Riders of Rohan
- This page is about The Lord of the Rings Online expansion. For reputation faction, see Riders of Rohan (Faction).
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WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND TURBINE
UNVEIL THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™: RIDERS OF ROHAN™
New Expansion to The Lord of the Rings Online™ Launching Fall 2012
January 25, 2012
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment unveiled today The Lord of the Rings Online™: Riders of Rohan™, the latest expansion to the award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) developed by Turbine. Riders of Rohan expands the online world of Middle-earth where players join forces to ride into the Plains of Rohan. Riders of Rohan launches in the Fall of 2012 with an increased level cap, the vast plains of Rohan including iconic locations such as Amon Hen and Fangorn Forest, the new Mounted Combat system and much more!
“2011 was another banner year for The Lord of the Rings Online with consistent growth for the game, a successful unification of our European and North American services and the success of Rise of Isengard, our best selling expansion to date.” said Kate Paiz, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. “This is going to be another outstanding year as we celebrate our fifth anniversary and introduce a wealth of new content throughout the year, ending with our arrival in Rohan. One of our largest expansions ever, Rohan is expected to be twice the size of the recent Rise of Isengard expansion and includes the most new game systems and technology we've introduced since 2008's Mines of Moria.”
NEW FEATURES:
- Experience the Riders of Rohan – Join with the Rohirrim and ride across the sprawling Plains of Rohan; witness the breaking of the Fellowship at Amon Hen; forge alliances with the Ents of Fangorn; and aid Éomer, adopted son of Théoden, as he seeks to protect his homeland from the growing Shadow.
- Introducing Mounted Combat – Ride into Combat atop your loyal War-steed as you defend the people of Rohan from the forces of Isengard and Mordor. Customize your War-steed’s armor and level its skills over time to aid you in mounted defense of King Theoden’s lands. Mount your steed and gather your fellows to fight against Warbands, contingents of roving warg riders that have been scouted all over the Plains of Rohan! It falls to you to head off and defeat this new threat before they over take the land.
- Advance to level 85 – Continue your legend in the next chapter of The Lord of the Rings Online. Experience new adventures in the epic story, and gain new skills and deeds as you face new challenges on your journey to 85!
The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate adventure. This award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most famous fantasy of all time. From the picturesque surroundings of the Shire to Moria, the most fearsome underground realm ever imagined, players can experience the world of Middle-earth for free! For more information, visit www.lotro.com.
- # # #
THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™ interactive video game © 2010 Turbine, Inc. and patents pending. All rights reserved. Middle-earth Poster Map © 2007 The Saul Zaentz Company, d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises, under license to Turbine, Inc. All rights reserved. “The Lord of the Rings Online”, “Siege of Mirkwood”, Middle-earth Enterprises logo, “The Lord of the Rings” and the names of the characters, events, items and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of SZC under license to Turbine, Inc. Turbine and the Turbine logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Turbine, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other jurisdictions. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Pre Order Announced 4 June 2012
- Pre-Purchase Between 6/5 and 9/5 2012
Extensive video teasers!
Principle Characters:
Captain
Burnoth, son of Baldeg, is 28 years old. His father is a high-ranking retainer in the employ of Thane Sparláf of Fenmarch. From an early age, Burnoth yearned to be a warrior, though his father – embittered by constant fighting with Orcs out of the East Wall – did all he could to guide him into more peaceful pursuits. As a result, Burnoth is proficient at playing the harp and a good storyteller. Despite his father's efforts, however, Burnoth still found ways to train at arms, and proved himself by hunting and killing a band of four Orcs when he was just 16. Grudgingly, Baldeg allowed him to become a squire to the Thane, and Burnoth fit into the role of warrior easily. Within three years he was a retainer himself, and at the age of 25 he was invited to Aldburg to serve Éomer, the Third Marshal of the Mark. There he trained in command, and became leader of a small band of warriors. He also met and married Merewen, the strong-willed daughter of one of Éomer's counselors. They have a young daughter, Céolwen, together: she is currently three and a half years old, precocious, and already a good rider.
Burnoth is a proud man, a natural leader and teller of tales. Éomer himself has his eye on him as a future captain, and Burnoth admires the Marshal greatly. He honors his heritage, and would do anything to protect his family. As a result, he has accepted a mission to lead a small band into the Eastemnet to harry the enemies of the Mark who dwell there. While the éoreds ride hither and yon, bringing ruin to the enemy, Burnoth's band strikes quietly, from the shadows, in an attempt to find the head of the serpent and cut it off.
