| Is there any form of PvP in LotRO? | | | | - Select one of the five available classes and click the |
| There sure is. But it's different from what you might | | | | "Play" button, you're off! |
| expect. Being that the notion of elves mass killing | | | | Can I level my monster and make him stronger over |
| hobbits was distinctly un-Tolkien, Turbine has created | | | | time, like a normal character? |
| Monster Play for players to help them free the beast | | | | Yes and no. Your monsters will start as level 50 |
| within. | | | | regardless of what level you first step into its skin. |
| What is Monster Play? | | | | They're not on par statistically or skill-wise with a level |
| Monster play, or PvMP, is Player versus Monster | | | | 50 player, but more so like a mob that a player would |
| Player. What that means is instead of hobbits and | | | | be fighting at that level. |
| elves fighting it out among themselves, a system has | | | | This was done because Turbine anticipates at all times |
| been created that lets players take temporary control | | | | there being more monsters than players (who must be |
| of "monsters" and fight the higher level regular player | | | | upper-level to play in PvMP) and therefore the fighting |
| characters of LotRO. | | | | field should be level. Monsters can grow in strength |
| Great, so now instead of worrying about an elf killing | | | | though, through the acquisition of Infamy and Destiny |
| my hobbit, I have to worry about roving bands of | | | | Points. |
| Monter Players? | | | | What are Infamy and Destiny Points? |
| Not at all! The PvMP system is 100% consensual in | | | | Sort of like experience for monster players, these can |
| nature for just that very reason. Anyone who does | | | | grant or enable things like additional skills, improvements |
| not wish to partake in the PvMP never has to, not | | | | to current skills, bonuses to the monster's Morale, |
| even for a second. The ongoing battle takes place in | | | | regenerations rates, armor mitigation, and so on. |
| the isolated world area of the Ettenmoors, and you | | | | Players can also gain additional appearances to |
| won't find yourself accidentally stumbling into the area | | | | change the look of their monsters over time via the |
| either. It's only accessible through talking with specific | | | | Infamy system. |
| NPCs. | | | | Okay, now I know how to be a monster, but how do I |
| Hmm... okay, I'm intrigued. Tell me more about PvMP. | | | | play my main character in the Ettenmoors? Glad you |
| Well let's give you a run-down of its features, and we'll | | | | asked! Of course, you'll first need to level your |
| go from there. | | | | character to level 40 though, as that's the lowest level |
| - The Ettenmoors is a large, fully-developed region, | | | | you can enter the Ettenmoors as. It's probably a better |
| about the same size as the Shire. | | | | idea to level him or her a bit higher though, as |
| - Players on each side start in a "no-kill zone". You | | | | everything in the zone is geared towards top level |
| won't be thrown into the Ettenmoors, and immediately | | | | players. Once you've done this, here's what you'll need |
| waylaid by opponents. | | | | to do: |
| - The objectives that either side must strive to attain | | | | - Travel to Rivendell by any means possible |
| are defeating the enemy in combat, completing PvE | | | | - Find the Horse Stables in the Western section of the |
| and PvP driven quests, and of course, maintaining your | | | | area (known as Elrond's Stables). |
| sides hold on several Keeps and Towers. | | | | - Right click on Stablemaster Remros then select |
| - There are five monster classes to choose from | | | | Ettenmoors and click the "Go!" button. You'll be taken |
| when creating a Monster to patrol the Ettenmoors | | | | to the Ettenmoors, where you can begin your quest to |
| with. | | | | rid the area of Sauron's forces. |
| What classes are available for creating a monster? | | | | The objectives for the player character side of things |
| The five "classes" of monsters are as follows: | | | | are similar to the monster side. Kill the monsters, |
| The Uruk Warleader - The main tank of the Monster | | | | complete the quests scattered across the zone, and |
| side, this hefty orc is directly intended to be the leader | | | | attain and keep control over the keeps and towers in |
| in groups. With powerful in combat and out of combat | | | | the area. Doing all of these things will reward your |
| buffs, as well as the ability to heal and do moderate | | | | player with Destiny Points. |
| damage per second, the Warleader is sort of a jack | | | | What can my character do with Destiny Points? |
| of all trades. | | | | Destiny Points are earned for the player by completing |
| The Orc Reaver - The Champion class for Monsters, | | | | quests and generally waging war with the Monster |
| the Orc Reaver is your most essential damage doer. | | | | Players in Ettenmoors. They can be used for special |
| Also with the ability to de-buff, interrupt skills, and do | | | | buffs and traits for your character as well as |
| some tanking, he's a crafty foe not to be taken for | | | | "per-session" buffs upon entering the Ettenmoors. |
| granted. | | | | Will my weapons and armor take damage when I die |
| The Uruk Blackarrow - And expert Uruk orc Archer, | | | | in PvMP? |
| this class is a ranged damage dealer with some | | | | Your character's items will not take damage when he |
| crowd control abilities, and a sprinkling of area of | | | | or she is killed by a Monster Player. It is important to |
| effect damage dealing. | | | | note however, that they will take damage if you are |
| The Warg Stalker - A stealthy canine abomination of | | | | killed off by one of the many mobs patrolling the area. |
| the Dark Lord's army. These pups are proficient in | | | | But worry not, for no matter who defeats you, |
| doing high burst damage, they can serve as a tank in | | | | revenge is only a few minutes away. You simply need |
| some pinches, and are capable of interrupting opposing | | | | to "rez" at a nearby respawn point and head back into |
| players spells and skills. | | | | the fray. |
| The Spider Weaver - Similar to the spiders often | | | | What about player character rewards, like items and |
| found giving travelers trouble across Eriador, these little | | | | other things of that nature? |
| 8-legged freaks are efficient at crowd control, damage | | | | Oh, they're available. Destiny points and general |
| over time, some light damage dealing, and even some | | | | partaking in Monster Play will help you acquire the |
| ambush attacks. | | | | necessary things needed for acquiring such rewards. I'll |
| It should be noted that you can't have alts of your | | | | leave it up to you to find out just what is available for |
| monster characters. You can play one of each class | | | | your acquisition. Here's a pick of some of the perks |
| though, and their names are permanent upon creations. | | | | available, just to wet your whistle. |
| So choose wisely. | | | | Is there anything else I need to know, before I go |
| How do I play as a monster in the Ettenmoors? | | | | smiting the evil (or the good) of Middle-Earth? |
| Below are listed the basic requirements for entering | | | | Just remember to travel in packs, be you on the bad |
| the Ettenmoors as a Monster Player. | | | | or the good side. A solo-player will likely be eaten up in |
| -Level any one of your characters to 10 or above. | | | | the Ettenmoors, as most players go with the mob |
| - Travel to Bree and locate Beggar's Alley (the | | | | mentality when indulging in PvP. Secondly, remember |
| eastern side of the map, a small dirt path, and very run | | | | that defeat is not permanent. If you fall in battle, all you |
| down area.) | | | | need to do is run back to the fight, and give it another |
| - Find the red and black obelisk called the "Scrying | | | | shot. No shame in being beaten. And lastly, remember |
| Pool" that is at the end of the alley. | | | | to have fun. That's what the game is about. Friendly |
| - Right click it and select the option "Play as a | | | | competition, with the added perks of rewards from all |
| Monster". | | | | your bloodshed. |