As a potential player of LOTRO in future I just wanted to applaud the work you have been doing in shedding light on this title. Since storylines are praised in this title it would be awesome if you could showcase an interesting side-quest or NPC character as an example of world building and emmersion this game holds. Just a suggestion. Keep up the good work!
Boromir! One of my favorite characters. I started playing this game more than half my lifetime ago. Downloading it right now for the first time since 2009 when I played it.
As a new player who recently hit 50 on Angmar. I started with Angmar, then went and did the Before the Shadow area after. I definitely agree with your assessment. - Shadows of Angmar: Best for a new player, more immersive and streamlined - flow is better albeit a little slower - Before the Shadow: Best for alts or to experience later, after the small starting story it feels just like another questing hub - flow can be a little more confusing and spread out Boromir
Do you feel the much better item rewards counter the less immersive side of Before the Shadow, or as a new player the story and lore was far more important than that?
@@RangerHaz Equipment seems trivial, are you playing to mash through the content or to experience it? The lore and story is far and away more important to me. The game is easy enough as it is.
HEY, BOROMIR, INDEED A GREAT VIDEO !!! in my opinion looks like Before the Shadow is also really planned for beign a more fellowship introduction, like doing instances and playing with ur friends, there are more players, and also i think is great that u can start in a zone where u can inmediatly be with ur friends, without the race problems, (i've created a beorning, and my mate did a High Elf, so overall, we had to made everything alone, also happende with my girlfriend)
Well there is actually more starting zones then 2. Race based you have pretty different start as elf, dwarf, hobbit and man in the Shadow of Angmar and their stories meet in Bree (well elf and dwarf slightly earlier). So my advice is to play them all ;)
BOROMIR! As a new player, I prefer the classic starting zone. I've tried multiple times to get into the levelling of Before the Shadow but something about it never grips me the way the classic intro does. It just feels disconnected and a little soulless. Besides, I play for immersion and RP so faster levelling and better gear isn't important to me. That said, BtS zones are indeed pretty. But then again, so is the entire game. As an aside, I want to say Im glad you're coming onto the LOTRO scene. There is a lack of content creators for this game. Your presentation, videos and overall vibe is great. Keep doing what you're doing. Always excited to see your videos pop up. Here's an idea for a future video; animation previews for classic elf avatar and the upcoming rework, from idle stance to running, walking etc. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for the kind words, means a lot! I am actually super looking forward to animation updates to the Elves, but for now we know nothing about them or if they will really be updated or not, Devs are quite vague abouit it but fingers crossed!
I actually double checked now because of what you said - even read people comment about animation change on the forums...so I went ahead and recorded a LIVE and BETA High Elf running and jumping. They are exactly the same, so no idea what people are commenting? Placebo, or I am missing something?
@@RangerHaz I think there were some rollbacks perhaps. I personally am more interested in whether the male elf still stands like he's one bad code away from a T-pose lol :D
Boromir. Agree 100%, Before the Shadow is more flashy and is still a great experience, but I think the original start feels more organic and better suited for new players. Although I'm of the opinion you should do BOTH since the lore and story of the LOTRO is where it shines best.
Even as a Highelf and Choosing Shadows of Angmar, I still have to go to mossward to get the riding quest :) luckily there was the free travel token gift
I think both starting areas are beautiful, as well as Eregion or the Shire. It would be great if there were a proper level or world scaling system, so that you can't outlevel and all regions and quests would remain equal relevant.
Before the Shadow zone is simply the best for any player, not just new. The story is good, really good, and you forgot to mention one VERY big factor. The gear you get from Before the Shadow is simply OP, on par with crafting, if not better. And the 2 weapons you get from the epic quest are beyond OP. Could easily last you until you get your LI's. On the other hand if you do chest runs in Swanfleet and Cardolan, they give an additional gear + chances for Universal Crafting mats. All in all, its unethical how OP both zones are in comparison to vanilla.
