Bullroarer Update 21 (#4) - Preview and Release Notes

[Yolli]

A decorative piece that looks like a book, uses a small hook to items. I think it is very wasteful... it would be better if we could use thin hooks.

[Derquin]

A decorative piece that looks like a book, uses a small hook to items. I think it is very wasteful... it would be better if we could use thin hooks.

That is a nice item. Thanks for the picture. Books and piles of books are something I would like very much to spread around in some houses. But I agree with Yolli - please make small items like this thin furniture. Even with the upgraded number of interior hooks one runs out of small hooks far quicker than thin hooks.

[Belechael]

I'm not sure what everyone would like feedback on, but I'm responsible for the story chapters for the Durin's Folk Allegiance and the Kingdom of Gondor Allegiance, so I'd be most interested in hearing about the storyline chapters for those two. Things like: do the quest chapters work and make sense, was the travel too much of a pain, did anything surprise you, etc.

EDIT: I'm still hooking up the VO for the Gondor Allegiance, but depending on the timing of the build, it's possible that the Durin's Folk Allegiance VO might already be in.

MoL

Ok, so here is some more feedback, besides "it was fantastic"

I don't really like the place of the npcs, just inside Morannon, especially as we have to go back at level 110 to talk to them, and not right after we enter Mordor at 105. There should be a special place to meet and talk with them after we get a summoning mail or autobestowed quest. The text on the new reputation tab is not enough for me.

The horse that takes you out of the Hall of the King in MT should not take you directly to Mordor, and obviously you should be able to enter it by regular means after you reach 110 and declare your allegiance. If you want to have a way to reach Mordor fast then by all means keep the horse, but it should not be the only way out (barring ports of course).

Ideally, I would love to have the ceremony take place on the pier and not at the gates, but that's PJ's wedding that may have influenced my picture of a royal ceremony.

I have only found rewards that give allegiance points on the Lore quests, 1 for each area I suppose, and 1 slaying deed in Barad Dur. I suppose there will be others and these may be enough to get the crafting recipe, but what mats are needed for it?

Without being able to do more chapters the idea that I get so far is that is a new reputation system put in place for more dailies. Am I right?

[Gandalphor]

A decorative piece that looks like a book, uses a small hook to items. I think it is very wasteful... it would be better if we could use thin hooks.

In one article I mention this... So much looking around just to throw a book, and lore even, on the floor. I was hoping for a bookshelf. Or at least allow us to collect these into the wallet and then barter for a bookshelf when we got all.

[Yolli]

In one article I mention this... So much looking around just to throw a book, and lore even, on the floor. I was hoping for a bookshelf. Or at least allow us to collect these into the wallet and then barter for a bookshelf when we got all.

I can't imagine a bookshelf with these books, as each book can be used to listen to the story

[OldMadeOfLions]

Without being able to do more chapters the idea that I get so far is that is a new reputation system put in place for more dailies. Am I right?

I see what you're getting at ('it's just Reputation!'), but I don't agree with that. One of the things I've been dissatisfied with about Reputations in the past is how story-agnostic they could feel. Yes, you're helping various factions with their problems and becoming more and more respected in their society, but there was no real progression in a story sense. They respected you more and more, and offered you more rewards, but there was no real sense of a continuing storyline for most of them. Allegiances do have you filling up a bar, and there are repeatable quests and rewards, but for me the significant addition is that each of them tells a continuing story. I think of my Allegiances like Bingo Boffin style quest arcs, but instead of funny hobbit shenanigans you get dwarf- or Gondor-themed problems and stories, and instead of them advancing weekly they advance as you gain AP.

I'm always trying to add more story to LOTRO rather than less, and Allegiances allow us to add Quite A Lot More Story, and in some surprising ways. I dig it.

MoL

[stefan1988]

.
and no milestone for them either

shall check your inventory,this weekends high elves i made had the milestone as a consumable next to the isengard tavenr porting scroll

[stefan1988]

Jep I agree with that.
But cause Hobbits already have hope for the grouip the He should get something else.
+ % tac mit, + % maxmorale....
or another nice thing would be (heavy) shield-wearing ability liek dwarves with axes.
Or give them an aura which gives the enemies somehting like dread.

heavy shield is heavy unlikely to happen as a racial proficiency as such proficiency belongs now to guardian class...thats like asking for proficiencies to use halberds,javelins,warden shields,staves,runestones...

