Ive been trying to stay away from Lotro for a while now cause Ive been told that it is exactly like WoW more or less. Well, choosing to ignore that, Im wondering about the info I can never manage to find anywhere for any MMO which is:

Endgame content! How much of it is for small groups and how much for large groups(Raids)?

How big is a small grp? And how big is a large group?

Do you need a full group to do all the content? Is the requirements for groups made so that u need specific classes in order to progress? Or does the game give some slack in terms or group/raid composition?

Do you need to grind for hrs in order to get ready for a raid? Or is that not of importance?

Is the endgame content in instances? If so, what is the reset time on these? If there are no reset times, how does it then work?

Any info to these questions are greatly appreciated!

Here's your endgame content.

Helegrod - 24man... but nobody does this instance and the loot isn't worth getting.

Rift - 12man.. Has some decent loots, the set pieces could be better. Like for instance, 3 pieces of the set are better than crafted gear, the rest is worse than crafted gear. For me anyways, and I'm a minstrel.

Book 9 - 14 require a 6man group. Once you complete the book, they're done and you have nothing to do.

Aninuminas - 6man... The gear isn't good or worth getting at all, especially if your kin does Rift.

So really, all there is to do at 50, is PvMP and rift. The PVP in LOTRO is worse than WoW, and it's pretty bad in WoW. Rift is fun, you will run this dozens of times as it's the only endgame instance.

There are about 100 quests in every zone... I think about 1200 total. You will level by the time you complete like 700... so there's no reason to do the ones you skipped. Since, the only goal is to obtain exp which u no longer will get.

So in conclusion. All you can do really is, PvMP, create many alts, do rift a dozen times and deeds. If you want to max out your deeds, then you can do that. But really, deed 9 is not much better than a deed at 7. But if you love the storyline and graphics, then you will continue to play.

The only thing that kept me hooked was the extremely low monthly price. $10/mo or $200 lifetime is attractive. This is a game you will beat in like 2months get bored, play something else, and come back once new content is added.

Although, content udpates are very poor, once every 2months and they add very little usually. Just a book quest that you will complete in 2days.

It's not like WoW, where blizzard patches the game every Tuesday and there are frequent content updates, most of which add content that will keep you going for many weeks.

But like I said, nice graphics, amazing storyline and cheap monthly fee. I currently play this and WoW... mostly WoW, but when a new content in LOTRO actually happens, I come back and check it out. Until WAR releases that is, then I will likely quick LOTRO for good. Not worth the $10/mo anymore ehehe.

I'd agree with some of what the other guy said, but not all.  Especially not the part about WOW updating more often than LOTRO.  That's ridiculous.  LOTRO puts out major patches every 2-3 months, although one time it took 4. 

At end game there are a bunch of 6 man instances (5 or 6 of different scope), the rift (12 man), and helegrod (24 man).  Turbine's philosopy is to not make the game so much about and endless, gated gear grind.  You can get top end gear from crafting, pvp, raiding, and other ways.  Generally the gear from the rift is slightly better than the other gear, but it's not a huge difference and there are exceptions.  There's a new patch coming out tomorrow that is going to revitalize most of the 6 man dungeons with upgraded loot and some other rewards. 

If all you care about is doing a gear grind from raids, then lotro end game isn't for you most likely.  Personally I like doing them to experience the content just as much as for the gear.  The story/lore/history behind a lot of the instances is pretty awesome. 

[quote]Endgame content! How much of it is for small groups and how much for large groups(Raids)?

2 raids, and quite a few 6 man instances.

Do you need a full group to do all the content? Is the requirements for groups made so that u need specific classes in order to progress? Or does the game give some slack in terms or group/raid composition?

LOTRO gives you a lot of leeway with these issues.  Since it's more of a pve game, the classes are somewhat stronger than their wow counterparts.  They also have this unique attack called a fellowship maneuver which can happen randomly or directly in some limited cases (2 classes have skills to start them).  A fellowship maneuver requires each person to select 1 of 4 basic attacks with different effects (direct damage, dot, heal, power restore).  Furthermore, special combinations can give you powerful effects such as big group heals/power restores, buffs, debuffs, extra damage, aoe damage, etc.  Using particular fellowship maneuvers allows you to compensate for particular shortcomings of your group composition.  If my group is light on heals, we can do powerful healing moves.   If we're low on damage we can do damage moves, etc etc. 

Do you need to grind for hrs in order to get ready for a raid? Or is that not of importance?

Not at all.

Is the endgame content in instances? If so, what is the reset time on these? If there are no reset times, how does it then work?

A lot of end game content is in instances, but the vast majority of the story is either solo, small group, or single group content.  There's a ton of really solid quest content for solo/groups as well.  [/quote]

Yes and blizzard puts out more updates in 2-3 months than Turbine. Not to mention, what blizzard releases can last longer. Once you complete the book in 2days max, what 's next? lol

But Turbine does update the game and for free... like all other MMO's out there. Just certain games are bigger and need more frequent updates to keep their large population. Turbine has about 150k or less subscribers for LOTRO while Blizzard has to worry about 10million people. So, obviously they will add more.

