In most other online fantasy games, elves slaughter other elves. This isn't the case in The Lord of the Rings Online™, where players can assume the role of cunning and destructive monsters such as Orcs, Uruks, Wargs and Spiders. This unique competitive feature is known as Monster Play and takes place within the Ettenmoors, a massive region filled with a variety of quests, enemy players and objectives to fight over.
Oh, and it's also free-to-play.
PvMP Overview
- Choose from six deadly Monster classes, each with their own play-style.
- Coordinate among other Monster Players to win control of the Ettenmoors.
- Complete (daily) quests that reward Destiny Points, Gold and Infamy to hasten your progression and customization.
- Advance through 15 Ranks to earn Skill, Trait and cosmetic rewards.
Although Monster Play is free for all players, it must first be unlocked for new players. Thankfully, unlocking Monster Play is easy – get any Free Peoples character to level 10 and Monster Play opens!
This minor requirement ensures that new Monster Players have a basic understanding of the controls and game mechanics when they jump into PvMP, which can turn hectic incredibly fast!
Monster Play Tips
- Monster Players may customize their characters by acquiring a variety of Traits and Skills, which can be purchased with both in-game currency (Destiny Points) and Turbine Points in the LOTRO Store.
- Once you've found a class you enjoy, learn your skill rotations to maximize your effectiveness in PvMP combat.
- Finding a play-style you enjoy by experimenting with different classes and trait/skill combinations.
To create a Monster, click on the "Monster Play" button during character login:
- From the Monster Play screen you may select one of the six available classes: (Note: Free players may only choose the Reaver to begin. (Additional Monster Play classes can be purchased through the LOTRO Store.)
The Ettenmoors
Monster Players arrive at the Ettenmoors in the starting base of Gramsfoot, a starting area/rallying point safe from enemy attacks. Beyond the borders of Gramsfoot lurks dangerous open warfare in the form of Free Peoples players. There are several types of non-player characters (NPCs) who offer means for Monster Players to grow in strength: quest givers, provisioners, skill trainers and corruptors, the Monster Player version of Bards.
There's plenty of PvMP action and quest content in the Ettenmoors; completing quests often earn a combination of Gold, Infamy and Destiny Points, and quests can be completed solo or with a group of other players. Additionally, Monster Players and Free Peoples can earn significant buffs for their faction by engaging in battles for control of various points of conflict.
To locate these points of conflict press "M" while situated in the Ettenmoors. This opens a map with flag markers; a red/yellow eye denotes Monster Player control, and blue tree represents the Free Peoples.
Friends or foes often lie in wait within these contested strongholds, depending on what color currently paints the flag. When attacking a blue flag, it's recommended Monster Players do so with a considerably –sized force. Taking over enemy strongholds are missions for large groups of players. Flipping camps to Monster-controlled results in access to more quests; certain quests can only be completed when a camp is under Monster control.
Monster Play Advancement
There are several incentives for participating in Monster Play. In this section we'll cover the basic of advancement: Battlefield Promotions, Rank, Rating, Infamy and other information about player participation and advancement.
Battlefield Promotions
Monster Players can improve the core elements of their Monster characters with Battlefield Promotions.
With each new Rank (see below) earned, Monster Players can acquire the next tier of the passive Battlefield Promotions skill from a Monster Player Trainer. Included with each new rank of Battlefield Promotion is additional Morale, Power, Damage and Finesse – or in other words, core statistical improvements to every LOTRO character, Monster or otherwise.
Rank & Character Panel
A Monster Player's Rank reflects the favor earned in service to Angmar's army as a monster. Each Monster class can earn up to 15 ranks, and each new rank makes powerful new class enhancements available.
- To view a Monster's Rank (and many other characteristics) press the "C" key:
Infamy
For each enemy defeated and quest completed – whether solo or with a group – Monster Players earn Infamy. At certain milestones of Infamy earned, a Monster Player character will automatically unlock a new Rank until capping out at Rank 15. Earned Infamy points are never lost and continue to build as Monster Players fight battles and complete quests.
Destiny Points
In addition to earning Gold and Infamy, Monster Players can earn Destiny Points; when Monster Players want to acquire new class Skills, armour, bonus damage, etc, they may use Destiny Points. Additionally, Monster Player characters can spend Destiny Points on Perks.
Alternatively, LOTRO allows its players to earn Destiny Points while playing a Free Peoples character. It's possible to build up extra Destiny Points to use on a Monster Player character in this way. Yet another option for certain Monster Player improvements (e.g. Skills, Traits, etc) is using Turbine Points in the LOTRO Store.
- Opening the Destiny Points Wallet: Click the button (shown below) on the mini-map or press the "B" key:
- Viewing/Buying Destiny Point Perks: In the Wallet panel, click on the "Perks" button (shown below):
Perks
Earned by spending Destiny Points (see above) Perks are temporary buffs that can boost strength, increase speed and grant various other benefits.
Traits
Equipping a Trait will allow a Monster Player to alter both the function and appearance of their Monster. To equip traits, visit a "Corrupter" non-player character (NPC) and speak with them. There are four types of Traits in Monster Play:
- Corruption: Core Traits available to all Monster Players
- Race: Traits specific to the race of your Monster (Orc, Uruk, Warg and Spider)
- Class: Traits specific to the class of your Monster (Blackarrow, Defiler, Reaver, Stalker, Warleader and Weaver)
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Appearance: Each class begins with one base skin and earns one additional skin per Rank, resulting in 16 total skin options.
- Opening the Traits panel: Click the arrow on the bottom-left of the "hot bar" interface, which is found on the bottom of the screen:
- Tip! Alternatively, the Traits panel can be opened from the Character panel, which opened by pressing the "C" key.
Rating
Rating is a fluctuating number that rises and falls based on player victories and defeats in Player vs. Monster Player (PvMP) combat. The amount of Rating lost or gained is based on the overall Rating between opponents. For example, when a Monster Player defeats a Free People player with a higher Rating, they earn bonus Infamy.
Conclusion
Those are the basics of Monster Play. We hope this overview has whetted your appetite for Free Peoples-slaying in LOTRO. See you on the battlefield!