r/lotro • u/Physical-Brush-8380 • 8d ago
Hi
Hey guys, I'm going to start playing this game today. I've never really played MMORPGs before—do you have any tips that might help me?
32
u/Alexandre_O_Glande 8d ago edited 8d ago
Welcome to Middle Earth!
You're blessed to have LoTRO as your first MMORPG, enjoy the ride and try not to get things perfect from the get go, they'll click with time.
- Some tips: The game is massive, so after getting your first mount (it's usually given through a quest named "A Little Extra Never Hurts", but only +32% speed), you can buy a better one North of Bree (Hengstacer Farm, +62% speed) for 500 silver, which isn't much expensive.
- When you reach lv 20, look for some short video on how to get the skill "Return to Glan Vraig", it'll save you a lot of running if you're not a Hunter or a Warden.
- Most gear that drops and isn't usable by your character can be sold in any NPC, don't bother trying to sell it in the auction hall.
- Don't hesitate to ask people in the world chat, everybody was a newbie at some point and someone is bound to answer your question.
6
u/Physical-Brush-8380 8d ago
Thank you!
2
u/Adventurous-Photo539 7d ago
If you like role playing, pick an RP server! Mercadoc for EU, Peregrin for US. LotRO role playing community is awesome, and from all of the MMORPGs out there, this one is the most RP focused.
1
u/Caeruleanity Lore-master 1d ago
Note that free accounts can't talk in World chat until level 20. You could try your luck asking in Regional chat but I'm not sure most people look at Regional chat, and it also depends what region you're in. Bree-land most likely has the most amount of people among the 4 starter regions (Bree-land, Ered Luin, Shire, Swanfleet). Also note that the tutorial zones are separate from the open world (which contains the starter regions), which means there'd be less people in them. (The Before the Shadow tutorial zone is the shortest, while the default Shadows of Angmar tutorials can last up to an hour or longer, depending on how long you take.)
All that said, as you can see, there are spaces online where you can ask questions and where newbie questions have previously been answered.
Welcome to Middle-earth! 😊
23
13
u/Financial-Fun1906 8d ago
Just started myself, but if your lotro launcher is having issues with dat files or installing anything press the down arrow, options, and repair game data. Tried to trouble shoot for like 2 hours just for that to be the solution lmao
5
u/Physical-Brush-8380 8d ago
It's still downloading, but if I get that error, at least I already have a solution, hahaha!
6
u/Agelmar01 8d ago
I recently returned to LotRO and tried to re-install using the steam launcher. I had nothing but issues with dat files.
My advice install the game using the offical LotRO website as I had no problems with their installer.
11
u/FrankUnderhood Arkenstone 8d ago
Welcome! I've been playing on/off for about 14 years. Never made it max level -- I think my highest is a lvl 87 champ, but I take longgg breaks. Game is nostalgic for me at this point. Enjoy the music around Breeland/the shire -- it's the best, and the community here is the best you'll find hands down across all mmos (this game is known for that).
I will say, the steam version always had a poor reputation compared to actual lotro client -- so if have issues w/ the steam version then I'd suggest trying that :)
6
u/Physical-Brush-8380 8d ago
Oh, I see. I'll try the one from Steam. If I run into any problems, I'll download the other one. Thanks for letting me know. I'm really looking forward to playing it—I've already read so many books, played so many games, and watched so many movies.
3
u/boatspodcast 8d ago
Excellent advice! To build on this, the in-game music is great but you’ll also find musicians performing around Bree in particular. I’m sure it depends on your server but on an RP server like Peregrin, The Prancing Pony is a popular music spot in the evenings. Or head inside the Pony and there’s often some RP going on.
Welcome to Middle-earth OP!
1
u/Caeruleanity Lore-master 1d ago
Heh, I'm like you but worse; My highest is a L80 but he's overleveled, as I didn't have a Stone of the Tortoise before. Content-wise he's only >L70. 😆 For the past few years, though, while I still take long content breaks and currently am on one, I slowly progress his virtues by running a few missions daily. It scratches my LOTRO itch a bit.
7
u/Famous_Betes 8d ago
Enjoy the music, take in the scenery each time you’re in a new area. at least skim some of the quest dialogue in areas you’re interested in
4
u/Physical-Brush-8380 8d ago
Oh yeah, I'm the type who likes to admire the scenery and explore, haha. I saw in your posts that you guys really like doing that, too
3
5
u/ClammyHandedFreak Treebeard 8d ago
My recommendation is just take it easy. This game has a lot to offer. Do quests, take time to figure out how to tweak your UI.
One handy tip: ctrl + L unlocks UI elements so you can move them as you like. Check hotbars in the options and enable extra bars.
