What happens if... answers about the account types

[Ozeagle]

I was putting this together for my own needs so I could just copy/paste for responses to future posts, but seems to me it might be useful as a single "look at this post to answer your question" so none of us have to try and think of all the things again (and probably forget something important each time). Couldn't find anything available in this format anywhere else, and this is the format I find most of the questions I get are requesting.

So posting this here for feedback to start with - does anyone have any suggestions either on what should be changed, added, removed or clarified in the responses I've put together? And are there any other very common account status "What happens if..." type questions that we see regularly which could be included?

Edit: I've now updated this first post with all of the suggestions/changes/additions made through the thread and will continue to do so. Thanks to all who have contributed and please continue to do so.
Edit: Updated with the new Update 3 instances and information on the Rise of Isengard pre-order options
Edit: Updated with changes stemming from Rise of Isengard release. RoI pre-order options replaced with RoI purchase options
Edit: Updated with details of the Mithril Edition
Edit: Updated for the release of Update 6: Shores of the Great River

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What happens if...

...I establish a free account

- You receive 2 character slots per server
- You can create characters from any of the game's 4 races: Dwarves, Elves, Hobbits and Men
- You can create characters in 7 classes: Burglar, Captain, Champion, Guardian, Hunter, Lore-master or Minstrel
- You can create an Orc Reaver character in Monster Play
- You cannot create characters in the premium classes: Rune-keeper or Warden
- You cannot create characters in the other Monster classes
- You can level your characters all the way to the level cap (currently level 75)
- You have access to all regions of the game world except the Ettenmoors (the Player vs Monster Player region, only your Monster characters can enter here)
- You have access to all quests and deeds in 4 regions: Ered Luin, the Shire, Bree-land and the Lonelands
- You have access to tasks in all regions where they exist
- You have access to all of the quests that make up the epic quest line
- You have access to the Legendary Item system
- You have access to the first 7 ranks of Skirmish traits
- Your characters cannot quest for the riding skill
- Your characters have three inventory bags
- Your characters are limited to 2 Gold each
- Your characters cannot mail gold
- Your characters have anti-spam features on mail and chat limiting repeated chat or in game mail
- Your characters are limited to 2 Virtue Traits, 2 Racial Traits, 2 Class Traits and 1 Legendary Trait at a time
- Your monster characters are limited to 2 Corruption Traits, 2 Racial Traits, 2 Class Traits and 0 Appearance Traits at a time
- You can purchase items from the Auction House, but cannot post items for sale
- You have access to the first 2 skirmishes along with all skirmishes associated with the epic quest line
- You can craft items and advance your crafting skill through all 6 crafting tiers
- You can join a crafting guild and reach Acquaintance standing
- You can earn Turbine Points in-game which can be used to unlock the majority of game content. Regular play will produce a good amount of TP. Unlocking ALL game content without purchasing Turbine Points is possible but extremely time-consuming.



...I buy Turbine Points with real money

- Your account is permanently elevated to a Premium account
- You gain 1 additional character slot (in addition to any previously purchased)
- All your current and future characters' gold cap is increased to 5 Gold
- All your current and future characters are able to trade and mail gold
- All your current and future characters receive a more lenient anti-spam limitation on chat and in-game mail
- All your current and future characters can list 5 items each in the auction house
- You permanently receive a high priority in the login queue if servers are full
- You permanently receive full access to the forums and other community features
- You receive full access to customer service (contacting a GM via in-game support tickets) for 30 days



...I subscribe and become a VIP

While subscribed, you gain:

