I posted part of this on the LotRO forums, but I thought I'd expand it and post it as part of my blog.
I'm not an experienced gamer. Before LotRO, my gaming experience consisted of the Mario and Zelda games on various Nintendo systems, plus a bit of Donkey Kong and a few other arcade games. I did try WoW and a couple of other MMOs, but I couldn't get into them.
So, that leads me to my point. There are some things I wish I'd know when I started playing the game:
1. Skirmishes are more integral to the game than is generally implied. Skirmish Marks are pretty important beginning around level 45, when you get a class quest that requires going into Carn Dûm to kill Helchgam for the slime and into Urugarth for other items (i.e., the Emblem of Ritual, the Rune of Evil Presence, and the Goblin-Badge of Rank). It's difficult to get groups for these instances, but they are available from the Curiosities Vendor in any Skirmish Camp. Most of these items cost around 1,000 Skirmish Marks, and the Slime costs around 2,600.
In addition, some of the Volume II and III epics quests require running specific skirmishes at least once (especially after the Echoes of the Dead update on March 21, 2011). You'll need to level your soldier (again, requiring Skirmish Marks) to run these on-level. Also, each piece in the Annuminas and Helegrod armour sets required around 2,300 skirmish marks, in addition to superior third mark and special raid tokens.
2. Grouping becomes more and more important after you enter Moria, and, especially for support classes like Ministrels and Loremasters, you're probably going to have to relearn your toon and reevaluate your traits. As a lore-master, I relied heavily on the red (DPS/Tactical) trait line through must of the Shadows of Angmar content, and I didn't have to rely too much on the self-buff and debuffs - and almost never used the Power-Draw skill. Now that I'm having to run group content, I've found that people expect me to mezz, to supply power, and to be less of a DPS-machine. In fact, in some fights, I do nothing but stand beside a troll hitting him with blinding flash until everything else is dead and the tanks can swoop in for the kill.
There are only 2 formal dungeons ("classic instances") before Moria: Great Barrows and Fornost. While other areas require grouping, the groups are not as formal as these two; thus, you can complete quests in areas like Nan Warthen (North Downs), Dol Dinen (North Downs), Garth Agarwen (Lone Lands), and others with one or two others people. Also, you don't have a full array of skills yet, nor do you have class and racial deeds completed. As a result, you probably won't fully realize your role in the group.
I really wish the development team would add some new true instances/raids so that lower-level toons can begin learning the role their class should assume during a formal grouping. These could be tied to some sort of mentoring system, with it's own deeds, titles, and rewards.
3. You will probably need to reevaluate your traits every so often. While Virtues might remain static, your Racial, Class and Legendary traits will become more situational - you'll be traited one way for soloing, and another for instances/raids.
As you learn the game, you might also experiment with Virtues to determine what works best for your class and play style.
4. You can't do every quest in every zone - nor should you try. Learn the color-coding system, and a good rule of thumb is to start wrapping things up when MOB names turn light blue. Or, if the zone offers deeds for completing a certain number of quests, complete those deeds and move on (you can come back later to grind reputation and slayer deeds). At that point, begin wrapping up the quest chain.
I spent way too long in North Downs....and finished all but one quest there. Because of that, I had to play catch up in a lot of other zones.
5. Gold is virtually worthless in the game, especially after you buy a decent mount and your house. For armour, weapons, potions, and jewelry, join a kin (if you participate in good faith, most kin mates will be willing to craft stuff for you at little or no cost (and the cost is usually just materials)). The good stuff usually drops as loot in instances, or can be bartered for using the various marks, tokens, or medallions that drop in those instances.
After you get your house, about the only thing you'll need gold for is skill upgrades, reputation mounts, cosmetics, and class items (i.e., your legendary pages).
There are probably some other things I'm forgetting, but that's all for now.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Alt-itis
Just to clarify something, I play primarily on Vilya (although I have a couple of alts on other servers). My alts are:
Elahedor (Main)
Landroval
Dwenn
Imladris
Thalas
Elahedor (Main)
- Race: Elf.
