Secret Surprise Speculation

[Sapience]

Whatever this surprise is, it will undoubtedly be far less awe-inspiring than most of us imagined, and Sapience, Kate and the crew at Turbine will once again be shocked at how 'underwhelming' our response was, in return. This seems to happen every time a surprise is teased...we always react to the Team's overenthusiasm (or we overreact to their right-leveled enthusiasm, depending on perspective, hehe), and everyone is slightly let-downish in the end.

B.

If you read her letter, we just laid it out there. No one has really hyped it or given hints. I've only said that I won't spoil Kate's surprise and I don't believe anyone else has commented on it at all.
All hype, wild speculation, and sometimes amusing predictions, are all on you guys.

Though I admit it's a ball watching it all.

[Ironcrown]

B.

If you read her letter, we just laid it out there. No one has really hyped it or given hints. I've only said that I won't spoil Kate's surprise and I don't believe anyone else has commented on it at all.
All hype, wild speculation, and sometimes amusing predictions, are all on you guys.

Though I admit it's a ball watching it all.

It IS very entertaining watching everyone go bananas on the subject.

[Belnavar]

B.

If you read her letter, we just laid it out there. No one has really hyped it or given hints. I've only said that I won't spoil Kate's surprise and I don't believe anyone else has commented on it at all.
All hype, wild speculation, and sometimes amusing predictions, are all on you guys.

Though I admit it's a ball watching it all.

I'm still betting 1 Turbine Point (yes, I'm not much of a betting man) on a new class, since "the class changes have made it possible for us to consider making a new addition to the game." That comment gives us a few things to go on:

1. It is something that relates in some way to classes or the systems employed for the class revamps.
2. It is a "new addition" rather than a revamp or change.

Add that to the following interesting HoarseDev answer to a 20 Questions chat from last July:

"Creating a class from scratch is a big endeavor. Our current class revamps should, in theory, have several beneficial byproducts. First, we are cleaning them up, top-to-bottom. They will be more rewarding and builds will be more defined. They will also be easier for us to maintain. While I can’t say that a new class is in the works (there isn’t) the revamp will make it a lot easier to consider one in the future."

The devs also showed with Helm's Deep that they could make monumental changes, including completely new functionality, animation, and artwork, for all existing classes, making the prospect of a new class, which might have seemed unlikely a year or two ago, far more realistic. With fewer skills and upgrades to make, and the trait tree system already established, it should theoretically be easier to create a new class now than it was before.

It is also a potentially strong money-maker, which will help in the absence of an expansion pack.

So, the question is: light, medium or heavy armour? Or no armour?

The other question is: in what way will this speculation be amusing? Amusing as in "not going to happen" or amusing as in "spot on"?

-Bel

[Darlgon]

Whatever they're doing, will it bring all my friends back to the game?

No.

10char

[Beleg]

I don't think it will be a new freep class. I just don't see them adding a lone class to the game. It worked okay when they added Wardens and RKs together, since that was a nice mix of tank/dps/healing.

It would make a lot more sense to add THREE new classes to the game (someday); but that's just not likely to happen this late in the game.

It could be something like allowing split/dual classes perhaps. Maybe when you hit level 75 or something, they'll let you pick a second class to somehow blend in with your primary one. That could conceivably be done without adding any new gear or skills. Might be fun.. I know my burg would love some AoE or ranged skills once in a while.

[IronHillsDwarf]

I'm still betting 1 Turbine Point (yes, I'm not much of a betting man) on a new class, since "the class changes have made it possible for us to consider making a new addition to the game." That comment gives us a few things to go on:
-Bel

I bet they're going to come out with a death knight type class, one that starts at level 60+. With the gift of the Valar and the class changes they are probably going to introduce a class that starts later at one of the older level caps.

[masumane]

Just tell us what it is already.

Geez.

[Widoch]

Dwarf women with beards and busts!

