Returning to Lotro, Need Advice!

[Fluffy_bunnnies]

Hi everyone. So I am returning to LoTRO after 2 years away. I remember talk about the future legendary servers, and it appears they are here now! YAY!!!!
Anyway, what I could use some help with is making a choice between servers. I am a very social player, and like to make friends as I level up. In terms of
server population, does one server have a higher player base? To give details about my time zone, PST (western United States). Secondly I am curious
about how legendary servers match up against the original server population wise. For example, are the original servers much more populated in general?
(Notice I used the word "general" to avoid answers regarding, early leveling and endgame answers)

Lastly, and this is unrelated to the server health of original and legendary, is the point of legendary to give a feel of reliving the experience? For example,
do legendary servers exist to simply let us play it again? (that is what I am hoping for) Or is it more of a , "Here experience every quest this time because
you have to due to lowered xp rates"? I am hoping that is not necessarily it.

If you would like to give your own personal opinion on legendary servers as a whole that would be fine, and greatly appreciated.
I am very much looking forward to legendary servers assuming I am not falling into a grinding trap that is more intense than in the past! I would like to
possibly experience some quest lines I was able to skip in the past, but I don't want to be stuck questing for months to catch up to the current level cap.
I'm sure many people feel that way!

Thanks in advance!

[Vanyaerunanethiel]

Hi everyone. So I am returning to LoTRO after 2 years away. I remember talk about the future legendary servers, and it appears they are here now! YAY!!!!
Anyway, what I could use some help with is making a choice between servers. I am a very social player, and like to make friends as I level up. In terms of
server population, does one server have a higher player base? To give details about my time zone, PST (western United States). Secondly I am curious
about how legendary servers match up against the original server population wise. For example, are the original servers much more populated in general?
(Notice I used the word "general" to avoid answers regarding, early leveling and endgame answers)

Lastly, and this is unrelated to the server health of original and legendary, is the point of legendary to give a feel of reliving the experience? For example,
do legendary servers exist to simply let us play it again? (that is what I am hoping for) Or is it more of a , "Here experience every quest this time because
you have to due to lowered xp rates"? I am hoping that is not necessarily it.

If you would like to give your own personal opinion on legendary servers as a whole that would be fine, and greatly appreciated.
I am very much looking forward to legendary servers assuming I am not falling into a grinding trap that is more intense than in the past! I would like to
possibly experience some quest lines I was able to skip in the past, but I don't want to be stuck questing for months to catch up to the current level cap.
I'm sure many people feel that way!

Thanks in advance!

1) Regarding General Legendary Server Population Anor has a higher concentration of players since twas a first Legendary server launched back in the early November 2018, Very soon Ithil followed as well.

2) Let us call the Legendary server ~ "Worldwide" Servers. There are players all across the globe, logically you may fit better and find an appropriate group or players on Anor due to high population,but there are always exceptions. You do have a greater chance, nevertheless numbers are not everything. Create the character on each server,observe,communicate ,group and make you decision. No world is ideal and you could eventually find a home when you least expect.

3)As for Population of Legendary vs Regular. I would say yes, indeed to Regular servers. Legendary servers might be packed on launch and it was shockingly populated within first few weeks.Invasion of players but now the situation is rather quiet and speaking from personal experience , majority of my friends took a break and await for Siege of Mirkwood content re-add on.

4) The point of Legendary server is a bit strange and even miss-leading for newcomers and veterans. I will tell you openly if you seek to revive true Vanilla LOTRO I fear such thing can only happen in your vivid dream. Legendary server is not a classic. Tis a long tale to tell. Ironically nearly everything one can do on Legendary can be done on Regular servers. You will be lured by Nostalgia and a "fresh" start which might disappoint you or pleasantly surprise you, I cannot tell thee for sure. Legendary server seemed as an creative idea and clever decision from Standing Stone Games. I do support it,but please do not have huge expectations ,because you will not be able to revive the LOTRO once existed.

Legendary server offers a player to gain to access to the few exclusive frames,titles and Legendary quests while limiting our level cap to 50/60 , In the future it shall be 65/75 and so on gradually re-releasing the old content ,but inaccurately old, It is complex to explain unless you have played 12 years ago you will know what I speak off.