But I like how LOTRO is a lot more casual play. Fits into my schedule so I can play other MMO's, like WAR!!! lol

but WoW sucks and looks like total crap. :p

And LOTRO releases alot more content than WoW.  Just because WoW might add one new piece of badge gear or some crap once a week doesn't mean they are releasing more content than LOTRO's huge updates.  Like tomarrow's book 14 update, for instance, they are releasing a whole new area and adding in all kinds of revamps and new stuff.

Don't forget guys, this game is still a baby, and the first expansion is coming out this fall, which will add a ton of good end game content. 

Originally posted by Servase

Yes and blizzard puts out more updates in 2-3 months than Turbine. Not to mention, what blizzard releases can last longer. Once you complete the book in 2days max, what 's next? lol

 

But Turbine does update the game and for free... like all other MMO's out there. Just certain games are bigger and need more frequent updates to keep their large population. Turbine has about 150k or less subscribers for LOTRO while Blizzard has to worry about 10million people. So, obviously they will add more.

 

But I like how LOTRO is a lot more casual play. Fits into my schedule so I can play other MMO's, like WAR!!! lol

I don't know what you're referring to, but you can see all of WOW's major patches here:

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/underdev/implemented/

release-  11/23/04 latest patch- 7/15/08

16 patches over 3 years 7.5 months. 

LOTRO's release- 4/24/07  latest patch- 5/22/08 

5 patches over 13 months

They both are about the same with 1 patch roughly every 3 months.  However LOTRO is also putting out a full expansion this fall, whereas it took blizzard several years to do an expansion.  LOTRO is doing yearly expansions, so that really tips the scale in their favor.  Personally I think LOTRO's patches have a lot more content in them.  Not as many raids, but more overall content.  Look at wow's 2.2 patch.  Listed features:  Voice Chat and Mac Movie capture.   Look at 1.10-  weather effects, priest talents, and a new armor set. 

Even if people say that LotrO is a WoW clone its important to remember that they have VERY different "end-game" philosophy! If you want get the best gear and "max out" your character and then think that you have beaten the game.. yea WoW is the game for you...

WoW adds alot of raid content and new tiers to their gear to keep people grinding in the game... LotrO adds alot of different stuff for all kinds of people in every content update! Hmmm did WoW add personal- and guild housing in a free patch? Did they add a outfit system and barber shops? Did they add dx 10?

Now tell me, what did WoW add between TBC and WotLK?  And I can tell you what LotrO added :)

Thanks for the reply ppl :)

What about the future content? Is that aimed at 24 man? or lower?

I hear they were goign to add instances (raids) of 24 12 6 and even hear something about a 3 man instance in the expansion.

btw as of today anuminas set doesnt suck anymore. yay!

Originally posted by Servase

 

Book 9 - 14 require a 6man group. Once you complete the book, they're done and you have nothing to do.

 

We already know that you don't like LOTRO :) but keep to the facts please. Books 9 and 11 can be done totally solo (maybe the last Q in B11 needs 4-5 man group. Book 13 is mostly solo as I have heard (being at B12CH9 now).

Book 14 is not even out yet, so how can you comment?

Basically from book 9 to 13 the only book that needs a 5-man (not even 6man!) FS is Book 12. Just done CH5 and 8 yesterday, CH5 was the hardest so far, did it with 2 captains and 3 hunters (myself is an LM:) very easily. Book8 is doable with 3 peeps again (although quest log says FS quest).

DB

Originally posted by ghettobooste

but WoW sucks and looks like total crap. :p

And LOTRO releases alot more content than WoW.  Just because WoW might add one new piece of badge gear or some crap once a week doesn't mean they are releasing more content than LOTRO's huge updates.  Like tomarrow's book 14 update, for instance, they are releasing a whole new area and adding in all kinds of revamps and new stuff.

Don't forget guys, this game is still a baby, and the first expansion is coming out this fall, which will add a ton of good end game content. 

 

I played wow for over a year and loved it. However, last week I tried to go back to WOW since my bro plays it, but I just cannot stand those ULTRA-EXTRA hyper low res textures, and 10-polygon models anymore. It looks like a game from 1999.

And on contend addition, c'mon there are a lot better examples: WOW cannot even wash the feet of LOTRO in terms of added content, let alone FREE content. (did wow have any at all?). We'll see the greater picture after Moria, of course, but it's already obvious.

DB

Originally posted by Servase

But Turbine does update the game and for free... like all other MMO's out there. Just certain games are bigger and need more frequent updates to keep their large population. Turbine has about 150k or less subscribers for LOTRO while Blizzard has to worry about 10million people. So, obviously they will add more.

 

That's some flawed logic... how on earth does the number of subscribers affect the rate in which new content updates should be added?

More people play quicker together? Sorry, I just can't grasp the concept :)

Either way, LOTRO has already been added 4 content updates, the 5th coming this week. By content update I mean: new areas, new quests, new items, new customization, new recipes, new features.

WOW gave such an update after 2 ye