- All 5 bag slots permanently unlocked on any character you log in with
- All trait slots permanently unlocked on any character you log in with (including Monster characters)
- Ability to trade and mail gold
- No anti-spam limitation on chat or in-game mail
- No gold cap on any character you log in with
- Access to Swift Travel permanently unlocked on any character you log in with
- 3 character slots (if upgrading from F2P, 2 character slots if upgrading from Premium)
- Access to all quests, deeds, instances and skirmishes in North Downs, Evendim, Trollshaws, Misty Mountains, Angmar, Forochel, Eregion, Lothlorien, Enedwaith and The Great River
- Access to all instances not bound to a quest pack/expansion - including Inn of the Forsaken and Halls of Night
- 500TP per month
- Highest priority in the login queue if servers are full
- Full access to the forums and other community features
- Full access to crafting guild advancement
- Access to the slow Bree-Land starter pony at level 5 (200 in-game silver)
- Access to the Riding Skill quest at level 20
- 20 Wardrobe slots
- Ability to spend destiny points
- Full access to Monster Play (including all Monster classes) and the Ettenmoors (PvMP) on both sides
- Full access to customer service (contacting a GM via in-game support tickets)
- Rest XP for all characters
- Your characters can list 30 items each in the auction house



...my subscription ends

- Your account is permanently elevated to a Premium account
- All characters logged in while VIP keep the unlocks for bags, traits, gold cap and swift travel. New characters will have the Premium restrictions (see "...I buy Turbine Points with real money")
- All monster characters logged in while VIP keep the unlocks for traits
- You lose access* to all quests, deeds and instances in North Downs, Evendim, Trollshaws, Misty Mountains, Angmar, Forochel, Eregion, Lothlorien, Enedwaith and The Great River. Quests and deeds already in your log can be completed (just the specific quest/deed, not the chain)
- You lose access* to all skirmishes with the exception of Trouble in Tuckborough, Siege of Gondamon and those associated with the epic quest line
- You lose access* to all instances not bound to a quest pack/expansion - including Inn of the Forsaken and Halls of Night
- You lose 2 character slots. If you do not have 2 empty character slots, you will have to select characters to temporarily lock until your account has enough slots to support them
- You no longer receive 500TP each month
- You fall back to a high priority in the login queue if servers are full
- You lose access to crafting guild advancement. Any advancement already achieved is maintained
- You lose access to the riding skill quest. Characters who have already completed it do not lose the skill
- You lose 20 wardrobe slots. Existing items in the wardrobe are not deleted, but no new items can be added until your total wardrobe items are less than your current wardrobe size
- You lose the ability to spend destiny points
- You lose access to Monster Play and the Ettenmoors (PvMP) except for the Reaver class. All other Monster classes will be locked*, but your Monster characters will not be deleted.
- You lose access to customer service (contacting a GM via in-game support tickets)
- Your characters no longer gain Rest XP (any amassed Rest XP is maintained)
- Your characters can only list 5 items each in the auction house

* Note that you will NEVER lose access to a quest pack, instance, skirmish or class you previously purchased with Turbine Points.



...I resubscribe

- Everything which was lost when your subscription ended (above) is reinstated


...I purchase a Shadows of Angmar retail box/code and apply the code.

- This ONLY works if you have NOT applied a Shadows of Angmar OR Mines of Moria code yet.
- You gain a month of VIP access (or extend your existing subscription by a month) and all of the benefits that entails (including the 500TP stipend)
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase a Mines of Moria expansion (Turbine, not Codemasters) box/code and apply the code.

- This ONLY works if you have NOT applied a Mines of Moria code yet.
- You gain a month of VIP access (or extend your existing subscription by a month) and all of the benefits that entails (including the 500TP stipend)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Warden and Runekeeper classes
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Moria
- You gain permanent access to the first 15 ranks of Skirmish traits
- You gain 2 character slots (in addition to any you have as F2P/Premium/VIP or have purchased)
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase the Mines of Moria expansion from the LOTRO store

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Warden and Runekeeper classes
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Moria
- You gain permanent access to the first 15 ranks of Skirmish traits
- You gain 2 character slots (in addition to any you have as F2P/Premium/VIP or have purchased)



...I purchase the Mines of Moria quest pack from the LOTRO store

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Moria



...I purchase the Rise of Isengard Legendary Edition

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Isengard expansion (including the Isengard quest pack, Draigoch Raid and Isengard instance cluster)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Dunland, Gap of Rohan and Nan Curunír
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Trollshaws, Eregion, Moria, Lothlorien and Mirkwood
- You are granted 1000 Turbine Points
- You receive 3 cosmetic armour sets and 3 horses on all characters, current and future
- You gain permanent access to the first 35 ranks of Skirmish traits (even if you did not previously purchase skirmish trait upgrades)
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase the Rise of Isengard Heroic Edition