- Class: Lore-Master.
- Vocation: Woodsman (Supreme Master Woodworker).
- Guild: Woodworker (Kindred).
- Kin: The Guides of Middle Earth.
- Race: Elf.
- Class: Guardian.
- Vocation: Armourer.
- Guild: Metalsmith.
- Kin: Iron Rangers.
- Race: Man.
- Class: Captain.
- Vocation: Historian (Supreme Master Scholar).
- Guild: Scholar (Kindred).
- Kin: The Guides of Middle Earth.
- Race: Man.
- Class: Burgler.
- Vocation: Tinker.
- Guild: Jeweler.
- Kin: The Guides of Middle Earth.
- Race: Dwarf.
- Class: Hunter.
- Vocation: Explorer.
- Guild: Tailor.
- Kin: None.
- Race: Dwarf.
- Class: Champion.
- Vocation: Armsman.
- Guild: Weaponsmith.
- Kin: Iron Rangers.
- Race: Hobbit.
- Class: Ministrel.
- Vocation: Yoeman.
- Guild: Cook.
- Kin: None.
- Race: Elf.
- Class: Rune-Keeper.
- Vocation: Historian
- Guild: None.
- Kin: None.
- Race: Man.
- Class: Warden.
- Vocation: None.
- Guild: None.
- Kin: None.
- Race: Warg.
Landroval
Dwenn
- Race: Man.
- Class: Hunter.
- Vocation: None.
- Guild: None.
- Kinship: None.
Imladris
Thalas
- Race: Elf.
- Class: Hunter.
- Vocation: None.
- Guild: None.
- Kinship: None.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Funny Sight
I was running around Nam Amlug East in the North Downs, mostly scouting for ore, on my Guardian Pentalidor. Suddenly, I came up a Hoar Mantle standing on his head...
It's not a joke. He walked down the side of a rock, but a glitch made it look like he was standing on his head. Unfortunately, I missed getting a screen shot because, while I was maneuvering around him, he decided to finish his way down the rock.
Here is the aftermath. I'm bummed I missed the shot, tho.
It's not a joke. He walked down the side of a rock, but a glitch made it look like he was standing on his head. Unfortunately, I missed getting a screen shot because, while I was maneuvering around him, he decided to finish his way down the rock.
Here is the aftermath. I'm bummed I missed the shot, tho.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Flame-Touched
Finally, I gained enough tokens to obtain the Flame of the Deeps Cloak and the Flame-Touched Hauberk
I've been wanting this cosmetic set since the first time I saw it. I dyed it red, and am very happy with it!
I've been wanting this cosmetic set since the first time I saw it. I dyed it red, and am very happy with it!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Feeling Racy: My Week in Lotro
From Wednesday, February 9, 2011 - Wednesday, February 16, 2011....
On Wednesday, I went back to Evendim and completed the advanced Kergrim slayer deed and topped out my Zeal virtue. I then ran to Eregion to complete the hidden "Ridge-Racer" deed. Here I am staring off into the distance from the ridge.
I then joined a group running Carn Dûm, because someone wanted to get the slime for a class deed. This group continued into Thursday morning, and we ran 11 of the bosses, but then most had to drop group. We planned to rejoin the fight on Thursday evening.
Thursday, no one from the Carn Dûm group was on, so I went to the Misty Mountains to finish some slayer deeds. A group was running them, and I joined it. We completed a number of the slayer deeds there, but killing giants is a bit tiring, so we disbanded. I returned to Moria and completed the Nameless slayer deed in the Shadowed Refuge.
On Friday, I continued the slayer deeds in Shadowed Refuge. At this point, the Carn Dûm instance had reset, so I couldn't complete the last few bosses there. Instead, I ran the Sixteenth Hall for the first time.
