What went wrong…..I have asked this question many times in the past several months.  It seems that MoM has done some damage to the game that I so enjoy playing and I am very sceptical that the Mirkwood update will do anything to seal the wound.  I remember being so excited about the Moria expansion when it went live and remember finally entering the Mines and my jaw dropped at the detail and effort put into making the mines.  However, all the beauty could not cover up what I believe was probably the worst mistake that has been made in LoTRO to date – radiance gear.  Yes, we all know what it is and most of us have at least some pieces! Why do I think this was a big mistake?  Well, for a few reasons actually. 

Firstly, radiance gear is the best in game gear – there are no other options at the cap level – if you want good gear you need to get the rad gear! (they tried to bring back crafted gear in book 8 but it is still a far distance second!).  Granted, there are select pieces you can attain in order to customize your build (e.g., Gelchrab (sp?) light armour hat with good tactical crit rating) but the core of almost every level 60 character armour set is radiance gear.  I remember in SoA you had many choices for cap gear from raiding gear in Helegrod or the Rift to the Annuminas, Angmar, and Ettenmoors sets and of course the crafted teal gear!  You could build a strong character with any of these choices or you could mix and match to your hearts desire.  This is what I loved, lots of options with no clear winner (although the Rift and Helegrod sets were superior they were not outrageously OP!).  Compare this to Moria where there was (prior to Bk 8) the purple set from the 6-man instances, quest reward gear, epic quest gear, and the coveted radiance gear (lvl 60 crafted gear was worthless!).  It seemed by about 5 months after the launch, every LM in the 21^st looked the same because who didn’t want/have rad gear on.

The second reason I believe this was a mistake is for the radiance “gear” gating.  Let me first state, I have nothing against gating, even using radiance, gating in some form has always been part of the game, however, I strongly disagree with using the radiance, placed on a piece of gear to gate content.  I never minded the hope/dread mechanic and this always made sense to me (need a hope token guys!).  I always saw the next step as a character acquiring hope, or as we now say, radiance in some way.  As many people have posted in the forums in the past (some more passionately then others!), I saw this as being through accomplishments either by completing parts of the Epic quest chains, because after all, LoTRO just would not be the same without the storyline, or through instances where you complete tasks/deeds to acquire increased radiance.  What I did not envision was them tying it to a piece of armour!  When they first announced the upcoming SoM, I thought “yes, maybe they have seen the error of their ways and will fix the rad issues!” but sadly they quickly shot down my enthusiasm in the first “Ask the Dev Team” instalment with this: “We think that the look and the attributes of our “Tier Sets” are rather rewarding in and of themselves. That they further unlock the ability to acquire even more powerful gear is a big plus. Trait-based gating feels less rewarding as players progress through the various milestones of the process so we’ve decided to stick with using radiance gear to gate access to our raids” *sigh* remember how you could walk into the Rift whenever you wanted? Just because you had access did not mean you were capable of doing or completing the raid so why, I wonder, did they decide to change this.

Finally, I believe rad gear was a mistake because of the grind! Essentially, your ability to get radiance gear all depended on the “luck” of the roll.  I don’t know about the rest of you but my dice were ICE cold when it came to rad gear.  In fact, every piece of rad gear I have is because of the awesome people in my kinship and alliance!  This inevitably led to tunnel vision where people were ploughing through the 6-mans to get the carrot at the end instead of enjoying these instances, we were playing them for a piece of gear that will become vendor trash at some point in the near future!  Now, I cannot speak for anyone else but I do not play this game strictly for the gear.  I play because I enjoy the community, the storylines, assisting kinmates/friends, the scenery, and completing challenging content.

I have seen many friends (real life and in-game only) walk away from the game in the past 4 months because of what Moria has become – a total grind-fest for rad gear with very little new content (even the Epic deteriorated in Moria)  or character progression.  I can only hope that some of them will be lured back with the upcoming update but really, is there enough “good” new content and changes to bring them back – I guess time will tell but I honestly do not see it happening when one of the main reasons most of those people left is not getting addressed except by adding gear with even more radiance (how long before our gear has +100 radiance) and, if the DN set is an example, stats that are nothing but sideways progression compared to the tier 1 rad set!!  I really enjoy playing this game and I want to see LoTRO succeed which is why I am so disgruntled by this path – if I wasn’t so passionate about the game I would have left by now!  

*rant over*

This is only my opinion and you have every right to agree or disagree with what I say.  I just felt that I needed to express my opinion and what better way then through this portal?  So, I now leave you with a pic of our 16^th Hall grind – it was a 6 person static group so everyone could get their shoulders – and it was the old school hard mode with the 3-pack running around and mushrooms that could instantaneously respawn on top of the one you just killed! We had lots of fun doing this static because of the people involved, unfortunately, only half the characters in this picture have logged on in last couple of months (Urailas included!).

Until next time…..

