Sunday 24 April 2022

Fifteenth Anniversary

My F2P Rune-keeper Mynaruun got boosted to level 120

If they were trying to get players to come back to LOTRO with the generous rewards for logging in during the 15th Anniversary event, it certainly worked for me. A couple of character boosts, some new mounts, some new content, new legendary system to try out ... I'm a happy camper right now.

On my main account, I boosted to level 120 Kaseya my champion, who was level 52 but already tier 10 for prospecting and weaponsmithing (and could make First Age level 100 legendary weapons in the old system). The first thing she did was make her way to Rivendell to learn more about the new legendary weapon system at the library there. She found that because of new subzones added in Bree-land and the Trollshaws, she doesn't have all the stable-masters unlocked anymore so she will have a bit of sight-seeing to do before she goes beyond Moria. 

I was also able to boost my burglar Vilhildr to level 50 which means she can carry on in Moria where Kaseya left off. I've had some requests for guides on how to play a burglar at higher levels so this is a good opportunity to work towards that.

On my free-to-play account, my rune-keeper Mynaruun was boosted to level 120 and she is loving the Vales of Anduin. The scenery is beautiful and the quests have been really relaxing and enjoyable, like a Beorning taking a siesta after eating a whole honey-cake.  With the gear provided in the Valar package and her new legendary items, she is burning through mobs in no time and having fun too. She might be my favourite character at the moment.

Warden Mynaldamir

I'm also boosting my warden Mynaldamir from level 17 to level 50 so they can visit Moria and beyond. I didn't want them to skip too much content because they will need to earn rep with a lot of factions to unlock the warden travel skills. The furthest I've been with a warden before was level 45 and they stalled grinding through dreary Angmar, so hopefully we'll at least make it home to the Golden Wood (Lothlórien) to visit long-lost kin, but visiting Eryn Lasgalen and seeing how Mirkwood is transforming into the "Wood of Greenleaves" would be even better!

I definitely want to level a hobbit so they can explore the new Yondershire region - I have a cheerful little hobbit minstrel (Mynimuso) who would be perfect for that. Speaking of music, one of the things I was really pleased about in the Vales of Anduin was that there were lots of Ironfold crafting recipes available, especially a huge variety of recipes for housing items and musical instruments. It's great to see crafting getting some attention and I hope there is a good market for housing decorations and instruments on the auction house or in trade chat.

Tyravorth in Mordor

I revisited my Beorning in Mordor. I hate Mordor because they get there so underpowered and questing is so slow and painful that I end up abandoning my toons and/or the game for months. I did a few quests with Tyravorth using her old system legendaries then went to Rivendell and got some new system legendaries, went back and defeating mobs was a breeze in comparison. I still hate Mordor but now I have some hope of getting more of my characters through it.

Lots to do, lots to explore - just the way I like it. Enjoy the anniversary and many thanks to Standing Stone Games for being so generous with the gifts.