Will I be VIP

[Valadek85]

Hi,
I started off with the trial account and then went to a subscription, do i have to go out and buy the expansions to be VIP before f2p launches or will i be a VIP already since im paying the subscriptions? thanks

[thekane14]

No but after those 31 days you'l be a premium player and you'l lose some advantages like crafters guilds reputation quests,no acces to other zones beside starter areas and bree,no more traits slots if you didn't unlocked all of them,and no riding skill if you didn't learned it

[Berephon]

Incorrect, Kane. If he is a paying subscriber (and continues to be one after F2P launches), he will be a VIP. If he opts to no longer pay the subscription and go free instead, he would downgrade to Premium. Anyone who is currently paying a subscription and continues to do so is a VIP. (Of course, Lifers are also considered VIPs, as is anyone who opts to upgrade from F2P or Premium by paying a subscription.)

[Thomas-Gallant]

I take this to mean that for the cost of the subscription, you get everything as long as you pay the subscription, no up front costs like buying a retail version of the game, or paying for expansions/content/quest packages your $15 a month ($10 if you buy in 3 month or more blocks) Covers everything that you had before.

New subscribing players will no longer need to buy the "game", only pay the subscription.

Of course if you downgrade to premium, tons of stuff change that I won't try to understand atm.

Is that how it works?

[EtherDragon]

I take this to mean that for the cost of the subscription, you get everything as long as you pay the subscription, no up front costs like buying a retail version of the game, or paying for expansions/content/quest packages your $15 a month ($10 if you buy in 3 month or more blocks) Covers everything that you had before.

New subscribing players will no longer need to buy the "game", only pay the subscription.

Of course if you downgrade to premium, tons of stuff change that I won't try to understand atm.

Is that how it works?

Anyone who maintains a subscription (either from before, or starting anew) is a VIP and gains all the benefits of being VIP. That does not necessarily include the expansions (those are a seperate purchase - either from before or from the LotRO Store).

[Riamus]

Right. VIP does not give you free access to expansions. You still have to purchase those either in the Store of from Turbine or some other location if available. Currently SoM is only available from Turbine or the Store. VIP gives you nothing more than you already have besides new/updated content such as the Store, changes to the Vault, etc. Expansions will still require payment in some form.

[rhegan]

Just think of: VIP is how LOTRO worked before f2p, with some perks (500 pts/month), and same ways of activating a subscription exists (sub+purchase expansions etc). So, if your intention is to go VIP, you're basically just going from a trial (f2p) to subbing (vip) using the same exact method (subscribe to base game, or buy expansion (and unlock that content permanently for your account) and pay subscription fee.) This is actually a bit more choice for first time subscribers, as previously they would have had to buy moria or mirkwood to be a subscriber first.

Note: If your plan is to go premium shortly, it's still a better idea to go VIP for a month, as you'll get a bunch of permanent perks unlocked for free that would normally cost a bit (traits, gold cap, etc).

[Valadek85]

thanks guys that helps clear things up, the f2p notes arent very clear about some stuff...
anyways thanks again

[MonkeyMan2019]

Would Game Cards still be purchasable for VIP access? I'm VIP currently since I guess I subscribed via Game Card.

[CyclopsDragon]

One important thing I discovered yesterday. I had wanted to do a free account for the challenge of seeing how long it took to get to almost what my lifetime account has. We had a copy of the special edition of SoA, with 30 free days. Started it before the end of August. When I went to a new server yesterday to start some new characters on that account, I discovered that it had been converted to the lowest level FtP, rather than a VIP as it should have been since there was still time on the month. Needless to say I am not amused.

It seems like they are ONLY counting accounts as VIP if some money has been paid to subscribe. Despite what the Turbine reps were posting on the forums here.

We are going to get the boxed edition of MoM, with 30 more days. If I am VIP after that key is entered, then I will go to premium at the end of THAT month. If not, we will have to subscribe for one month to get the premium status with all the bags, no gold cap and no virtue locks.