Thanks for all the positive replies and constructive feedback; sometimes a thread without flames is a good thing, I think. I realize most users of this site couldn't care less about my first month of experience in the game, but this is something I do with every MMO I'm trying out so that other potential new customers can find out what they want without having to make individual threads asking those questions.

I'm nearing my third week now, my first month is starting to draw to an end and I have every intention of keeping my subscription. While I realize this game is not relevant for everyone in terms of gameplay, lore, and setting, it is something I have enjoyed to the maximum. I strongly suggest anyone who is considering coming to the game, whether you are new to the genre, or just looking for a great PVE experience with minimal grind (so far), to at least try the trial.

You'll either love it, or you'll hate it, but if you take the time you'll appreciate how well Turbine bought the Tolkien setting and enviroment alive and it's at least worth seeing.

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Originally posted by DonnieBrasco

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Originally posted by trancejeremy

I was absolutely in love with this game for the first month I played (and not quite 20th). So much I bought a lifetime sub.
My 2nd month wasn't so much fun, and after that it was awful. The game gets really awful past 20. 25-35 is an absolute slog, all the quests are in the middle of nowhere, you're always walking and always alone.
Thankfully the newest update (book 7) will supposedly help the leveling, so I can get to the good stuff

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This is so full of BS, doesn't even know where to start....
1 - have 5 toons, all btw 35 and 55. There are no levels now where one slows down (that is, if you care to read the quests and explore a little -so you actually know where to go next). Levels 20 to 35 are especially quick to pass and exciting, not to mention that Lone Lands and North Downs is always full of people playing.
2- it is quite plain to see that you have not played the game for a very long time - on my server (Snowbourn EU), all level ranges are very populated (you can't move a step in Moria, it's actually  not funny anymore, the crowd is wicked) - but I just started a new dwarf champ for my GF, and guess what - Ered Luin starting instance had 20+ 6- level players... so much for "alone".
One will only not group if he/she specifically refuses to. I did all the FS quests in North Downs (20+ quests) with my 3rd alt, about a month ago  on one single weekend, totally with PUG's, my kin not involved at all. That basically sums the the excess volume of BS in this post.
DB

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Before calling peoples opinion bullshit try to accept other peoples taste and opinion. Not everyone is going to enjoy the game way you do and not everyone is going to turn into LOTR fanboy after one month. I was in same situation as this guy. I enjoyed the game a lot till lvl 30 but after that its hard to find teams or i must say impossible. I still have many many fellowship quests just rotting in quest log and its been 2 months i didn't even bother to log back in. Its a good game but too much focus on party quests just ruins it especially when there is no one to team with.

Now go ahead call my opinion bullshit because i am not such a fanboy.

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Originally posted by Shastra
Before calling peoples opinion bullshit try to accept other peoples taste and opinion. Not everyone is going to enjoy the game way you do and not everyone is going to turn into LOTR fanboy after one month. I was in same situation as this guy. I enjoyed the game a lot till lvl 30 but after that its hard to find teams or i must say impossible. I still have many many fellowship quests just rotting in quest log and its been 2 months i didn't even bother to log back in. Its a good game but too much focus on party quests just ruins it especially when there is no one to team with.
Now go ahead call my opinion bullshit because i am not such a fanboy.
 
 
 
 

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alright... your opinion is bullshit. You 'must say it's impossible' to find groups after lvl 30? You either don't know what the word 'impossible' means, you enjoy trolling and giving completely false information, or... your opinion is bullshit. :) By no means is it impossible to find groups after lvl 30. On my 5th alt currently and, as usual, have had little to no problems finding groups. If you are having problems finding, you have to factor in what server you are playing on (some more populated than others), what time you are playing at (you wont find too many groups at midnight on a weekday (slightly overexaggerating :P ), and what quest you are actually doing (there are a small few that are unpopular). Also, joining a Kin is very easy, and the amount of good, friendly kins are many.. getting help from kinmates when you do need some help isnt that hard.
 
Now go ahead and call me a fanboy because I find this game more entertaining than any other MMO on the market, and I use some common sense to play it.
 
