Welcome to Middle-earth

Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. Whether you're a longtime fan of the books and films or completely new to the world, this guide will help you get started on your adventure.

Choosing Your Race

LOTRO offers several playable races, each with unique starting areas and racial traits:

Tip: Don't stress too much about race choice. While racial traits provide small bonuses, they won't make or break your character. Pick the race whose story and aesthetics appeal to you most!

Choosing Your Class

Your class determines your combat role and abilities. Here's a quick overview:

Tank Classes

• Guardian — The classic tank. High morale, heavy armor, and strong threat generation. Great for new players who want to lead the charge.
• Warden — A versatile tank using gambits (combo system). Higher skill ceiling but very rewarding.
• Captain — A buff-focused hybrid that can tank in groups while supporting allies.

DPS Classes

• Champion — Melee AoE powerhouse. Spin-to-win gameplay that's satisfying and effective.
• Hunter — Ranged DPS with excellent travel skills. The go-to class for solo play and fast questing.
• Burglar — Stealth-based melee DPS with strong debuffs and crowd control.
• Rune-keeper — Magical DPS or healer, swapping between fire/lightning damage and healing.

Healer/Support Classes

• Minstrel — Primary healer using the power of song. Also capable of surprising burst DPS.
• Lore-master — Crowd control specialist with pets, debuffs, and off-healing.
• Beorning — Shape-shifter that can tank, DPS, or heal depending on build.
• Mariner — Newest class using dual-weapon stance swaps, capable of both melee and ranged combat.

Your First Steps

1. Complete the Introduction

Every race has a unique introductory instance that teaches you the basics of combat and movement. Don't skip it — the intro gives you important context for the story and rewards useful starter gear.

2. Talk to Every NPC with a Ring

NPCs with a golden ring over their heads have quests for you. In the early levels, these quests will:

• Teach you game mechanics
• Reward experience and gear
• Introduce you to the epic story

3. Join the Epic Quest Line

The Epic Quest (also called the "Epic Story" or "Vol. I, II, III...") is LOTRO's main storyline. It's completely free-to-play and takes you across all of Middle-earth. Look for quests marked with a special ring icon.

4. Pick Up a Vocation

Around level 10, you can visit a Master of Apprentices to choose a crafting vocation. Each vocation includes three crafting professions:

• Explorer — Forester, Tailor, Prospector (great for light/medium armor classes)
• Armsman — Prospector, Weaponsmith, Woodworker
• Tinker — Prospector, Jeweller, Cook (crafts hope tokens like Mûrai Edhelharn Token and stat food like Luxurious Roasted Oryx Shank)
• Woodsman — Forester, Woodworker, Farmer
• Armorer — Prospector, Metalsmith, Tailor
• Historian — Farmer, Scholar, Weaponsmith (Scholar crafts Scroll of Mûrai Battle Lore, Scroll of Mûrai Warding Lore, and healing essences)
• Yeoman — Farmer, Cook, Tailor

Since the Umbar expansion, you can also purchase a 4th profession slot from the LOTRO Store. This lets you add any profession regardless of your vocation — handy for filling gaps in self-sufficiency or picking up a profitable skill like Cook or Scholar.

Crafting tips for beginners:

• Upgrade your tools each tier — Every profession requires a crafting tool equipped in your tool slot. Higher-quality tools (Superior, Supreme) give you a better chance at critical successes, which produce stronger items.
• Use guaranteed crit items on important crafts — Many recipes accept an optional ingredient (journals, compendiums, etc.) that guarantees a critical result. Save these for expensive or high-value recipes rather than wasting them on bulk crafting.
• Metalsmiths and Woodworkers craft tools — If you need better tools, find a Metalsmith or Woodworker (or check the Auction House). Umbar-tier tools are available for all ten professions.

See the full Crafting Guide for vocation recommendations, tool tiers, and leveling strategies.