[Dunhaid]

Hello everyone!

I dont know about you other guys which chose the Elf allegiance to test , but for me personally it was kinda Horrible.
Why?
Because of the session play "the battle under the trees". i didnt even made it any further cause everytime i tried the session play either I or the king of the elfes died.
It feels like you dont deal any damage to those orks, neither the npc´s are doing.

I would like to qoute something, that "Wibz" wrote in an other Thread.

Quote:"I then tried the session play, "the battle under the trees" and jeeeez, combat takes forever, you do about 2k damage per skill, which are all on 5s+ CDs against 60k+ mobs. The friendly NPCs die really quickly and you run out of power after a few minutes combat. "

[Starliteyes]

I'm always trying to add more story to LOTRO rather than less, and Allegiances allow us to add Quite A Lot More Story, and in some surprising ways. I dig it.

MoL

Moar story!!!! Yaaaaa! (It's why I play!)

[aocume]

I see what you're getting at ('it's just Reputation!'), but I don't agree with that. One of the things I've been dissatisfied with about Reputations in the past is how story-agnostic they could feel. Yes, you're helping various factions with their problems and becoming more and more respected in their society, but there was no real progression in a story sense. They respected you more and more, and offered you more rewards, but there was no real sense of a continuing storyline for most of them. Allegiances do have you filling up a bar, and there are repeatable quests and rewards, but for me the significant addition is that each of them tells a continuing story. I think of my Allegiances like Bingo Boffin style quest arcs, but instead of funny hobbit shenanigans you get dwarf- or Gondor-themed problems and stories, and instead of them advancing weekly they advance as you gain AP.

I'm always trying to add more story to LOTRO rather than less, and Allegiances allow us to add Quite A Lot More Story, and in some surprising ways. I dig it.

MoL

So
1:how many chapters in total for each factions? Will new quests be dded into this system?
2:Is allegiance system exclusive in Mordor or going to expand as we continue adventures?

[OldMadeOfLions]

So
1:how many chapters in total for each factions? Will new quests be dded into this system?
2:Is allegiance system exclusive in Mordor or going to expand as we continue adventures?

Seven chapters per Allegiance, and whether we expand it will depend on whether you guys like it.

MoL

[Skoch]

Seven chapters per Allegiance, and whether we expand it will depend on whether you guys like it.

MoL

Expanding later, like a heritage quest system (ex: Bingo Boffins Series) - Releasing short story updates and rewards periodically to continue each faction's story, possibly?

[Laurelinarien]

Seven chapters per Allegiance, and whether we expand it will depend on whether you guys like it.

MoL

I LOVE it!!! The new allegiances centres are perfectly designed. All I ask is for the elves session play to be improved... It's currently unplayable

[Andang]

I LOVE it!!! The new allegiances centres are perfectly designed. All I ask is for the elves session play to be improved... It's currently unplayable

I actually beat it after 6-7 attempts, but yes it is currently WAY too difficult, especially as the first quest.

[Gandalphor]

I can't imagine a bookshelf with these books, as each book can be used to listen to the story

Then when I tested it the voiceover wasn't done, so it was just a thrown book.

[Laurelinarien]

I actually beat it after 6-7 attempts, but yes it is currently WAY too difficult, especially as the first quest.

I admit I only did it once.. fighting was a real pain, even being careful with power, but to have Thranduil die just sitting there on his mount, not even attempting to fight... It was too much xD had to rage quit

[Scirocco]

Hello everyone!

I dont know about you other guys which chose the Elf allegiance to test , but for me personally it was kinda Horrible.
Why?
Because of the session play "the battle under the trees". i didnt even made it any further cause everytime i tried the session play either I or the king of the elfes died.
It feels like you dont deal any damage to those orks, neither the npc´s are doing.

I would like to qoute something, that "Wibz" wrote in an other Thread.

Quote:"I then tried the session play, "the battle under the trees" and jeeeez, combat takes forever, you do about 2k damage per skill, which are all on 5s+ CDs against 60k+ mobs. The friendly NPCs die really quickly and you run out of power after a few minutes combat. "

I did all 4. Dwarf and human halls were the best, Hobbits hall was small, and the quest was moderately annoying due to the hobbits running around madly.

