New Expansion Question

[Neinda]

If this has already been asked and answered, my apologies. Please point me to the correct thread.

The new expansion supposedly has a new skirmish I believe. My questions: Will we now be able to level our skirmish pets to a level comparable to current cap? Will the skirmish raid rewards give items that are level appropriate rather than the level 105 items that currently drop?

[WeirdJedi]

This question hasn't been answered. I've been eagerly waiting to hear more details about it, but the only thing I know is that Cordovan will have a stream talking about it a couple weeks before the release date. You can check the last two minutes of the Cord of the Rings stream to hear the full schedule (without dates). Unfortunately, Severlin stated that "Systems is working to itemize the new skirmish and make it feel rewarding. I wouldn't say this skirmish would retrofit all the skirmishes, but we do want them to feel better... long-term goal of doing skirmishes with the delving system not for this update" at around the 23min mark: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1592604020. The other concerning thing is how our skirmish soldiers will upgrade or scale. Unlike the usual procedure of being able to upgrade them with the purchase of an expansion, I believe the last one was not made available with Mordor and had to be purchased separately in the lotro store.

[Neinda]

Would a blue name answer here please and thank you? It would be helpful.

[StinkyGreene]

Highly doubt that they will. Just an observation of their reply success when someone calls them out to answer.

[Silverhander]

I do have a concern, my account has 310 shared storage, while the ultimate bundle should add it up to 320, but it is still 310. Not sure what went wrong.

[egarthur]

I do have a concern, my account has 310 shared storage, while the ultimate bundle should add it up to 320, but it is still 310. Not sure what went wrong.

According to the store, the shared-storage bump and extra character slot -- single-asterisked items -- will be delivered when BtS releases in November.

The single-asterisk footnote says

*One per account. The following items will be delivered upon launch of Before the Shadow on November 8th, 2022 based on the edition you have purchased.

The technical reasons for why it needs to wait for that, I have no idea...

It's also a questionable use of the term "following", since the things the footnote refers to, don't "follow" it.

For that matter "one per account" is superfluous, because content, shared-storage and character slots are always per-account. Having them be per-character doesn't even make sense.

So, they could have simply said "These will activate upon the release of Before the Shadow", but they chose more cryptic wording.

[Neinda]

Highly doubt that they will. Just an observation of their reply success when someone calls them out to answer.

I expect the lack of an answer is the answer to the question. Odd business model to me. Sell something and keep the contents of what you are selling a secret?

A company that is actually interested in improving communications might think about being open about what is included in an expansion they are selling. Things like my skirmish question and the storage questions are valid and there should be an answer that SSG allows their staff to communicate to those considering the purchase.

[DoRonRon]

Orion should have enquired whether his colleagues were actually interested in improving communications perhaps?

I've had a couple of posts removed

I know you can and should have posts removed when you link a "troll" post, but when it's a blue? If it was at all accurate, then we are all to be stuck in load screens the day the mini expansion goes LIVE. Took me 20 minutes to find that post; I wondering if it's still there to be found? But then I don't think that is going to happen on patch day.

But ofc that doesn't help the pre-sales, I do get it. But it helped the carry-all and higher expansion sales no end. "Having one's cake and eat it".

The other more a "the horse has already bolted" (or was never ever in the stable). Yet still to be denied. Continue to "Flatter to deceive".


We have the pre-order before the first BR showing these days. Doesn't take a PhD in Neuroscience at Boston to work out why. I'm glad we have such making the game though.

[Arnenna]

We have the pre-order before the first BR showing these days. Doesn't take a PhD in Neuroscience at Boston to work out why. I'm glad we have such making the game though.

I find it baffling that anyone would purchase so blindly. I want to see it on BR first, and if it doesn't appear there, I'll wait until Live and watch the forum.

[DoRonRon]

I find it baffling that anyone would purchase so blindly. I want to see it on BR first, and if it doesn't appear there, I'll wait until Live and watch the forum.

Everyone's journey to enlightenment has a different pace. Your insurance may cover the hotel promised not being built when you arrive, but if an alternative is provided (the small print) perhaps not. Trip Adviser might help in the decision and show if it's completed before the start of the season. I had a first week of the season in a "catered" chalet. The "cook" who didn't follow the company's Brisket recipe and fried those "steaks" instead we did take to task else each following week's customers would face the same. Recipe made by a competent developer and undermined in ignorance at the customer level.

[Neinda]

I find it baffling that anyone would purchase so blindly. I want to see it on BR first, and if it doesn't appear there, I'll wait until Live and watch the forum.

And if SSG is not willing to tell me what is in the package they have put on sale, I too will wait until it is live and I can actually verify what is included. I am tired of surprises and once I buy it, it is non refundable.

[Silverhander]

According to the store, the shared-storage bump and extra character slot -- single-asterisked items -- will be delivered when BtS releases in November.

The single-asterisk footnote says
The technical reasons for why it needs to wait for that, I have no idea...

It's also a questionable use of the term "following", since the things the footnote refers to, don't "follow" it.

For that matter "one per account" is superfluous, because content, shared-storage and character slots are always per-account. Having them be per-character doesn't even make sense.

So, they could have simply said "These will activate upon the release of Before the Shadow", but they chose more cryptic wording.

