A Letter From Executive Producer Aaron Campbell - October 2014

[Ardenwald]

But I already HAVE 17 characters (max) on my primary server!!!!

Will we get to be able to buy at least one more slot (preferably more) to be able to create the new class in?

You have 17 max level characters?! When there are only 9 classes? A massive achievement to get so many; I can't invest in more than 2-3 at a time of my own 9 characters without forgetting how to use the others. I'd be surprised if they increased the limit tbh but hell, if people wish to pay for it I don't think it would cause the devs too many sleepless nights - I just don't think many would use it.

[Beaniemooch]

I knew this was coming. The old bait and switch. I guarentee there will be a level increase between Patch 15 and patch 16.
People were told that Imbued weapons would come at update 15 and lv 100. So people that spent money (Turbine points) getting the perfect level 100 weapon thinking this was the last time they needed to do that horrid grind... Now find out they are going to need to do the grind at least one more time.

You can't guarantee anything. The announcement was there wouldn't be a level increase at U15 and there's not. I would expect a level increase next year sometime, as once a year is normal. I'm just glad we didn't have two increases this year like originally planned.

There's been no indication that the imbued weapons won't be level 100, unless you've seen something I haven't? Please reference, because I hate it when I miss those important announcements.

I can only speak for my kin, but I don't know anyone that spends TP to finish off a LI. Everytime we run, I hear nothing but "Can't do anything till I get more marks/meds to upgrade the legs". For what it's worth.

I know of a number of people, including myself, that will spend TP to finish off an LI.

You have 17 max level characters?! When there are only 9 classes?

It's not that unusual. I have 3 level cap minstrels.... I also believe they were referring to 17 characters, which is the maximum number of characters slots on a server. I have that on my main account as well.

[DeadlyGazebo]

Can't wait! I would've loved to see Minas Tirith before the siege, but this will be amazing anyway.

Maybe they could do this with session play? We've gotten to see several bits of middle earth history that way.

[Dovakhim]

... So people that spent money (Turbine points) getting the perfect level 100 weapon thinking this was the last time they needed to do that horrid grind... Now find out they are going to need to do the grind at least one more time.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe Imbueing will be level independant. But this sure smells like someone said OMG we could make a lot more money by baiting customers into thinking they only need to do this one more time. Then pull the old switcheroo on them and make them spend money a second time.

I hope this is not what's going to happen - if my lvl 100 1st age items cannot be imbued, I will stop spending money on LOTRO.

Any money.

[SabrielofLorien]

I hope this is not what's going to happen - if my lvl 100 1st age items cannot be imbued, I will stop spending money on LOTRO.

Any money.

Oh... so many have said that in the past... btdt. Still here and still spending money...

Now over on Infinite Crisis, it's different story entirely. All those champions: Nightmare Robin, Atomic Joker and new champions every month plus all those way-kewl-cause-they-said-so cosmetics!

[Seschat]

right! n his ranged will be a pot with honey...........
that will be useful for CC sticking mobs to the ground..........

run out of humor.........

Blue overcoat, yellow rainhat...

[Gmakeno]

New questing means nothing to me new BB is fun for maybe a day . New class 4 weeks at most till level cap, then what, All of it means nothing where are the new 3 mans 6 mans and raids with out that game continues on death spiral least to me.



WE need new content to fellow and raid with, you remember the traditional kinds.


Gmakeno

[ararax2]

You can't guarantee anything. The announcement was there wouldn't be a level increase at U15 and there's not. I would expect a level increase next year sometime, as once a year is normal. I'm just glad we didn't have two increases this year like originally planned.

There's been no indication that the imbued weapons won't be level 100, unless you've seen something I haven't? Please reference, because I hate it when I miss those important announcements.

I would love to be wrong, but I would rather be wrong right now while there is still hope that a strong community response could make them change their mind than be wrong later by saying they would NEVER LIE TO US... and have them spring it on us after it is set in stone (aka we see it on Bullroarer).

[Beaniemooch]

I would love to be wrong, but I would rather be wrong right now while there is still hope that a strong community response could make them change their mind than be wrong later by saying they would NEVER LIE TO US... and have them spring it on us after it is set in stone (aka we see it on Bullroarer).

Change their mind from what? I haven't seen anything that indicates imbued weapons won't be level 100. There is no level increase at U15 and other than delaying the LI revamp (which they said is being worked on) nothing about changing the original commitment. If you've seen something I'd really like to know where.

[Nuth_KM]

Change their mind from what? I haven't seen anything that indicates imbued weapons won't be level 100. ..........

supposition on my part: Corrent... imbued weapons would be lvl100... but it does not mean that your existing equipped lvl100 LI's will be imbueable. Could mean that there will be a requirement to create a new lvl100 LI.

[SabrielofLorien]

supposition on my part: Corrent... imbued weapons would be lvl100... but it does not mean that your existing equipped lvl100 LI's will be imbueable. Could mean that there will be a requirement to create a new lvl100 LI.

Won't really matter what level the weapon gets imbued at, why would you want a L100 weapon at L150 or L200? If you wonder what this would look like, go to Moria and pick up a L60 first ager. Load it to the max. Take it to your nearest L100 high level area and give it flick-n-shish.

If the weapons are static in any way, that means they don't scale. If they don't scale, that means the entire weapon design department is no longer needed or something along those lines. It will have to scale somehow but I expect there will be a different sort of grind involved.

I don't care for the constant grind, but one grind or another... I'll take mine with a pumpkin cookie thanks...

