Filed under: Lord of the Rings Online

The Road to Mordor: Vol III, Book 1 test realm notes analyzed

by Dan O'Halloran Feb 5th 2010 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Patches, The Road to Mordor

Every Friday, the Road to Mordor brings you the latest in Lord of the Rings Online news, guides and analysis.

Turbine's Lord of the Ring's Online has just announced the Volume III, Book 1: Oath of the Rangers free content expansion and the patch is already up on their test server, Bullroarer. And with a test patch, comes patch notes. I have to give the normal disclaimers about test notes changing before going live, but given that, let's dig in.

Two highlights are listed in the notes right off the bat with little explanation other than a promise of a dev diary to come at a future date. Those two new changes are:

Duo mode now available in Skirmishes
Extensive changes to the original Shadows of Angmar Volume I epic quest line

Players have been gimping the Small Fellowship (3-man) system by significantly dropping the level of the mobs when creating their Skirmish. That costs them Skirmish marks. Hopefully the new system will fix that.

The changes to the original epic quest line are probably to make it more solo friendly. It's very hard to complete it now that most players have leveled past it. If you are new to the game, you are probably begging higher level guild members to help you or skipping it altogether. Skipping it, though, is cheating yourself out of some of the best lore-based content in the game. I hope Turbine is changing it to make it more accessible for newer players who don't have access to groups at their level.

New level 64 player skills, Skirmish changes and new crafting after the jump!

Turbine offers up a dev diary and screens for Oath of the Rangers

by Krystalle Voecks Feb 4th 2010 at 7:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Lord of the Rings Online, Patches, News items

We got the first details on the upcoming Lord of the Rings Online book, titled Oath of the Rangers, earlier this week. Now, to add to the excitement, Turbine has followed up on the initial information by releasing a handful of screens and an excellent developer's diary.

Flowing mightily from the keyboard of Jeff 'MadeOfLions' Libby, the diary gives Lord of the Rings Online fans much to discuss. Aside from the talk of storylines and a new skirmish, there's a really great behind-the-scenes portion about how precisely the LotRO team sets up something called "drama sequences." Essentially, these scripted sequences tailor NPC dialogue to you based on your own personal quest history -- bringing you info the story. There's also some information on ways the team is seeking to make travel a bit easier for the casual players, or more rewarding for those who take the long path.

If Middle-earth is the place you call home, then you'll definitely want to check out the new screens we've gathered up for you as well as the enlightening developer diary over on the LotRO site.

Gallery: LotRO Volume 3, Book 1 gallery

One Shots: A long way to go

by Krystalle Voecks Jan 29th 2010 at 2:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Lord of the Rings Online, One Shots

After a Welcome Back weekend that brought players back to Middle-earth, and the announcement for Book III, lots of people are excited about what Turbine has planned in Lord of the Rings Online. We here at Massively are always glad to see One Shots from the game too, because it's just so darned beautiful to look at!

Today's beautiful vista was sent in by Aaron W. a little while back, but the timelessness of the image makes it just the thing for today. He writes in: This is a screenshot from LOTRO's Lake Evendim, in the Evendim zone. After resubbing to Lord of the Rings Online after playing that other big MMO, it's views like this that make me see what a lot of MMOs today are missing out on -- a truly in depth world that is waiting to be explored. This is my Guardian, Stalrond, overlooking the lake after making the long journey to the far side of the zone, near the Even Rills.

While you're gaming this weekend, why not take a screenshot or two for us. Email them to us at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll show them to the world and give you the credit for sending them along to us. Happy weekend!

Gallery: One Shots

The Road to Mordor: Community guide to Lord of the Rings Online

by Dan O'Halloran Jan 29th 2010 at 12:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, The Road to Mordor

We here at Massively have been avidly covering Turbine's Lord of the Rings Online since we launched back in late 2007. And now, we're dedicating a new weekly column, The Road to Mordor, to cover the many facets of the game including the just announced Volume 3, Book 1 content update. Every Friday, we will be exploring topics and writing guides for both leveling players and end game raiders, crafters and role-players, info-hounds and casual browsers.

After the jump, we've listed links to official guides, fansites, podcasts, blogs, Twitter accounts, Facebook pages and more. This community guide will be updated as new resources become available.

But before we get into it, also want to help answer any questions you have about the game. Wondering what are the best legacies for Champion Second Age weapons? The lore behind Dol Guldur? Which Skirmish nets the most marks per hour? List your question in the comments below and in a couple of weeks, we'll round up the best ones and answer them.

LotRO announces Volume III, Book 1: Oath of the Rangers

by Rubi Bayer Jan 28th 2010 at 6:45PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, News items

Lord of the Rings Online fans have been speculating for a while, wondering what the name of Volume III, Book 1 was going to be. Turbine's Sapience has been giving increasingly specific hints in a hangman-style game in the forums. Now the game's over, he's had his fun, and we have a title.