This past weekend I jumped on with no real plans.  I decided I would grind out some cash with Urailas (his pockets were a bit lighter after buying that horse for Elyandor!).  So I hit up one of the spots where I can get some coin fairly easy in a short time (some will recognize the area from the screen shots!).  Before heading out, I retraited Urailas into Master of Nature’s Fury (MoNF) to make the killing quicker.  I LOVE running MoNF because of the awesome burst dps a lore-master can dish out with this trait line (it’s like being each mobs own personal cremator – just step into the tar and I’ll light it up for ya!).  Add a lynx into the equation and I’m looting before the mob can say “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”

Some say it’s not polite to play with your food (or in this case your money!) but it’s hard to resist rocking out with a Wood Troll now and then (man are they one ugly looking creature!).  

Perhaps a lore-master should feel slightly guilty about destroying so many creatures of nature? (meh – they kicked me first….)

After collecting some funds I ported back to the 21^st and noticed a message from a kinmate asking if someone could lend a hand in Fil Gashan to get some new lvl 60’s geared up.  Naturally I raised my hand for a couple of reason.  Firstly, Fil Gashan is my favourite rad instance.  I find the boss fights challenging enough that you need to stay focused during all three or risk a party wipe, and the trash pulls are large which allows a lore-master to show off their crowd control (CC) capabilities.  There is nothing better then seeing a tide of mobs running at your fellowship and throwing out a root and maybe a mez (those pesky archer!) – suddenly there’s one, maybe two mobs still moving (we’re going streaking – come lets do it!…….. woohoo!….uh…guys? guys?….where’d they all go?).  Secondly, I love helping my kinmates and seeing them get the best gear that is available in the game right now is very rewarding (after all, we are a small kin so we need all lvl 60’s geared if we want to think about kinship raids!).  So, after a complete retraiting (in less then an hour I spent close to 1 gold in traiting cost…ouch!) into Ancient Master (I realize this is not a must for this instance but I thought with some players in the fellowship not having been in there before it would be best that I maximize my CC and debuffing) Urailas was set for some heavy-duty crowd control action!

The cook had ideas of what he was going to make for supper (“Get the Elven lore-master”….mmmm…..Elven soup!)

But we made short work of him and reaped the benefit (say what?! A 2^nd age LM staff…sweet!). 

After collecting some uniforms (Sir…sir…sir…sir…) we made our way to the 2^nd boss…Him and his lieutenants didn’t stand a chance!  After looting (say what? A 2^nd age LM book…sweet!)  we went in search of a couple more uniforms (sir……you shouldn’t be here sir…….sir………..I found a uniform!  Oh, wait, and a sentry……ummm….can I get a rez please!).  

My kinmate was ecstatic to be rez’d by the pipe”weed” of a lore-master however, he quickly took an “afk” to get something to eat (why does that always happen after I rez someone?…weird….)

Talug = dead boss and another kinmate received their radiance gloves (hip, hip, hooray!).  I made out like a bandit with a new 2^nd age staff and book to identify at the forge-master (generosity returned two-fold )

 Soon we will have all the latest level 60’s in our kin rolling with their rad bling.

Until next time….

As I mentioned in my last post – time to return to the regularly scheduled program!  Now that Urailas has been formally introduced, it is only fair that I continue with the introductions of the “et al’s”.  I’ll start with the character I have been playing the most these days – Elyandor – a Champion from Gondor. 

Having played a lore-master almost exclusively for so long (I kind of stalled on my hunter Egelias and warden Faloron and they mainly make leather and food and pay upkeep on my other kinship’s kinhouse these days), it was very refreshing to play a character that could get into someone’s face and take a few hits (although Urailas is a fairly “beefy” lore-master now, at the low levels he certainly had that “squishy” feel!).  I am also pleasantly surprised by the amount of morale she has for her level (1,900 plus at the moment) which it seemed Urailas did not hit until at least the forties! I attribute this to a better understanding of virtues compared to when I first started and I now focus on completing the virtues I see fitting the class as I level and to the fantastic armour that Elyandor has been sporting through her 20’s and 30’s thanks to some awesome kin armoursmiths!

Fervour stance is the flavour of the month for Elyandor when it’s times to do battle as I enjoy the gamble that ensues every time she engages *Hey! You and me, lets start swinging and see who falls first!*.   Of course there have been times when Elyandor has attracted a little too much attention and the inability to block, parry, and evade has lead to her demise (*shakes fist* curse you boggarts for always traveling in packs! *grrr*).  One time in a panic to control the multiple mobs that had suddenly surrounded Elyandor I instinctively hit a hot-key which I knew would help me get out alive only to realize that my herb-lore root which, when equipped would have rooted eight of the creatures around me (If I was Urailas that is!) was actually an open slot on my quick-bar that did absolutely nothing……

I have since learned to switch in and out of the different stances depending on the situation and things seem to be going much more smoothly! (except when Urailas showed her how to do a keg stand…..)