[ani6morphs]

Making the Erebrandir's Horseshoe a new playable class would sure kill two birds with one stone, eh? Plus, who wouldn't want to slay a horde of orcs as a chance artifact?

[SjsharksBoy]

The emote /moon or /mooning?

[A.Voronin]

You can find the Palantir with access to the elven erotic channels.

[Tenuke]

Warden dots finally nerfed in ettenmoors so that they dont anymore do 6k dmg / 4sec?

But tbh, I would fancy an idea of being able to buy class points with _reasonable_ amounts of TP.
My minstrel has some class deeds I have 0 interest pursuing for.

To get some, I would need to waste 2 points to get some anthem I have no need for, and use it for 300 times or something :,-(
Cant remember now what else there was I wouldnt really want to be forced doing, instead of getting them done while I just play.

edit: just bothered to check what it actually would need.. If limit is 20 anthem use / day, it would after all need just 15 days.
so I guess I after all will try to get my self onto it :-/

My (facetious) speculation...
They divulge what Erebrandir's Horseshoe really does

Oh come on, that has been answered already and maybe already few times.

[Rainothon]

I actually hope it is not a new class, but something not so completely different:

It is a new specialization for many (if not all) of the classes. The Hybrid. The Hybrid can pick traits from all 3 specs at 1 point cost, but cannot trait any spec capstones. The Hybrid also recieves no spec bonusses for number points invested in any spec.

The Hybrid is a true Jack of all Trades. Can do almost anything, just isn't really stellar in one specific, except in flexibility.

I envisioned this during HD Beta and I still think this is something worth considering. It will go a long way to bring some of the Jack of All trades builds back that the class changes removed.



Now. If it is a new class, it'll be Beorning and it'll be totally FOTM OP and particularly noteworthy as ULTIMATE Moor-wargkiller. Because Bear sniffs out puppie and then rips it apart, no more HIPSing and ambushing for you fleebags!

[YamydeAragon]

Dwarf women with beards and busts!

But all dwarves are already busty, just put them a dress & you will see!

[Lilka]

The surprise is that we find out at Christmas and it gets delayed until late 2015.

[PoeticNightmare]

Personally, I think this whole surprise concept is a bad idea. A couple years ago, I'd be incredibly excited and would have as much fun trying to guess what it is as Sapience has watching us speculate. But, given the mood lately I think everyone would be better served knowing what it is and anticipating its release. Give more reasons for those who are on the fence, or who have left, to stick around. There are many who simply have lost faith and one unknown item is highly unlikely to keep them around just to find out what it is.

I don't know. That's just my opinion.

[EmyrSelyf]

My guess is, the much speculated on,


Giant Shrew Steed !


(hobbits only)

[devintownsend]

I'll bite. I really do not see any need for a new class, but the surprise could be an idea I had when rohan came out...

a new race (sort of), the rohirrim. starts at level 75 with a warsteed and has a new, much larger set of skills while on a warsteed. however, non-warsteed skills will have to be earned and will be pretty limited; the idea being of course that you would excel while on your horse. it would basically encompass everyone's desires AND complaints: fills the role of a "newish" class, doesn't make you grind through 75 levels you've done 10 times, and you know the race's limitations so will know whether or not you want to include them in group content.

in the current state the game is in, this actually sounds like a better idea than it did to me last year. given that trait trees makes the classes a shell of their former selves as it is, you can allow the rohirrim to be any class and just limit how far down you can go in the trait trees, while having the greatly expanded warsteed trait trees for something new to try. since endgame raids are nowhere in sight and BBs don't require you to have any skill in your own class, the limitations probably won't have an impact either way.

I dunno, I'm sure the idea needs some work and doubt that's it. but could be something along those lines since the new trait trees would make something like this much easier.

[Lilka]

A couple of years ago it might have been a nice idea (I'll give a cookie to anyone who doesn't suggest beorning), but now I think we're all so royally sick of Rohirrim that an actual class would be overkill. The problem is the LOTR is all Rohirrims and Gondorians from now until the end, so anyone not sick of it today will be in 12 months time.

