Issue 201 of the LOTRO Beacon is now available!

[Cordovan]

Thank you for reading the LOTRO Beacon! Don't forget to reply below to the Weekly Comment for your chance to win 500 LOTRO Points. We'll select a random winner after Noon Eastern on Friday, April 30th. Good luck!

[Ruisert]

What is the biggest thing you do different for your characters today than you did when you first started playing the game?

Consult the Wiki! Wish I'd known about this marvelous resource when I started out. http://lotro-wiki.com/index.php/Main_Page

[PieRat]

"What is the biggest thing you do different for your characters today than you did when you first started playing the game?"

No idea, it was more than a decade ago.

[Blackgoat769]

What is the biggest thing you do different for your characters today than you did when you first started playing the game?
Definitely enjoy the small things in the Lotro world... Like killing 120 spiders in the Barrow Downs.

[MacApple]

So called "end content".

[flyingty1]

I take my time enjoying the game without rushing to level cap. Course back then it was only level 65.

[elenbril]

Beeing in same outfit since Isengard .. it used to have floral pattern , now it is grey.

[bto]

twink 'em out

[Hanadon]

What is the biggest thing you do different for your characters today than you did when you first started playing the game?

Disable experience.

[Danielthor]

What is the biggest thing you do different for your characters today than you did when you first started playing the game?

Disable experience.

Tasks!

[Stacht]

Just his looks, really

[runespeaker]

Not die all the time! I don’t know the game’s gotten easier, I’ve gotten better, or if my new Dwarf Guardian is just sturdier, but I sure meet my doom far less often than I did on my Elf Lore-master 13 years ago!

[ninety3rd]

Make sure they are vaccinated!

????

[Hoflahil97]

Giving them more rest. Wandering around middle-earrh, fighting enemies make them more tired

[Wilibrad]

Too much farm now. In the past game was much more fun.

[Naurduin]

Stone of the Tortoise. Enjoy each area at the intended level. Why rush to the finish line?

[Bevin]

The wording of the question leaves me pondering two slightly different queries.
If you mean, what do I do differently for my main characters now than I did four years ago, I would have to answer that I play solo less often. In fact, now that everyone in my family has their own computer, we tend to play our mains together as we progress through the story line.
if you mean, what do I do for my new characters (new alts) than I did four years ago, I would say that I go ahead and secure the riding skill for them, or buy a month's VIP so I can unlock all their trait slots. However, it has been years since I started any new alts. I already have six alts now.
I have always been something of a completionist, so I guess my play style hasn't changed that much. What I enjoy most about this game is the story-line, and all the additional stories, the rich tapestry of all these lives woven together, both real and NPC. On the weekend, when I want to motivate my boys to finish their dinner (and help their mother with the kitchen) so we can all play together, I say, "Finish eathing, boys. It's time to saddle up. We have places to explore, stories to hear, and people to save. They're counting on us."

[Bevin]

Make sure they are vaccinated!

????

Alas, in Middle Earth, there are no such medicines to stave off plagues from the east. Only such herbs and remedies as we can grow, and strong hands and kind deeds to help the afflicted. Peace to you.

[dmoogie1]

grab the horse right away

[Fresh_Pie]

pay more attention to doing insignificant things like Fishing.

[Bjorngard_EU]

"What is the biggest thing you do different for your characters today than you did when you first started playing the game?"

Back then I occasionally thought that what they were doing was a bit too grindy. Now I know they were having it the easy way...

[Galadi]

I guess I am not so focused on completing every deed with every character anymore. Just enjoying the game.

[Ciarran]

What is the biggest thing you do different for your characters today than you did when you first started playing the game?

I use XP Disabler! (I learned that lesson the hard way, by out-leveling too many areas before I understood.)

[Devolved]

Different now from then?

Unfortunately, for most of them, the 'new thing' is just ignoring them.

[auximenes]

"What is the biggest thing you do different for your characters today than you did when you first started playing the game?"

I craft them full sets of good gear.