Lord of the Rings Online weekly Beta Journal looks at the Woodsman crafting skill.

I have wanted to play a Hunter ever since I first saw the highlight of it on the LOTRO public Forums. I decided upon Woodsman for Crafting mainly due to how well it seemed to fit the needs of a Hunter and it indeed does fit very well. As a Human, I started in Archet, and as soon as I reached Combe, I accepted an appointment into Apprenticeship as a Woodsman.

I started immediately with the Forester profession and began to collect Rowan wood as I completed the Quests in the East Bree-Land area. I found progression from basic Apprentice, to Journeyman easy, and then to Expert as well. Mastery of the Ranks went well, and I am at present working on Expert Forester level. At this point I am accomplishing the Quests in the vicinity of the Forsaken Inn, so I do not yet have access to any wood that would allow me to advance Forester any further than I have. I have noticed that since I began Forestry, it would seem that my Axe retains its edge a bit better than before, maybe it's just my imagination. I found that the distribution of the Wood Nodes to be about right, a few less in the Marshes and a few more in the Forests would make more sense, but otherwise the Wood nodes are good. The amount of wood received after cutting the wood being the result of a "roll" of the dice is reasonable in my humble opinion; I think it does reflect real life to a point.

I have also set my hands to Farming. I have grown some nice Onions and Cabbage, but I really enjoy growing the Hobbit Weed, and have a taste for the Longbottom Leaf variety. At the present time I will not be progressing any farther with Farming, as my Forestry and Woodworking are occupying all the time in-game that I am not completing Quests. I suspect that as time goes on I will be able to work out a deal with a Cook to do the cooking of what I grow, but right now I have been very busy mastering my Woodworking. I do see the importance of the inter-dependency built into the LOTRO Crafting System, and I see where this feature will strengthen the player community.

Now for the Woodworking main profession itself. As soon as I had learned how to treat Rowan, I began Woodworking. I made some standard Rowan Bows, and then continued working until attaining Journeyman status. I then acquired a recipe for "Campfire Materials" that has helped in progressing as an Apprentice Woodworker, and it has provided a needed product for sale. I have also acquired recipes for "Stout Ash Bow", Stout Ash Spear", and "Stout Ash Crossbow". So far I have concentrated on the crafting of "Stout Ash Bows" as there seems to be a little bit of a market need for them, and I as of yet have not met a Metalsmith from whom I can get the bronze, Iron, and steel Blades and other items needed to fashion the Ash Spears and Crossbows. I am continuing to search for a Craftsman that works with smithing weapons as I have now received training to utilize a Spear in Combat, and I am eager to face my foes with a Spear of my own creation.

I love making fine Bows and other items of wood, and have placed some of what I have made up for sale at the Auction Hall, but I can honestly say that my Crafting Profession has been so far almost pure investment, and I have seen little profit as of yet. I have been able to make items that members of my Kinship have needed, so that helps make the financial loss a little easier to take.

At present time we Crafters can not repair items for others, and I feel that at least we should be able to put our skills to good use to help in the upkeep of Armor, Weapons, Jewelry, etc. If Crafting is changed at all, the ability to repair items for other players should be added. As an MMO Player that enjoys Crafting, I will continue to test the Crafting system in LOTRO, and see how it develops as beta continues.

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