5) Currently grind is nearly non existent, expect the increase of grind naturally with each major expansion. I personally doubt I will hang on Legendary after Rise of Isengard. Vanilla/Moria already was a peak. Siege of Mirkwood will be superb as well. Rise of Isengard was a rock soild,even great in certain points, but i am giving you my sincere opinion because I always;

~ Compare each expansion to modern LOTRO.
~ Personal reflections and experience of my original play-though in the date expansions were released

With the Riders of Rohan things eternally changed , again Tis a huge tale to narrate.Longer than The Silmarllion. However, when Legendary servers begin to speed up and catch with the Regular I see no point of standing and Twill be nearly impossible to focus,grind,progress,invest and lead/play on both realms unless they do something truly unexpected to give me incredibly strong reason to remain on Legendary servers in later updates/expansions.

6) No new quest line or content exist on Legendary server except One new Legendary quest which will give grant you Legendary coins. 99,999% on content already is on the Regular servers.

I suggest to take it slow and worry not about being stuck, "new" content is released every 3-4 months.

For the end Lesser XP gain is barely notable.One can still use XP boost ,There is even Come back weekend with extra XP gain. I have spent enormous amount of time on Legendary servers and it entirely different social experience with a bit of nostalgia and escape for the Regular end game monotony. For me Legendaries have already peaked, each server has its "own" magic. There was a special feel and atmosphere on Ithil and I have had countless of wonderful moments,but realistically speaking once more You can as well limit your character on Regular server with a Stone and progress slowly.

If we connect all the dots there is little Legendary can offer in comparison to Regular server unless you seek the complete start from the bottom in the entirely new realm with "no so different players" There is a high chance you will met someone from your server as well.

Kind Regards,
Valainantiel High Queen of the Noldor

[Laubgaenger]

As the Endgame is capped again you have the big benefit that all players stay a time on that level and you will find easy fellows on the instances.

That is one of my core points to play on Anor. I like Moria with the many instances and DN. Next update we will get BG and the great OD. Here i will stay and look for Isengard with Tower of Orthanc.

We did not get that feeling on the common servers, even with the stones of T. That stop your level advancement, but let you not use the pocketitems, as we had the limklar sets.

[Fluffy_bunnnies]

1) Regarding General Legendary Server Population Anor has a higher concentration of players since twas a first Legendary server launched back in the early November 2018, Very soon Ithil followed as well.

2) Let us call the Legendary server ~ "Worldwide" Servers. There are players all across the globe, logically you may fit better and find an appropriate group or players on Anor due to high population,but there are always exceptions. You do have a greater chance, nevertheless numbers are not everything. Create the character on each server,observe,communicate ,group and make you decision. No world is ideal and you could eventually find a home when you least expect.

3)As for Population of Legendary vs Regular. I would say yes, indeed to Regular servers. Legendary servers might be packed on launch and it was shockingly populated within first few weeks.Invasion of players but now the situation is rather quiet and speaking from personal experience , majority of my friends took a break and await for Siege of Mirkwood content re-add on.

4) The point of Legendary server is a bit strange and even miss-leading for newcomers and veterans. I will tell you openly if you seek to revive true Vanilla LOTRO I fear such thing can only happen in your vivid dream. Legendary server is not a classic. Tis a long tale to tell. Ironically nearly everything one can do on Legendary can be done on Regular servers. You will be lured by Nostalgia and a "fresh" start which might disappoint you or pleasantly surprise you, I cannot tell thee for sure. Legendary server seemed as an creative idea and clever decision from Standing Stone Games. I do support it,but please do not have huge expectations ,because you will not be able to revive the LOTRO once existed.

Legendary server offers a player to gain to access to the few exclusive frames,titles and Legendary quests while limiting our level cap to 50/60 , In the future it shall be 65/75 and so on gradually re-releasing the old content ,but inaccurately old, It is complex to explain unless you have played 12 years ago you will know what I speak off.

5) Currently grind is nearly non existent, expect the increase of grind naturally with each major expansion. I personally doubt I will hang on Legendary after Rise of Isengard. Vanilla/Moria already was a peak. Siege of Mirkwood will be superb as well. Rise of Isengard was a rock soild,even great in certain points, but i am giving you my sincere opinion because I always;

~ Compare each expansion to modern LOTRO.
~ Personal reflections and experience of my original play-though in the date expansions were released

With the Riders of Rohan things eternally changed , again Tis a huge tale to narrate.Longer than The Silmarllion. However, when Legendary servers begin to speed up and catch with the Regular I see no point of standing and Twill be nearly impossible to focus,grind,progress,invest and lead/play on both realms unless they do something truly unexpected to give me incredibly strong reason to remain on Legendary servers in later updates/expansions.

