So, it comes out next month. I can't wait. I saw a whole massive collection of screenshots for the testing of the game, and guess what I saw? ELVES. WITH WHITE HAIR. Guh! THAT MEANS I CAN MAKE ERELITH. -fandom squeals- I am of course, going to make her on the more 'magical' side of things, where as Varsis will be titled under the class 'Champion.' When you group with friends online, it will be called a 'fellowship' and during which time you are allowed 'group attacks' to better defeat enemies. Women are allowed to play, of course - and it seems they have a class of their own. That's interesting in itself. On a down side, the Noldor Elves and the Men of the West will not be available to play, with the consideration they are too powerful. Also, they are planning an expansion {already!} called 'Rohan' which will enable a player to have a 'mount', or better known as a horse of their own. As of the first expansion, you will manage on foot from place to place. The game is set in the Third Age, just after Frodo leaves with the One Ring.
Here are the available races, and classes for Middle-Earth:
ChampionRaces: Man, Elf, Dwarf
'His prowess was such that none in Gondor could stand against him in those weapon-sports in which he delighted, seeming rather a champion than a captain or king. . . .'
-The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, "Appendix A" A true master of arms, the Champion excels at combat, focusing on little other than destroying his foes. The Champion's whirling blades can strike fear into the heart of even the foulest orc, cutting down swaths of their numbers at once. While a Champion's training and armor grants him some survivability, it is not his focus, and a Champion can quickly find himself in trouble when facing several foes on his own.
The Champion will be the class of choice for players that enjoy fast-paced combat with multiple options available at any given moment. Champions can use various weapon styles, but focus on using two weapons simultaneously. With their active play-style Champions are able to consistently cause large amounts of damage to both single and multiple opponents in combat. Their style of combat revolves around the idea that the best defense is a good offense.
GuardianRaces: Man, Elf, Dwarf, Hobbit
'Go after those two young hobbits, and guard them. . . .'
-The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,
"The Breaking of the Fellowship" A doughty fighter and protector of the weak, a skilled Guardian can face even the toughest foes and survive. The Guardian is one of the few classes willing and able to try to draw more blows onto themselves, so they can retaliate with devastating maneuvers in response.
The Guardian will be the class of choice for players that enjoy drawing the attention of their foes in combat and taking advantage of their missteps. Masters of the defensive arts, Guardians use taxing attacks and irksome taunts to draw and hold opponents' attention, relying on their shield and weapon to turn aside incoming attacks with blocks and parries. A Guardian's combat style depends on creating openings during an opponent's attack to provide the opportunity for their own counterattack.
CaptainRaces: Man
'And this I also say: you are our captain and our banner. The Dark Lord has Nine. But we have One, mightier than they. . . .'
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, "The White Rider"Bearing her banner into battle, a Captain provides hope and leadership to her fellows, inspiring them to greater deeds. A skilled Captain can rally a party back from the brink of defeat, or seal a victory against many foes. While a Captain is a respected fighter on her own accord, she is primarily driven by her powerful sense of leadership to those fighting around her.
The Captain will be the class of choice for players who enjoy supporting their fellows while participating in melee combat. With her unique ability to plant banners to increase the battle prowess of those near them, the Captain helps to define where a fight will happen. Her battle cries allow her to take advantage of certain events in combat to aid the morale or combat ability of her fellows. A Captain's style of combat focuses on inspiring those around her to glory.
MinstrelRaces: Man, Elf, Dwarf, Hobbit
'. . . in the midst of their merriment and tears the clear voice of the minstrel rose like silver and gold, and all men were hushed.'
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, "The Field of Cormallen"With song and tale, a Minstrel brings hope to places thick with gloom. He can inspire those with desperate minds and heavy hearts to great deeds. In battle, he can turn the tide with songs that strengthen his allies and dirges which strike fear into the hearts of his enemies.
The Minstrel will be the class of choice for players who want to aid their friends, inspiring them to keep going through the darkest of times. With a vast repertoire of tales both fair and foul, a Minstrel restores the morale of his fellows, as well as causing his enemies to despair. Though able to wield weapons, he prefers to let his words, rather than his sword, speak for him. A Minstrel's style of combat is based on maintaining hope no matter what the odds.
HunterRaces: Man, Elf, Dwarf, Hobbit
'He was a great hunter, but he vowed to chase no wild beast while there was an Orc left in Rohan.'
-The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A Woodsman, pathfinder, and master of the bow, the keen-eyed Hunter can use her arrows to devastating effect from a distance. Archery is not the only thing the Hunter excels at, for she can lead her companions through the forest at greater speed than they could on their own, and can set up traps to ambush enemies. The archer is no close-quarters fighter, however, and would generally rather let her bow do the work than resort to her sword.
The Hunter will be the class of choice for players who enjoy striking a target at range. Clever by nature, the Hunter is known to lure her targets into traps to hinder them, giving her time to use her bow to deadly effect. A Hunter's knowledge of nature also provides skills that help her and her fellows survive in the wild. A Hunter's combat style depends on her ability to injure others while staying out of harm's way.
BurglarRaces: Man, Hobbit
'You can say Expert Treasure-hunter instead of Burglar if you like. . . .'
The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"A stealthy trickster, the Burglar can dart in and out of the shadows to befuddle, weaken, or damage foes. An unexpected strike from behind by a burglar can stun or trip enemies, allowing others in her party to combine their efforts for a devastating attack. Unassuming on her own, a burglar would be wise to not be caught alone.
The Burglar will be the class of choice for players that enjoy using cunning and tricks to defeat their opponents. Using concealment, a Burglar can strike from the shadows, taking her opponents unawares. With her wit, a Burglar can show her allies where a foe's weakness lies -- or trap someone in a riddle. A Burglar's combat style hinges on her ability to outmaneuver and outwit her opponents while hitting them where it hurts.
Lore-masterRaces: Man, Elf
'This only would he say, that Imladris was of old the name among the Elves of a far northern dale, where Elrond the Half-elven dwelt, greatest of lore-masters.'
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"A keeper of ancient lore and otherwise lost knowledge, the Lore-master uses his knowledge of the lesser and greater powers of the world around him to stave off the advances of the shadow for a time, and to treat the wounds and suffering of his companions. In dire need he can use this knowledge to hurt his foes; but this task being extremely difficult, a wise Lore-master would rarely attempt it.
The Lore-master will be the class of choice for the player that enjoys using the power of ancient lore to aid their allies and hinder their foes. Steeped in the histories of Middle-earth Lore-masters are able to aid their fellows in recovering from maladies caused by the forces of the Dark Lord. They can also use their knowledge to daze, harm, or hinder their enemies, as well as give of themselves to strengthen another. Some Lore-masters are even said to be able to communicate with animals and request their aid. A Lore-master's combat style is anchored in the power of knowledge and using it intelligently to defeat evil.
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For More Information on the Game, here is the official site:
http://lotro.turbine.com/Most likely, I will form Varsis to be a hard-core warrior, a champion, while Erelith I think will end up leaning towards 'lore-master'. Phaedrus will be an archer....and, can you tell I'm already obsessed with it?
Social playing in Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar {I like saying that ^___^} will be best if you form a fellowship. As the title of this article says:
Friends don't let friends tank Balrogs