27 replies to this topic

[Seikooc]

Hi all.

I'm brand new to LOTRO, coming from playing DDO. I noticed I couldn't post on the actual LOTRO forums because I wasn't a VIP or what have you, and I found this place.

What i'm interested in knowing is how can I get myself access to the full game, everything included? I can't seem to find a way to purcahse expansions, and as an ex DDO player I do not want to use Turbine's store. I used to pretend it didn't exist in DDO as I really didn't like it, and found it best to not get involved at all.

So how do I upgrade to expansions without using the store? I will be subscribing and becoming a VIP on the account page, but unlike (for example) World of Warcraft, I can't upgrade to expansions on that page. I also can't see anywhere Turbine sells expansions online, which is also weird. As i've previously said I will not be getting involved in the store, so I don't want to be forced to use it straight of the bat.

Perhaps i'm missing something, but it does seem as though i'm being forced into their store right before i've started.

Cheers, and any information on this would be great!

[Silverangel]

There is this, a new package coming to stores: http://mithril.lotro.com/

That really just gives you Moria, some points, and a mount though--all the other quests there I think you'll get already with VIP.

If you really want everything right now, there is the Rise of Isengard legendary edition: http://isengard.lotro.com/purchase.php

That will give you Mirkwood, Moria, and Isengard, and bring you up to date.

[Seikooc]

Thanks very much for the info. I've bought the Legendary edition. However i've noticed I do not have access to the Warden and Rune-keeper Classes. Where can I purchase something online that will give me access to those two Classes?

Thanks.

[Haimostigar]

Other than spending TP in the store for the Warden and RK, I think the only other way is to buy a Mines of Moria expansion box (physical box)
Like here http://www.amazon.co...29841068&sr=1-1

It unlocks Warden and RK and 2 additional character slots (not significant if a VIP since already have all 7, but they are permanent so if you ever drop back to Premium you'll have 5 instead of 3.)

[thordsvin]

Haimostigar, on 21 February 2012 - 17:20, said:

It unlocks Warden and RK and 2 additional character slots (not significant if a VIP since already have all 7, but they are permanent so if you ever drop back to Premium you'll have 5 instead of 3.)

I believe the max is 15 and I know I had 9 slots when I was still VIP. Also the moria expansion retail box (not the Lotro store on since you can't purchase the expansion when you already have the QP) gives 20 shared storage and ithildin coins, which are tradable for some low level stuff or housing items.

[Seikooc]

Cheers for all the help on this.

So it looks like if I purchase Mines of Moria retail edition, plus Rise of Isengard legendary, and subscribe monthly, I will essentially have the full game?

[Dalthalion]

As much as you can today, anyway.  The rules at Turbine are fluid and subject to change.

[Haimostigar]

thordsvin, on 21 February 2012 - 18:56, said:

Also the moria expansion retail box (not the Lotro store on since you can't purchase the expansion when you already have the QP) gives 20 shared storage and ithildin coins, which are tradable for some low level stuff or housing items.

I misspoke with the 7, my mistake. I do know that changing from VIP to premium, after buying MoM retail box, you will have 5.

As far as the 20 shared slots, not sure where that comes from. I certainly got nothing of the kind with my MoM box; both classes, 2 more slots, and coins. No storage.

[thordsvin]

Maybe that's something they removed from the retail boxes along with Lothlorien. I applied my MoM before they removed anything and I haven't kept up with those changes (and Turbines websites don't keep with those changes either so it's hard to tell what your actually buying anymore.)

[LordVorontur]

Shared Storage came when you purchased either the Special Edition of SoM, or the Adventurer's Pack, that was separate from SoM, but released at a similar time.

Max char slots on each server is 17. You can buy 10 extra char slots. The 2 that came with SoM/Adventurer's Pack count in the 10, so it makes it 17 as opposed to 19.

[Jackalope]

Dalthalion, on 21 February 2012 - 19:31, said:

As much as you can today, anyway.  The rules at Turbine are fluid and subject to change.

Ain't that the truth. The only thing stable at Turbine lately is the forum police.

[Seikooc]

Just curious here, but does anyone know why Turbine no longer sell digital or physical copies of their previous expansions? This isn't something i've ever heard a MMO do before. E.g. World of Warcraft, Blizzard still sells everything from the basic game upwards to the most recent expansion.