[Rainith]

Won't really matter what level the weapon gets imbued at, why would you want a L100 weapon at L150 or L200? If you wonder what this would look like, go to Moria and pick up a L60 first ager. Load it to the max. Take it to your nearest L100 high level area and give it flick-n-shish.

If the weapons are static in any way, that means they don't scale. If they don't scale, that means the entire weapon design department is no longer needed or something along those lines. It will have to scale somehow but I expect there will be a different sort of grind involved.

I don't care for the constant grind, but one grind or another... I'll take mine with a pumpkin cookie thanks...

I think what they were implying was that they think our current LIs will not be able to be imbued, we will instead need to make new Imbued LIs (that possibly need a new item as part of their recipe). I think that is a possibility as well, not a certainty, but a possibility, which is why while I've made lvl 100 FAs I haven't spent anything other than the 1st age symbols on them.

[Nuth_KM]

I think what they were implying was that they think our current LIs will not be able to be imbued, we will instead need to make new Imbued LIs (that possibly need a new item as part of their recipe). I think that is a possibility as well, not a certainty, but a possibility, which is why while I've made lvl 100 FAs I haven't spent anything other than the 1st age symbols on them.

This.

The point is I believe that you will have to make a new imbueable LI. I don't think the one(s) that you currently have and have worked on to build/max-out will be imbueable. This would allow Turbine to drive more immediate sales to the store (revenue).

[Dovakhim]

... I don't think the one(s) that you currently have and have worked on to build/max-out will be imbueable. This would allow Turbine to drive more immediate sales to the store (revenue).

IF this assumption is correct, there will be no sales from me!

I pay them for content, not blatant money grabs.

[Rondanmir]

Osgiliath: We’re advancing north, and now almost in sight of both Minas Tirith and The Black Gate. Osgiliath is a city overrun by Sauron’s army. Expect new adventures as you journey along the Anduin.

Rowan

So does this mean we will be going east of the anduin and coming to osgiliiath through Ithilien? Please answer I'd love to know, or are we going west of the anduin just straight north directly past Minas Tirith?

[Comstrike]

I just need to hear more from Rowan in the wake of the layoffs. If only just to hear soothing words....ideally with a Barry White background track.

[Rowan]

I just need to hear more from Rowan in the wake of the layoffs. If only just to hear soothing words....ideally with a Barry White background track.

Oh... yeah.

Seriously though, we're all pushing through bug queues here and getting final art for Beorning into the game (bigger bears!)

The general plan with legendary items is that you can advance and imbue your existing items. The original plan was that you could only imbue an item that was at level cap (100) and fully leveled. Hoarse may have pulled back on that (to make it less restrictive), but we fully intend to make your existing LIs imbueable. I think I just invented a word.

[SvenNiscadae]

The general plan with legendary items is that you can advance and imbue your existing items. The original plan was that you could only imbue an item that was at level cap (100) and fully leveled. Hoarse may have pulled back on that (to make it less restrictive), but we fully intend to make your existing LIs imbueable. I think I just invented a word.

I'm really hoping that will be the case! I have some L85 first agers I'm still using because there really hasn't been any point in upgrading them to L95 let alone L100 (%/duration legacies vs ratings as well as relics).

[Nuth_KM]

Oh... yeah.

Seriously though, we're all pushing through bug queues here and getting final art for Beorning into the game (bigger bears!)

The general plan with legendary items is that you can advance and imbue your existing items. The original plan was that you could only imbue an item that was at level cap (100) and fully leveled. Hoarse may have pulled back on that (to make it less restrictive), but we fully intend to make your existing LIs imbueable. I think I just invented a word.

Thanks Rowan for that detail! Free starbucks venti from Highland ave.

[Rozalinde]

The general plan with legendary items is that you can advance and imbue your existing items. The original plan was that you could only imbue an item that was at level cap (100) and fully leveled. Hoarse may have pulled back on that (to make it less restrictive), but we fully intend to make your existing LIs imbueable. I think I just invented a word.

Thank you for the additional information. This hobbit is feeling a little bit better.

[ararax2]

Oh... yeah.

Seriously though, we're all pushing through bug queues here and getting final art for Beorning into the game (bigger bears!)

The general plan with legendary items is that you can advance and imbue your existing items. The original plan was that you could only imbue an item that was at level cap (100) and fully leveled. Hoarse may have pulled back on that (to make it less restrictive), but we fully intend to make your existing LIs imbueable. I think I just invented a word.

That sounds great!

Thank you!

[Schinderhannes]

Will the LI imbueability ship before U16?

[Moochi]

The general plan with legendary items is that you can advance and imbue your existing items. The original plan was that you could only imbue an item that was at level cap (100) and fully leveled. Hoarse may have pulled back on that (to make it less restrictive), but we fully intend to make your existing LIs imbueable. I think I just invented a word.

I know that it isn't explicitly stated here, but this might be interpreted as saying that the plan is that any LI will be imbueable? If so, that would be great and welcome news... it would open up a vast range of cosmetic appearances for LI weapons! Yes please!

[Rowan]

I know that it isn't explicitly stated here, but this might be interpreted as saying that the plan is that any LI will be imbueable? If so, that would be great and welcome news... it would open up a vast range of cosmetic appearances for LI weapons! Yes please!

I think I'll need to let Hoarsedev and team come out with a more complete plan for feedback. Stay tuned!

(I don't expect to do this in the final push to U15, but we will do this.)

[Rowan]

Thanks Rowan for that detail! Free starbucks venti from Highland ave.

Geez, then we probably already talk a couple times a week.