On Saturday, I joined a group running Urugarth in Angmar (the group included several people from the Carn Dûm group). We completed the run, and I joined a raid in Helegrod. Once done there, I discovered that the level for the "Executioner of the Wicked" deed in Haudh Iarchith had been drastically reduced, so I completed it (and picked up a deed I thought I had already done). I then ran to Mirkwood to do a couple of quests there. I even managed to complete the 2.5.5 Battle of the Way of Smiths (helping a group, we tried all three, but I've completed the defense of the 21st hall, and we failed miserably at the Battle of Deep Way).
On Sunday, I began working on Book 1 of Volume 3 (I have yet to complete Volume 2). I completed through the Rescue in Nûrz Gâshu, but failed at it due to a technical mistake (called a side-instance that turned out to be a major dragon; I couldn't handle the lieutenants and that boss at the same time, and I was too tired to care).
On Monday, I logged in on my Guardian because I need to gather some ore for my other alts (I have 9 alts, 7 of which covers the spectrum of Vocations). I'm finding I love the Guardian class, so I continued on with him on Tuesday, running enough quests and slaying enough beasts to level him up to 25. At this point, he running Esteldín quests and slaying beasts in the North Downs.
Tonight, I decided to forego logging in. Seems like that is becoming a trend on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, I went back to Evendim and completed the advanced Kergrim slayer deed and topped out my Zeal virtue. I then ran to Eregion to complete the hidden "Ridge-Racer" deed. Here I am staring off into the distance from the ridge.
I then joined a group running Carn Dûm, because someone wanted to get the slime for a class deed. This group continued into Thursday morning, and we ran 11 of the bosses, but then most had to drop group. We planned to rejoin the fight on Thursday evening.Thursday, no one from the Carn Dûm group was on, so I went to the Misty Mountains to finish some slayer deeds. A group was running them, and I joined it. We completed a number of the slayer deeds there, but killing giants is a bit tiring, so we disbanded. I returned to Moria and completed the Nameless slayer deed in the Shadowed Refuge.
On Friday, I continued the slayer deeds in Shadowed Refuge. At this point, the Carn Dûm instance had reset, so I couldn't complete the last few bosses there. Instead, I ran the Sixteenth Hall for the first time.
On Saturday, I joined a group running Urugarth in Angmar (the group included several people from the Carn Dûm group). We completed the run, and I joined a raid in Helegrod. Once done there, I discovered that the level for the "Executioner of the Wicked" deed in Haudh Iarchith had been drastically reduced, so I completed it (and picked up a deed I thought I had already done). I then ran to Mirkwood to do a couple of quests there. I even managed to complete the 2.5.5 Battle of the Way of Smiths (helping a group, we tried all three, but I've completed the defense of the 21st hall, and we failed miserably at the Battle of Deep Way).
On Sunday, I began working on Book 1 of Volume 3 (I have yet to complete Volume 2). I completed through the Rescue in Nûrz Gâshu, but failed at it due to a technical mistake (called a side-instance that turned out to be a major dragon; I couldn't handle the lieutenants and that boss at the same time, and I was too tired to care).
On Monday, I logged in on my Guardian because I need to gather some ore for my other alts (I have 9 alts, 7 of which covers the spectrum of Vocations). I'm finding I love the Guardian class, so I continued on with him on Tuesday, running enough quests and slaying enough beasts to level him up to 25. At this point, he running Esteldín quests and slaying beasts in the North Downs.
Tonight, I decided to forego logging in. Seems like that is becoming a trend on Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Heropose
As I mentioned in my last post, I earned the heropose emote on Sunday. Here I am in the 21st Hall.
On Monday, as I ran through Eregion, I saw an amazing rainbow, so here I am posing under it.
The Grim Reality: My Week in LoTRO
Actually, it's more than a week, starting Sunday, January 30, 2011.
I checked my deed log, and realized I was really close to completing several slayer deeds. I reserved Sunday to work on these deeds.
