Finding your Class

Tuesday night was AWESOME!  Had a blast with the crew!  We leveled from character creation (for some of us) through level 10.  Woot!  The rest of the levels are not quite that fast, but it's great to run in a pack for the sheer mob factor.  :D

This week:

Assemble on the front porch of the Comb and Wattle Inn in Combe for more Bree-land Questing.

We should hit 20 in a couple nights like this. :) Then the 6 man madness begins! OR if many of us are involved with the youth leadership meeting this week... explore crafting and other character classes until you find what you like. 

The group last night showed we are looking at:

- Ray - Warden - Tank

- Mike - Champion - AOE melee DPS

- Eric - Burglar - FM starter, debuffer and sneak DPS

- Ben - Ministrel - Dwarven Healer

- Jen & Danielle - Hunter - Ranged DPS

Classes/roles that are currently open:  

- Lore Master - pet based caster, stuns, roots, crowd control, debuffs

- Guardian - Tank and DPS at lvl 10 with 2 hander

- Captain - Human Jack of all trades with banner carrier and buffs

- RuneKeeper - healer or DPS - paid caster class

However, it's all about you finding what you like to play and doing that.  It's supposed to be fun!

Tips for checking out new classes: -- New Player Guides - The Classes

• You can have two character slots per server on the free accounts.  SO you can keep one on level with the group and play around with the other one.
• You can have two characters on ANY of the other LOTRO servers so feel free to explore and experiment on other classes if you wish.
• Any TP (Turbine Points* see below) you earn on other servers are shared across you entire account regardless of server.
• If you would rather not take the risk of starting another character on another world and decide you LOVE that class, thus having to start over with that class on Silverlode... you have the option in the wonderful F2P (Free to Play) world of LOTRO to register another complete account and play on Silverlode with all of your characters.
• The downside to that method is that the TP and Bound to Account stuff is locked to that particular account.

Turbine Points - Turbine is to LOTRO what Blizzard is to WoW... so TP (Turbine Points) is the currency you can earn in-game (or pay real money) to use in the LOTRO store to unlock more quest packs and other goodies.  The EPIC quest line is always free, but in order to effectively level past 31 or so, you'll want to save up TP to get more Quest Packs, like Evendim and Angmar.  You'll want to buy a horse too... the riding skill is 95 TP, easy to earn in about 2 hours or so of focused play if you want to grind it our, or easy to earn as we play.  Ask if you want more info on this, I look for a guide to post about efficient TP grinding methods.

Let me know if you still need assistance with the download. Stephen said that the new download (instant version) tech lets you get started almost right away. It took about 4 hours to download and install the 9.5 GB version on Monday for Jen.

Download and install week

Hail Friends and well met!
I'm off to youth camp this week.  Raethious will be manning the Tuesday night group, though I think 60% of use are going to camp too. :)  The Conference Bridge will not be open, but I think once you get past the intro level 1 quest, you should be able to /Tell Raethious in game if he's online. (alts include... Raethious, Raebeard, Raedale, or Halfpsycho )

If you aren't at camp, take this week to make sure the LOTRO client is downloaded and working.  Start a character or too and play around with the classes to see what works for you.

Have a great week and we'll see you next!

First Meeting - Recap

Raethious and I (Stargul, Runekeeper) had a great time stomping through the Trollshaws killing worms and tackling Elite Trolls 5 levels above us.

Lessons learned:

• The conference bridge works quite well as a voice carrier... despite the annoying squeal every so often.
• Google Voice has a 3 hour time limit per call.  It could be good game timer!
• Hunters are NOT tanks... and if you think you can heal a hunter though that... no. Rez skills... :-D
• Runekeepers are the kings of kiting!  Shoot-n-scoot for the win.

We are meeting next week on the bridge at the same time... even though I will not be there.  See Thanks-for-picking-up-small-group-flyer for the schedule.

Lord of the Rings Online - Middle Earth is BIG!

I just did a little research(waiting for stuff to upload to the server at work ;) ).

If you were to ride on the fastest horse you can personally control in game, it would take you between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 HOURS real time to ride from one side of the game map to the other, depending on the route you take.

If you take stable routes with faster mounts (and no monster aggro), it's about 1.5 hours.

Here is a series of videos that captures some of the scenic rides you can hire from stable masters getting from point A to B.  I started with Hobbiton to Bree since some of you may start a hobbit and take this route.

First meeting

Hello all,

We launch on Tuesday!  That's tomorrow if you are reading this on Monday, 6/10/2013.  So exciting!  As long as everyone who signed up or verbally committed plays regularly we'll have at least a full 6 man fellowship weekly.  This unlocks the vast majority of the dungeons.

