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New Region The Great River Comming to Lotro in Spring 2012

Today Turbine announced the release of the new expansion Riders of Rohan and some major changes and new features to the game that we can expect this year:
 

  • A new monthly update model with smaller content updates between the major updates
     

    Starting this year, players will be seeing LotRO adopt Asheron's Call's monthly update model.

    This means that we'll be seeing smaller, frequent content updates between the major rollouts. These smaller updates will be designed to give players something to look forward to and should include bug fixes, store additions, quality of life improvements, festival tweaks, and additional epic storyline content.

     

  • The Spring update - A completely new region to the game: The Great River.

     

    This spring we’ll take our first steps along the path as we add another new region to the game and allow players to explore the shores of the Great River (Free for VIPs!). In terms of the game map, it will serve as a gateway between Lothlorien to the southern country of Rohan (and more on that later!), much the same way that Enedwaith led in to Dunland. It begins at the mouth of the Anduin Valley and travels down to the area right before Fangorn.

     

  • Skirmish soldiers will become your character's companion
     

    We’ll also introduce the option to bring Skirmish Soldier along to aid you on your adventures throughout Middle-earth. This feature is still deep in testing and that while skirmish soldiers will make it out into the gameplay world, as of right now they will not be allowed into instancing

     

  • New Summer Festival
  • Mounted combat
     

    Players will be able to customize their War-steed’s armor and level the skills over time. The East Plains will be the only place in the game (for now) where mounted combat will be allowed, and the devs emphasized that it would not be wise to travel the zone on foot due to the size and danger.

     

 
Source: massively.com, forums.lotro.com

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Lotro Expansion Riders of Rohan Comming in Fall 2012

LOTRO Riders of Rohan logo

Today Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Turbine announced a new digital expansion Riders of Rohan that will be launched in Fall 2012. The expansion will increase the level cap, add a new Mounted Combat system, as well as welcome players into the vast plains of Rohan including iconic locations such as Amon Hen and Fangorn Forest, and much more.

 

PRESS RELEASE:
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment unveiled today The Lord of the Rings Online™: Riders of Rohan™, the latest expansion to the award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) developed by Turbine. Riders of Rohan expands the online world of Middle-earth where players join forces to ride into the Plains of Rohan. Riders of Rohan launches in the Fall of 2012 with an increased level cap, the vast plains of Rohan including iconic locations such as Amon Hen and Fangorn Forest, the new Mounted Combat system and much more!
 
“2011 was another banner year for The Lord of the Rings Online with consistent growth for the game, a successful unification of our European and North American services and the success of Rise of Isengard, our best selling expansion to date.” said Kate Paiz, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. “This is going to be another outstanding year as we celebrate our fifth anniversary and introduce a wealth of new content throughout the year, ending with our arrival in Rohan. One of our largest expansions ever, Rohan is expected to be twice the size of the recent Rise of Isengard expansion and includes the most new game systems and technology we've introduced since 2008's Mines of Moria.”
 
NEW FEATURES:
 

  • Experience the Riders of Rohan – Join with the Rohirrim and ride across the sprawling Plains of Rohan; witness the breaking of the Fellowship at Amon Hen; forge alliances with the Ents of Fangorn; and aid Éomer, adopted son of Théoden, as he seeks to protect his homeland from the growing Shadow.
  • Introducing Mounted Combat – Ride into Combat atop your loyal War-steed as you defend the people of Rohan from the forces of Isengard and Mordor. Customize your War-steed’s armor and level its skills over time to aid you in mounted defense of King Theoden’s lands. Mount your steed and gather your fellows to fight against Warbands, contingents of roving warg riders that have been scouted all over the Plains of Rohan! It falls to you to head off and defeat this new threat before they over take the land.
  • Advance to level 85 – Continue your legend in the next chapter of The Lord of the Rings Online. Experience new adventures in the epic story, and gain new skills and deeds as you face new challenges on your journey to 85!
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New Lotro Update 5 Screenshots

Today, Turbine has released the latest screenshots for The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO) Update 5: Armies of Isengard! The Update, released last week, is the first major update to the game since the launch of the record-breaking Rise of Isengard expansion pack, and brings five new Isengard instances to the game, along with a continuation of the Epic story and a new Instance Finder.