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Isengard expansion (including the Isengard quest pack, Draigoch Raid and Isengard instance cluster)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Dunland, Gap of Rohan and Nan Curunír
- You are granted 1000 Turbine Points
- You receive a cosmetic armour set, a horse and a title on all characters, current and future
- You gain permanent access to the first 35 ranks of Skirmish traits (even if you did not previously purchase skirmish trait upgrades)
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase the Rise of Isengard Base Edition

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Isengard expansion (including the Isengard quest pack, Draigoch Raid and Isengard instance cluster)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Dunland, Gap of Rohan and Nan Curunír
- You receive a horse and a title on all characters, current and future
- You gain permanent access to the first 35 ranks of Skirmish traits (even if you did not previously purchase skirmish trait upgrades)
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase the Rise of Isengard expansion from the LOTRO store

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Isengard expansion (including the Isengard quest pack, Draigoch Raid and Isengard instance cluster)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Dunland, Gap of Rohan and Nan Curunír
- You gain permanent access to the first 35 ranks of Skirmish traits (even if you did not previously purchase skirmish trait upgrades)


...I purchase the Rise of Isengard quest pack from the LOTRO store

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Dunland, Gap of Rohan and Nan Curunír



...I purchase the Lord of the Rings Online Mithril Edition

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Trollshaws, Eregion, Moria and Lothlorien
- You are granted 2000 Turbine Points
- You receive the Steed of the Horse-lords mount on all characters, current and future
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'

[tessathecat]

You should add a link to Turbine's Free 2 Play FAQ. It answers most of the questions I see posted.

[Ozeagle]

You should add a link to Turbine's Free 2 Play FAQ. It answers most of the questions I see posted.

Sadly it's woefully out of date now and is likely to generate a whole bunch of new questions!

[Fringe]

You should add a link to Turbine's Free 2 Play FAQ. It answers most of the questions I see posted.

Sadly it's woefully out of date now and is likely to generate a whole bunch of new questions!

Agreed. The FAQ hasn't been updated since before the November update and is highly outdated. Turbine needs to get on the ball in regards to relieving a lot of the confusion that has surfaced on the boards since then.

Nice work Ozeagle. I'm completely exhausted so I'll re-read it tomorrow with a fresh set of eyes and see if there's anything I can help contribute.

This should definitely be stickied and spread across the different boards.

[EtherDragon]

Good info! Definately worth a permanent home somewhere, either in a FAQ or other sticky!

[Eluros]

Ozeagle, this is great info! Thanks for posting it! I'll give you reputation for it.

This would be great to have in the stickied "Answers to Your Questions" thread (in the first post), but I wouldn't want to use it without your permissions and without giving you full credit for compiling it. If you would be open to me putting your summary (fully accredit to you, with a link) in the stickied thread, let me know. We can chat via PM, if you prefer.

At any rate, thanks for the topic that will be helpful to so many!

EDIT:

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Ozeagle again.

Sorry that I can't give you any more reputation right now.

[Elinnea]

Very nice. This is exactly the kind of concise summary I've been looking for everywhere and have been unable to find. The only things I'm still not clear on is what exactly is meant by "full access to the forums and other community features" and "full access to customer service". Is it known what the premium and VIP players have access to that f2p-ers don't?

[Crell_1]

F2P/Premium can not create in game tickets in game (see below) except for gold selling, and harassment (assuming they've fixed the harassment option.)

http://www.lotro.com/component/conte...ort-ticket-tse used to let you get a hold of the in-game-team, anyway but since they redid their site, i've got no clue where the new link is.

[KnowBuddy]

Excellent synopsis! + Rep.

/vote for sticky and (un)official replacement reference for the F2P FAQ/chart (which I believe was slightly outdated as of the F2P launch).
This can be a good new-player link alongside Eluros' Answers thread.

