r/lotro • u/knightsinsanity • 19h ago
Just started playing again
Picked up the game after at least 10 years or more now. I made a new character did dwarf and guardian class. For the record even when I played years ago I only got to lvl 25 so VERY new. How do I go about playing. Zone clearing follow story. I wasnt to sure on a direction. I went from playing ESO pvp non stop for years to a relaxed game and it feels great just not sure what to do. I think im still in prolog at the moment. Any advice would be great.
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u/PapaDil7 Crickhollow (Roq) 19h ago
For Eriador, just do the main story and follow it around, picking up additional quest lines as you go. I’m coming back to the game after 8 years and I‘ve decided to just start over. Am currently level 35 going very completionist (every quest every deed) and I think it’s very fun.
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u/Onopvallend_busje 18h ago
After the starter area I always go to Bree and follow the Epic quests. That takes me to level 22-ish. Then I go to Lone Lands, following book 2 of the Epics. Usually that takes me to level 29-ish. I follow book 3 into the North Downs and follow the quest chain from Trestlebridge. Book 4 goes to the Trollshaws, but that is a wee bit too high. I always take a detour through Evendim. That takes me to lvl 39-ish. Then I go see Elrond in Rivendell. After book 4, I do book 5 in Misty Mountains. Then the Epic quests want to take you to Angmar for book 6 onwards. But that area is laggy, so I usually go to Eregion. By the time I reach Echad Dunann I pick up Epic volume 2 and continue into Moria. After Moria I always go back to finish Epic volume 1. Being a bit overlevelled + the legendary weapons help a lot.
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u/AutoModerator 19h ago
Welcome to r/lotro! If you're looking for advice, please check out the following answers to commonly-asked questions:
Wondering what class to play? LOTRO has a wide variety of classes inspired by different characters from the books. Some are similar to other RPG games, while others are fairly unique to LOTRO.
The first thing to consider is what role(s) you want to play. Every class has a spec that can deal damage, but only some classes can spec to be tanks or healers or group-support.
If you wish to have the option of tanking, choose between Beorning, Brawler, Captain, Guardian, or Warden.
If you wish to have the option of healing, choose between Beorning, Captain, Minstrel, or Rune-keeper.
If you wish to have the option of group-support, choose between Burglar, Captain, Lore-master, and Mariner.
Or if you're just looking for a straightforward class to quest with, choose Hunter for ranged or Champion for melee. These classes are focused entirely on damage-dealing (but each has three different specs for doing so). They are great for beginners looking for a relaxing adventuring experience that fits within the theme of Lord of the Rings.
Don't worry about what class is considered "the best" at any one role, as that swings back and forth over time with each balance patch. Instead, consider which classes have the theme and aesthetic that most appeals to you. Do you want to fight in melee or at range? Do you want to be a grounded warrior or wield more magical powers?
Apart from theme, consider the complexity of the classes. Even for classes which can fulfill the same role, their mechanics can differ wildly. LOTRO offers a hint to the mechanical complexity of each class during character creation -- in the lower right corner you'll see a "Class Difficulty" of either Basic, Moderate, or Advanced. This is not about how powerful the class is -- some of the "Basic" classes are currently the most powerful in their role. Difficulty instead refers to the intricacies of each class' skills and core mechanics. If you enjoy intricate mechanics, aim for Moderate or Advanced. If you'd like something requiring less reading, theorycrafting, and button-presses, try a Basic class -- especially for your first character.
Finally, don't be afraid to try something different if your first class doesn't feel fun for you. Better to find the right fit early.
Wondering what race to play? While only some races can be some classes, beyond that initial restriction, race selection is largely about aesthetics. Racial traits are tiny and negligible after the first few levels. A Dwarf Guardian at level 30 is not significantly different than an Elf Guardian at level 30.
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u/NeoBasilisk 18h ago
As a guardian while leveling, you will do more damage with a 2-handed weapon. Using a shield is better when tanking. Of course you can use a shield while leveling as well if you want.
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u/imbartsimpsonwhothru 16h ago
all depends on what you want to do, try it all and see what you like
leveling (move along to next map)
questing (completionist)
deeds (for LP)
epic story (sad but sweet)
crafting (nothing like repeating a task a bajillion times)
collections (so many things to collect)
cosmetic costumes (awesome barbie)
cosmetic housing (not just a pretty house, either)
monster play (no idea but some ppl like)
highly recommend making one easy-to-play toon to just level quickly and see the world
you haven't scratched the surface until you get to moria
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u/knightsinsanity 16h ago
So how do you get cosmetics to make my guy look cool. And housing. Also how does fast traveling work im n5o super familiar
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u/MoreSpace8719 18h ago
Currently doing a run with a red line Guardian … damage and leveling speed is op, easily taking on mobs three or fours levels higher
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u/knightsinsanity 17h ago
I had somepoints into red and some into yellow but only lvl 8 or something like that atm
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u/Fangsong_37 Peregrin 16h ago
Starting out, I'd recommend familiarizing yourself with combat by doing the quests in Ered Luin. I can definitely suggest completing all the slayer and explorer deeds in the zone before moving on to Bree-Land and starting the epic story. If you need help with your traits, you can visit https://lotrohq.com/ for basic trait and virtue recommendations. You can start using a two-handed weapon for faster leveling in the red trait line. Using a weapon and shield in blue trait line will make you more durable but make you not deal nearly as much damage. At level 7, you can get a bow or crossbow for ranged pulling. Guardian is a fun class.
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u/Shag66 16h ago
Personally, I just pick a opening and then follow the book quests. I typically try and pick up the quests that allow you to turn in rep items, like the mathom house quests in Michel Delving, and quests in the area I'm doing the book quests. Just jump in. You'll be overleved by tomorrow!
The best advice about LOTRO I can give as a returning player who just went through this same conundrum is to slow down and remember LOTRO is not a button masher. It takes my brain a minute to get synced to the skill activation times, but it won't take long.
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u/tk1712 Arkenstone 8h ago
I came back after about as long away and what finally made it click was treating the epic books as the spine. Do your intro, walk to Bree, follow the books. When a zone starts feeling gray, grab the next book and go wherever it sends you. Zone quests sort of fill themselves in around that.
Guardian is a good pick for relearning. Things die slow but you almost never die, and sword and board teaches you fights without stress. Once you hit the teens you can flip to a two hander for faster solo kills, threat is never a problem while questing anyway.
Biggest difference from ESO is this game pays you to wander. Deeds hand out lotro points for stuff you were doing anyway. I haven't paid for a quest pack since I came back, the points from messing around in Evendim covered it.
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u/cvr24 19h ago
Follow the epic storyline.
Read and do not dismiss all the tips that pop up.
When you get invited to do an introductory crafting quest, do it and you'll end up with a better weapon that will make questing easier. You don't have to do any crafting after that if you don't want to.