 


 

Update 5: Armies of Isengard

Face the Terrible Armies of Orthanc and Defend the Kingdom of Rohan in the Final Update of 2011!

 

The Prince of Rohan

The Epic Story continues! Aid Prince Théodred as he endeavors to keep the forces of Saruman from entering his homeland, the Kingdom of Rohan. Report to Théodred’s camp and help prepare his troops for the trials to come against the armies of Isengard. The Ford of Isen, the gateway to Rohan, must be held at any cost!

 

Instance Finder

Now you can quickly jump into new Rise of Isengard instance content with old friends or meet new ones through the LOTRO Instance Finder! You will also earn additional rewards as you complete randomly-selected instances and skirmishes through the Instance Finder.

 

The Rise of Isengard Instance Pack

 

Begin the assault on Saruman’s stronghold through five new instances culminating in a confrontation with Saruman himself!

 
“Dargnákh Unleashed”
Enlist as part of a covert mission to sabotage the inner workings of the Isengard war machine. Cause widespread destruction by turning a wild troll against its would-be masters and uncover clues about Saruman’s nefarious plan taking shape within the shadows of Orthanc!
 
“Fangorn’s Edge”
Scout out and disrupt one of Saruman’s lumber operations on the outskirts of Fangorn forest. Eliminate Uruk foresters and guards and contend with their violent overseer but beware for when Fangorn forest is involved not everything is as it seems!
 
“Pits of Isengard”
Descend into a forgotten laboratory in the caverns beneath Orthanc where twisted experiments still roam. Face terrible abominations, discarded as Saruman endeavored to perfect the monstrous Uruks. Make haste as you delve deeper into the pits and discover the truth about Saruman’s plans!
 
“The Foundry”
Powerful and mysterious weapons have been appearing in the hands of soldiers under Saruman’s command. Infiltrate the Foundry, the sprawling subterranean heart of Saruman’s war effort, and disrupt the supply of the dangerous weapons to deal a fateful blow to Isengard!
“The Tower of Orthanc”
 
Saruman of Many Colours has been laboring for far too long within Isengard, unimpeded and unseen. What terrible plan has he set in motion? Swing wide the gates of Orthanc and enter the dangerous and shadowy tower to confront the powerful traitor himself. Gather together your eleven most powerful allies and steel your resolve for, should you fail, all hope may be lost!

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Lotro Update 5: The Prince of Rohan will launch on December 12

Today, Turbine has announced that the next upcoming content update for The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO), Update 5: The Prince of Rohan will launch on December 12. The Update continues the epic story and adds 5 new Isengard instances to the game!
 
Turbine has also released new screens depicting "The Foundry" instance.
 

The Foundry
Powerful and mysterious weapons have been appearing in the hands of soldiers under Saruman’s command. Infiltrate the Foundry, the sprawling subterranean heart of Saruman’s war effort, and disrupt the supply of the dangerous weapons to deal a fateful blow to Isengard!

 

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Lotro Mithril Edition with 500 Turbine Points Bonus

lotro mithril edition
 
The Lord of the Rings Online: Mithril Edition can be pre-ordered on gamestop.com for $29.99, with release date February 21st, 2012. If you pre-order Lord of the Rings Online Mithril Edition you will get 500 bonus Turbine Points!
 
