Lord of The Rings Online : book12

Book 12: The Ashen Wastes Revisits the Champion

Kody — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:23:59 GMT

Book 12, now entitled Book 12: The Ashen Wastes, is more than just an update to the Guardian and Burglar classes that have already been announced.

Today Turbine released details on some changes for the Champion class as well. While these changes aren't as sweeping or broad as the "Month of" updates that two classes receive, the Champion is getting some much-needed attention in The Ashen Wastes.

One of the keynotes for the review is the introduction of a new stance at low levels, called Ardour -- specifically designed to give the player choices in their play and what stance they fight in.

Currently, Fervour is the only choice of stance for most levels. The Book 12 Champion update will include a new stance, available at low levels. It won't be as all-out offensive as Fervour, but it will include in-combat power regeneration as well as allowing the Champion to Block, Parry and Evade, though at some penalty. In addition to the new stance, Glory is going to get a small boost in effectiveness and will be available at mid-levels.

These two changes should give Champions a good choice of trade-offs in their stance selection between offense and defense.

There are also two new Legendary Skills being added to the game in the update, which you can check out the details on below.

Second Wind - This new skill is granted at level 14. It can only be used after an enemy is defeated and will restore some of the Champion's Power. Second Wind is intended to cover any shortfalls in power regeneration for Champions that are utilizing Ardour or Glory.

Melee Critical Passive Traits - Champions will now be able to train Tier 3 at Level 35 and Tier 4 at Level 46. The masters of straight up melee combat no longer receive fewer passive melee traits than Lore-masters.

There are plenty of other improvements to the Champion in Book 12, so head over to the Champion review to read more.

Book 12: Month of the Burglar

Kody — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 06:53:21 GMT

Class updates in Lord of the Rings Online come in pairs, and along with the Month of the Guardian, Book 12 promises to also introduce changes for the Burglar -- it's the Month of the Burglar as well!

Burglars will be receiving a host of new skills across all facets of play, so here are just a few examples!

Mischief (20)

"Instead of Sneaking, you set your mind straightway to Mischief. While active, your Tricks and Twists cost less power to use and the recovery timer of Riddle is reduced. This skill can only be activated out of combat and cannot be used while sneaking."

Mischief is a new toggle skill that opens up a new playstyle for the Burglar: one that enhances the Burglar's Tricks, Trick Removal, and Crowd Control abilities while trading off the ability to Sneak. Starting at level 20, you can choose to switch into Mischief mode between fights giving you:

A 25% reduction in the power costs of your Tricks and Trick Removal skills
A 30 second reduction in Recovery Timer for Riddle
The ability to use two new skills earned at higher levels: Clever Retort (30) and Confound (46)

It's a choice that the player can make from encounter to encounter, depending on the situation. And, of course, players who don't want to use it don't have to and will still have new shiny things to play with.

Location Is Everything (50)

"Your next damage-dealing attack skill will deal increased damage if it strikes your target from behind. Only useable while in Stealth. Using this skill will not break Stealth."

A high-end skill which you can use on its own or in combination with Aim for focused burst of damage. The skill has a hefty recovery timer, but when everything comes up, the outcome is hefty, too.

Seize Initiative (44)

"After your fellowship performs a successful Fellowship Maneouver, you can use this skill to reset the recovery timer of your Aim skill, Location is Everything, and all the skills in your Critical Response chain."

The first of a pair of Fellowship Maneouver Response Skills. When your fellowship pulls off a successful FM, the skill is enabled and you can use it to reset a few skills for a burst of damage.

There's a whole lot more coming in Book 12 for the Burglar class, so head over to the Month of the Burglar to find out more!

Book 12: Month of the Guardian

Kody — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:49:48 GMT

With Book 11's new featured wrapped up and implemented for some time now, Turbine is pushing forward with development of Book 12. One of the first major changes announced for the update is that this is the Month of the Guardian, with the class receiving a big look at its dynamics.

Book 12 promises to package an abundance of new skills, as well as updates to current skills for the Guardian -- both for tanking and for DPS. Below you can read information on some of the new skills announced.

New Tanking Skills

Shield Wall - With Shield Wall we're introducing a different type of panic button for the Guardian. Instead of another force taunt, Shield Wall allows a Guardian to protect someone in an evolving situation. This skill does have a number of downsides as it's an extremely powerful tool; it's meant to be used as an emergency tool, not something that's always on.
- All damage is transferred from the target to the Guardian
- The Protected target cannot block, parry, or evade
- Target receives no Item Wear from hits
- 5m Range
- Costs power over time to maintain
Fray The Edge - Fray the Edge is a ranged taunt with a twist. Against Signature monsters and higher, it will increase the chance that a random conjunction opportunity will occur. This skill should aid Guardians in pulling back single monsters that have left their melee range.
- Strong Ranged single-target Taunt
- Increases the chance for a Random Fellowship Manoeuvre Opportunity on Signature and above monsters.
  - This effect stacks exponentially with multiple applications

New DPS Skills

Overpower - Overpower is a new offensive stance for Guardians that lets them put more effort behind their attacks at the cost of defense and power.
- +15% to Melee Damage
- Increases the power cost of all skills played by 20%
- Reduces Evade by 5%
- Disables Block
- Mutually exclusive with Guardian's Threat, Guardian's Defense, Guardian's Parry.
Force Opening - Force opening is a medium-damage attack skill.
- Requires player to be in Overpower Stance
- Opens up a parry response opportunity on a successful hit
Stagger - Stagger is a low-damage skill that applies a debuff when used to attack from behind or on a critical hit
- Requires player to be in Overpower Stance
- Slows target's attack speed
- Slows target's movement speed
Salt the Wound - Salt the Wound turns the mild Thrust Bleed into a much more powerful gusher. It also does low melee damage.
- Strong Damage over Time effect if Thrust is present on target

There are quite a few skill changes as well, so head over to the Month of the Guardian article to find out all the details.