Tips for New Players

1. Enable XP acceleration — VIP and some items grant bonus XP. Use them while questing.
2. Explore! — LOTRO's world is gorgeous. Take time to enjoy the scenery.
3. Join a Kinship — Guilds (called Kinships) are the best way to find groups and make friends.
4. Use your milestones — Set your milestone skill to a hub you visit frequently.
5. Don't sell everything — Some drops are crafting materials. Check before vendoring!
6. Try Skirmishes at level 20 — These scalable instances are great for solo or group play.

Getting Into Instances & Raids

Once you've leveled up and geared through questing, group content is where LOTRO really shines. Here's what to know before you jump in.

Instance Types

• Solo/Duo Instances — Story-driven instances you can tackle alone or with a friend. Great for learning mechanics without pressure.
• 3-Person Instances — Small group content. A good stepping stone between solo play and full fellowships.
• 6-Person Fellowships — The standard group size. Most instances and dungeons are designed for a full fellowship of six.
• 12-Person Raids — The biggest PvE challenge. Raids require coordination, proper roles, and knowledge of boss mechanics.

Building Your First Group

A balanced fellowship typically includes:

• 1 Tank (Guardian, Warden, or Captain)
• 1 Healer (Minstrel, Beorning, or Rune-keeper)
• 4 DPS/Support (mix of Champions, Hunters, Burglars, Lore-masters, etc.)

For raids, you'll generally want 2 tanks, 2–3 healers, and the rest DPS/support.

How to Find Groups

1. Instance Finder — Use the in-game Instance Finder tool (default key: Ctrl+J) to queue for instances at your level.
2. World Chat / LFF — The Looking for Fellowship channel is the traditional way to find groups. Don't be shy — mention your class, level, and role.
3. Your Kinship — The best and most reliable way to run group content regularly. If you haven't joined a Kinship yet, now is the time.

Tips for Your First Runs

1. Start with on-level content — Don't jump straight into end-game. Run instances at your level to learn your role.
2. Know your role — If you're a tank, know how to hold threat. If you're healing, prioritize the tank. DPS should focus targets and avoid pulling extra enemies.
3. Let the tank pull — Charging ahead as DPS is a quick way to wipe the group. Wait for the tank to engage first.
4. Bring consumables — Food buffs, potions, and hope tokens make a noticeable difference. At end-game, raiders run Luxurious Roasted Oryx Shank or similar stat food, a Scroll of Mûrai Battle Lore for offense, a Scroll of Mûrai Warding Lore for defense, and a Mûrai Edhelharn Token for hope. Check the Auction House or craft your own.
5. Ask questions — LOTRO's community is one of the friendliest in MMOs. If you don't know a fight, say so. Most groups are happy to explain.
6. Watch for distributed defeat — In many boss fights, the damage is shared across the fellowship. Spreading out or stacking up at the right time matters.

Gearing Up for Group Content

• Landscape gear gets you started, but instance drops and crafted gear are a step up.
• Skirmish camps sell solid gear for Skirmish Marks — a reliable catch-up option at any level.
• Mission instances (available from level 20) are quick, repeatable, and reward useful gear and currency.
• At end-game, raid gear and crafted guild recipes offer the best-in-slot equipment.

Don't be intimidated. Every experienced raider was once a beginner running their first Great Barrow. Start small, learn as you go, and enjoy the journey.

What's Free vs. Paid?

LOTRO operates on a hybrid free-to-play model:

• Free: Epic Quest line, most landscape quests through Gondor, all classes (with unlocks), the Shire/Bree-land/Ered Luin/Lone-lands
• Subscription (VIP): Access to all quest packs, trait slots, gold cap removal, and monthly LOTRO Points
• LOTRO Store: You can buy quest packs, cosmetics, and convenience items individually

Next Steps

Once you've gotten your bearings, check out these follow-up guides:

• Crafting Guide — Master the art of crafting in Middle-earth
• Legendary Items Guide — Understanding the LI system

Welcome to Middle-earth, adventurer. The road goes ever on!