The Mithril Edition includes:
 

  • Exclusive Steed of the Horse-lords' Mount
    Travel Middle-earth in style with this exclusive in-game mount! Saddle up as early as level 5 and be on your way to adventure much faster than on foot!
  • Path of the Fellowship Bonus Quests
  • Forge your own legend in Middle-earth alongside Aragorn, Legolas, and Gandalf. From the Shire to Rivendell - adventure in a masterful recreation of Middle-earth! Includes the Trollshaws, Eregion, Mines of Moria, and Lothlórien.
  • 2,000 Turbine Points - Customize your LOTRO experience with 2,000 points to spend in Middle-earth! Buy cosmetic gear, rare mounts, experience boosts, buffs and more.
  • Game Discs
  • Starter Guide
  • Keyboard Map

 

Spotted on casualstrolltomordor.com
Source - gamestop.com

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Lotro Instance Finder FAQ

Leo 'Ransroth' Zelevinsky posted an interesting Dev Diary in a form of Questions and Answers, about new Instance Finder feature. Some of the most important information are:
 

  • Shift-F is the default keyboard shortcut for Instance Finder panel
  • You have to be at least level 20 to use Instance Finder
  • You will earn more of new Instance Currency (Marks/Medallions/Seals) by using this feature
  • You don't have to play with random people to get the Instance Finder Bonus
  • If you are not willing to wait you can select the "1" size option. If Instance Finder can't find a group for you, you'll be put into a random solo encounter fitting your selection criteria.

 
Continue reading

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Lotro Unsolved Mysteries

Rainbow
 
Some secrets lie hidden, some are unveiled, and some will just make you laugh. The_blah and Lotro community decided to solve some Lotro mysteries and we hope you'll find them interesting as much as we do.
 

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Lotro Screenshots – The Prince of Rohan

Turbine has released the first batch of screenshots from the next upcoming content update for The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO). Update 5: The Prince of Rohan continues the epic story adding 5 new Isengard instances to the game.
 

The Prince of Rohan
The Epic Story continues! Aid Prince Théodred as he endeavors to keep the forces of Saruman from entering his homeland, the Kingdom of Rohan! Report to Theodred's camp and help prepare his troops for the trials to come against the armies of Isengard. The Ford of Isen, the gateway to Rohan, must be held at any cost!

 

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LOTRO Store Exclusive – Steed of the Guardian


 
Turbine is offering a new Lotro Store exclusive: Steed of the Guardian, for limited time (November 23rd until December 8th, 2011).
 

Stead of the guardian - 1995TP

A Guardian's steed must be strong and stout to bear the weight of its master's heavy armour and arms. This sturdy mount has an attractive steel gray coat with a black tail and its rugged tack is well designed to carry weapons, shields, and provisions for a long journey to war and danger. This steed has 250 health and allows you to travel 68% faster than running on foot, making it faster and stronger than many other mounts! Not fast enough for you? Try a Mount Speed Boost!
 
• A LOTRO Store Exclusive! Click here to see more LOTRO Store Exclusive Steeds!
• Click here to see many more Steeds Of Middle-earth!
• The Riding Skill is required for this mount
• Click here to see a close-up of this steed!
 
Store Location: Travel & Housing -> Mounts -> Store Exclusive
Levels: 5+
 

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Instance finder is coming to Lotro with Update 5

Ten Ton Hammer has an interview with Adam Mersky, Executive Director of Communications for Turbine, and Aaron Campbell, Senior Producer for LotRO, concerning Update 5. Lotro Update 5 is scheduled for December and open beta testing will begin on Bullroarer on Tuesday. A brand-new interface that's coming out with Update 5 is the Instance Finder.
 

It will allow players to queue up for instances, either individually or with a group. Everyone who's opted in for that, everyone who's looking for a space right then, in your level band, et cetera, in the right roles, it will automatically match you and send you into the space.
 
Essentially, this is a fellowship finder that doesn't require the use of chat channels.

 
Update 5 also brings three 3-person instances, a 6-person and a 12-person raid, and the continuation of the epic book.
Head to Ten Ton Hammer website for more information.

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