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LotRO's preview server switches to temporary availability
Turbine recently announced that they're cutting back on the availability of their Lord of the Rings Online preview server, also known as Roheryn. In the past, this server has been available at all times, although its popularity peaked during the release of new content. However, since the activity quickly died down once that new content made it to the live servers, Turbine decided that running this preview server 24/7 was not the best use of their resources. From now on, Roheryn will only open when new content is available, and during special events.Unfortunately, all current installations of Roheryn will not be compatible when the new Roheryn goes live. This means you can actually uninstall everything related to the preview server now, in preparation for the new content. There are complete instructions for doing so in the official press release, as well as a simple FAQ for the process.
LotRO guide to Roheryn: Getting the most from the preview server
Lord of the Rings Online has revealed their newest content patch, Book 14, on the preview servers this week. This is very exciting news, as it means we can try out the newest game changes before Book 14 hits the live servers. We realize that sometimes downloading what is essentially an entirely new game for the sake of previewing content may not be your cup of tea, so we've put together this extensive visual guide to let you know just how useful this preview server can be. For example, did you know that you can instantly level to 20, 30, 40 or 50 quiet easily? Did you know that you can max out all reputation, renown, infamy, Book quests, traits and more just as easily? You will also get a full range of top-level items and gold to begin your journey. This server is not only great for trying out the new content for an upcoming Book, but it is also perfect for trying out other classes at max level to see if they're really something you want to pursue throughout the game. This applies to both regular characters and Monster players as well!
LotRO Book 14 hits the preview server
Lord of the Rings Online, Book 14: The Ring-forges of Eregion has just hit the preview server Roheryn, and the extensive patch notes are posted! To see the new content, you will need to download the Turbine Download Manager, which is currently in its second stage of beta itself, allowing new and current players much easier access into the preview content.So let's get a glimpse into some of the biggest features of this new patch: Monster Play emotes are being introduced, complete with racial-specific emotes that can be achieved through deeds. Monster Play races have several improvements and balance measures, especially with the Weaver. New class improvements including several for the Burglar and Captain, plus the inclusion of varying instrument sounds and animations to correlate with the actual instruments being played by your Minstrel (not just the lute!) The Diminishing Returns system is set into place with vast improvements. Plus changes to Crafting, new dye, new outfits, new quests, UI fixes, new items and much, much more! Check out the complete patch notes and take the rest of the day off to read through this monstrous list, you won't be sorry!
Scheduled LotRO downtime to bring Book 12 Patch 1
We got a sneak peek at Book 12 Patch 1 the other day when Roheryn was updated, and now the patch is ready to go out to Lord of the Rings Online's live servers. Downtime has been scheduled for March 12th, from 6:00AM to 12PM Eastern, in order to bring the new build into effect. Roheryn will remain available to play on during this downtime.Down the bottom of the list of changes, you'll notice that the "Bullroarer's Challenge - Advanced" quest is being reintroduced. This means that you'll be able to get the sweet drunken keg again after the patch is live. The rest of the notes for Book 12 Patch 1 are available after the break.
Notes for LotRO Book 12 Patch 1 available
The Lord of the Rings Online test server has been patched, and the notes have been made available for viewing. The patch should end up on live servers after a testing period on Roheryn, so it's a good heads up for what is ahead.Highlights of the patch include some Guardian-specific updates, Book 12 bug fixes, changes to stop anti-exploit mode triggering on mobs so often, and ranged auto-attacks will miss more often if fired while moving. The full list of notes can be found after the break.
Scheduled server downtime for LotRO this Wednesday
Crack open your favorite book, rent a few movies or just go for a six hour stroll through the park -- scheduled server downtime is coming. Lord of the Rings Online servers are going down on Wednesday, February 13th from 6am to 12pm Eastern time. During this time, however Roheryn will remain active. So if you really need a LotRO fix you can get it there, albeit on a test server.The good news is that this downtime serves a grand purpose!Book 12: The Ashen Wastes -- which is the latest free update -- is going live, which means that once you've finished reading, watching or strolling you can come back to a newly updated LotRO. If you haven't yet checked out our Book 12 tour, feel free to take a look and get updated on all the upcoming additions to the world of Middle-earth.
