Lord of the Rings Online

I've been on the trial for a couple of days.  I have to say the ambiance and environment is very captivating.  It really feels like a real world and it sucks me into it.  I forgot mmo's could feel that way.

I really enjoy the attention to details, for the sake of details, like how you can grow pipeweed, even though theres no stat benefit o anything.

I play healing classes and i have to say i enjoy the minstrel alot!  It doesnt feel like im a cleric or priest, it feels like something very new.  I'm still getting used to the idea that my abilities raise themselves every level, so i have to adjust which things i do when.

That said, I have a few complaints.  I picked historian, and its very tedious.  Everywhere i go i see ore samples in t he ground but to get lore you have to go to ruins and fight a ton of mobs for *one* resource node. 

Also, the game seems very empty, ive maybe run into 10 players in my few days of playing, and i grouped once, only because we happen to be in the same place on the same escort.

It seems like no one groups except for the instance quests, and it takes something out of the game for me.  I'm only level 10 maybe this changes?

Also, I'm a minstrel, i trained all these instrument skills, but I've yet to see a single instrument for me to have.

another question: if i change my vocation, and the next also has farming, will my farming skill stay with me or reset.

I feel like historian was meant fo loremasters and am wondering if a chose a wrong skill, any opinions on that?

Originally posted by happydan20

I've been on the trial for a couple of days.  I have to say the ambiance and environment is very captivating.  It really feels like a real world and it sucks me into it.  I forgot mmo's could feel that way.

 

I really enjoy the attention to details, for the sake of details, like how you can grow pipeweed, even though theres no stat benefit o anything.

 

I play healing classes and i have to say i enjoy the minstrel alot!  It doesnt feel like im a cleric or priest, it feels like something very new.  I'm still getting used to the idea that my abilities raise themselves every level, so i have to adjust which things i do when.

 

That said, I have a few complaints.  I picked historian, and its very tedious.  Everywhere i go i see ore samples in t he ground but to get lore you have to go to ruins and fight a ton of mobs for *one* resource node.  Yeah, historian is the hardest craft to level. Might consider having explorer for you first toon - better on the money as well.

Also, the game seems very empty, ive maybe run into 10 players in my few days of playing, and i grouped once, only because we happen to be in the same place on the same escort.

 That's because the first 12-15 levels are passed very quickly. Once you're above 12-13, and get to Bree, you'll see the real picture on the quantity of players in the game :)

It seems like no one groups except for the instance quests, and it takes something out of the game for me.  I'm only level 10 maybe this changes?

 As above - yes, it will definitely change once you're 15 or higher!

Also, I'm a minstrel, i trained all these instrument skills, but I've yet to see a single instrument for me to have. Don't worry, there'll be plenty and more :)

another question: if i change my vocation, and the next also has farming, will my farming skill stay with me or reset.  Yes, you keep the crafting XP points in this case. Of course, if your new vocation won't have farming as craft, you'll lose them.

I feel like historian was meant fo loremasters and am wondering if a chose a wrong skill, any opinions on that? There is no strict "vocation per class", anyone can be anything. Of course, you're supposed to craft stuff that you can use yourself (not much point creating heavy armor if you're a loremaster), but even that's not impossible.

 

Hope I helped...

DB

yes thats very helpful information, i just need to tough it out 3 more levels:)

Originally posted by happydan20

yes thats very helpful information, i just need to tough it out 3 more levels:)

All of the servers are going to have different peak playing times, so try out a few different ones to find that right mix of players that you are looking for.

As DB mentioned though... there aren't very many players doing groups until you get into the Barrow Downs next to Bree.  That too will depend on the mix of players on the server you are playing on.

As for crafting vocations... I'll agree with DB again... Historian isn't a very good choice for your first character.   It's definitely one of the slowest to progress in, and you won't really have much to show for it until the highest levels... when it becomes one of the best. 

I would always recommend a players first character pick a vocation that has prospector as one of the professions.  That will let you harvest all those ore nodes you keep seeing, and then you can either sell the raw resources or process them... either way it's a money-making proposition.  

If you go with Explorer as DB mentioned, then you can harvest both ore and wood nodes.  Wood doesn't sell as well as ore, but it can still net you a decent amount of money to help with buying your skills or other items you many want.

As to the Minstrel instrument skills... those are mainly for entertainment purposes.  As a minstrel you have access to all the different instruments available.  You won't need to buy them for your normal adventuring though. 

