Just wanted to add my two cents and say to the devs, and the community, that I am so enjoying my Brawler experience. I spent my level 50 boost on the Brawler after update 33 and the class is so crazy fun that I am as hyped about LOTRO as ever.
It’s a bit weird for me as someone who has been sneering at the Rune-keeper as a “lore break” since 2008. I talk about this a bit on my blog, but the short version is that it seems like while the RK tries really hard to squeeze into the lore but (for me and myself only) just doesn’t fit, SSG gave us all the nudge and the wink with Brawler. The idea is an absurdity in Middle-earth but all the little details show that we’re not meant to take this class too seriously.
What details?
Well, the class quests are hilarious. The taunt is decidedly a Ric Flair “woo!”. Class trait deeds earn us pints of ale. Details like that.
Sure there are some annoying flubs that I hope are fixed soon: certain class mechanics are not properly explained; there is no Moria armor set (yes I know there’s a Loth set); Fist of the Valar seems to be broken; range needs to be tweaked; essences need to be made.
But, again, Brawler is just stupid fun. I’ve never been so invested in the minutia of a class before and I think this is because I’m so enamored with its silliness. I feel motivated to dig into the tooltips, learn more, even write a guide.
So good job! I don’t know how you broke down my Middle-earth lore gatekeeper defenses but you did and I’m having a ball.