15 Years of LOTRO; Anniversary Attractions for Free Users
Yesterday, the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online received its next update, numbered 33. It introduces a lot of changes and novelties, led by the Yondershire region. Moreover, it initiates the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the game's release.
On April 24, 2007, fans of The Lord of the Rings were given a chance to enter the virtual Middle-earth (or at least its fragment) and roam the realm in the company of other fans of the fantasy universe created by J.R.R. Tolkien. On this very day The Lord of the Rings Online was released. Yesterday, almost exactly fifteen years later, the team from Standing Stone Games, which is currently developing this title, released another major update to it, marked with the number 33. As befits an anniversary patch, it offers a whole bunch of attractions.
New features and fixes in the patch
Let's start with the new elements. First of all, thanks to the update The Lord of the Rings Online gained a new region - Yondershire. It's a sparsely populated place, full of moors, bushes and peat bogs, which has long been home to hobbits and adventurers. The adventures we can experience while traversing this part of the map are designed for characters of levels 20-23.
Attractions in Yondershire are free for VIP status holders. Access can also be purchased through the LOTRO Store.
In addition, the creators did not forget about, among other things, improvements in individual character classes, the system of item crafting, the operation of some elements of equipment (which is also associated with the addition of new bonuses to armor sets), quests, etc. If you are curious about the details, you can find them here.
Anniversary celebrations
However, that's not all. Patch 33 also begins the aforementioned celebration of The Lord of the Rings Online's 15th birthday. First of all, until May 11 there will be a special event at the tree on the Hill in Shire (location: 29.9S, 71.5W). You will receive information about it when you log in to the game. During the event you will have a chance to take part in a number of special quests and organize the biggest fireworks show the Shire has ever seen.
Of course, performing subsequent missions will be rewarded accordingly. Among the forms of gratification are cosmetic items, a steed, a hearth and fireplace for houses, as well as special tokens. The latter can be used to purchase, for example, a new animal companion - Corgi. You can also get one such pet for free by logging in during the event.
In the game there is also a box celebrating the 15th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings Online, containing a variety of special gifts. You can pick it up until April 1, 2023.
Access to expansions
It is worth a reminder that both free users in The Lord of the Rings Online, as well as those paying a monthly subscription (which guarantees VIP status) can count on a number of facilities,, which we have mentioned on previous occasion. Here they are:
- VIP players (paying monthly subscription) will get access to standard versions of Mordor, Minas Morgul and War of Three Peaks expansions at no additional cost (currently these DLCs must be purchased separately).
- For non-paying players, all character classes, races, and guilds will be unlocked, as well as the content of each DLC, up to and including Helm's Deep.
- Free-to-play players will be able to level up to level 95, take on the role of a High Elf, and play as characters from the Rune-keepers, Wardens, and Beornings classes.
In the near future there will be plenty to do in The Lord of the Rings Online. If you are interested in starting to play this title, it is available exclusively on PC in the form of free-to-play.