They work in conjunction with LoTRo's music system whereby you can purchase different musical instruments that you have the knowledge to play and using the music system actually play real music.  If you are a musician it comes fairly easy... if not... it seems a bit convoluted.  

For those that know how to make it work... they can make some really great sounding songs.   I've even seen 6-8 person bands performing... very neat stuff. 

Try different servers.Odd though, i play on landroval.I have my own guild and often wonder to the noob area maybe to recruit some young ones and all the time i see 20+ people running around.One factor could be your time zone.

Anyways,as for the vocation, yes, historian is a tuff one to start out on. As a minstrel maybe a explorer or something with tailoring would be a good choice. Although there is lots to do to get Grand Master (the highest tier)
It will prolly benefit you much more.

Don't ever shy away from using the Advice channel.

is there a resource for knowing good servers based on timezone or population?  I found it odd that they offee4d none of that info when i chose one.

So all those instrument skills have nothing to do with combat?  I wish id known that before i payed for them.

anothe thing im curious about are ui mods or something like /tloc in wow, anything player made that has enhanced the game?

are there any guides for say farming that says what you should grow, for instance i discovered that yellow onions (i think) happen to drop skins for dyes now and again.

I am a master farmer about 1/5 of the way though it, and id like to go back and master the earlier levels on up, but i want to grow the most profitable things instead of the free recipe they gave.

i feel dumb asking this, but how do you use the advice channel, i've tried typing /advice...  is it restricted from trial accounts or something?

edit: and it appears that you cant trade between your other characters? is that so?

Originally posted by happydan20

is there a resource for knowing good servers based on timezone or population?  I found it odd that they offee4d none of that info when i chose one.

 Turbine does not release this type of information, so you will not find it anywhere.  Basic's - Brandywine: Highest population / fun loving community / Nice mix of help and hooligans.  Landroval: Good population / Unofficial role play server / most people who play there are happy.  Elimendar: Good Population / More oceanic player base (ie europe/austrailia)

So all those instrument skills have nothing to do with combat?  I wish id known that before i payed for them.

 The instruments do have significance in combat as they give you added bonuses.  Do to the AH (auction hall) and look in the instrument category.  I play a Minstrel as my main and I only use two instruments depending on what I am doing, Solo/PvMP = Drum for increased balad dmg / Grouping/Raiding = Theorbo for decreased threat from aggro.

anothe thing im curious about are ui mods or something like /tloc in wow, anything player made that has enhanced the game?

The music system is really neat and many players use this to their advantage.  People make their own music as well as playing the same favorite over and over.  If you are a Rolling Stones fan, you should love most any AH as "Paint It Black" is probably playing.

 

are there any guides for say farming that says what you should grow, for instance i discovered that yellow onions (i think) happen to drop skins for dyes now and again.

I would go to the official lotro forums there are a lot of great tips and helpful people.

I am a master farmer about 1/5 of the way though it, and id like to go back and maste the earlier levels on up, but i want to grow the most profitable things instead of the free recipe they gave.

I always trying to stair step my crafting levels...so by the time I am ready to master the next tier, I have already mastered the previous.  So visually...complete the yellow bar on the previous as I am finishing the orange bar on the next.  People also make money on low level stuff used for simple quests in the beginning...like the quest that requires eggs and onions...cook it up sell it for a few quick silver for people that need/want it.

i feel dumb asking this, but how do you use the advice channel, i've tried typing /advice...  is it restricted from trial accounts or something?

Might not be available to you../advice is the proper way.  Good luck if you need help and end up on Brandywine hit up Winterfell.

Originally posted by happydan20

is there a resource for knowing good servers based on timezone or population?  I found it odd that they offee4d none of that info when i chose one.

 

So all those instrument skills have nothing to do with combat?  I wish id known that before i payed for them.

 

anothe thing im curious about are ui mods or something like /tloc in wow, anything player made that has enhanced the game?

 

are there any guides for say farming that says what you should grow, for instance i discovered that yellow onions (i think) happen to drop skins for dyes now and again.

I am a master farmer about 1/5 of the way though it, and id like to go back and master the earlier levels on up, but i want to grow the most profitable things instead of the free recipe they gave.

i feel dumb asking this, but how do you use the advice channel, i've tried typing /advice...  is it restricted from trial accounts or something?

edit: and it appears that you cant trade between your other characters? is that so?

The player made UI's are just skins. There is no way to alter the interface in order to add additional functionality.