Also with Turbine not selling previous expansions digitally or physically, do you think that when their Riders of Rohan expansion launches they will no longer sell Rise of Isengard, except in the LOTRO in game store? Personally I think it's nice to have options for buying expansions.

[The MMO Troll]

Seikooc, on 01 March 2012 - 04:03, said:

Just curious here, but does anyone know why Turbine no longer sell digital or physical copies of their previous expansions? This isn't something i've ever heard a MMO do before. E.g. World of Warcraft, Blizzard still sells everything from the basic game upwards to the most recent expansion.

Also with Turbine not selling previous expansions digitally or physically, do you think that when their Riders of Rohan expansion launches they will no longer sell Rise of Isengard, except in the LOTRO in game store? Personally I think it's nice to have options for buying expansions.

I suspect they would be focusing players towards their new Mithril Edition.

[SellingTheDrama]

Seikooc, on 01 March 2012 - 04:03, said:

Just curious here, but does anyone know why Turbine no longer sell digital or physical copies of their previous expansions? This isn't something i've ever heard a MMO do before. E.g. World of Warcraft, Blizzard still sells everything from the basic game upwards to the most recent expansion.

Also with Turbine not selling previous expansions digitally or physically, do you think that when their Riders of Rohan expansion launches they will no longer sell Rise of Isengard, except in the LOTRO in game store? Personally I think it's nice to have options for buying expansions.

because it costs money to print up physical copies and ship em off.

this is why they went to the digital dealio post-moria.

turbine is a small company compared to something like blizzard when it comes to being able to budget for continued publishing of physical media for older games/expacs(though even blizzard isnt immune to bad economies as seen by their recent layoff of 600 folks)

[Jackalope]

SellingTheDrama, on 01 March 2012 - 14:34, said:

because it costs money to print up physical copies and ship em off.

this is why they went to the digital dealio post-moria.

turbine is a small company compared to something like blizzard when it comes to being able to budget for continued publishing of physical media for older games/expacs(though even blizzard isnt immune to bad economies as seen by their recent layoff of 600 folks)

You left out the part where they technically DO sell them, but in pieces. It's similar to when you go to the grocery store or a bulk store like Sam's Club. Sam's Club will sell you the large container that contains smaller ones for a smaller price than does the grocery store, because the grocery store cracks open that container and marks up every individual package so that by the time you buy the larger container equivalent at the grocery, you have paid at least 2-3 times more money for the privilege. They have found that they can make more money by effectively charging a LOT more for each zone than having the zones in one containers.

Prior to f2p, Turbine operated like Sam's Club, one price, on package. Now though, you buy a part of the package, one price, but have to pay another price for each of the remaining parts of that package. Of course they would make more money. How could they not. But it's really ignorant when they do that to lifetimers and subscribers. Evidenced by the exodus of long term players to greener pastures, until the Korean f2p cow winds up in that field too.

Turbine could easily have continued to sell MoM as it was sold initially, but the bean counters in marketing saw that f2p people will pay through the nose for it, as long as they lose sight of the overall cost of it. It costs a lot more now to buy SoA than when it was released in terms of money on a brand new account.

[Seikooc]

Hi again, just got another question.

I've recently purchased Shadows of Angmar and Mines of Moria from eBay. I registered the product key for Shadows of Angmar a couple of days ago, and I have just recieved the Mines of Moria.

I've just noticed it says the Mines of Moria complete edition includes both Shadows of Angmar and Moria. However, as I have already registered the product key for Shadows of Angmar to my account, will this result in any problems registering the product key for the Mines of Moria complete edition?

Thanks in advance.

[thordsvin]

The only thing you won't receive is free month of VIP for MoM complete edition. That's a one time offer from any Turbine retail box. (not Codemasters retail editions)

[Dalthalion]

I have to wonder about that.  If it says one free month on the box (barring any small print footnotes), then Turbine should honour it or risk being accused of false advertising.

[Thalen]

Provided you have Turbine boxes and apply the SoA code before the MoM code, it should give you two months of VIP, one for each box.

[Seikooc]

Thanks for the helpful replies.

Yes I do have both boxes for Shadows of Angmar and Mines of Moria.