One of my outstanding deeds was to kill wargs in Moria. I was working on this deed (killed about 15 wargs) with THE OUTAGE occurred. When the situation was corrected and I was able to log back in, I found that the game had rolled back about 10 minutes, and I'd lost most of those kills. It really wasn't that big a deal, so I just ran back around killing the wargs.
After completing that deed, I checked my log again. I was nearest to completing the Orc Slayer deed in Angmar. After completing the deed, I realized that I was fairly close to completing the advanced warg-slayer deed. Thus, I transported to Aughaire, and started heading down the path. As I worked on this deed, I also found that I had only completed tier 1 of the worm-slayer deed. That led me to kill a bunch of critters to complete at least that tier. Because the MoBs were all gray, I didn't earn any experience, but I happily completed the deeds.
I also realized that I need to complete the 7 swords deeds, so I worked on it (technically completing it Monday morning) After completing that deed (and attempting the associated quest), I went to Evendim to kill Limrafn. This deed has repeatedly frustrated me. I've been through the area several times, but the creatures never seem to be available. Sure enough, when I went in, they still weren't there. Fortunately, a quick Google revealed that the creatures only spawn at night. I slayed a bunch once the critters. During this process, I also completed one of my class deeds. When the morning came, I ran to Tinnidur to sell off a bunch of stuff, and logged out.
When I logged in Tuesday, it was still daylight, and I couldn't complete the Limrafn deed. Instead, I ran across the lake and killed Gauradans. While I was in the middle of this quest, someone asked for a Turtle run. I responded, and ran the raid for the first time ever. I actually enjoyed it, since it was mostly a DPS race, with little need for any other rotation.
I then ran to Annuminas and finished an exploration deed. By then, it was night, and I went back to beach to kill limrafn. Technically, I completed the deed on Tuesday morning, and then ran back towards Annuminas to kill Kergrim, completing the tier 1 deed there.
Tuesday evening, I completed the advanced goblin-slayer deed in Evendim, then went to Goblin Town in the Misty Mountains to finish the buttons deed and complete a couple of exploration deeds.
I then ran to Forochel to work on one of the most annoying deeds in the game: The Grim-Slayer. This deed requires you to kill 200 Grims, but few Grims spawn in the zone. On Wednesday, I worked my way up to just over 100 before getting sick of the deed. I then completed an exploration deed, completed another class deed, killed few Dourhands, and finished the Sabre-tooth deed. In the process, I found a couple of quests I didn't complete, so I did those as well.
Thursday, I completed the Dourhand-Slayer and Grim-Slayer deeds. I then ran to Trollshaws and finished the advanced Wight-Slayer and advanced Wolf-Slayer deeds (technically, I completed the Wolf-Slayer deed on Friday). I also ran the turtle raid again.
At this point, Turbine had turned on the feature to drop special tokens (as compensation for the outage), so I was not only gaining credits for deeds and cash for vendor trash, I was also earning free stuff.
Friday, I completed the Dourhand and Beast Slayer deeds in Sarnur, as well as the Worm-Slayer deed in the Misty Mountains.
Saturday, I ran the Dark Delvings for the first (and possibly only) time, to help some wardens with the class quest. It was a horrible experience that I really don't care to repeat. I also completed my own class quest in the Forges, much to my surprise. I was working on the Dragonet-Slayer and Worm-Slayer deeds in Moria, and found myself in the Flaming Deeps. I got near the entrance to the Forges, and decided to look for a group. Enough people responded, so we ran it. It was my fifth time through the instance, and I was surprised to complete it, as well as a number of instance-specific deeds there.
After completing my class quest, I returned to slaying dragons, and killed enough to complete my racial deed, Enmity of the Drakes II. I also turned in a few quests related to the Grand Stairs.
On Sunday, I finally completed the Dragonet- and Worm-Slayer deeds, and then headed to Lothlorien to work on a few deeds there. I also wanted to earn a few more leaves so that I could get the Galadhrim steed, so I was picking up quests in the eastern area when some kinmates asked if I could join them in Fil-Gashan to complete the Captain class quest. I'd never run the instance, but I agreed.