Oh I did mention the items being much better in Before the Shadow, it was actually my first point for it. With that said, aside from gameplay advantages I feel Before the Shadow is a weaker option still narrative-wise.
My only complain about the new story in Before the Shadow is the lack of any logic behind the quest levels. You start in Mosswood at lvl 1, and at about lvl 7 the main story quest sends you to another area, but there's also NPCs in the town that send you to different parts of the zone that also offer lvl 1 quests. And even if you exclusively follow the main story quest, you'll often pass through entire areas filled with low level quests that you were never sent there, which makes you wonder who would even go there to level up in the first place. I really wish they either went with full "on-rails" experience, like they did starting in Moria expansion, where you literally go from one quest hub to another, and all the quests there follow the same level range as the MSQ, which means you follow the MSQ and are still able to do side quests in the area. Or just make it that the MSQ scales to your level, without the need for a level requirement; this way you can just do MSQ as you want , or go do side quests before that if you want to. As it stands right now, its really weird. I'd say 90% of the new zones are unexplored to me on any alt I play there, bc I just follow the MSQ and quickly outlevel any other area in the game. It's like, you're doing lvl 10 book quests in an area filled with lvl 1 grey quests, whats the logic?
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What do you think, which starting tutorial is overall better?
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Both Story questline are better than rings of power :D
Was looking for this kind of explanation, great video!
Awesome, glad it helped!
As a potential player of LOTRO in future I just wanted to applaud the work you have been doing in shedding light on this title.
Since storylines are praised in this title it would be awesome if you could showcase an interesting side-quest or NPC character as an example of world building and emmersion this game holds. Just a suggestion.
Keep up the good work!
Boromir! One of my favorite characters. I started playing this game more than half my lifetime ago. Downloading it right now for the first time since 2009 when I played it.
As a new player who recently hit 50 on Angmar. I started with Angmar, then went and did the Before the Shadow area after.
I definitely agree with your assessment.
- Shadows of Angmar: Best for a new player, more immersive and streamlined - flow is better albeit a little slower
- Before the Shadow: Best for alts or to experience later, after the small starting story it feels just like another questing hub - flow can be a little more confusing and spread out
Boromir
Do you feel the much better item rewards counter the less immersive side of Before the Shadow, or as a new player the story and lore was far more important than that?
@@RangerHaz Equipment seems trivial, are you playing to mash through the content or to experience it? The lore and story is far and away more important to me. The game is easy enough as it is.
HEY, BOROMIR, INDEED A GREAT VIDEO !!! in my opinion looks like Before the Shadow is also really planned for beign a more fellowship introduction, like doing instances and playing with ur friends, there are more players, and also i think is great that u can start in a zone where u can inmediatly be with ur friends, without the race problems, (i've created a beorning, and my mate did a High Elf, so overall, we had to made everything alone, also happende with my girlfriend)
Boromir... Thanks for the vid. Its nice to see an updated take on the different starts
Well there is actually more starting zones then 2. Race based you have pretty different start as elf, dwarf, hobbit and man in the Shadow of Angmar and their stories meet in Bree (well elf and dwarf slightly earlier). So my advice is to play them all ;)
Boromir! I played LOTRO years ago but it's too slow-paced back then. I'd like to give it another try someday :)
BOROMIR!
As a new player, I prefer the classic starting zone. I've tried multiple times to get into the levelling of Before the Shadow but something about it never grips me the way the classic intro does. It just feels disconnected and a little soulless. Besides, I play for immersion and RP so faster levelling and better gear isn't important to me. That said, BtS zones are indeed pretty. But then again, so is the entire game.
As an aside, I want to say Im glad you're coming onto the LOTRO scene. There is a lack of content creators for this game. Your presentation, videos and overall vibe is great. Keep doing what you're doing. Always excited to see your videos pop up. Here's an idea for a future video; animation previews for classic elf avatar and the upcoming rework, from idle stance to running, walking etc.
Keep up the good work!
Thank you for the kind words, means a lot!
