LotRO dev chat reveals Book 13 map

So maybe you weren't able to make it to the dev chat last Monday, or maybe you just didn't know about it. Well, whatever the reason might have been, fear not -- for there is a chat log bursting at the seams with information. A lot gets touched on, but the thing that has us the most excited would have to be the upcoming social upgrades focused on quests -- hopefully making the completion of them a bit more streamlined. We're really happy to hear it, because that would be one of our main complaints with the game currently -- which is saying a lot since we don't have too many complaints about Lord of the Rings Online.

We've complied the most interesting bits of information and formatted them in the ever-easy to digest list format. So read on if you'd like to hear about what's in store for Book 13 and even Book 14. Also, remember to check back with us this coming Friday as there's going to be a big Lord of the Rings Online announcement from Connect08. Our guess? We're hoping for a new expansion, but the only way to know for sure is to wait for the big day.

• There a plans to revisit end game instances 'soon' in a strong, forceful manner, that should add more variety to high end gear

• We'll be getting some more specifics on the Defiler soon, most likely in the form of a developer diary. Aside from being the monster players' healer class, the Defiler also has debuffs and direct damage abilities

• The new water-heavy region of Forochel being added in Book 13 will have impassable water, but the land space is going to be about the size of North Downs

• Forochel will be a level 44-50 zone that focuses on solo/small fellowship-friendly quests

• The development team plans to re-look at a lot of the higher end loot in Book 14

• Book 14 will have some 6 man instances that haven't been done often in LotRO, apparently

• Socializing is a major focus right now. Some brand new tools will be added in Book 13 to ease grouping and socializing and are going to be focused on questing