Volume 3:Allies of the King, Book 1: Oath of the Rangers is on the way, bringing with it plenty of new additions to the game.

Players will be returning to Dol Guldur for four skirmishes in the brand new twelve person mode, and a fifth skirmish in the Depths of Nûrz Ghâshu. Crafting will receive a some attention as well: players will be able to craft items up to level 65, and there will be crafting updates for Jewellers, Cooks, Woodworkers, Farmers, and Weaponsmiths.

Of course, these are just a few of the highlights for the newly-titled Volume. All the current details are on the official site, so take a look, and we'll keep an eye out for more information!

Lord of the Rings Online announces another Welcome Back Weekend

by Rubi Bayer Jan 22nd 2010 at 3:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Events, in-game, News items

Lord of the Rings Online is opening the doors for former players again, in another Welcome Back Weekend. If you've got an expired subscription to Lord of the Rings Online, you'll find that your account has been temporarily reactivated. You don't need to do anything, just download the client if you need to and log in to find your characters waiting for you.

As usual, the definition of "weekend" in LotRO is pretty generous, with the offer active now and continuing through the 25th. You'll find a few bonuses while you're in Middle-earth as well. Travel at all the stable-masters is free, and there is a 5% XP boost for the duration of the weekend. (Even better, that 5% bonus stacks with rest XP!)

If you've been away from LotRO for a while, take some time over the next few days to check out what's new, on Turbine's dime!

Lord of the Rings Online fansite contest winners announced

by Rubi Bayer Jan 20th 2010 at 9:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Contests, Culture

It's always nice to see members of the MMO community reaching out to help one another, and the nice folks over at the LotRO Reporter took it upon themselves to encourage people do to more of it and win a few nice prizes in the bargain. (With plenty of help from Turbine, who provided the prizes.)

About a month ago, they introduced a contest: give a little of your time doing a random act of kindness for someone in-game. Help them through a quest, craft something for them, that sort of thing. Send in a description, and be entered in a drawing to win a Siege of Mirkwood combo pack.

The two contest winners were announced today, and their stories can be found here. (One of the winners profited even more than expected, in the form of a new friend in addition to her prize.) It's always nice to see players bringing something positive to the community, so our thanks go out to Turbine, LotRO Reporter, and everyone who entered for making Middle-earth a nicer place to be.

LotRO: Siege of Mirkwood patch 1 now live

by Rubi Bayer Jan 19th 2010 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Patches, News items

Last week we brought you the preliminary patch notes for the first planned patch for Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood and noted that they were only preliminary, subject to changes and additions.

Well, the patch notes are all settled and the patch went live today, bringing some surprises for players who may have preferred to remain unspoiled. For starters, players will find that all Legacy points on their Legendary items have been refunded with this patch, so they'll get an extra shot at redistribution without waiting for a reforge.

As we mentioned before, Skirmishes got quite a bit of attention too, including the revival of the Barrow-downs Skirmish. In addition, non Siege of Mirkwood players will find that they are no longer limited to three Skirmishes.

Of course, these are only a few of the high points. The full patch notes are available on the official site, or you can log into Lord of the Rings Online and explore them for yourself!

One Shots: A welcoming light

by Krystalle Voecks Jan 16th 2010 at 2:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Lord of the Rings Online, One Shots

Even starting out in Lord of the Rings Online, gamers are treated to eye candy from the word go. Of course, many think the higher you go, the better looking things get! Today's placid One Shots comes to us from Dylan G. who captured this image some time ago and writes in: While trying out Lord of the Rings Online with my new human warden Darnamir, I noticed just how dazzling and immersive the graphics are. I was walking around at night, noticed the Hunters Lodge lit up, reflecting off of the lake, and thought that it looked just plain awesome.

For some, it's all about the beauty. For others, it's all about the mechanics. Others still prefer a bit of both! We'd love to see screens of your favorite MMO, if you'd like to send 'em on in. Just email them to oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll do the rest.

Gallery: One Shots

Preliminary notes for first Siege of Mirkwood patch released

by Rubi Bayer Jan 14th 2010 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Expansions, Patches, News items

Just a month and a half after the launch of Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood, the first patch is almost ready. Preliminary patch notes were posted on the official forums by online community specialist Sapience, with a word of warning: "These should be considered a work in progress and incomplete. Final release notes will be posted when the patch is approved for release to the live servers."

As expected, the patch so far focuses primarily on skirmishes and legendary items, with a few tweaks being made as needed to raids, instances, and quests. It looks like some significant and very welcome changes are coming, such as a correction to the tier 6 costs of certain legacies. General fixes here and there were also made, such as: "Hunter's Travel to Mirk-eaves skill now tells fellowship members you are travelling to Mirk-eaves. No more freaking out the other members of your fellowship." (Well, that was fun while it lasted, anyway.)