I couldn't get past the battle of the trees, either. Too little damage, no power regen, it was tedious and ultimately impossible. It also seemed out of place, compared to the difficulty of the other 3 intro quests.

[Michaleo]

The new avatars have much darker bald heads (e.g., man hair style 14 & 15). From the front, the effect reminds me of holding a flashlight under my chin to look scary. From behind (your normal view of your avatar), it looks like I'm wearing a skull cap.

My Paul Newman-blue eyes have gotten much darker as well.

Sauron is gone. Why so glum?

[Belechael]

I see what you're getting at ('it's just Reputation!'), but I don't agree with that. One of the things I've been dissatisfied with about Reputations in the past is how story-agnostic they could feel. Yes, you're helping various factions with their problems and becoming more and more respected in their society, but there was no real progression in a story sense. They respected you more and more, and offered you more rewards, but there was no real sense of a continuing storyline for most of them. Allegiances do have you filling up a bar, and there are repeatable quests and rewards, but for me the significant addition is that each of them tells a continuing story. I think of my Allegiances like Bingo Boffin style quest arcs, but instead of funny hobbit shenanigans you get dwarf- or Gondor-themed problems and stories, and instead of them advancing weekly they advance as you gain AP.

I'm always trying to add more story to LOTRO rather than less, and Allegiances allow us to add Quite A Lot More Story, and in some surprising ways. I dig it.

MoL

I can't tell you how much relieved I feel after your reassurances

I really liked the coronation at the first chapter, I didn't expect it at all, and I will most certainly join the other allegiances for their stories if they are that good!

Just make sure we get enough points from various and different sources on a regular basis and I'm a happy guy!

[Gandalphor]

I wish someone would say "It's just reputation" with Fushaum Bal North and South.
At this point after having the highest reputation with everyone, these 2 I may just skip.

[CaerArianrhod]

Welcome to our fourth open preview of Update 21: Mordor. These notes are for Bullroarer, released on Saturday, July 15th.
New since last preview:

1. Avatar updating
2. The High Elf race is again available and a number of cosmetic and animation alterations have been made since last weekend. We would love your continued feedback on the new racial starting area, racial traits, new animations, and the avatars overall.
3. The High Elf racial weapon bonus has been increased to 5%
4. Grace of the Firstborn out of combat movement speed increase will no longer stack with other movement speed increases.
5. High elves now have different idles and the run while holding a shield has been adjusted.
6. Set bonuses will no longer appear on future pelenor gear drops (existing pieces will retain their bonuses).
7. Crafted consumables and specific crafted gear have updated stats. Some missing crafting ingredients have been added to the crafting hall of the tavern.
8. Fixed some incorrect values for outgoing healing on Mordor gear.
9. Weapon damage tables have been updated for Mordor. This included imbued legendary items.
10. The game credits have been updated.

Just some quick tests/look around:

ad 1) works now ok. for many hair styles i don't really see the big difference, that was promoted. yes looks different, but the hair styles are just a refined/more blurred versions of the old ones. Maybe there is not more possible with the games rendering engine. so: ok.
Some of the new hair styles looks like a helmet with a tick edge on the forehead, instead of a smooth/invisible transition between hair and skin.

Ad 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Why only Sword?!? This is really stupid. Either all weapons or find something else for racial trait! You actually demote the high elf to a pure Sword-wearing race.
- There is no real reason to remove staking of out of combat movement speed. It is out of combat, so it do not impact combat itself.

You made with this kind of changes the hig elf more and more unalluring to buy them. What is now the difference between a high elf an a man? Oh oh ... wait ... i know it, I KNOW IT! ... high elfs yelling with inauthentic and nerve-racking voice their battle cry. Right?


