LOTRO to go Free to Play

[Khatovar]

Announced today, Turbine's MMO Lord of the Rings Online will be following the same path as Dungeons and Dragons Online. This fall, LotRO will be moving to a Free-to-play platform, with access to paid options via the Turbine Store. I have to say, I'm thrilled by this as I just started dual-boxing +1{something not really feasible with DDO} and I'm having a great time with it.

http://www.lotro.com/news/709-announcing-the-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-move-to-free-to-play-

[Ualaa]

This is a pretty good trend for boxers in general.
Our costs are always a tad higher then others.

As long as the game can make enough to stay around, through the extras and what not.

Have not tried LotRO.

[Norrin]

Thats cool. Might actually try boxing LOTRO now.

Did they happen to say what is gong to happen to those lifetime accounts?

[Khatovar]

Info is still coming in so it's hard to find some answers. About the Lifetimers -

New adds to the FAQ (http://www.lotro.com/betasignup/faq.html) -

I have a lifetime subscription to LOTRO. What will Free-to-Play mean for me?

As a lifetime subscriber to LOTRO, you will keep all of your membership privileges and are automatically upgraded to VIP status. You will receive 500 Free Turbine Points every month like the other VIPs, but you do not have to pay a monthly fee since you are a lifetime member. All you have to do is keep playing the game and visit the LOTRO Store to spend your free points and enjoy the wealth of new a la carte items and options to enhance your game experience.


I am a LOTRO Founder. What will Free-to-Play mean for me?

As a LOTRO Founder, you automatically become a VIP and will keep all of your membership privileges as long as you pay your monthly fee. You will automatically receive 500 Free Turbine Points every month like the other VIPs, and you can spend the Turbine Points at your leisure in the LOTRO Store to enhance your game experience and keep playing the way you want.


Also from the Big Big F2P Thread (http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?t=335135) -

20. What should Lifetime members do to earn the maximum amount of points until the release of the new Store?
Log in at least once a month. Lifetime Membership Subscribers must have at least one active play session per month during the Special Offers Eligibility Date (http://www.lotro.com/support/policies/loyaltyreward).

2. Can you buy expansions with Turbine Points?
YES! From Sapience: you can "save them up for a big purchase like an entire expansion or something similar (http://forums.lotro.com/showpost.php?p=4689791&postcount=4)". So, you can presumably get paid expansions for free if you save up!



Lifetime Subscribers will basically be automatic lifetime VIPs {without having to pay, of course}, who get a metric ton of Turbine Points the day F2P goes live. If F2P goes live in say, September, they will get 3months of 500 points {1500}, plus another 500 points for every anniversary that has elapsed since they started {up to 1500 points}, plus 500 if they were "Founders", plus 1000 for being Lifetime subscribers, plus the recurring 500 points a month every month thereafter for being VIP accounts. So they're looking at something like 4500ish Turbine Points to start. I was a VIP in DDO and I can't even begin to imagine what to do with that many points.

[Norrin]

Yeah funny I got my email as I was typing my first reply.

Pretty much for lifetime accounts you stay at VIP and to maintain your rewards (Turbine points I guess), you have to log into the game once a month. Something I have not been doing. But will now.

I have been wanting to box LOTRO for a while but didn't want to go and get more accounts. 10 wow accounts is enough, let alone adding some LOTRO's.

Looks interesting though.

[visman]

@Khatovar

How do the points translate in DDO? For example, what would a typical expansion cost? I'm assuming the pricing model will be similar for LotRO.

I multi-box with three lifetimers (one of which is a Founder), so they will all go VIP (with my main getting a little extra boost for being a Founder plus the three-year bonus).

Can points be traded to other accounts/players? If so, I could see starting up three more (free) accounts and using the points from the VIPs to upgrade the freebies (extra levels/character slots/inventory slots/etc.)

It was also pointed out that players will be able to earn points through normal gameplay. How does this presently work in DDO? Do you get points just for certain accomplishments (like deeds in LotRO) or can you earn them by leveling/killing/questing?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[Khatovar]

I've no idea what the expansion will cost or if they will be true expansions or more along the lines of "adventure packs" like EQ2 does. In DDO you could buy like mini adventure packs for like 500-700 points or so. I imagine a true expansion or adventure pack would probably be double that.

