Where is Lord of the Rings Online Heading?

by: Tony "RadarX" Jones

<!-- if (!document.phpAds_used) document.phpAds_used = ','; phpAds_random = new String (Math.random()); phpAds_random = phpAds_random.substring(2,11); document.write ("<" + "script language='JavaScript' type='text/javascript' src='"); document.write ("http://ads.tentonhammer.com/adjs.php?n=" + phpAds_random); document.write ("&amp;what=zone:19"); document.write ("&amp;exclude=" + document.phpAds_used); if (document.referrer)http:// document.write ("&amp;referer=" + escape(document.referrer)); document.write ("'><" + "/script>"); //-->

href='http://ads.tentonhammer.com/adclick.php?n=a44824e0'
target='_blank'> src=' http://ads.tentonhammer.com/adview.php?what=zone:19&n=a44824e0'
border='0' alt='' />

Turbine recently announced plans to inject fresh content into the Lord of the Ring's Online including an all new zone large region, quests, more monsters, the first 24 person raid, and more. While you could debate the rationality of massive content updates so early on, you have to admire the courage of the development team. Without a dedicated test server it's a little difficult to know exactly what we'll see but through developer chats, press releases, and sneak previews you can put together a few pieces of the puzzle.

Evendim

Evendim lies far north of the Shire and fans of the books may only remembered it mentioned occassionally. Home to Lake Neunial (Lake of Twilight) we can expect to see a large body of water somewhere in the region not to mention the large ancient city of . Very little has been said about what levels this content will cover, but most are expecting high end range. The new region boosts over 60 new quests and nine new creatures for your maiming pleasure. Among those new quests will be Book 9 of the epic quest progressing the story of Aragon reforging Narsil.

It's apparent Turbine is looking to expand the higher level game through this. I haven't personally been up there yet, but it's not uncommon for many games to launch without polish on their final end content. Considering this has been one of the smoother MMO launches we've seen it's really hard to hate on them too much. Powergamers will likely be happy and the rest of us will mosey on up there in time.

Raid!

Oh we've done "raids" in Lord of the Rings Online but not like what's in other games. We want epic fights requiring 20+ people waves of creatures running at us and complex strategies. The Shores of Evendim update will add the first 24 person raid encounter. This will bring the final important (yes that is subjective) game mechanic on the live servers.

A lack of end game raid content has been a worry point and even deal breaker to many of the hardcore min/maxers, and it coming this late doesn't bode well for sparking the interest of that demographic. In the defense of Turbine it's impossible to say at this point how frequently they intend to release raid content.

Loot

In a recent developer chat with Stratics Community Manager patience revealed a "need before greed" loot system would be implemented with this update as well. This basically means if you roll that you need you will supersede those who roll for greed. While extremely pratical among friends and those you trust, there are a number of issues surrounding this.

For more check out our recent editorial on this system here.

Champion Changes

IGN reports the following changes will be made to the Champion class:

- Heroics: Drains Champions' power and heals that of all his fellows around him.

-
Sword of the Righteous: After a monster is killed you can activate this, changing damage output to light damage.

-
Blocking Blades: After you kill a monster you use this to increase your parry rate.

-
Red Haze: Once a monster is killed, you use this to give one point of fervor initially and an additional one every seven seconds.

- Ebbing Ire: Removes threat from Champion and donates it to a fellowship member.

-
Rising Ire: Removes threat from fellowship member and gives it to the Champion.

-
Glory: Alternate toggle to Fervour. Reduces damage by 25 percent, increase threat by 50% from damage, increases power regeneration, and adds a pip every seven seconds.

They will be adding healing to Champions? As a Champion myself I have to say...woohoo? I'm not sure how I feel about this one. The Ebbing Ire threat transfer is also another interesting change which should allow more DPS. Finally a taunt which will allow the Loremaster and Minstrel to die less. I have to say these look like exciting changes.

The Shores Evendim looks to add/change quite a bit of content in the coming weeks. Be sure to keep checking back with Ten Ton Hammer as more information becomes available.