A "What we know is coming" thread

[dotfive]

There's seems to be a lot of misinformation on the forums lately. So I thought there should be a thread about what we know is coming. So without further ado...


Book Three: Echoes of the Dead (Release Date: March 21 2011).

• A new raid and two small fellowships instances and two six man instances.
• Character panel and the Cosmetic Systems will be revamped.
• Crafting will be updated (primarily tailor and metalsmith).
• Evendim will be revamped.
• First age weapons which will drop from the above raid.
• Legendary Items will get the first part of a two part update.
• Minstrel, Burglar and Hunter will be updated.
• More of the Epic story will be added.
• PVMP will be updated.
• Radiance will be removed.
• Volume Two will be revamped with a solo option.

The next update will be the Anniversary Update (which is April 24).

• A new raid and at least two Instances.

The Rise of Isengard Expansion (Release date: Fall 2011).

• Three new regions for PVE.
• A new region for PVMP.
• PVMP will be opened to all players.
• The level cap will be increased to 70.
• New Class quests.
• New Skills.
• New Traits and Virtues.

Things that are coming but don't have a place.

• Cosmetic Pets.
• New dungeons for 30-40 level range.
• Part two of the Legendary Items update.
• The rest of the Cosmetic System upgrade.
• A Housing System update.

If there's information that was missed (or inaccurate) please let me know below.


Thanks to Sapience, Macfeast, Kerryak, and others for Information.


**Please Keep Discussion On Topic**


Sources:
http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11...ard-is-coming/
http://www.lotro.com/news/pressreleases/910
http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdia...-december-2010
http://www.casualstrolltomordor.com/...tonhammerlive/
http://forums.lotro.com/forumlist.php

[Macfeast]

Revamp of Volume 2 (revealed only an hour ago).

http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.p...99#post5195799

[Hudson7]

Good summary and catch on the Anniversary patch - I didn't see the part about a second raid until you mentioned it. I'm even more excited for 2011!

[Bill_the_Cat]

• Radiance will be removed.

Wow, any info on what would replace this?

[secondstar]

Wow, any info on what would replace this?

The official statement was that radiance is truly being removed, not replaced with a new mechanism.

[Keirion]

I believe V3B3 is being added in the Q1 update, but I don't have the thread for that. I think it was from the TTH interview this month.

[Macfeast]

I believe V3B3 is being added in the Q1 update, but I don't have the thread for that. I think it was from the TTH interview this month.

Found it (among with some other goodies which are already mentioned in the thread):
http://www.casualstrolltomordor.com/...tonhammerlive/

• More of the Epic Storyline will be released in Q1.
• They will be releasing an instance cluster with a new raid before Isengard’s release.
• First Age Legendary Items will be included in the raid cluster.
• A “revitalized” cosmetic system will be released this year.
• They’re still testing cosmetic pets for all players.
• Cosmetic Weapons is something they are looking into.

[SapienChavez]

FALL 2011!?

minimum of 9 months away?

wow; what a joke.

[kerryak]

'month of the hunter' in 2011:

The skills the Hunter received in the Book 2 update were to fill in some gaps in their gameplay and to make sure that all classes got a skill on even numbered levels through 50. The Hunter is scheduled for a more detailed look early next year.

http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.p...y-passed/page3






--

I still owe Graal cookies. ^^

[DavyMark]

FALL 2011!?

minimum of 9 months away?

wow; what a joke.

Must we do this again? The big XPac is coming in fall, but there is a (seemingly) pretty big update due Q1, which by the way is almost a third over, so this probably qualifies as soon.

[Cithryth]

A note on the 'Cosmetic update in Q1 of 2011'. They way I read the source of that(the Massively article you link in the OP), it seemed more like a cosmetic revamp/update was something they had planned for sometime in 2011, not Q1 specifically.

[Scorch2007]

Thanks for this post. This was a most sane entry on this insane subject.
The lvl 30-40 instances will make a huge difference for player retention in my opinion. After GA is done, so many players flatline and quit. Smart move.

[Rehoboth]

Thanks for this post. This was a most sane entry on this insane subject.
The lvl 30-40 instances will make a huge difference for player retention in my opinion. After GA is done, so many players flatline and quit. Smart move.

My guess is we will see two of these in the coming update. One in Oatbarton (3-man maybe) and one in North Downs (probably 6-man), each probably starting at level 35 with associated quests. I'm also predicting that there will be one more 3-man (probably Forochel starting at about 45) and one more 6-man (Trollshaws, level 65). The raid will likely be Enedwaith (level 65).

[Sapience]

I'll throw some confirmations out for you.

Most of what you have as Q1 updates are, in fact, Q1 updates. Some of the rest is more along the lines of things we want to do and are looking at doing/testing, but I'd hesitate before saying they were absolutely written in stone so don't be too shocked if they move or never happen.

I can also re-confirm the Volume II revamp. I'll also throw you this new piece of info: Three classes will get some love in the next update. In fact, the first three dev diaries you see will reveal those classes and changes.

[Galahadur]

I'll throw some confirmations out for you.

Most of what you have as Q1 updates are, in fact, Q1 updates. Some of the rest is more along the lines of things we want to do and are looking at doing/testing, but I'd hesitate before saying they were absolutely written in stone so don't be too shocked if they move or never happen.

I can also re-confirm the Volume II revamp. I'll also throw you this new piece of info: Three classes will get some love in the next update. In fact, the first three dev diaries you see will reveal those classes and changes.

Some great news.

One thing that is confusing me... is the Volume II revamp slated for the Q1 update?

[Yuku]

Great thread, bookmarked ^^

[Sapience]

Some great news.

One thing that is confusing me... is the Volume II revamp slated for the Q1 update?

Yes it is.

[Snowlock]

I'll throw some confirmations out for you.

Most of what you have as Q1 updates are, in fact, Q1 updates.

Is the raid cluster still coming in q1?

[Grampsaz]

Started this thread some time ago with some stuff thats not listed in OP. Feel free to add it to yours if you wish.

http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.p...hread-for-2011

[Darmokk]

So what will happen with "Inspired" greatness and/or Book 2 soloing?

Can't say that I like how IG works now, a different approach would be interesting.

[Sapience]

Is the raid cluster still coming in q1?

I haven't heard anything to suggest it's not.

[Spacmanbobr]

Are we going to get any dev diaries this week about the Q1 update? Or is it still too soon?

[mirthon]

Can't wait for the update.

About how many more weeks till the next dev dairy?

[Laire]

I haven't heard anything to suggest it's not.

That's good. I know my kinmates and I are starving for new group content.

... and we also all dislike BG with an intense, fiery passion... /cough. Hoping for a fun raid!

[Darmokk]

What's the cosmetic system upgrade.

if we can buy more slots I'd even spend some points in the store.