So, the goal when I created Elyandor was to get her up to level 35 before SoM launches to get in on the free mount and save some cash.  And so she hacked and slashed her way across Bree-land, east to Ost Guruth (even earned her “the Unscathed” title along the way), north to Trestlebridge and Esteldin, and finally west into Evendim.  Of the four characters I have run through the low level content on LoTRO I do not believe I have had as much fun or found it quite as easy as when Elyandor is swinging her swords, ploughing down orcs, goblins, wargs, and all other foul creatures that were unfortunate enough to cross her path!  Only this week Elyandor reach the level 35 mark (woohooo!!! )

Once she successfully completed all the mount quests I felt torn – ok, yes she will get a new mount with SoM and save the 4.22 gold it cost to buy a stead but what kind of lady wants to be seen riding around on a goat all over Middle Earth?!? After much debate I succumbed to the fact that Elyandor needs a horse – one befitting of a lady (I use this term loosely because after all she is a Champion – master of the dual-wield and Fervour extraordinaire!).  So I called upon the cash flow of Urailas to help purchase a beautiful chestnut horse for my second favourite character (that sounds kind of harsh but Urailas is, and always will be, my most coveted character).  Now Elyandor will enjoy riding around Middle Earth to assist the free people!

So time to log in, Elyandor has some riding to do!  Next up, the youngster Faloron….

Until next time…

Although I prefer to talk about the present doings of my characters, I feel it important to look back at some of the “TSN turning points” (some may understand that saying) that occurred along the way.

Over the course of Urailas’ adventures across Middle Earth he has had the pleasure of meeting and fellowing with many fantastic people.  This includes his kinmates (both present and past) and those in his alliance.  There is one however, who I feel deserves honourable mention as he was a pillar in assisting Urailas as he learned how to hone his skills and help his fellows in their battles.  This old kinmate was always willing to sacrifice his hammer and shield in battles to save his quote: “skinny Elf friend” and for this, will always have my gratitude as he is the reason I started playing this game and the person who taught me the most about the game (I was a total noob to MMO’s!).   With the grind that was/is MoM he has decided to rest and nurse his wounds before deciding if he will join Urailas again in the fight against Dol Goldur.  Even if he decides not to join this fight – I can not help but wonder would Urailas be where he is now without his trusty Guardian friend Brundorin Furysmith – Creator of The Mithril Knights and the best Guardian a lore-master could ever ask to fellow with!

Here are a couple of screenies of a good time we had (pre-MoM) in Goblin Town.  After countless hours of grinding through Goblin Town to complete quests and deeds, our bodies were fatigued from the fighting.  We decided the best thing to do was….RUN!  Brun would take the lead and let the Aggro Train begin *Woot, WoooooT*…..there is nothing funnier then watching a tiny dwarf bowl through a gang of goblins screaming “CHARGE” and see the faces of those little gobbies riddled with fear and panic at the sight heading towards them. 

Here’s to you Brundorin *raises a glass* may your shield allows hold, your hammer always strike true, your tankard always be full, and you lore-master always mezz those darn ranged archers!!  Hope your strength will return and we will take up arms side by side once again in Dol Goldur against the Nazgul Lieutenant!

And now we will return to the regularly scheduled program and continue the introductions.

Until next time….

Tada! *que the trumpets* I have finally found my tongue (ok, I wrote one blog before but I deleted it!).  I have been meaning to write on this blog for some time but have always stalled at what exactly to put here.  After reading many blog postings (most are wonderfully put together I might add) I have decided to keep a record of Urailas et al. and their various wanderings and doings around Middle Earth since these are the blogs I enjoy reading the most.

So, the question now is where do I begin?  Should I go back and recite some of the adventures of Urailas - he has travelled Middle Earth for some time now and the telling of his past doings would certainly take a few lines - or do we look to the future (so to speak) and add updates as we go?

I guess the first step would be an introduction since the Elves are known for their manners (or is it their smugness? I can never remember!).  So, without further ado, I present Urailas, Elven Lore-master ever a friend to the wild and kinmate to the Misfits of Middle Earth!

 *cough* don’t judge, I swear the dwarves put something in the kinhouse keg!

Now that the introduction is over with (I can never quite get the handshake right - too hard, not firm enough *sigh*) on to some adventures:

The Hall of Mirrors.  Yes we all know the 3-man that came out with Book 8 and whether you love it or hate it you have probably run it.  I for one am a big fan of this instance for a couple of reasons.  First, I have not done the instance a lot so it still has that new car smell and secondly, this instance keeps a lore-master busy! From removing wounds and disease to corruptions, keeping stun immunity on myself and fellows, mezzing those pesky bats, and nuking those taskmistresses before the huge buff.  Lore-masters have such a large bag of tricks and I find my fingers reaching all corners of that bag in this instances which makes me a happy panda!

So, last week Urailas entered the Hall with two kinmates (Ichtelion and Veteran) in hopes of meeting Erogoth and introducing her to her maker.  Urailas always brings along a friend and in this case, Thalia, his eagle companion was summoned.  Make no mistake about it, Thalia is the Queen of the eagles and even her shadow can strike fear into her enemies!

Thalia casting her shadow upon the wargs - who wouldn't be scared!

Our fellowship delved into the darkest depths of the Hall and found Erogoth however, in our haste to rid Middle Earth of the foul being (all those bats flying around down there - no Elf wants to walk around in bat guano!) our blades felled too many of her minions weakening her greatly.  We still destroyed Erogoth but no elf-stones were found in her lair this time. 

Until next time.