LotRO Outfit System and Barbershop details revealed
Lord of the Rings Online's next content patch, Book 12, is shaping up to be full of great additions to the game despite its lack of a new adventure area. Today the Turbine devs posted a new Dev Diary to explain more fully how they're going to implement two long-requested cosmetic features: the Outfit System and the Barbershop.At level 20, the Outfit system allows players to equip a second (and third!) set of gear. This gear doesn't provide any stat boosts or buffs, but will change the outward appearance of your avatar's equipment. This system will be disabled in PvMP to prevent players from tanks disguising their heavy plate with light cloth. New dresses, satchels and other non-combat equipment will also appear in the game with this patch.This is a great feature for a game where lore and roleplaying have such a large fanbase. Though not the first to do it (EverQuest II also has this feature), it's a welcome addition to the world of Middle-earth. If only Blizzard would get a clue and implement the same idea for those of us without armor sets. Looking like a clown at a kid's party with mismatched and garishly colored armor does not make one feel heroic.The Barbershop acts like the character creation screen. Want a new hairstyle? Regret coloring your toon's hair white? Need to add a scar to reflect winning a recent raid? Players will be able to do all this, plus a number of new hairstyles will be added.We're still am not convinced about the importance of facial features in game where you stare at the back of your character's head the whole time, but at least you can turn off helm/hood graphics so hair style and coloring choices still have impact.Book 12 just hit Roheryn, the Test server. We'll have a write up covering the notes shortly.
LotRO dev diary details Book 12 Guardian retooling
As promised, a new Lord of the Rings Online dev diary has surfaced giving excruciating detail on the changes to the Guardian class in the upcoming Book 12 content patch. The short version is: tanking is getting both buffs and nerfs; a new dps stance is being added along with new dps skills; and new utility abilities are coming.Let's take these one section at a time, shall we?TankingThe good news is the new defensive abilities the Guardians are getting. Shield Wall will allow the tank to take all the incoming damage targeted at another party member. And Fray The Edge is a new ranged single-target taunt that is stackable and has a chance of triggering a Fellowship Maneuver.The bad news is some current defensive skills are overpowered and are getting tweaked. Shield-taunt will no longer put the Guardian at the top of the threat list, but will add significantl threat. And the Deep Breath ability that allows Guardians to prematurely end the cooldown of many of their skills is getting it's cooldown significantly increased.There are some other tweaks, but the bottom line for Guardians in defensive mode is they are going to have to change their playstyle a bit. They have relied on some ability mechanics that are making their job too easy in some cases, especially in Raids.Before the wailing and sackcloth and ashes get going, remember two things: the devs are trying to balance the game to make it challenging and every game does class revamps. No one hates you. Well, except that Minstrel that kept dying in your pick up group, but aggro control is everyone's job, right?Read on for the really good news.
Last LotRO dev chat of 2007
German Lord of the Rings Online site, Lotro-welten, held their last monthly LotRO dev chat on Friday. Unlike some previous dev chats, this one had some juicy bits. Most of it focused on class improvements in Book 12 which is expected to land on the test server Roheryn very soon in the new year.Hunter tweaks are going to be focused on solo survivability and increasing dps in a way that makes sense for the class. Examples of what they have planned include boosting Focus by 3 when the Hunter uses their Blindside melee strike+bow shot ability. This will allow the Hunter the Focus they need to fire off their high damage Penetrating Shot ranged attack. Also, Fear will not be broken by any DoTs that were already on the target when the Fear is applies. And the high damage Merciful Shot will revert back to being usable when the target is at 50% health instead of 25%.The devs also elaborated on the Guardian changes coming. They will be receiving a new dps stance that will open up a new set of skills to use. This is designed to be used with 2-handed weapons, but can be also used with sword and shield in hand. Guardians will also be getting a new talent which will allow them to divert all incoming damage on a single target to themselves. This will not be stackable, but will be usable in Player vs Monster Player combat.