Points cannot be traded, I do know they said that. But, you may be able to purchase certain "Giftable" items. In DDO they had some sort of friend tagalong thing where you could bring friends to certain dungeons, but I never really looked into that.

In DDO, you earned points for reaching certain milestones. Hitting certain faction levels, completing certain story lines, even logging in during events could net you like 25 points or so. From what I read on the boards, you would get points for things like deeds, epic stories and such, and they are working out a means for providing points to people who have alreeady completed those deeds and such.

[EaTCarbS]

Wow, this sounds really great! I actually like the business model that turbine is switching too. Will definitely have to try boxing LOTRO.

[visman]

Thanks for he feedback, Khatovar. That will be very welcome indeed if they work out some sort of retroactive points for those of us who have already completed so much of the content/deeds/etc. The press release and interview seemed to lean toward the direction of "Sorry...you're screwed", so I hope you're right.

[Lyonheart]

i have two accounts ( 50 champ and minst ) I stopped playing because all my friends stayed with WoW. I really liked the game. I think them going to FFP will make that game a huge success. As far as story and lore go.. its number one by far! The graphics are good to great depending on your PC. I might give it another shot before Cata comes out.

I'm on Silverlode (http://www.dual-boxing.com/index.php/Silverlode) server. IF enough boxers get on a server ( don't have to be mine ) i might come hang with you! I wanted to start a Rune-keeper (http://www.dual-boxing.com/index.php/Class#Rune-keeper) team.

[jinkobi]

I had many good times in LOTRO. 60 minstrel on Brandywine here... Been 7 months since I last played- even bought the siege of mirkwood and I only played like 30 mins. This is pretty cool that they are making it free to play. Reinstalling is going to be one heck of a download lol... Had to wipe my PC a few months ago.

[Gomotron]

I have a new team on Brandywine. I've heard that there are other MB'ers there but haven't seen anyone yet.

I have yet to get a hate /tell when playing. I have to say that the LOTRO crowd is pretty tolerant, perhaps mature. I hate to use that term without getting more experience with the game, but seems good so far.

[visman]

Most everyone I've come across on Vilya has been decent. When I first started boxing, I rolled three BAs to go PvMP. There were complaints (obviously from the Freeps I was killing) that I was cheating--even started a forum thread about it. That got squashed pretty quick as others chimed in with the "so, you can't get focused fired from three people using voice-chat?"

Since then, I've focused on getting my RKs to 65. All along, I mainly just got questions of how I did it, and many "thank you!" /tells/ /bows, etc. for when I tossed a triple Mending Verse and Prelude to Hope at some near-death player who I happened upon while they bit off more than they could chew.

I welcome any multi-boxers to the Vilya server. If you're looking for a kin, I am the kinship leader of The Wardens. As of late, I have been running with my RKs--fell free to send a /tell or in-game mail to Herbarond (kinship leader) or Noradal (my main system's RK). Obviously, the kinship is multi-boxer friendly. I haev two other multi-boxers on my friend's list, and I've heard of an exclusive multi-boxer kinship existing on our server...though I've yet to meet any of them.

I would absolutely love to try raids with a complete multi-box makeup--heck, for that matter, I wouldn't mind actually getting into a full fellow for SG. Besides my three toons, I've got two other players who have remained active and didn't hop over to WoW to get to level 80. They are now starting to trickle back, so we should start seeing some of the larger content soon.

I, for one, will be rolling up three new accounts (assuming we can set up more than one free account) and will use their earned points for area upgrades/unlocks/etc.

Any other multi-boxers who plan on taking advantage of the new F2P model and role up new accounts?

[Smoooth]

I played this game back when it first came out but didn't get too far into it. I will probably give it another shot now.

I was going to ask if accounts are bound to game cds like they are in WoW but it looks like the original game is now free to download. Is this true?

[jinkobi]

I have a new team on Brandywine. I've heard that there are other MB'ers there but haven't seen anyone yet.

I have yet to get a hate /tell when playing. I have to say that the LOTRO crowd is pretty tolerant, perhaps mature. I hate to use that term without getting more experience with the game, but seems good so far.

You make no assumptions at all. The people of LOTRO are so nice it takes getting use to after coming from WOW. Trolling and just being a general douche aren't tolerated at all. In fact when someone starts acting a fool the canned response is 'Go back to WOW' lol.

