Hi, I'm new to the forums. 

I was thinking about starting a Lotro account, as it is one of the only MMO's I have yet to try. I LOVED Lord of The Rings, and it would be something new for me. I understand that its free to play, and that there is also an option to subscribe...my question is how free to play is it? Does the cash shop break the game? and If I choose to subscribe, how much bang would I get for my buck? How much content?

Thanks!

-Harlo

60 dollars and use of some  of the sales will get you every last bit of content and upgrades you ever wanted.

That being said, the cash shop is meaningless, other than buying content.  Never waste a dime on the acceleration items.  Immersion is not too bad, and the epic storyline is one of the best parts of the game.  I am in the process of reviewing the game on my blog, but I have not fully gone through it yet.

If you haven't tried it, definitely give it a go.  It's a great PVE MMO.  Great communities in-game too.  I played on both Landroval and Briar(or something like that...it's the biggest server) and had great times on each.

It's a free download and login so give it a go.  I think there are much better games out there, especially for the eventual price.  If you want to play the full game it can get expensive.  If you don't mind a very pared down game experience you can play for cheaper.

LOTRO has the best F2P hybrid system on the market. No other F2P game on the market offers as much for as little as LOTRO. The game is indeed content heavy, extremely heavy. Crafting is pretty decent as well, not too complex, yet satisfying. The graphics are DX10 and DX11 capable which I believe to be some of the most immersive available. I'm not saying it's polygon count is off the chart, but the ambience is 2nd to none. Really, the only con I have about LOTRO is the melee combat can seem sluggish and clunky. It's definitely not a trigger happy style of engagement.

Like most have said, it's free to download, so the only thing you can do is try it out and see for yourself. Just a suggestion though, I personally find Runemasters the easiest to solo with, however, you will need a certain expansion to unlock them I think. If you don't have access, you can always try a Hunter since I found them easy to solo with as well. I normally don't suggest classes cause I believe people should play the classes that interest them the most, not the ones that are the easiest.

Good luck and enjoy the game!

Thank you all, all of your responses were very helpful!!

Originally posted by harlokayne

I was thinking about starting a Lotro account,  . . . I understand that its free to play, and that there is also an option to subscribe...my question is how free to play is it?

Totally free as you can get Turbine Points via in-game actions.  By the time you've done all the deeds etc.... in all the starter zones you'll have enough points to purchase the next zone you want and so on.  Players have listed "how to" guides on the offical forums to play the game totally free.  Worst case you can pick up a $20.00 point card at one of the stores that sell them or watch for the sales that come up in the LotRO shop.

Does the cash shop break the game?

No it doesn't as most of the items are cosmetic or of the accellerate kind, but since you get gift boxes in game with your new toon you'll see most of the same that way.  Only thing I think you'll need is an extra inventory bag.

and If I choose to subscribe, how much bang would I get for my buck? How much content?

Pretty much all the base game plus the 2 locked classes - warden (which I like) and RuneKeeper, which originally came with the Mines of Moria expansion.

-Harlo

A good trick if you can still kind one is to buy the SoA / MoM box for cheap $.  That will give you 30 days of free play as a Paying Player and thats when you create a bunch of toons on 1 or more servers to get the extra inventory bags & gold limit unlock.

Originally posted by Nebless

A good trick if you can still kind one is to buy the SoA / MoM box for cheap $.  That will give you 30 days of free play as a Paying Player and thats when you create a bunch of toons on 1 or more servers to get the extra inventory bags & gold limit unlock.

This is excellent advice. I did this before the game went F2P and even now only sub to the game if I know I'll be playing regularly (more than twice a month) otherwise I just stick to the F2P and have no trouble at all.

Awesome thanks, I will most likely end up playing then! 

it's one of my all time favorite games.

if you want a good pve game with an immersive world and (on landroval at least) a STELLAR community it's the game for you.

i'd scrounge the local game stores to find a box on the cheap for the free 30 days, then play as a subscriber.  the turbine points you get for free every month shoujld be able to buy you the expansions once you get to the point where you need them to advance.

So wait, after I purchase MoM from Gamestop, or Amazon or whatever. Will I be a permanent VIP player? Or just for 30 days?