Now to rework the F2P/Premium/VIP chart with information which is actually correct... (already underway, thanks in advance to Fringe and the team working hard on that!)

Comments for clarity:

You might add a section at the beginning with "...remain a Free2Play account?" outlining the limitations of F2P as a baseline.

...I buy Turbine Points with real money

- Your account becomes a Premium account
- You gain 1 additional character slot (this is on top of any purchased)
- All of your characters' gold caps are increased to 5 Gold (making it clear that existing and future characters are upgraded)
- All of your characters are able to trade and mail gold (making it clear that existing and future characters are upgraded)
- All of your characters can list 5 items each in the auction house (making it clear that existing and future characters are upgraded)
- You receive a high priority in the login queue if servers are full
- You receive full access to the forums and other community features (this could be clearer, I'm also unsure of what the limitations are for F2P)
- You receive full access to customer service for 30 days (also unclear... just for in-game support tickets?)

...I purchase a Mines of Moria expansion (Turbine, not Codemasters) box/code and apply the code. This ONLY works if you have NOT applied a Mines of Moria code yet.

- You gain a month of VIP access (or extend your existing subscription by a month) and all of the benefits that entails (including the 500TP stipend)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Warden and Runekeeper classes
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Moria
- You gain 2 character slots (in addition to any you have as F2P/Premium/VIP
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase the Mines of Moria expansion from the LOTRO store I thought this was going away as an option... is it still available?

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Warden and Runekeeper classes
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Moria
- You gain 2 character slots (in addition to any you have as F2P/Premium/VIP

[Fringe]

Now to rework the F2P/Premium/VIP chart with information which is actually correct...

Shameless plug...we're working on that right now so please add any changes not already listed so that we can add them to the list and hopefully Turbine will listen:

Updated Subscription Plan Chart

[Eluros]

/vote for sticky and (un)official replacement reference for... Victorie's Answers to Your Questions thread (which is getting older and is quite bloated).

As I posted earlier in the topic, this topic is very helpful! Great job, OP!

About the Answers to Your Questions thread... that's actually mine. I try to keep it updated as much as possible-- if you check the first post, it says at the very top: Version 16.5; Updated 3:15pm EST, 1/13/11.

If you think it's getting bloated and there could be a more efficient way to store/organize the information, feel free to hit me with it-- I'm all ears!

[KnowBuddy]

As I posted earlier in the topic, this topic is very helpful! Great job, OP!

About the Answers to Your Questions thread... that's actually mine. I try to keep it updated as much as possible-- if you check the first post, it says at the very top: Version 16.5; Updated 3:15pm EST, 1/13/11.

If you think it's getting bloated and there could be a more efficient way to store/organize the information, feel free to hit me with it-- I'm all ears!

Ah, my mistake. I had assumed that since it had been getting high in post count that it might be unwieldy, but I had not checked it lately to verify. You have been doing an excellent job keeping it updated, I will alter my earlier comment.

[Ozeagle]

Eluros: More than happy for it to be included in/linked to your Answers thread. Not quite yet though, I'd like to get some more feedback on it first.

KnowBuddy: Thanks for those, I'll make some updates accordingly. As for the MoM expansion in the store, I think it's there to stay given they actually changed the package (removed Lorien) in the November update rather than break it apart like they did Mirkwood. But I should perhaps put in an extra "what if I just buy the Moria quests" one to differentiate. Just need to make sure I get the exact names correct as per the store so it's clear.

[Eluros]

Eluros: More than happy for it to be included in/linked to your Answers thread. Not quite yet though, I'd like to get some more feedback on it first.

Sounds great, thanks! Let me know when you're ready for it to go in the thread.

[Eriwyn]

Thank you, very helpful in clearing up a few questions I didn't even know I had.

One more thing...
My boxed edition says "Complete Edition" Including Moria and Angmar. I haven't bothered to enter my code yet so I don't know, what does the Angmar portion give me? Will the Angmar quest area be retained if I return to premium after my free month of VIP?

[Fringe]

Thank you, very helpful in clearing up a few questions I didn't even know I had.