 

Started playing not long after LOTRO went live, and have been away prior to new exp going live, due to work reasons. But I have a founders subscription, so no monthly fee for me anyways. BUt yes I agree the story in LOTRO is very well done and if you do take the time to see the sights you can have alot of fun and see alot of stunning places etc. I have a lvl 50 Minstrel (Hobbit) as my main, and a few other chars around lvl 20. But its alot of fun and alot of people I know play it and most are still playing today. I got them to try it out when they had WoW burn out and since then they have'nt even looked back at WoW.

Lotro is simply a fun and very good looking game, that anyone wanting an actual story too be part of, will find alot of fun there.

Cheers

Tan

As much as I love LOTR and Tolkien, I can never get to far in LOTRO.  I don't even think I've ever gone passed level 10.  I'm not dissing the game, I just find that EQ2 is so similar, and I started that first.  LOTRO really didnt improve on anything.

Maybe a lot of factors involved... I don't like the graphics, the sound is unpleasant,,, the running around is typical in a mmo and can be executed well or not.  Here i think it is pretty bland.

I think I just need to get over the hump in the beginner zones and give a good shot, but so far it has never been interesting enough to get hardcore.

Playing instruments my fav part of the game.

Happened for me in EQ2 until I found a class I enjoyed, at least their was a lot of selections, which of course, could put some other people off... something kept me going however, but alas retired from boredom.

Hope others (and their are plenty) see what I am missing! I'd love to give it a go again.

The chances of finding PUG's above level 30 in LOTRO, on all servers in general could be varied, but whoever says that it's hard or even impossible (LOL) in general, is not stating an opinion: that person is declaring true *bullshit*.

It is *that* simple, I'm sorry.1

Opinions can differ on subjective issues and matters of taste, but this is sadly not the case.

DB

Originally posted by blindside044

 
 
 
 

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Originally posted by Shastra
Before calling peoples opinion bullshit try to accept other peoples taste and opinion. Not everyone is going to enjoy the game way you do and not everyone is going to turn into LOTR fanboy after one month. I was in same situation as this guy. I enjoyed the game a lot till lvl 30 but after that its hard to find teams or i must say impossible. I still have many many fellowship quests just rotting in quest log and its been 2 months i didn't even bother to log back in. Its a good game but too much focus on party quests just ruins it especially when there is no one to team with.
Now go ahead call my opinion bullshit because i am not such a fanboy.
 
 
 
 

 

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alright... your opinion is bullshit. You 'must say it's impossible' to find groups after lvl 30? You either don't know what the word 'impossible' means, you enjoy trolling and giving completely false information, or... your opinion is bullshit. :) By no means is it impossible to find groups after lvl 30. On my 5th alt currently and, as usual, have had little to no problems finding groups. If you are having problems finding, you have to factor in what server you are playing on (some more populated than others), what time you are playing at (you wont find too many groups at midnight on a weekday (slightly overexaggerating :P ), and what quest you are actually doing (there are a small few that are unpopular). Also, joining a Kin is very easy, and the amount of good, friendly kins are many.. getting help from kinmates when you do need some help isnt that hard.
 
Now go ahead and call me a fanboy because I find this game more entertaining than any other MMO on the market, and I use some common sense to play it.
 
 

I would say your post is bullshit. Misty Mountains and Angmar two places next to impossible to find teams. Spamming LFG is not fun for some people. Only because you can find teams doesn't mean everyone else is having a very easy time in game. So by same logic your post is bullshit too.

As of today second day in Misty Mountain spamming LFG. I am on EU server and even during evening time these zones are empty.

And DB your post is opinion as much as any others. Don't think you are the only one stating facts here. But i guess every forum has it share of rabid teeth gnashing fanboys ready to rip anyone stating anything remoetly negative about their beloved game. Hope you guys love your mother as much as you love your MMORPGS.

Originally posted by hado

As much as I love LOTR and Tolkien, I can never get to far in LOTRO.  I don't even think I've ever gone passed level 10.  I'm not dissing the game, I just find that EQ2 is so similar, and I started that first.  LOTRO really didnt improve on anything.

Maybe a lot of factors involved... I don't like the graphics, the sound is unpleasant,,, the running around is typical in a mmo and can be executed well or not.  Here i think it is pretty bland.