What an instance! Our group consisted of 3 captains, a warden, a guardian, and me (a lore-master). The second stage required us to enter the mess hall, and we succeeded well. Unfortunately, the guardian went on to the next stage (disguised), and one of the captain blew a horn. The result was that the guardian was locked out, and the rest of us were trapped in the hall with wave after wave of orcs attacking us.
After a few waves, I began to fill that the quest was a hopeless quest. That is, that the quest would ultimately require everyone to sacrifice themselves for some noble purpose. However, between the captains' main healing and buffs, and my spot-healing, we survived what seems like an endless assault and completed the quest. What's more, I had picked up a quest in the Flaming Deeps to help the captains in their quest, so I'll get a mark of victory for the instance (once I turn in the quest).
After running the quest, I returned to Lothlorien and completed the Orc-and Beast-Slayer deeds.
At this point, someone on the GLFF asked for a group to complete the Troll-Slayer deed in Angmar. I jumped on the chance (I hate killing trolls and giants). Five of us ended up teaming up and rampaging through Gorothlad. I finished my tier 1 deed there, and am well on my way to completing the tier 2 deed (everyone else used a deed accelerator, and completed both tiers).
I then returned to the 21st hall in Moria in order to visit the vault. One of my kinmates passed me, and I bowed to her. She returned the favor, and that gave the heropose emote.
I then ran to Eregion and completed the Warg/Wolf- and Craban-Slayer deeds.
Finally, on Monday, I completed the Half-Orc and Lizard/Crawler slayer deeds, and earned the "Protector of Hollin" title. I also wentto Angmar and completed the exploration deeds. I also went back to Evendim and worked on the advamced Kergrim-slayer deed.
I didn't log in tonight (02/08/2011). My right hand is hurting too bad. I'll be back online soon, and will return to slaying the enemies of the Free Peoples!
I checked my deed log, and realized I was really close to completing several slayer deeds. I reserved Sunday to work on these deeds.
One of my outstanding deeds was to kill wargs in Moria. I was working on this deed (killed about 15 wargs) with THE OUTAGE occurred. When the situation was corrected and I was able to log back in, I found that the game had rolled back about 10 minutes, and I'd lost most of those kills. It really wasn't that big a deal, so I just ran back around killing the wargs.
After completing that deed, I checked my log again. I was nearest to completing the Orc Slayer deed in Angmar. After completing the deed, I realized that I was fairly close to completing the advanced warg-slayer deed. Thus, I transported to Aughaire, and started heading down the path. As I worked on this deed, I also found that I had only completed tier 1 of the worm-slayer deed. That led me to kill a bunch of critters to complete at least that tier. Because the MoBs were all gray, I didn't earn any experience, but I happily completed the deeds.
I also realized that I need to complete the 7 swords deeds, so I worked on it (technically completing it Monday morning) After completing that deed (and attempting the associated quest), I went to Evendim to kill Limrafn. This deed has repeatedly frustrated me. I've been through the area several times, but the creatures never seem to be available. Sure enough, when I went in, they still weren't there. Fortunately, a quick Google revealed that the creatures only spawn at night. I slayed a bunch once the critters. During this process, I also completed one of my class deeds. When the morning came, I ran to Tinnidur to sell off a bunch of stuff, and logged out.
When I logged in Tuesday, it was still daylight, and I couldn't complete the Limrafn deed. Instead, I ran across the lake and killed Gauradans. While I was in the middle of this quest, someone asked for a Turtle run. I responded, and ran the raid for the first time ever. I actually enjoyed it, since it was mostly a DPS race, with little need for any other rotation.
I then ran to Annuminas and finished an exploration deed. By then, it was night, and I went back to beach to kill limrafn. Technically, I completed the deed on Tuesday morning, and then ran back towards Annuminas to kill Kergrim, completing the tier 1 deed there.
Tuesday evening, I completed the advanced goblin-slayer deed in Evendim, then went to Goblin Town in the Misty Mountains to finish the buttons deed and complete a couple of exploration deeds.