Originally posted by harlokayne

So wait, after I purchase MoM from Gamestop, or Amazon or whatever. Will I be a permanent VIP player? Or just for 30 days?

You will only be VIP (their term for subscriber) for the 30 days.  However if you can unlock account and game features in that time for your character (virtute slots and such) they will remain unlocked when you drop down to Premium.

There are 2 "free play" account levels.  A new account that has spent no money with Turbine is considered a "Free Play" account and has several restrictions.  If you spend money by subscribing or purchasing Turbine Points then you are bumped up to "Premium" and have fewer restrictions.

Originally posted by harlokayne

So wait, after I purchase MoM from Gamestop, or Amazon or whatever. Will I be a permanent VIP player? Or just for 30 days?

Check the link: http://www.lotro.com/betasignup/vipchart.html

"Purchasers of the Mines of Moria™ expansion get access to the Mines of Moria region and content, premium classes (Rune-Keeper and Warden), legendary items feature, Tier 6 crafting feature, 2 extra character slots and a level cap of 60. Purchasers of the Siege of Mirkwood™ expansion get access to the Siege of Mirkwood region and content, a level cap of 65 and the Siege of Mirkwood skirmishes."

IIRC you're a permanent "premium" player. Not sure if you get VIP for the redeemable 30 days or not, but it would make sense.

Just another reminder, LOTRO is not expensive, and about 60 dollars plus use of sales will get you everything you want (This will use the points you get from deeds as well)

1. No panda's.

2. They can't get away with playing with the lore to put panda's in.

3. There is no way they can make a far east power grab and snub western fans by putting oriental temple's in Mordor. With Panda's.It just won't work.

4. I love this game, especially the Prancing Pony, panda-less Prancing Pony. Cool game and only pay for stuff when you can or just only when you want to, no pressure despite the ads. Try it, free download, free account, etc. I would recommend upgrading to premium by buying a few points or purchasing the Mithril Edition.

Check out this link.  It has a lot of info on account types and how to make the most of either f2p, or short term subscriptions:

http://lotro.mmorsel.com/2010/09/best-lotro-account-type.html

Originally posted by grimal

If you haven't tried it, definitely give it a go.  It's a great PVE MMO.  Great communities in-game too.  I played on both Landroval and Briar(or something like that...it's the biggest server) and had great times on each.

I agree, it's worth playing. Turbine did a great job with LOTRO.

yep i agree, they were good at how they took an older game in a semi new direction when they went F2P i was once worried about the way they did the store adding gear but now that i know that the gear in the store is really lower then the crafted items, it's not really an issue.

Ultimately if you want to play LOTRO casually, see the famous landmarks, play through the questlines, etc, then LOTRO will be fine for you.  The store doesn't really impact these aspects very much other than to unlock content for a reasonable price. 

If however your intention is to play it a little bit more seriously, ie PvMP (LOTRO's brand of PVP) and raiding, then you'll likely be gimping yourself if you don't use the store to some extent (there is store advantage to be bought, particularly with the demise of the old destiny buff system).  If this would be an issue for you, then I'd suggest to steer clear.

Definitely give it a go.

Before the F2P days I tried the trial multiple times and just could not get into the game. The areas seem to small for LOTR. I was an idiot, I should have kept playing because this game is MASSIVE.

I have not played every MMO out there but LOTR's F2P is without question the best of all the MMO's (except maybe EVE's where you can buy PLEX for ISK) I have played. The tie-in between Deeds, Traits and Turbine Points is a great function. Earning Turbine Points is a breeze, in fact it's so easy it makes me wonder if they will ever try to nerf it in some way.

My biggest complaints, like some have mentioned here, are the character models. You have this huge wonderfully detailed world and these rather dreadful looking characters. I am also not a fan of the Swift Travel and the fact if you buy an expansion/quest pack your still locked out this function. Sorry Turbine, if I buy an area Swift Travel should be part of the deal. My only other real complaint is the disadvantage they leave subscribers at in regards to buying account unlocks. An example, right now they are selling Inventory Bags at 35% off but if you're a subscriber you can't buy these, you already have them. I understand why they would do this but it does leave some people feeling that subscribing can actually leave you at a disadvantage.

Good luck. if you do play and talk friends into playing make sure you refer them so you get credit for them spending money.