I think I just need to get over the hump in the beginner zones and give a good shot, but so far it has never been interesting enough to get hardcore.

Playing instruments my fav part of the game.

Happened for me in EQ2 until I found a class I enjoyed, at least their was a lot of selections, which of course, could put some other people off... something kept me going however, but alas retired from boredom.

Hope others (and their are plenty) see what I am missing! I'd love to give it a go again.

Well, if you did not even pass level 10 (it takes about 2-3 hours of play maximum), then it's not very surprising that you haven't seen any improvements....

Graphics are subjective, but that is one definite strenght of LOTRO, so you probably didn't play it on max settings, or have a very special unique taste :)

Playing past the beginner instance is hardly hardcore btw.... game opens up proportionally, but practically nothing happens below lvl 20. More and more good stuff comes at every higher range (30+, 50+)

Yes, it's quite easy to see what you're missing: even the minimum time given to explore the game ;)

DB

i play on landroval, only part time since EVE is hogging all my time lately, but i have to admit, i never seem to have a hard time finding a group. When i want to run an instance or group quest, all i do is run to the area where the quest is, and wait by killing some random npcs around my target. Usually within 5 - 10 minutes i see a LFG chat for my point of interest. Last night i was able to run all my GB quests and some Eren Luin (stupid 1.35 gb EVE update :P )

Originally posted by Getalife

 

I would say your post is bullshit. Misty Mountains and Angmar two places next to impossible to find teams. Spamming LFG is not fun for some people. Only because you can find teams doesn't mean everyone else is having a very easy time in game. So by same logic your post is bullshit too.

 

As of today second day in Misty Mountain spamming LFG. i am on EU server and even during evening time these zonesare empty.

And DB your post is opinion as much as any others. Don't think you are the only one stating facts here. But i guess every forum has it share of rabid teeth gnashing fanboys ready to rip anyone stating anything remoetly negative about their beloved game. Hope you guys love your mother as much as you love your MMORPGS.

No, dude, you still don't get it.

Nobody is stating facts. I never said it's very easy to find PUG's at any time on each and every server. That would be a fact, most probably not true.

But saying, that it is very hard to find groups in the GAME (thus, all servers in general), at any level, is equally bullshit.

Your "point" in red above: see? None extremes (impossible vs. always possible) are FACTS, not even opinions. We were just pinpointing that not being able to find groups can be based on many factors, but it is definitely not the GAME's fault, as thousands of people have no such issues. That's an argument already proven, so the original point can have only trolling purposes. It is the same as argueing that "the game's graphics is ugly. Personal preference.

Also, we were talking about the 20+ and 30 level range initially, which is ND and Evendim, not Angmar or MM, so please don't distort the original argument either.  I agree that MM is not the most grouped region (to say the least), however Angmar is a lot better in this sense. If you cared to log on to the game these days, level ranges 30-40 are very populated (many runekeepers and wardens being levelled up), and it's dead easy to do any FS quests.

As I said, I finished at least 10 FS quests in North Downs in one sitting with one of my alts, all in PUGs.

DB

Originally posted by miagisan

i play on landroval, only part time since EVE is hogging all my time lately, but i have to admit, i never seem to have a hard time finding a group. When i want to run an instance or group quest, all i do is run to the area where the quest is, and wait by killing some random npcs around my target. Usually within 5 - 10 minutes i see a LFG chat for my point of interest. Last night i was able to run all my GB quests and some Eren Luin (stupid 1.35 gb EVE update :P )

That's exactly what I'm talking about. 2 types of people are here posting: 1 - playing the game and happily grouping 2 - haters not playing a game, spreading bullshit and defending it as it was a crusade (also, the cheap fanboy label popping up when arguments run out.