Only reason I went back to WOW was I ran out of things to do pre-Mirkwood. They'd also made getting gear cake and all the badge changes drew me back into the WOW addiction. Then I got into multiboxing 6 months ago and that's been some of the best experiences of my WOW life. Now i'm kind of out of things to do and wouldn't mind toking on some Pipeweed before Cataclysm, lol.

Met many good people in LOTRO and lots of great memories. The thought now that I might be able to multibox LOTRO without having to invest all that $$ has me stoked!

[leroyreborn]

Anyone else looking at LOTRO and trying to pick the group there going to roll onces it goes F2P ? =)

[Khatovar]

I was going to ask if accounts are bound to game cds like they are in WoW but it looks like the original game is now free to download. Is this true?

You can download the game for the 10-day trial, which does not even require a credit card. If you decide to buy, it's $30 for a digital download of the whole kit and kaboodle {Base game, 2 expansions, 30 days free}. Trial has access to all classes and races and all content, but is limited on chat and has no access to mail, auctions or trading.

If you do decide to upgrade, make sure you sign up ONE account first. In your account management, scroll all the way down. Click on " Refer a friend today to earn free game time!" and send invite to your next account. You'll get an extra 30 days playtime per subscribed account once the new account has been charged for a subscription.


Anyone else looking at LOTRO and trying to pick the group there going to roll onces it goes F2P ? =)

Something of note, LotRO now has 2 different sized fellowships for group content. Starting at level 50 {I think?} you can do dungeons in full fellowships and small fellowships. Full fellowships are 6. Small fellowships are 3. Prior to 50, it's all 6man. We decided to go with a small fellowship, since we can always move to 6 when it's free to play.

[outdrsyguy1]

I'm feeling tempted to give it a multiboxing whirl, anyone figured out what server would have the most of us on it yet?

[TheKeeperofTime]

Something of note, LotRO now has 2 different sized fellowships for group content. Starting at level 50 {I think?} you can do dungeons in full fellowships and small fellowships. Full fellowships are 6. Small fellowships are 3. Prior to 50, it's all 6man. We decided to go with a small fellowship, since we can always move to 6 when it's free to play.


The revamped Lone-Lands actually has a new Garth Agarwen "cluster" of 3 instances that are targeted for players around level 32. Two of the instances are 4 man, and one is 6 man. Not sure why they went with 4 man for an instance size randomly...

Also, from level 30+ you can do 1, 2, 3, or 6 man Skirmishes. You earn marks in Skirmishes that can be used to purchase gear. I've had sucess doing the 6 man versions of the Skirmishes available to me, though I do like specific ones better than the others. There is a daily quest for each Skirmish that rewards extra marks the first time you complete it each day.

[jinkobi]

I'm feeling tempted to give it a multiboxing whirl, anyone figured out what server would have the most of us on it yet?


Brandywine, Brandywine, oh and Brandywine ;D

It's the best server and most populated really without question. Lot of kins of all sizes... Lot of server parties and get togethers.

That's where I'll be when things go free to play! My minstrels name on there is Darkhosis... Never tried to box LOTRO before so I'll be noobing it up until I get things all set up, lol.

[TheKeeperofTime]

Brandywine, Brandywine, oh and Brandywine ;D

It's the best server and most populated really without question. Lot of kins of all sizes... Lot of server parties and get togethers.

That's where I'll be when things go free to play! My minstrels name on there is Darkhosis... Never tried to box LOTRO before so I'll be noobing it up until I get things all set up, lol.

The high population of Brandywine is exactly why I went with a different server :) I figured since I'm boxing an entire group I could go with a lower population server and stay under the radar so to speak. I have a team in their teens on Brandywine and I was harassed by a couple people for being a power leveler. I was never contacted by a GM about anything, but I decided to move to a lower pop server and haven't had anyone say anything to me yet.

I haven't been playing much lately, been busy with work and school, but if some people are going to pick out a server to box on I might roll up a new team there. Unless you can use these Turbine points I'll be getting to buy server transfers. Anyone know if you can use the DDO points to transfer characters?

[visman]

I'm starting to see the boxing population on Vilya grow, which I appreciate. I welcome all boxers to head over this way if they need new turf or feel harassed on their current server.

I'd love to be able to take on some of the raid content with an all-boxer crew compliment. I think that would be a decent accomplishment.