One more thing...
My boxed edition says "Complete Edition" Including Moria and Angmar. I haven't bothered to enter my code yet so I don't know, what does the Angmar portion give me? Will the Angmar quest area be retained if I return to premium after my free month of VIP?

That code will give you access to all SoA content for the 30-day VIP period. After that, you will only have access to the portions of SoA that are available to all players for free (3 starter areas and Lone-Lands).

[Eriwyn]

Ok thanks. That's what I assumed.

[Shire_to_Mordor]

Looking at this list and doing a bit of calculation myself, I find that this is what I get for free with VIP:

Quest packs and expansions (excluding MoM and Mirkwood) = 5955

Bonus character slots = 2x595 = 1190

Currency cap removal = 495

Bags = 2x495 = 990

Wardrobe = 2x995 = 1990

AH slots = 5x95 = 475

Total of above = approx 11000

Plus other benefits I have not been able to put a value to yet (or I can't access yet, like the guild things - 295 per crafting guild tier per character).

If you buy all of the above at full price, you will spend around $120, which is what you would spend on a one year VIP subscription. But you can get it for much less using sales. And you have the flexibility of choosing when and what and how much you want to buy.

On the other hand, as a VIP you get additional benefits that I haven't calculated yet. But unless new content is added that is automatically available to the VIPs, in the long run Premium will have a distinct advantage, IMO. But then, the 6000 TP/year that a VIP will get should cover even the most expensive of expansions.

Have I missed something? Based on this, I think a VIP is a good choice for me, as long as I plan to maintain it and not downgrade. Of course, over a period of 2-3 years, it might actually be more expensive if I only stick with a few characters. But then it will probably also mean a lot easier breathing. And the sub can be cancelled if I don't want or can't play for some time, although the 3 month sub is less flexible there.

So, it is still quite a tricky decision to make! It is almost like a mini-game in itself

EDIT: Corrections.

[Fringe]

Some things to consider...Riding Skill, Chat, Mail, Auction House, Rest XP, Skirmishes, Traits, Destiny Points, PvMP, and Customer Service. Plus things like Vault Slots are sometimes easier to purchase with the free monthly TPs as opposed to earning in-game gold (they can cost 4+ gold rather quickly per character).

Add those into the mix depending on your personal preferences and you'll have a better idea of how the two plans compare.

Personally, I have been, still an, and will continue to be VIP for my own reasons.

[Shire_to_Mordor]

Yes, I think that I will also go with it - I have already setup a 3 month subscription, although my card won't be charged for another 3 weeks. I think a VIP sub will give me the best experience and peace of mind. I just hope that LOTRO continues to value the VIP subscribers as a steady and reliable source of income and doesn't short-change us.

Plus having thousands of TPs sitting out there and enticing me is not a good thing. I will probably end up buying on mounts and whatnot, and run up a bill of $200 instead of $120

EDIT: It looks like LOTRO is selling these days. The retailer from which I bought MoM hiked the price from $9 to $12 to $15. And now it is out of stock!

BTW, a pretty good OP

EDIT 2: Still undecided about VIP...

[EtherDragon]

Contents moved to this thread so as not to derail the original topic!

[Shire_to_Mordor]

Lothlorien? Purchased (or VIP?)
Mirkwood? Purchased (or VIP?)

I don't about Lothlorien, but Mirkwood isn't free for VIPs. The Mirkwood Expansion is available to me for 995 TP.

[Crell_1]

...Use Crafting Guilds? One guild Free, can Purchase More

A character may only be a part of one guild at any time. Period.
The purchase relates to a nonVIP gaining reputaiton beyond aquaintance. They can obtain aquaintance, and apply reputation until the point where they'd become friend, but it will not ding over to friend. The purchase allows any character on that account who is a member of that guild to go to 'kindred'.

[EtherDragon]

Updated guild info
Added ...Own a Fast Horse?
Updated Mirkwood as Purchase only.

Keep the comments coming!

[Fringe]

I can confirm that Lothlorien is included with VIP but requires the purchase of the QP otherwise.