I then ran to Forochel to work on one of the most annoying deeds in the game: The Grim-Slayer. This deed requires you to kill 200 Grims, but few Grims spawn in the zone. On Wednesday, I worked my way up to just over 100 before getting sick of the deed. I then completed an exploration deed, completed another class deed, killed few Dourhands, and finished the Sabre-tooth deed. In the process, I found a couple of quests I didn't complete, so I did those as well.
Thursday, I completed the Dourhand-Slayer and Grim-Slayer deeds. I then ran to Trollshaws and finished the advanced Wight-Slayer and advanced Wolf-Slayer deeds (technically, I completed the Wolf-Slayer deed on Friday). I also ran the turtle raid again.
At this point, Turbine had turned on the feature to drop special tokens (as compensation for the outage), so I was not only gaining credits for deeds and cash for vendor trash, I was also earning free stuff.
Friday, I completed the Dourhand and Beast Slayer deeds in Sarnur, as well as the Worm-Slayer deed in the Misty Mountains.
Saturday, I ran the Dark Delvings for the first (and possibly only) time, to help some wardens with the class quest. It was a horrible experience that I really don't care to repeat. I also completed my own class quest in the Forges, much to my surprise. I was working on the Dragonet-Slayer and Worm-Slayer deeds in Moria, and found myself in the Flaming Deeps. I got near the entrance to the Forges, and decided to look for a group. Enough people responded, so we ran it. It was my fifth time through the instance, and I was surprised to complete it, as well as a number of instance-specific deeds there.
After completing my class quest, I returned to slaying dragons, and killed enough to complete my racial deed, Enmity of the Drakes II. I also turned in a few quests related to the Grand Stairs.
On Sunday, I finally completed the Dragonet- and Worm-Slayer deeds, and then headed to Lothlorien to work on a few deeds there. I also wanted to earn a few more leaves so that I could get the Galadhrim steed, so I was picking up quests in the eastern area when some kinmates asked if I could join them in Fil-Gashan to complete the Captain class quest. I'd never run the instance, but I agreed.
What an instance! Our group consisted of 3 captains, a warden, a guardian, and me (a lore-master). The second stage required us to enter the mess hall, and we succeeded well. Unfortunately, the guardian went on to the next stage (disguised), and one of the captain blew a horn. The result was that the guardian was locked out, and the rest of us were trapped in the hall with wave after wave of orcs attacking us.
After a few waves, I began to fill that the quest was a hopeless quest. That is, that the quest would ultimately require everyone to sacrifice themselves for some noble purpose. However, between the captains' main healing and buffs, and my spot-healing, we survived what seems like an endless assault and completed the quest. What's more, I had picked up a quest in the Flaming Deeps to help the captains in their quest, so I'll get a mark of victory for the instance (once I turn in the quest).
After running the quest, I returned to Lothlorien and completed the Orc-and Beast-Slayer deeds.
At this point, someone on the GLFF asked for a group to complete the Troll-Slayer deed in Angmar. I jumped on the chance (I hate killing trolls and giants). Five of us ended up teaming up and rampaging through Gorothlad. I finished my tier 1 deed there, and am well on my way to completing the tier 2 deed (everyone else used a deed accelerator, and completed both tiers).
I then returned to the 21st hall in Moria in order to visit the vault. One of my kinmates passed me, and I bowed to her. She returned the favor, and that gave the heropose emote.
I then ran to Eregion and completed the Warg/Wolf- and Craban-Slayer deeds.
Finally, on Monday, I completed the Half-Orc and Lizard/Crawler slayer deeds, and earned the "Protector of Hollin" title. I also wentto Angmar and completed the exploration deeds. I also went back to Evendim and worked on the advamced Kergrim-slayer deed.
I didn't log in tonight (02/08/2011). My right hand is hurting too bad. I'll be back online soon, and will return to slaying the enemies of the Free Peoples!
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