I also think it's a new class (I said as much in a past thread), but I've no idea as to its type. I think I'd enjoy playing a new character up, though, rather than levelling my top level chars.

[devintownsend]

I hear ya, but the problem with a new class is how can they possibly make it unique? They've already blurred the lines between classes so much with HD, what would a new class bring to the table? Each class used to excel at one role with usually a secondary role that they could fulfill fairly successfully if they put a lot of work into it (though not quite as good as another class's primary role). now a lot more classes can do a lot more and better than ever. cappys can heal, minstrels can dps, LM pets can tank, etc. I see the "jack of all trades" class still being mentioned over and over. what else do you people want? this isn't skyrim for ####s sake!

[LethalLethality]

Maybe your origins will have an effect on your character? You have different origins (Harfoots, Fallohides, Stoors, etc). Maybe each one could affect you in some way. Or each would have it's own buff/debuff. Take a look at each origin on the wiki to see their history.

Fallohides- Bow usage buff, Minstrel damage/healing buff, farming speed debuff.
Harfoots- Mining speed/crit buff, Farming speed/crit buff
Stoors- Guardian/Warden/Champion damage resistance

[Leixy]

I highly doubt it would be a new class simply because a new class would require quest creation, editing quest dialogs, and editing NPCs in every region / instance to allow for a new class. Simply not going to happen in my opinion.

Turbine alludes to trait trees opening up opportunities for this surprise. In my mind, that means it definitely deals with classes. Look for turbine to add something like class swapping on your character via the trait tree system where a player could be both a hunter and a minstrel on the same character. Swapping classes outside of combat to an already saved trait tree for a different class. This would benefit the game in many ways:

1. it would allow LotRO to modernize to what newer MMOs allow. (FFXIV allows a single character to play all classes and crafting professions).

2. It would allow smaller server communities to fill groups more easily.

3. Turbine could charge per class change slot on the trait tree system for premium members and give VIP'ers maybe 3 slots, thereby paying off the development cycle for this new class system.

4. double dip on players who already have 15 character slots who might want their mains to have double duty.

You guys always get your hopes up for something big like a new class. Set your expectations lower than you usually would and find a way to tie in-game currency, and you'd likely come out with something more realistic.

[mykidstjz]

Shirtless Hobbits is the secret surprise....WEE!

[Lilka]

I hear ya, but the problem with a new class is how can they possibly make it unique? They've already blurred the lines between classes so much with HD, what would a new class bring to the table?

Very true. Far from making them unique, the new classes seem even worse for being able to do everything, generally because they're very strong and the landscape mobs are very weak or non-existent. I wanted to level up some 86+ LIs but I genuinely wandered around until the mid 90s and barely came across any enemies at all. If we don't need to fight things, then what are our classes for? Carrying barrels?

I highly doubt it would be a new class simply because a new class would require quest creation, editing quest dialogs, and editing NPCs in every region / instance to allow for a new class. Simply not going to happen in my opinion.

You don't need to rewrite the quest. A box of text that states "Will you help me, dear Warden?" just has a blank space where the class name goes; the code chooses which word to fill in based on the character talking to the NPC. They don't have 9 versions of the same quest; it's the same quest with a blank space filled in. It would probably take just a few lines of code to insert the new class name into quest text.

Class quests, which featured in the early games, sure - but it's no great task to make 2 or 3 "go and fetch me a simple item" quests.

Personally I think a new class (pedestrian, a bit dull, not really much effort) would be a lot more likely than class-mixing. They can't even balance the classes they have - it would be months of rebalancing and testing to mix the classes up. That's practically making a whole new character, levelling and combat system. A much bigger job than making a new class icon, naming some new skills and a few icons and rigging up a tree then calling it 'a bard' or whatever.

[Ferathyr]

Class changes made it possible....

Buy trait points from the store?

Of all the suggestions I think this one is the closest.