Let's run Tuesday a little differently.  While we're looking at Vent for ingame chat, since many may not have the Client installed yet, I have set up a tele-conference bridge that we can all meet on to discuss where we are in getting ready.

TELECONFERENCE BRIDGE:  1-267-507-0240

Conf Code: 827217
Opens at 7:30 PM CST sharp!

This is a long distance call from Pensacola so if you have unlimited LD on your cell or home line, dial-in.  if you don't, I was able to set up Google Voice (through Gmail) and dial into the conference line from my desktop with my headset with great clarity and very little effort.  Set the whole thing up in about 15 minutes.  Even made a couple of test calls from my computer to my cell phone and chatted with my kids while they walked around with my cell phone on speaker.  They got a big kick out of my dev testing.  Win for both sides!

To Do check list for Tuesday:

• Download and install LOTRO.  This a LARGE file so start as early as you can. (see blog: Starting Lotro - The Install)  There will be a account creation step in here too.
• Download and install Ventrilo client.  Very small. (See blog: We have Vent server!)
• Verify you can log in to the various systems, game. Create Character if possible. I would like to be able to be able to always associate an in-game character to the name of the person behind it.  So when you see Basshim or Theosigwerth, you'll know that's me!  If and went we change characters, we'll keep each other up to date.
• In relation to this, if you have a favored class type that would like to play, we can discuss in the call you plays what so that we'll have a balanced party.  You can do a lot with 6 tanks, but we'll need at least one healer and damage types too.

If I have your number, I'll text reminders, or I'll hit you up on Facebook.  I'm looking forward to questing this summer!

More resources - Guides to start by

Raethious and I have been busy scouring the web/forums/etc. to find some of the best "what do I need to know at the start" or "what I wish I had learned early on" guides. Sources cited where we found a guide and cleaned it up a bit for the group. These are all word docs that will download when you click on the link. 

None are required reading, but all are recommended. SOME are *highly recommended*... hint, hint.

1 - Introduction Guide - basic look at the game and the classes if you haven't already dived in. 2 pages

2 - Heads Up Display Guide - Tips and tricks for UI/HUD options right out of the gate. (That is the User Interface/Heads Up Display) Helps make sense the madness of buttons if you are not familiar with the sometimes overwhelming MMO controls. 2 pages

3 - Customizing UI Guide - Handy reference on customization that can be saved and swapped per character. 1 page

4 - Combat Options Guide - Guide to options (settings in game that you can enable) that will make your game life and grouping more functional and fun. 2 pages. *highly recommended*

5 - Pro Tips Guide - The "things I wish I knew earlier" guide. Filled with nuggets of little tricks and tips to maximize game experience. If you have ever said, "I wish that I could do this with the settings..." this is the place to check. 5 pages. *highly recommended*

6 - Travel Guide - Horses, speed buffs, stable masters... oh my. How do I get around in Middle Earth is answered here. Also where and how to get your first mount. 3 pages

7 - Grouping Guide - 17 pages on the fellowship. Things to know, what to avoid, how to join, etc. Great guide to etiquette in groups and tips for both new players and experienced questers. Includes elements specific to LOTRO on making the most out of group content, 2, 3, & 6 player instances and 12 & 24 man raids. *VERY highly recommended*

8 - Fellowship Maneuver Guide - Unique system of group cooperation in LOTRO. Stun a mob with certain skills and a FM (fellowship maneuver) starts. Each player picks a response and the more intricate the pattern, the more epic the maneuver. Imagine Ents rising from the ground dealing massive burst damage or Oath Breakers being summoned to the battle restoring power and morale while harassing the foe. *VERY highly recommended* 6 pages with links to more info if you are so inclined.

We have Vent server!

I've been given the Ventrilo server details.  So this is good.  Tested it out with Raethious on Tuesday this week... works quite well once you tweak your mic sensitivity for the hands free talk mode or turn on press to talk functions.  It's better than the in-game voice client in clarity.

So you'll need to download and install the Ventrilo client that fits your system from here.

That being said, the configuration details are as follows:

• IP:  Contact me at church or in game
• Port:  Contact me at church or in game
• Password:  Contact me at church or in game

I know I'm being like that.  Since we have a limited number of users and we're basically borrowing this server, I would rather not blast the credentials over the open internet.  

Preferred contact method:  Since we're looking at Tuesday as the "official" game night, look for me in game.  I'll PM the details in game.