- (high elf) Warden shield cut the arm and shoulder of it's wearer:




You killed my normal elf! this is how my normal copied elf is looking an BR now ( he has hair on live!):




ad 6)
This is the old turbine way doing things: use the worst of possible solutions.
I'v seen what you said about this https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthr...50#post7741350 but it is still not to understand. either ppl have the old gear to use it for set bonus or there is absolutely no reason to go for this items without set bonus. You simple could have changed the loottable above level 106 and put some new-stat gear into the chests. That would give us a reason to run the instances.


ad 8) Itemisation.
- Still no incoming healing essences/relicts or stats! Skill effects at max level too low for any reasonable effects. So if you think we do not need any inc. healing, you can remove the stat from the game. (albeit you have new inc. healing essences in the game, but they are not available for use: see below)
- Tank and Supporter Light-armour gear still don't have any finesse!
Question: how do you expect tanks with 0 (null!) finesse to tank mobs and how an LM shuld debuff mobs if 80% of the skills are going to missed or BPA-ed by the mobs?
- itemisation in some cases is still broken: (Item Level <=> Character Level!)
(pic: level 106 item ok, level 115 item is downscaled because of wrong item level)



- Some stats on gear are still to high! So it is still very easy with the medium T3 DPS gear to reach and highly overcap physical mitigation. This is totally unbalanced to tactical mitigation.

ad 9)
Can you explain please what that means?

ad 10)
EULA and ToS of Bullroarer-client are still from Turbine.


ad 7)
- E&G is still missing many ingredient to be able to test crafting! (refined black adamant etc.)
- generally: many items for level 115 have item level 115 too. and many crit items seems to be only at item level 323 instead of item level 326

Cook:
- there is no vitality buff-food.
- the fortifying food has only a level 106 version (no version for level 115)
Jeweller:
- the crafting window shows still no difference between crit and non-crit items
- the LM black adamant broche values are too low for lvl 115 (1914 Morale is basically noting at that level). the difference between crit and non crit is 52 moral points?!? The crit version is only itemlevel 325 and not item level 326.
- Refined black adamant has a time gate?!?! WT...? One will need 3 days to be able to craft one item/try to have a crit item!? That is ridiculous!
- According to crafting window: there is no difference between normal item and Alliance Renewed Item (not in the ingredient and not in the stats). items can not be crafted for testing due to time gated ingredient.
Sholar:
- Battle lore\warding lore: insignificant values for lvl 115. 1150 mitigation and 1657 mastery is really noting at lvl 115.
- Hunter bow chants still have the wrong item level! level 100 bow chant has item level 201, level 106 bow chant has item level 115
-. Book of the Doomfold: the crafting window shows no difference between crit and non-crit items
- Restored Doomfold Parchment: same as Tinker: Why on earth do you put time gate on this ingedient?!?
- Captain Tonic: there is absolutely no difference between Westemnet Battle tonic and Doomfold Battle Tonic (exc. the required char level)
- Doomfold Athelas Essence: utterly insignificant amount of moral for lvl 106-115.
Weaponsmith
- for many items: the crafting window shows no difference between crit and non-crit items

====

some more:
- Virtutes are still insignificant above level 111,
- they are still no wound/fear etc. potions for above lvl 110
- would be nice if we could test some of the missing items like this ones (esp. inc healing essences):

[Beastnas]

I see what you're getting at ('it's just Reputation!'), but I don't agree with that. One of the things I've been dissatisfied with about Reputations in the past is how story-agnostic they could feel. Yes, you're helping various factions with their problems and becoming more and more respected in their society, but there was no real progression in a story sense. They respected you more and more, and offered you more rewards, but there was no real sense of a continuing storyline for most of them. Allegiances do have you filling up a bar, and there are repeatable quests and rewards, but for me the significant addition is that each of them tells a continuing story. I think of my Allegiances like Bingo Boffin style quest arcs, but instead of funny hobbit shenanigans you get dwarf- or Gondor-themed problems and stories, and instead of them advancing weekly they advance as you gain AP.

I'm always trying to add more story to LOTRO rather than less, and Allegiances allow us to add Quite A Lot More Story, and in some surprising ways. I dig it.

MoL

It would be fun to see a weekly episodic story again, perhaps tied to Allegiances beyond the initial chunk of content, and of course with a more serious tone.

[Lillipia]

Hello,

Checking the starter area and just want to point out a few bugs...

Quest rings still pop up after you have spoken to quest giver or no quest available during Instance: Into Darkness Falls A Star - when you are told to light barrels
It would be nice to have some better looking set of clothes and weapon (ugly looking mace for a Cappy?)

I do like the High Elf intro instances, wish we had some more to go through.

Thanks,

[Doril_Bladerunner]

Dear Dev,

Please add some more base finesse for creeps, or incorporate it into the corruption system.

Ideally, with freeps explosion of stats in this update, creeps need a few more open slots for corruptions/skills/racial too.

Tx