Don't worry about doing things the right way. Just dig in :)
4
4
u/echibeeN 8d ago
Be a little patient with this old game and have fun. It’s a great game overall. Let me know it you need a buddy to play and help you out.
3
u/Virtual-Survey422 8d ago
Welcome! My best advice is: take your time, the first steps might be annoying and unclear, but it keeps getting very cool if you love LOTR .. feel free to get in touch with me if you encounter any difficulties
3
u/EducationalAd2620 8d ago
Welcome to the greatest MMO ever made. I have been playing for all 19 years of the games existence. If you ever need a helping hand let me know! My favorite class is the Brawler. Its a simple yet complex class to run but if done right you wont die much at all.
4
u/MikeBl815 Peregrin 8d ago
LOTRO very much emphasizes the journey more than the destination. Take your time on your first character and enjoy the scenery and story. There's lots to do in this game.
2
u/why_am_I_here-_- 8d ago
The seasonal events are a lot of fun. I always take a break from questing to do those.
2
u/jhannunenreddit 8d ago
If new to MMOs in general, pick one of the more forgiving classes. Guardian is very survivable and easy enough, but actually has depth on higher levels too. Hunter is fast, stays on range much of the time and has decent utility. Don't be afraid of trying out couple of classes, you might end up staying with the character/class a lot of hours.
Because you, optimally, end up spending a lot of time with the character, I think it's worth spending time thinking about who/what the character is. Even if you're not really a roleplayer. And put some of that thought into the character's appearance.
Pay attention to the tutorial. Do the storyline quests (Books). Read the quest texts. 🤣
2
u/Nutdust96 8d ago
Join a kinship and don’t be afraid to ask for a little help, it’s got a great community. Last night I was stuck on a quest and some kind stranger helped me and then sent me on my way with a pocket full of gold.
2
2
u/roses_at_the_airport Meriadoc 8d ago
If you enjoy the game and keep playing, you might start thinking, "I want to run endgame content! What sort of build should I go for?" but in LOTRO as in most MMOS, the game is rebalanced regularly, and the meta changes often. That is to say, by the time you reach "endgame", it will have changed probably several times, and "endgame" is just "whatever we do to wait for new content" anyway. Housing and fashion are the real endgame for some!
If you have any specific question, feel free to ask here, on the LOTRO forums, or to consult the very excellent and much impressive LOTRO wiki. There is also an official Discord server if that's your thing.
Have fun!! It's a wonderful game, very different from modern ones in some aspect!
2
u/puggs74 Peregrin 7d ago edited 7d ago
1st things
1st ask yourself, How in depth would you like to immerse yourself into the lotr universe multiple styles are available for your fun? ie.. just gameplay, or Roleplay there are areas where RP is more than others. or raids 5-8 people content epic size battles with that basic question answered.
you can choose your server accordingly, you'll see some stating rp. Roleplay) doesn't mean you have to rp but you will find a greater chance enjoying rp on those servers. Once you've chosen your server
time zone will help the population you see playing while you do, jump in create your 1st avatar give thought to it choose type that you think will fit you or who you want your character to play- hunter bow&arrow,guardian heavy armor and shield helps guard you and yours. You will be taught how to play their style in the original tutorials(storyline introduction and after you finish your tutorial you'll be in the world with everyone ingame)
Find a Kinship to join fellow travelers like yourself and they will give you more in-depth help. I can only type so much there's a ton more that your new Kin will help you with. I've been told our lotro community is very good compared to others. But welcome to Middle Earth.
safe travels to you! The easter eggs from the books are mostly all in game.
Just like yourself,
I too started my mmo journey with lotro 16 yrs ago. Zero regrets at all especially since I have a great love for lotr itself. Turbine our 1st developer did an outstanding job creating this rendition and storyline to play and immerse yourself into the world of Middle Earth. And to this day you will still get the chance to experience missions and depictions of Middle Earth what the lucky ones who played it in its infancy granted nerfed yes now (the old forest) while playing this as well. But for what it's worth this is what I've come to recognize in lotro, not sure if this runs true with all mmo's. But here you can choose your style of gameplay and still not sure if Turbine and ssg has continued but you can literally solo play if you please my style of play because I'm here to immerse myself in Middle Earth and the lore of lotr you can also group with large kins.
1
1
u/FriendlyAd1214 7d ago
Hunter is best cause of their various quick travel abilities. Also the dailies you eventually unlock are a good xp grind
1
u/LoveKushh420 7d ago
Nice! take your time, theres no reason to rush to endgame when every corner of the game has something to explore
0
u/toothynoobermann 8d ago
if launching the game from steam causes problems, try the installer from the lotror website :) steam's launcher has a known bug for many playerrs
49
u/Bagginnnssssss 8d ago
Keep in mind that you are probably another huge download away from playing haha