Thank you for your patient explaination

[Gandolf_TheOld]

According to the store, the shared-storage bump and extra character slot -- single-asterisked items -- will be delivered when BtS releases in November.

The single-asterisk footnote says
The technical reasons for why it needs to wait for that, I have no idea...

It's also a questionable use of the term "following", since the things the footnote refers to, don't "follow" it.

For that matter "one per account" is superfluous, because content, shared-storage and character slots are always per-account. Having them be per-character doesn't even make sense.

So, they could have simply said "These will activate upon the release of Before the Shadow", but they chose more cryptic wording.

Because that is how SSG wants to do it.

Is there a legitimate question in there? Or are you just being a Grammar Nazi?

[egarthur]

Because that is how SSG wants to do it.

Are you claiming to speak from inside knowledge, here? Or, just throwing out the least-satisfying answer possible, in an attempt to enflame?

Is there a legitimate question in there? Or are you just being a Grammar Nazi?

Were there question marks? That's generally a tip-off that there's no question involved. If you read my post as a whole, you'll see I was answering a question, not asking one.

And what do you have against clear, simple, unambiguous language in marketing communication? Don't say "one per account" when it's already obvious and assumed, based on the nature of what is being delivered (content, character slot, shared-storage bump). Don't send people on a wild goose chase, looking for something that "follows", when nothing relevant "follows". This is called constructive criticism, and it can lead to better communication. I offered an alternative way to express what needed to be conveyed. That offer can be ignored, or taken under advisement. But what is there to be gained by criticizing the offer itself?

[Neinda]

If this has already been asked and answered, my apologies. Please point me to the correct thread.

The new expansion supposedly has a new skirmish I believe. My questions: Will we now be able to level our skirmish pets to a level comparable to current cap? Will the skirmish raid rewards give items that are level appropriate rather than the level 105 items that currently drop?

This is still an open question.

[Cordovan]

We are not currently intending to further scale Skirmish soldier stats, but the loot will be scaling rewards from levels 20 to 140 rather than the standard Skirmish rewards, and there will be additional rewards for level 140 characters.

[Laurelinarien]

We are not currently intending to further scale Skirmish soldier stats, but the loot will be scaling rewards from levels 20 to 140 rather than the standard Skirmish rewards, and there will be additional rewards for level 140 characters.

That sounds great!

[Neinda]

We are not currently intending to further scale Skirmish soldier stats, but the loot will be scaling rewards from levels 20 to 140 rather than the standard Skirmish rewards, and there will be additional rewards for level 140 characters.

Thank you.

[DoRonRon]

Thank you.

I am left to assume it's specifically this new skirmish only so no review or update of older skirmishes with the loot a measure above the gains to be made elsewhere. Swapping 30(?) skirmishes for just one. Thanks indeed!

[gildhur]

We are not currently intending to further scale Skirmish soldier stats, but the loot will be scaling rewards from levels 20 to 140 rather than the standard Skirmish rewards, and there will be additional rewards for level 140 characters.

The new skirmish will have entirely new rewards outside of the skirmish system? Why? Why not add the new 20-140 scaling rewards to the existing skirmish barter instead of forcing us into 1 specific instance out of 30?

Can any system in this game remain consistent and whole? Please?

[Neinda]

New question: If the new skirmish grants rewards different from the other skirmishes what type of locks if any does this new skirmish have at T1/T2/T3? What type of chest locks are associated with the new 6 person instance at T1 and above?

[auximenes]

Can any system in this game remain consistent and whole? Please?

/signed

[DoRonRon]

The new skirmish will have entirely new rewards outside of the skirmish system? Why? Why not add the new 20-140 scaling rewards to the existing skirmish barter instead of forcing us into 1 specific instance out of 30?

Can any system in this game remain consistent and whole? Please?

My (30?) turned out to be 19 after actually counting them all. It's not me buying to make all else obsolete though. Withholding ain't going to stop it, however.

[Hastran]

The new skirmish will have entirely new rewards outside of the skirmish system? Why? Why not add the new 20-140 scaling rewards to the existing skirmish barter instead of forcing us into 1 specific instance out of 30?

Can any system in this game remain consistent and whole? Please?

Excerpt from https://www.lotro.com/guides/lotro-guide-to-delvings-en

We intend to update the system as well so that once future raids are released on Tier 3 difficulty we'll introduce commensurate Delving system rewards. We also intend to add Delving difficulty to not just Missions but also other forms of previously-released content such as Instances in the future.

[Neinda]

Excerpt from https://www.lotro.com/guides/lotro-guide-to-delvings-en

We intend to update the system as well so that once future raids are released on Tier 3 difficulty we'll introduce commensurate Delving system rewards. We also intend to add Delving difficulty to not just Missions but also other forms of previously-released content such as Instances in the future.

Missions=Solo content (different topic from my question but thank you for the link)

Skirmishes/Instances=Group content

I just want to know if the new skirmish has locks and what those locks will be since it is planned to have it drop level appropriate items vs the current skirmishes which drop items for level 105 players. (And I agree with previous posts. It would be nice if SSG would build on the whole skirmish and instance system and make it good again rather than just mothball all the old ones and leave them and all those wonderful old instances obsolete.)