Oh, and also, your post is/will be invisible to them, as usual :)

DB

Originally posted by Shastra

 

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Originally posted by DonnieBrasco

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Originally posted by trancejeremy

 

I was absolutely in love with this game for the first month I played (and not quite 20th). So much I bought a lifetime sub.
My 2nd month wasn't so much fun, and after that it was awful. The game gets really awful past 20. 25-35 is an absolute slog, all the quests are in the middle of nowhere, you're always walking and always alone.
Thankfully the newest update (book 7) will supposedly help the leveling, so I can get to the good stuff
 

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This is so full of BS, doesn't even know where to start....
1 - have 5 toons, all btw 35 and 55. There are no levels now where one slows down (that is, if you care to read the quests and explore a little -so you actually know where to go next). Levels 20 to 35 are especially quick to pass and exciting, not to mention that Lone Lands and North Downs is always full of people playing.
2- it is quite plain to see that you have not played the game for a very long time - on my server (Snowbourn EU), all level ranges are very populated (you can't move a step in Moria, it's actually  not funny anymore, the crowd is wicked) - but I just started a new dwarf champ for my GF, and guess what - Ered Luin starting instance had 20+ 6- level players... so much for "alone".
One will only not group if he/she specifically refuses to. I did all the FS quests in North Downs (20+ quests) with my 3rd alt, about a month ago  on one single weekend, totally with PUG's, my kin not involved at all. That basically sums the the excess volume of BS in this post.
DB

---

 

Before calling peoples opinion bullshit try to accept other peoples taste and opinion. Not everyone is going to enjoy the game way you do and not everyone is going to turn into LOTR fanboy after one month. I was in same situation as this guy. I enjoyed the game a lot till lvl 30 but after that its hard to find teams or i must say impossible. I still have many many fellowship quests just rotting in quest log and its been 2 months i didn't even bother to log back in. Its a good game but too much focus on party quests just ruins it especially when there is no one to team with.

Now go ahead call my opinion bullshit because i am not such a fanboy.
 

Your post is half true and half retarded I'm sorry to say

True not everyone is going to enjoy this game or turn into a LOTR fanboy or whatever rocks your boat.

However I find the claim of "impossible to find teams" ridiculously stupid.

Sorry, it's bullshieeeett.  

Beyond that you can still level up WITHOUT doing the party quests... 

But even so, what do you expect from a game based on lore based on the deep connections of fellowship and friendship ? :P

Maybe you're one of the guys who want LOTRO to have you kill Sauron and have the ring as a legendary imba item for your epeen ?:P

Please keep this thread on topic and polite.

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Originally posted by zspawn

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Originally posted by Shastra

 

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Originally posted by DonnieBrasco

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Originally posted by trancejeremy
 
I was absolutely in love with this game for the first month I played (and not quite 20th). So much I bought a lifetime sub.
My 2nd month wasn't so much fun, and after that it was awful. The game gets really awful past 20. 25-35 is an absolute slog, all the quests are in the middle of nowhere, you're always walking and always alone.
Thankfully the newest update (book 7) will supposedly help the leveling, so I can get to the good stuff
 

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This is so full of BS, doesn't even know where to start....
1 - have 5 toons, all btw 35 and 55. There are no levels now where one slows down (that is, if you care to read the quests and explore a little -so you actually know where to go next). Levels 20 to 35 are especially quick to pass and exciting, not to mention that Lone Lands and North Downs is always full of people playing.
2- it is quite plain to see that you have not played the game for a very long time - on my server (Snowbourn EU), all level ranges are very populated (you can't move a step in Moria, it's actually  not funny anymore, the crowd is wicked) - but I just started a new dwarf champ for my GF, and guess what - Ered Luin starting instance had 20+ 6- level players... so much for "alone".
One will only not group if he/she specifically refuses to. I did all the FS quests in North Downs (20+ quests) with my 3rd alt, about a month ago  on one single weekend, totally with PUG's, my kin not involved at all. That basically sums the the excess volume of BS in this post.
DB

---

 
Before calling peoples opinion bullshit try to accept other peoples taste and opinion. Not everyone is going to enjoy the game way you do and not everyone is going to turn into LOTR fanboy after one month. I was in same situation as this guy. I enjoyed the game a lot till lvl 30 but after that its hard to find teams or i must say impossible. I still have many many fellowship quests just rotting in quest log and its been 2 months i didn't even bother to log back in. Its a good game but too much focus on party quests just ruins it especially when there is no one to team with.
Now go ahead call my opinion bullshit because i am not such a fanboy.
 