[MonkeysUncle]

Brandywine has a lot of boxers on it, I think you'd get harassed regardless of the server you are on. I tried out two before moving to Brandywine.

[Velassra]

I'm downloading lotro free trial now......like whats a good caster type class, most like an EQ necro or WoW warlock? I love petters:)

[Khatovar]

There isn't really a ranged magic DPS pet class. The only pet classes are Loremaster {mainly CC, debuffs} and Captain {mainly buffs, melee}. A good chunk of the Loremaster's DPS also comes from melee as well. Runekeeper has no pets but is the closest to a mage or Destruction Lock.

[Chubbz]

There isn't really a ranged magic DPS pet class. The only pet classes are Loremaster {mainly CC, debuffs} and Captain {mainly buffs, melee}. A good chunk of the Loremaster's DPS also comes from melee as well. Runekeeper has no pets but is the closest to a mage or Destruction Lock.

The Loremaster only has 1 Melee skill, the rest is Ranged Tactical DPS. The Runekeeper is a nuker with Ranged Tactical DPS and Healing.

Loremaster = CC, Debuffs, Pets, Ranged Tactical DPS.
Runekeeper = Ranged Tactical DPS Nuker, Healing, Buffs.

[Velassra]

Ah k thanks. I think Ima have to do some reading to figure this one out then. Gonna be free by the fall, have to pick a class me thinks that will work well for w/ others lol. Maybe runekeeper to try the game:)

[F9thRet]

Question for you guys who have multiboxed LOTR.

I've only ever played one account, a long time ago. Does the Boxing seem more like WoW with a follow macro, Or more like COH/V where you just target a toon, and hit F?

Stephen

[Khatovar]

The Loremaster only has 1 Melee skill, the rest is Ranged Tactical DPS. The Runekeeper is a nuker with Ranged Tactical DPS and Healing.

Loremaster = CC, Debuffs, Pets, Ranged Tactical DPS.
Runekeeper = Ranged Tactical DPS Nuker, Healing, Buffs.

And it's still a good chunk of DPS (http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?t=272467) that should be used.

[Chubbz]

Question for you guys who have multiboxed LOTR.

I've only ever played one account, a long time ago. Does the Boxing seem more like WoW with a follow macro, Or more like COH/V where you just target a toon, and hit F?

Stephen

Lotro uses a /follow command in the chat bar.

For Example, with ISBoxer, i have W set to send these keystrokes:
All w/out current>ctrl+f6(which selects the leader of the group)
All w/out current>shift+1(which is where i keep my shortcut for /follow)

So i set the /follow command to the skill bar with the shortcut keypress as shift+1.

Lotro is not as diverse with Macros/Shortcuts as WoW is.
This is a good Website that lists all the Shortcuts/Commands available in Lotro http://lotro-wiki.com/index.php/Commands

[Chubbz]

Ah k thanks. I think Ima have to do some reading to figure this one out then. Gonna be free by the fall, have to pick a class me thinks that will work well for w/ others lol. Maybe runekeeper to try the game:)

The Runekeeper is the main Hydrid class between DPS and Healing. It is a perfect class to group with as your role within the group can be either DPS or Main Healer. What you need to know about the RK is that during a fight you can really only go one way, thats either DPS or Healing. The more DPS skills you use, the further you go into Battle Attunement, which opens up more DPS Skills and increase's damage. The further you go into Healing Attunement opens up more Healing skills and increase's healing. So the further you go into an Attunement the longer it will take to go back to Steady and be able to go the other way.

[F9thRet]

Lotro uses a /follow command in the chat bar.

For Example, with ISBoxer, i have W set to send these keystrokes:
All w/out current>ctrl+f6(which selects the leader of the group)
All w/out current>shift+1(which is where i keep my shortcut for /follow)

So i set the /follow command to the skill bar with the shortcut keypress as shift+1.

Lotro is not as diverse with Macros/Shortcuts as WoW is.
This is a good Website that lists all the Shortcuts/Commands available in Lotro http://lotro-wiki.com/index.php/Commands

Thanks so much Chubbz.

Stephen

[Chubbz]

Thanks so much Chubbz.

Stephen

Np mate.

I've been playing Lotro hardocore for 3 years now, i basically know every in and out of the game, so if anyone has any questions feel free to post a Thread or PM me.