INTRODUCTION
Welcome, brave adventurers! Have you ever wished you could step inside the world of Middle Earth, experience the stirring fellowship of the ring, face the terror of the Dark Lords, or bask in the ethereal beauty of Elven realms? Then, journey with us, for we have a world to explore in this beginner-friendly guide to Lord of the Rings Online, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG).
WHAT IS LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE?
Lord of the Rings Online, often abbreviated to LOTRO, is a free-to-play MMORPG developed by Standing Stone Games. It offers a chance to live and breathe within J.R.R Tolkien’s Middle-earth, visiting iconic locations, interacting with famous characters, and experiencing epic storylines and adventures. Since its launch in 2007, LOTRO has been a major contender in the MMORPG scene. The game beautifully captures the flavor of the Lord of the Rings books, featuring extensive and thick lore, world-building and storytelling, with a touch of the magic captured in the blockbuster movies.
HOW TO START
Starting your journey in Lord of the Rings Online is as simple as downloading the game client and creating a free account. You then create your character who will represent you in this virtual Middle-earth.
1. Choose Your Race: You can select from several races including Man, Elf, Dwarf, Hobbit and Beorning, each with their unique characteristics and starting locations.
2. Choose Your Class: Next, you pick a class which includes Champion, Guardian, Hunter, Burglar, Minstrel, Warden etc. that determine your role in battle or “fellowship play”.
3. Customise Your Character: Once you have your class and your race, you can customise the physical appearance of your character, give them a name, and you’re good to go!
4. Jump into the Game: After you have created your character, you can jump right into the familiar world of Middle Earth.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
To play LOTRO, you only need a few basic things. A working PC with specs that meet the game’s minimum requirements and a stable internet connection are the obvious necessities. The game client is a free download from the LOTRO website. LOTRO is mainly free to play, but a VIP subscription offers certain benefits like access to all quests, immediate access to new content, improved character progression, and other bonuses.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. Explore: Middle Earth is vast, so take your time and explore it. Some of the most rewarding experiences can happen off the beaten path.
2. Join a Kinship: These are LOTRO’s guilds; groups of players that can offer help, advice, and companionship.
3. Save Your Turbine Points: The in-game currency which you earn as you level up is best saved for important essentials like quest packs or new classes.
4. Experiment with Classes: Don’t be afraid to try a few different classes before settling into your main character.
5. Have Fun: This is a game, after all. Enjoy the journey and don’t rush to endgame content.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
There’s a wealth of information online for LOTRO players. The LOTRO-Wiki site is a great source of information on anything from getting started to deeper lore and class guides. LOTRO Players is a community dedicated to the game and is a hub of blogs, podcasts, and videos. On YouTube, channels like The Bearded Minstrel and Louey7 offer fantastic guides and commentaries.
GLOSSARY
1. NPC: Non-Player Characters are characters in the game world that are not controlled by human players.
2. Kinship: This term is used for guilds or groups of players in LOTRO
3. Mobs: Common term used for monsters that you will have to fight in the game.
4. Mounts: Creatures you can ride on in the game, like horses and goats.
5. PvMP: Player vs Monster Player. This is LOTRO’s player-vs-player combat.
6. Turbine Points: The in-game currency earned through gameplay or bought with real money.
NEXT STEPS
Now that you’ve got a taste of what Lord of the Rings Online has to offer, your next step is to download the game and start exploring the vast world of Middle Earth. Don’t hesitate to interact with the community, join a kinship and let the journey unfold. Remember this is your story in Middle Earth, so enjoy it at your own pace. Middle Earth awaits, so grab your helm, choose your path and venture forth!
