Note: This article refers to information available prior to the launch of LOTRO F2P. This information has been integrated into our other guides.
Now that the NDA has lifted, we can talk about some of the changes coming when LOTRO Free-to-Play launches. I played a Free account burglar in Beta to level 39, including many levels with no quest content, which really drove home for me how important skirmishes will be for Free and Premium players trying to level. Let’s take a look.
Skirmishes Open at Level 20
Probably the biggest change to skirmishes in F2P is that the Skirmish Tutorial quest will be available at level 20, instead of level 30 as it had been before. In addition, the Skirmish Tutorial has been simplified -- gone is the step where you collect War Orders and a Target List. Along with these changes, there will be some new armor sets available for levels 20, 23 and 27 via barter with skirmish camp vendors.New Levels for Specific Skirmishes
To support this change, the levels of some of the Eriador skirmishes were adjusted. The table below shows the levels skirmishes unlock in F2P and the unlock restrictions.Skirmishes by Level & Content
| Levels | Skirmish | Type | Free | VIP | Unlocked By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-65 | Trouble in Tuckborough | Offense | x | x | |
| 20-65 | Siege of Gondamon | Defense | x | x | |
| 25-65 | Stand at Amon Sul | Defense | Purchase in the store | x | |
| 30-65 | Thievery and Mischief | Offense | Purchase in the store | x | |
| 35-65 | Defence of the Prancing Pony | Defense | Purchase in the store | x | |
| 40-65 | Ford of Bruinen | Defense | Purchase in the store | x | |
| 45-65 | Survival: Barrow-downs | Survival | Purchase in the store | x | |
| 60-70 | Strike Against Dannenglor | Offense | [1] | [1] | Vol. 2, Book 9, Ch. 4 |
| 60-70 | Protectors of Thangulhad | Defense | [1] | [1] | Vol. 2, Book 9, Ch. 14 |
| 65-70 | Breaching the Necromancer's Gate | Offense | [1] | [1] | Vol. 2, Book 9, Ch. 15 |
| 65-70 | Assault on the Ringwraiths' Lair | Offense | [1] | [1] | Vol. 2, Book 9, Ch. 15 |
| 65-70 | The Battle in the Tower | Offense | [1] | [1] | Vol. 2, Book 9, Ch. 18 |
| 65-70 | Rescue in Nurz Ghashu | Offense | [1] | [1] | Vol. 3, Book 1, Ch. 8 |
For those of you comparing to the VIP Chart, yes, there are a couple of skirmishes missing. Apparently the two skirmishes you complete as part of the Skirmish Tutorial were counted when they made that chart.
New Skirmish Vendor
Barter for Symbol?
The coveted Symbol of Celebrimbor has been available for barter in the Beta skirmish camp. In addition to regular skirmish marks, you’ll need to exchange Superior Third Marks. In Beta, people were getting these marks running level 65 3-man classic instance, such as The Great Barrow and Eregion School and Library.
Note all of this is still in Beta and subject to change before launch.
6 comments:
I like the changes. Going down to 20 is a good step for those of us who will still be paying and for the new F2P crowd to keep interest. I can't wait to see what the scaled instance vendor sells.
Question for you; do you get GB, HG, etc marks even if you do it while not scaled down? IE doing GB at 20.
I've run a few Helegrod on beta, but always at level 65 since we were trying to test the raid encounters.
I have solo'd two of the GB a few times as a level 65 RK (the third wing has a multiplayer step I haven't been able to pass, even at 65). GB marks have been dropping for me in the level 20 version. The catch is that, so far, these marks barter for level 25 gear only. You can exchange em for 25 normal SKs too.
I've run GB at 65 too, and it's fun and challenging -- and surprisingly rewarding in terms of cash and marks. But no gear barter (yet).
This info is subject to change before launch of course.
Note the skirmish soldier rank limits, (not sure what levels those ranks correspond to. See victorie's FAQ [live] sticky), and the fact that SoM gates Advanced Skirmish Lieutenant slayer deeds.
Question on the GB marks. Are they easier to get than the skrimish marks? If i ran around solo in GB would i have a chance of them dropping?
GB marks come from either a boss, chest after a boss fight, or by completing a side-quest such as slay x number of wights. If you complete one GB instance, you will gain at least 2 marks usually, sometimes 3 depending on how many side-quests you do. Skirmish marks are more prevalent in terms of rewards. You are rewarded 75 skirmish marks as a daily reward for completing one instance. In addition, for completing certain segments of the instance, you may be awarded more skirmish marks. Also, a few drops like recruit / esquire marks from mobs / chests in the instance can be traded in for skirmish marks.
Thanks for the reply Ajay.
Post a Comment