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Your post is half true and half retarded I'm sorry to say
True not everyone is going to enjoy this game or turn into a LOTR fanboy or whatever rocks your boat.
However I find the claim of "impossible to find teams" ridiculously stupid.
Sorry, it's bullshieeeett.  
Beyond that you can still level up WITHOUT doing the party quests... 
But even so, what do you expect from a game based on lore based on the deep connections of fellowship and friendship ? :P
Maybe you're one of the guys who want LOTRO to have you kill Sauron and have the ring as a legendary imba item for your epeen ?:P

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ironic you have to use word EPEEN. All i see is same group of people always trying to harass those who try to share experience different then yours.And maybe if DB tried to read properly, i am currently playing lOTR.Just the fellowship quests i am stuck on i never bothered to look back for good two months.

As long as you sugar coat everything on these forums its all good otherwise you are a retard. And there are some players like me who like to do every single quest. So blame it on me that i don't skip them.

I think this thread has run its course.

/end thread.

Originally posted by Synthetick

Well, today marked my second week ingame and I find myself logging in more and more each day still, but what's more is, I'm still enjoying myself, taking my time and seeing what the entire game has to offer. I'm still finding new areas that are absolutely stunning and getting deeper and deeper into the quest line, which I believe is what separates this experience from most of my previous others.

In most other games I can honestly say I never paid attention, at all, to the story line. Reading through the quests consisted more of skimming through for general directions or keywords, other than that, never bothered to get into it, just wanted to level and get more items, which is completely opposite of my experience here so far. So, I guess you could say it's a breath of fresh air for me in a very stale and stagnant genre.

I still haven't broke my 20th level, I'm still in rather horrible gear, save the weapons which someone from my kin helped me out with, pretty broke, but I'm enjoying myself. From the moment I log on until I log off, and that is a pretty solid MMO experience if you ask me.

I was very critical of LotRO back around release not for being a bad game but for being rather bland.  I always said it was one of the best made, polished, and constructed games in a long time but that overall it was just Bored of the Rings Online.  Me and some pals recently decided to give it another go not finding any games out there to really interest us at the moment and I can honestly say they have done a great job of addressing the early flatness of characters and combat and made the game much more interesting and fun. 

LotRO, as I said, always was well made but since launch they have really juiced up the classes giving combat a much more dynamic and interesting flow than existed at launch.  The two new classes are also really cool taking the 'dynamic' style further with some really interesting new mechanics.  There are also lots of little things they seem to have done or tweaked that play in to this as well.

All in all, LotRO is a complete MMO in the traditional sense of the term and it has matured to now included good character development (not on par with something like DDO but good enough) and interesting combat mechanics in a big dynamic world with an underlying story to tie it all together.  Good job all the way around I say.

Like every game, Lotro can become a drag though too.  Once you get to 60, the endless farming for radiance gear will eat at your soul until you have a complete set.  While I agree that Lotro is the best game out atm, the reality is that you had better enjoy the content up to 60, because if you don't, at 60 it only goes downhill to me.  Repeatedly doing radiance runs is no different than any other small instance invented in any previous game.  Top that with the fact that, depending on your kin, most of that time will be spent in PUGs which will try your patience beyond belief.  I mean, it's not like the people have not done that particular instance multiple times before...

But I ramble...

Also, the game does not drag too badly in the 20's and 30's if you do some research and find the good quest lines to follow.  I recommend that people get over the very common hang-up of completing quests in their logbook too.  You will have much more fun doing quests appropriate to your level rather than once they are grey, green, or light-blue.

Bottom line to me:  Enjoy your lower levels.  Seriously.  I have one toon that I levelled slowly to 60 and no alts and truly enjoyed the journey.  At this point all I have left to enjoy are the moria epic series, which are far from trivial.  I love playing Lotro, but really dislike having content at this point that is completely without soul (radiance / loot runs and trying to level LI's).

PS:  Please don't misconstrue what I said above as I really do enjoy playing the game.  Just wanted to give fair warning to people who get hung up on getting to 60 ASAP.  I didn't do it, and I am glad, because 60, while nice, becomes less story and fun and more like other loot / grind / gear games out there.

For those of you not in moria yet: