Beta – LOTRO Players

[CC] Guide to Bullroarer v0.1

With a new update on the horizon you will hear or read, Bullroarer is up or Bullroarer is live. In this guide we’ll go quickly over what it is, why you might want to check it out and how do you get on Bullroarer if you decide to use it

*Updates when i can get some screenshots

What is Bullroarer?
Every new update introduces new things. Things that need to be tested before unleashing it on the people of Middle-earth. Bullroarer is the name of the server where the new version of lotro is active before it will be on the normal servers like Evernight or Laurelin.

Why would i want to check it out?
You’ll have access to the newest content a few weeks earlier. Class changes, crafting, areas, instances etc. What you choose to with that content is up to you. SSG is interested in your opinion, what doesn’t work or what works too well. A quest that won’t work, a skill that does not do enough damage or a boss that does too much. You can help to prevent this or use information and time to practice a bit.

Pro – what is in it for me?

Beta test/bug report
Test class changes or trait trees
Try out new content and quests

Con – might not be for you if you dont like

Time spent on characters is time not spend on the live server
Spoilers

How do i get to bullroarer?
Bullroarer is online for a limited time. Only during the testing phase for a few days at the time. And a few important warnings.

Important information regarding earning and using points on the Bullroarer Test Server

Points earned or granted on Bullroarer do not carry over to live.
Do not use purchased point codes or cards on Bullroarer! Any points granted to Bullroarer by these cards will not be available to use on Live and will not be refunded!
Players who participated in previous preview periods may find they still have points attached to their accounts. You can use these points only on Bullroarer.
Bullroarer is a Test server. We wipe all data from this server between tests and at other times as our testing requires. As a result, any lost points, items, or upgrades will not be refunded.

Before server go live
Step 1 – Download the separate client from the offical forum
Step 2 – Install the client before the server go up. Fesh and long installation

At the start of Bullroarer
When the server goes live (information provided by facebook, twitter or the Bullroarer forum. Currently it’s up during weekdays instead of the weekend.

When the login and transfer servers are open you can use an existing character or fresh (max level*) character to play. *To use the level up service it has to be a new character

Option 1 – Copy an existing character to bullroarer with the normal client Transfer. This will be a carbon copy of your character. Items will be cloned, not transferred. During this proces you can’t access your normal servers. Wait a few hours for the que to dissipate if you want to play
Option 2 – Create a new character and use “the Tavern” to equip and upgrade your character (to 120). Check out the guide and information provided by SSG. or read the Faq for some quick info

Read the patchnotes and/or the thread by the developers to see what is actually being tested or they want information for.

After/during Bullroarer

Leave bullroarer installed. You can access it again the next time
Report any bugs through the ingame Report Bug option or post it on the forum
Use your newfound insights for the better of dwarf-kind or prepare yourself better for the next update

Perks you might not think of

Change and test out class builds, dps with ease and no cost
1. Tavern for best gear, free empowerment scrolls etc
2. Test dummies for damage and healing (3 minute combat instead of 5 secs on live)
Access to changes, areas and classes you don’t have (to provide feedback)
1. Want to try a beorning before purchase or a max level warden? It’s free
2. Revert and tweak changes you don’t like by providing feedback. Guardian was changed a lot based on feedback during previous the betas
Head start on the new content
1. Doing new quests, crafting or dailies before it goes live will give you a head start. Can also backfire cause you might be done earlier and get bored.
2. Information you can use on the live servers. Focus on getting a new legendary weapon or a specific legacy. Don’t spend gold on items that will get replaced in the new area. Stock up on items that might go up in price soon.

See you all on bullroarer for the new update

LOTRO Update 22: Build 2 Preview Video

Our own Pineleaf takes a look up the latest build on Bullroar to see what’s new.

North Ithilien – A Preview in Pictures

Greetings LOTRO Players! In this article, we will be taking a look at some of the new sights that are coming soon when Update 19 goes live later this month. I’ll give my thoughts on the new region below, and also be warned that you should not continue past this point if you want to experience these wonderful new views firsthand!

Ithilien, the Land of the Moon, was long called the Garden of Gondor by its denizens, but foul orcs from Mordor drove the brave citizens west of the river many years ago. Now, its beauty lies undisturbed by civilization, seen only by a select few roaming warriors and hidden rangers. The journey into North Ithilien begins at the Cross-roads, a landmark set beneath the boughs of enormous shade trees. It is dominated by a statue of a King of Old whose head has been replaced by orcs with a crude stone bearing the mark of the Eye of Mordor.

The Cross-roads connects Minas Tirith to its sister-city Minas Morgul, with Osgiliath lying in between. Following the road east and south, we come quickly across a sinister gate leading to the infamous city of the Witch-king.

Unfortunately, the barrier cannot be crossed. Turning our sights north, the land slopes gently upwards, revealing fields of flowers and blooming trees set with ruins all about.

Many varieties of trees blossom here near the borders of Mordor — Many varieties of trees grow here near the borders of Mordor

Stately ruins dot the landscape, echoing the glories of Ithilien when its enemies lay dormant across the mountains.

Trees growing in the ruins of Aelin Veren

Continuing north brings us to Henneth Annun, the hideout of the Rangers of Ithilien, led by noble Faramir. They dwell within a cave that leads behind a roaring waterfall. On an interesting note, this cave is not instanced off from the landscape content; you can simply wander into the entrance of the cave and continue down to where the Rangers are stationed without ever hitting a loading zone.

The entryway to Henneth Annun sits atop a high hill

To the west, we get a fantastic view of the forests below and Cair Andros in the distance.

Riding west towards Cair Andros and turning a little north, we come across the Field of Cormallen. The beautiful King Crimson trees that line the clearing are a sight to behold, and I can’t wait to see this area in action for the party after the war is won!

Hurry up and get here already, Aragorn & Co!

Finally, heading north from Henneth Annun, we come upon Aragorn’s War-stead and our first glimpses into the wastes that surround Mordor known as Dagorlad.

The blasted area begins abruptly at the plains of Dagorlad, with the beauty of Ithilien only paces away

As promised, here are my thoughts after riding through the region for an hour or so:

The landscape looks beautiful. There are plenty of new art assets used, such as new types of trees and flowers, that keep the game visually interesting into update 19. Additionally, there is a good deal of variety, from the dark woods near Minas Morgul to the beautiful views of Henneth Annun. The world builders did a fantastic job of creating some breath-taking views in various places around this zone and cleverly winded the main pathway through the region to provide many of these moments. The new barter-flowers which are harvested in exchange for gear can be found in plentiful amounts all around the region; I was not particularly searching for them, and I harvested a good handful.

The wandering creatures in the area are more-or-less similar to what we’ve been seeing in most of Gondor: Bears, goats, birds, spiders, a few mountain-lions, and the occasional lizard. Of course, near Cair Andros were a great deal of Corsairs and orcs. Many were scaled above the level cap of 105, and I frequently saw mobs of level 107 or higher, making them more difficult to fight than anything in Far Anórien.

Lastly, the blue skies and bright colors that occupy most of the new region are a welcome breath of fresh air, relieving the ‘gloom-and-doom’ look of Central-through-Beacon-Hills Gondor. I was having a fantastic time exploring, and I hope you all will too when Update 19 launches later this month!

Please let me know in the comments below if there are any particular places you’d like to see more of. I’d like to also provide an article with pictures from the new housing neighborhood, depending on the status of Bullroarer this weekend!

Helm’s Deep Hunter Skills Video: A First Look

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then is a video worth a million? Regardless of the exchange rate, sometimes there’s just no substitute to seeing something for yourself. I made this video to show the new skill trees in action, and to specifically show how they will influence the hunter class in battle. Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts!

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Helm’s Deep Beta Test NDA Lifted

Today, Lord of the Rings Online developer Turbine announced the lifting of the Non-Disclosure agreement (NDA) associated with the beta testing for their Helm’s Deep expansion. Players who have been participating in the closed beta can now freely discuss their experiences.

lotrotweetbetaNDA

Be prepared for a flood of opinions and information (including on LOTRO Players!) related to Helm’s Deep. To start things off, Turbine has included a list of links to user-created class guides that go into great detail on the class changes players can expect to see in the upcoming update.

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