The full patch notes as they stand right now can be viewed on the official forums.

One Shots: Auld lang syne

by Krystalle Voecks Jan 3rd 2010 at 2:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Lord of the Rings Online, One Shots

While we're not entirely certain of the wisdom of giving Hobbits things that can explode, it would appear that the group that formed during Shawn's Choose My Adventure trek through Lord of the Rings Online is still out there and doing well. Capeo decided to snag a screenshot and let us know how their merry little bunch rang in the new year. He writes in: It was New Year's Eve in the Shire and a few of the Massive Hobbits gathered for fireworks down the Hill from the Party Tree. As you can see from [this] shot, safety was maybe farther from our minds than it should have been. (We're still around and having great adventures in Moria and Mirkwood. *waves to Gibbi*)

For some, it's all solo. For others, it's all about their group. Some others prefer a bit of both! We'd love to see screens of your favorite MMO, if you'd like to send them to us. Just email them to oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll do the rest.

Gallery: One Shots

Begin 2010 with Turbine's wallpaper calendars and more

by Rubi Bayer Jan 2nd 2010 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online, Wallpapers, Free-to-play

Happy New Year from Massively, and from Turbine! Whichever of their two popular games -- Dungeons and Dragons Online or Lord of the Rings Online -- you prefer, Turbine has just the thing for your desktop to ring in the new year.

Both games are offering free quarterly wallpaper calendars featuring some of the gorgeous screenshots that Turbine is known for providing to its fans. Three different choices are offered for each game, depending on your preference: flashy new Siege of Mirkwood, or good old dependable Gollum? Close-up character shot or faraway landscape shot in Dungeons and Dragons Online?

If a calendar's not really your thing but you still love the artwork from Turbine, some nice alternatives are offered on each site. A full Siege of Mirkwood shot is available with no calendar, or you can try the three different pieces of concept art from DDO. An extensive archive of past wallpapers is available too, if this is new to you, or if you missed any. You can get the LotRO wallpapers here, and the DDO wallpapers here. Enjoy!

One Shots: Tilting at snowmen

by Krystalle Voecks Dec 29th 2009 at 2:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Lord of the Rings Online, One Shots

While many living up north enjoyed their white Christmas, many others are ready for all the snow to go away already. In the Lord of the Rings Online, it would appear that this Dwarf is either well into his holiday cups, or just feels like attacking snowmen to take his frustration out against the winter. This fun little snowman was found by Florin E., who writes in to tell us about it: I just saw the easter egg "little castle of sand" and I am really excited. I'm going to find it by myself, I love this. I do not know if you have already published this easter egg. Long time ago I was farming ore near Thorin's Gate and I found this snowman. Note: you can [also] see a little snowman in the Matthom house in the Shire.

It's not too late to find those wintry holiday pictures and get those in to us! if you'd like to show off your favorite game's holiday celebration, just email your picture to us here at oneshots [at] massively [dot] com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. We'll post it out here and give you the nod for sending it in!

Gallery: One Shots

Breakdown of skirmish rewards for Lord of the Rings Online

by Rubi Bayer Dec 29th 2009 at 12:00PM

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Expansions, News items

The Lord of the Rings Online expansion Siege of Mirkwood has been out for almost a month now, and players are beginning to get a good feel for how things work in the new areas. However, some of the most enjoyable areas can also be the most complicated, and there's a lot to figure out.

Merric from A Casual Stroll to Mordor is helping with this, and has started a great guide to the skirmish rewards system. The first two parts are all about cosmetic clothing and items, and we have to say it's a very thorough job. The first guide includes a quick explanation of skirmish marks and how they drop, and follow up with a chart including each type of mark, a screenshot of the tooltip, and where it can be found. Scroll down a bit more and you'll find a similar chart featuring each type of cosmetic clothing available and the requirements to acquire it. Part two, released this morning, carries the same format and covers items such as cloaks and backpacks.

The guides are a must-read for any Siege of Mirkwood fan, and our thanks to Merric for the time and effort put into them. We look forward to more!

Win a lifetime of LotRO from Massively

by Shawn Schuster Dec 23rd 2009 at 10:00AM

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Giveaways

'Tis the season to be jolly, as they say, and Turbine is proving this holiday season that they're more than generous with their best-selling MMO, Lord of the Rings Online. We've been given a handful of product keys to hand out to the Massively readers, and we're eager to play the role of Santa this year.

So what do we have in our goody bag? Lifetime subscriptions, a copy of the full game, copies of the newest expansion -- a total of twenty-three prize packages you could walk away with! Sound good to you? Then keep on reading after the cut to learn more details on the prizes and how you can have a chance to get one for yourself.

[Edit: Comments are now closed. Winners will be notified shortly]