Looking forward the tales we'll have to tell as we group.  Later!  Eric

Thanks for picking up the Small group flyer!

If you are here, it's likely because I spoke with you personally or you followed the link on the flyer from Harvest Church on Sunday.  Welcome... thanks for checking this out!

Here is the "plan", the schedule:

June 2 - June 9th - update the Blog, recruit players, play LOTRO, make display for small group fair on June 9th.

• Want to play but not sure your computer will be able to handle the game? Test your system for playability.
• This will take you to Can you Run It?  Type: Lord of the Rings Online in the search for a game box and install the various Java applets.  It'll run through a series of tests that will check to see if your machine has the guts.  LOTRO is an older game so it's not as intense on the system as newer games are.
• If the result is borderline fail, try LOTRO anyway.  My wife's laptop failed by virtue of the onboard graphics chipset, but we play on it fine.
• If you feel up to it, try the Mines of Moria expansion too.  It's a bit more intense that the original install.
• If you want, begin download and set up account.
• Try out the classes and see what you like, starting guides here on LOTRO.com and here on lotro-wiki.com. 
• Oh and here is a HANDY key map in case you like that kind of thing (wish I had discovered this sooner): 

June 9th: Recruitment Fair at Harvest Sunday morning.  

• It's recommended that you get the game downloaded, installed and ready to go as soon as possible.  
• There is a Level 1 starting quest to get you introduced to the basic game play.  Then from Level 1-5/6ish, depending on how you play, there is a starting area that further teaches you about your class, and sets the tone of the stories.

June 11th: LET'S PLAY LOTRO! Starting at 7:30 pm CST. -- The Set Up

• This is the first official meeting.  LOTRO has an in-game voice chat client that is decent, but it requires that all the players talking on it be in the same fellowship (small group) which can interfere with some quest lines if you have a large group together and are not out of the starting areas.  
• We will be using a Ventrilo server for our chat so that we can always have voice chat available in game or while setting up.
• Details on this server will follow.
• It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you have a headset in order to be able to interface vocally in game.  It is possible to use webchat mics that are embedded in laptops however they can be prone to much more background noise as well.  Any computer/gaming headphone-mic set will do as long as it works.
• Ideally for the group, we should be leveling at roughly the same pace.  So if you ready to dive into LOTRO head on, I would suggest having 1 character exclusively for group play and use the other free slot for playing more often on other nights if you wish.  
• This is subject to adjustment if the group is composed primarily of experienced gamers that do not need to be assisted through the starting levels.

June 18th: LET'S PLAY LOTRO! Starting at 7:30 pm CST. -- Leveling past the starting areas

• Good news... time to play! Not as good news for LOTRO - I (Eric) will be at youth camp with the Switch180 Student Ministry from Harvest so I will not be able to join this night.  I will have others online for questing, grouping, questions, morale support, etc.
• For this session, let's aim to get everyone at least past the starting areas of Archet (for Men and Hobbits) and Thorin's Gate (Dwatves and Elves).  This will put your charater into "the real world" and able to run together more readily.  
• After the starting zones, the story splits based on race.  Elves head to Celedonim, Dwarves stay in Thorin's Gate, Hobbits go to the Shire and Men stay in Archet to help rebuild. 
• This is also a great time to check out the wonderfully developed crafting system in LOTRO. Make your own armor, weapons, food, scrolls, etc. Great articles here on Lotro-wiki.com.
• Our goal for the first big group content (6 man dungeons and skirmishes) is level 20 in Bree. 
• There are several quests in each zone that are labeled as small fellowship (3 man) on level due to more powerful monsters or sheer numbers, so you're welcome to begin grouping anytime you want.
• I've taken a fresh character from creation to 20 in about 8 hours game time, but that's because I didn't read all the stories on the way.
• LOTRO is RICH with bits and pieces of the Lord of Rings books, so you are really missing out on much of "awesome" that is LOTRO if you rush through.  So that's why I'm not pushing the timeline to level uber fast.
• I figure we should have no problem getting to level 20 in about 4 sessions or by July 2nd.

June 25th: LET'S PLAY LOTRO! Starting at 7:30 pm CST. -- Leveling 10-15 or so

• Continue leveling and following the story line.  Each starting area has it's own quest lines and a unifying EPIC quest line that will eventually lead you to the Prancing Pony in Bree to speak with Aragorn.  
• This is about Level 14-16.
• This is the end goal for this session. 

July 2nd: LET'S PLAY LOTRO! Starting at 7:30 pm CST. -- EPIC VOL I, Book 1 Chapters 1-8, and Bree-Land questing

More will come as we level and play.