonies..)
Definitely don't buy any expansions. The game changes when you hit 50 and get legendary items. It becomes a massive, massive painful, excruciatingly mind numbling dull grindfest. Experience it yourself before laying out any money - I wish I had would have saved me $300 (lifetime sub)
R.I.P. City of Heroes and my 17 characters there
Grr...well, after the initial post I re-rolled onto Landroval. Maybe I'll consider Laurelin, now.
As it stands, I am very much enjoying the game. Although, I am only Level 13 and my young Dwarf has yet to leave Ered Luin.
I hear what you are saying about the "post-50" grind. Is that required? I guess I'm mainly playing the game because I love Lord of the Rings. I didn't play before because...well, I dunno why I didn't play before. I guess my question is...I'm mainly interested in playing to run the quests/experience the zones/meet people and have fun. I'm not an end-game raider or stat pursuer. I'm OK with having decent gear. Is it still grindy for a player like me?
I am a little concerned about leveling speed. I'm worried that by the time I finish all of the quests and deeds in Ered Luin, that I want be able to fully enjoy Bree and the other zones...grr...
Maybe I'll have to make another character. The Rune-Keeper looks good. But, I'm having SO much fun on my hunter (a class I've never touched before in any other game.) The animations just look so nice. I really feel like I'm hunting Hendrovals.
Anyway, thanks again for all of the input. I look forward to reading more of your opinions if anyone has them.
By the time you finish all the quests in Ered Luin (which include the Elf one's) you'll be more than ready for Bree. In fact the quests will start pushing you that way. That's something that LotRO does is once you hit a certain level you'll start getting quests or mail pointing you at other locations.
As far as what's free and when to sub I'm afraid trancejeremy isn't fully up to date. You can easily make the high 20's to 30 just on the free as the Lone-lands are a free zone too.
A little guide: Early 20s western Lone-lands, western North Downs / High 20s eastern Lone-lands, central North Downs, south Evendim / Early 30s eastern North Downs, eastern Evendim / High 30's eastern North Downs, western Evendim, western Trollshaws. That should keep you awhile.
I'd suggest prior to Bree you go and do the Shire one's that catch your eye. I found alot of them to be mind-numbing and not enjoyable but there is a string that involves a bad dwarf invasion that's fun. Plus the more kills, exploration etc.... means more free TP's. Those 5 and 10 TP's add up.
SWG (pre-cu) - AoC (pre-f2p) - PotBS (pre-boarder) - DDO - LotRO (pre-f2p) - STO (pre-f2p) - GnH (beta tester) - SWTOR - Neverwinter
If you're playing for the lore experience then relax. All of the Volume 1 Books are available for FTP and soloable (though some aren't easy to get to solo). Until you are actually around level 25 (maybe even later if you are a completionist) you won't need to worry about opening up quest areas (now that Lonelands is included in FTP). At that point you need to decide how you want to access quest areas - by subscription or by buying or more likely some combo in between. There is now enough content in Volume 1 that you can pick and choose the areas you like for levelling. Again, regardless of the quests you've unlocked the Books are available.
Hunter is a good first character in the game. If you are planning on playing for a long while with lots of alts then I'd take Explorer as your crafting vocation so you can gather materials.
Minstrel isn't a bad choice if you like to group. As a new player you aren't used to the old Minstrel so you shouldn't have any problems with the new mechanics. Minstrels can solo (and with the changes soloing in PVE should be even easier) and are healers (with the changes you get better healing when you spec heavily into it). So if you like to group a lot it should be a great choice.
Subscription price depends on if they have any multi month deals - it can go as low as 10 a month depending on what deals they have going at the time. Since you are starting out right when Isengard is coming out the deals might not be that great right now (lots of folks coming back to check it out). Give it some time because the deals change all the time.
Roll a character on both servers and see which you like better. That way you experience it for yourself.
Breeland now has so many quests that you can skip some areas (there are some that are just kill this, collect this, etc) if you happen to outlevel them. Don't skip the Old Forest or Barrows Downs as they are more loreish than some of the other areas. A lot of the quests in Breeland also offer reputation - so can be worth it to finish them even if they are gray to you.
Oh and most importantly - have fun!
No it's not required.
You don't have to get the best legendary item nor do you have to get the best legacies and upgrades. Seriously, you can just get something "good enough".
If you are the type of person who has to the best legacies then there are ways of doing that that are less grindy. Personally I just purchased a weapon decent weapon upgraded it to a point and that was pretty much it. i've been doing very well with the new content so you don't have to invest too much time in that if you dont' want to.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
I'm not an end-game raider or stat pursuer
Good cause people who go into lotro to get to max level are always disappointed....the people who join the game and really enjoy the ride, even the grinding, and look at the scenerery etc.
https://ashesofcreation.com/r/Y4U3PQCASUPJ5SED
Our resident naysayer. Remember your getting opinions here. Some of the advice is rock solid from other posters. Why not do this... roll one toon on Lauralin and one on Landy and see for yourself? Welcome to the game !