I am actually super looking forward to animation updates to the Elves, but for now we know nothing about them or if they will really be updated or not, Devs are quite vague abouit it but fingers crossed!
I actually double checked now because of what you said - even read people comment about animation change on the forums...so I went ahead and recorded a LIVE and BETA High Elf running and jumping.
They are exactly the same, so no idea what people are commenting? Placebo, or I am missing something?
@@RangerHaz I think there were some rollbacks perhaps. I personally am more interested in whether the male elf still stands like he's one bad code away from a T-pose lol :D
@@AidenCaldwell Unfortunately that is still the case haha!
Boromir. Agree 100%, Before the Shadow is more flashy and is still a great experience, but I think the original start feels more organic and better suited for new players. Although I'm of the opinion you should do BOTH since the lore and story of the LOTRO is where it shines best.
Boromir! I really liked Before the Shadow too but I agree about the normal start
Even as a Highelf and Choosing Shadows of Angmar, I still have to go to mossward to get the riding quest :) luckily there was the free travel token gift
I think both starting areas are beautiful, as well as Eregion or the Shire. It would be great if there were a proper level or world scaling system, so that you can't outlevel and all regions and quests would remain equal relevant.
Before the Shadow zone is simply the best for any player, not just new. The story is good, really good, and you forgot to mention one VERY big factor. The gear you get from Before the Shadow is simply OP, on par with crafting, if not better. And the 2 weapons you get from the epic quest are beyond OP. Could easily last you until you get your LI's. On the other hand if you do chest runs in Swanfleet and Cardolan, they give an additional gear + chances for Universal Crafting mats. All in all, its unethical how OP both zones are in comparison to vanilla.
Oh I did mention the items being much better in Before the Shadow, it was actually my first point for it. With that said, aside from gameplay advantages I feel Before the Shadow is a weaker option still narrative-wise.
But he did mention the gear being better.
I love both 😊 Boromir!❤
Boromir. As a HElf I decided to stick to Before The Shadow. It kinda resonates better with my race lore... plus it's actually my fav starting zone. :)
Knowing your race choice, it definitely makes sense for a good lore background! Awesome
Does the new 64bit that's meant to arrive make the game look better? Or just perform better (less lag etc). Thank you - Boromir
Only performance update - 64-bit technology is mostly huge from Development standpoint if you understand what it means.
great vid
My only complain about the new story in Before the Shadow is the lack of any logic behind the quest levels. You start in Mosswood at lvl 1, and at about lvl 7 the main story quest sends you to another area, but there's also NPCs in the town that send you to different parts of the zone that also offer lvl 1 quests. And even if you exclusively follow the main story quest, you'll often pass through entire areas filled with low level quests that you were never sent there, which makes you wonder who would even go there to level up in the first place.
I really wish they either went with full "on-rails" experience, like they did starting in Moria expansion, where you literally go from one quest hub to another, and all the quests there follow the same level range as the MSQ, which means you follow the MSQ and are still able to do side quests in the area. Or just make it that the MSQ scales to your level, without the need for a level requirement; this way you can just do MSQ as you want , or go do side quests before that if you want to.
As it stands right now, its really weird. I'd say 90% of the new zones are unexplored to me on any alt I play there, bc I just follow the MSQ and quickly outlevel any other area in the game. It's like, you're doing lvl 10 book quests in an area filled with lvl 1 grey quests, whats the logic?
Agreed, that is what I also meant by the new zone being a bit disconnected and all over the place!
I'm debating downloading now or waiting till the 64 bit update (I'm on Landroval)
Up to you! Choose the one you think you'd enjoy, Legacy of Morgoth is a month away also!
Wait for the 64 bit update or play on the legendary servers
I just in Riverdale and the main quest need lotro to unlock ... 😅
What class is this? Am confused, ranger cant use 2h and bow.. yet beorning can only be eorning not hobbit.. at 5:30
That is a beorning, not a hobbit! ^^
Boromir ❤
BOROMIR
Boromir
4th
Boromir