6) No new quest line or content exist on Legendary server except One new Legendary quest which will give grant you Legendary coins. 99,999% on content already is on the Regular servers.

I suggest to take it slow and worry not about being stuck, "new" content is released every 3-4 months.

For the end Lesser XP gain is barely notable.One can still use XP boost ,There is even Come back weekend with extra XP gain. I have spent enormous amount of time on Legendary servers and it entirely different social experience with a bit of nostalgia and escape for the Regular end game monotony. For me Legendaries have already peaked, each server has its "own" magic. There was a special feel and atmosphere on Ithil and I have had countless of wonderful moments,but realistically speaking once more You can as well limit your character on Regular server with a Stone and progress slowly.

If we connect all the dots there is little Legendary can offer in comparison to Regular server unless you seek the complete start from the bottom in the entirely new realm with "no so different players" There is a high chance you will met someone from your server as well.

Kind Regards,
Valainantiel High Queen of the Noldor

Tha k you very much for your throrough explanation of personal experiences and what is and isn't. I very much appreciate your time in making such a detailed reply. You even touched up on topics that I figured were not too important and would figure out as I played, thank you!

I feel that legendary servers will be a good fit for me. I very much look forward moving onto ToO raids with a high influx of returning players especially. I will of course continue leveling my characters on regular servers also. However i might end up 'maining' legendary.

[Fluffy_bunnnies]

As the Endgame is capped again you have the big benefit that all players stay a time on that level and you will find easy fellows on the instances.

That is one of my core points to play on Anor. I like Moria with the many instances and DN. Next update we will get BG and the great OD. Here i will stay and look for Isengard with Tower of Orthanc.

We did not get that feeling on the common servers, even with the stones of T. That stop your level advancement, but let you not use the pocketitems, as we had the limklar sets.

Thank you very much! The ability to find groups easily while attempting endgame contenr is huge for me and sounds likd I will get that with Anor. I will be joining Anor on Friday!!

[Ranebow]

Hi everyone. So I am returning to LoTRO after 2 years away. I remember talk about the future legendary servers, and it appears they are here now! YAY!!!!
Anyway, what I could use some help with is making a choice between servers. I am a very social player, and like to make friends as I level up. In terms of
server population, does one server have a higher player base? To give details about my time zone, PST (western United States). Secondly I am curious
about how legendary servers match up against the original server population wise. For example, are the original servers much more populated in general?
(Notice I used the word "general" to avoid answers regarding, early leveling and endgame answers)

Lastly, and this is unrelated to the server health of original and legendary, is the point of legendary to give a feel of reliving the experience? For example,
do legendary servers exist to simply let us play it again? (that is what I am hoping for) Or is it more of a , "Here experience every quest this time because
you have to due to lowered xp rates"? I am hoping that is not necessarily it.

If you would like to give your own personal opinion on legendary servers as a whole that would be fine, and greatly appreciated.
I am very much looking forward to legendary servers assuming I am not falling into a grinding trap that is more intense than in the past! I would like to
possibly experience some quest lines I was able to skip in the past, but I don't want to be stuck questing for months to catch up to the current level cap.
I'm sure many people feel that way!

Thanks in advance!

Neither. Play on a normal server.

Reasons :

1. Don't fund this blatant cash grab/ cash cow milk squeezing attempt by Standing Stone Games. If they had any passion for this, they'd have made it an actual classic server.
2. The population isn't that much higher at lower levels. The majority of players are nearing level cap.
3. To reiterate the mechanics are the same from the current game. There is literally nothing different and higher population of any sort won't benefit you since everything can be solo played. In fact you'll only be limiting yourself due to mob or node resource competition.
4. As a result of the above, dungeon content is trivial as well. Think you're going into a dungeon to for a challenge? Nope, current mechanics + talent trees = people soloing raids or two manning raids.
5. You have to be a VIP
6. You already have characters, status and maybe guild on your original server.