His most prized possession is Fyrbrand, the sword of his longfathers, which has been handed down through his family since the days of Helm Hammerhand. His father gave Fyrbrand to Burnoth when he set forth for Aldburg, as a sign of his respect and esteem. Burnoth still does not quite believe himself worthy of such a gift, and takes good care of the blade.
His second greatest possession is his horse, which was foaled on the same day Céolwen was born. He named the steed Brynmód, but his daughter has taken to calling it Prancey for its springing gait – a fact his fellow warriors often remind him of with mirth. He is gruff about these jokes, appearing to weather them grudgingly, but in private he often calls the steed Prancey. He fears losing the horse as much as his own life, for he knows that Céolwen's heart will break if it does not return alive from the field.
Spearman
Léofdag, son of Winedag, is a career warden, a veteran Rider in the éored of Éomer. He is 43 years old. His father was a farmer in the fields of the Sutcrofts, who took up arms when called upon like all men of Rohan, and who once saved the life of Éomund, father of Éomer, in battle. As thanks, Éomund agreed to take Winedag's young son into his service, squiring him to Gártorn, one of his fiercest warriors and a master of the spear. From the age of eight, Léofdag's life revolved around training at warfare. He knows little else, but has become a masterful fighter. When he was 18 he became a full knight in Éomund's service, and rode beside his lord into battle many a time. Soon the King himself took an interest, and word was that Théoden was soon to invite Léofdag into his service among his personal guard. But then disaster struck: Éomund, ever reckless, rode forth to chase Orcs at the feet of the East Wall, not far from Winedag's farm. Léofdag was in the Marshal's company, along with a handful of other warriors. Their numbers proved too few, and all but him were slain by an Orkish ambush. Léofdag was wounded trying to save Éomund – he bears the scars to this day – and bore the lord back to Aldburg upon his own horse. This defeat shamed him, and Gártorn himself turned his back on Léofdag, exiling him to the garrison of Stangard for two years. The invitation to attend the King never came, and while Léofdag considered giving up his spurs and returning to his father's croft, he was too ashamed to face his younger brothers. He remained in the Marshal's éored, a steadfast warrior whose moment of glory has passed. A glum and brooding man, beaten down by years of cold treatment, he has few friends among the retainers, but one young commander in particular – Burnoth, son of Baldeg – has befriended him and values both his strength and his counsel.
Prior to his disgrace, Léofdag married Fleda, Gártorn's niece. She bore him two daughters, Léoflad and Wynith, who are now 20 and 18 years old. Fleda remained faithful to Léofdag, even speaking in his favor against her uncle at times, and harbors a deep resentment toward Gártorn and the other warriors for the way they treat Léofdag. Now a new stress has entered the family, for though both Léoflad and Wynith are lovely and of marrying age, no man will have them because of their father's dishonor. The elder girl remains resolute in her love for Léofdag, but Wynith is embarrassed by him, and they quarrel often.For the sake of his daughters, Léofdag has agreed to accompany Burnoth into the Eastemnet, there to find glory and redeem himself. He is ferociously protective of Burnoth, and has sworn not to let him fall as Éomund did, even if Léofdag must give his own life to save him.
Prone to black moods, Léofdag seldom smiles and does not spend words freely, not seeing the point of using ten if one will do. He is a bold and skillful warrior, particularly with Wrecend ("avenger"), a spear he had made out of the broken pieces of the weapon he was wielding when Éomund was slain. He is a true friend to his shield-brothers, and devoted to his family – even willful Wynith, who professes her disgust in him. His horse, Flyting, was once one of the swiftest in the Eastfold, but is aging now and has lost some of his speed. He knows that, whether he lives or dies, this will be the beast's last war-riding, and considers it his best friend.
Léofdag's prize possession is an old, tattered scarf that was given to him by Fleda as a token when they were courting. He has worn it to many battles since; the only time he forgot and left it at home was the riding when Éomund fell. Superstitious, he now refuses to part with it, and is reluctant to talk about it despite the most prying of his fellows' questions. If he should fall in battle, his hope is that the scarf, at least, will be returned to his beloved wife.
Archer
Hutha, son of Hengest, is an expert archer and huntsman, the youngest of three warriors, at 22 already one of the most formidable Orc-slayers in the Eastemnet. His father was chief knight of Thane Elda of Firien, a mountain of a man whose two elder sons, Hereman and Heca, took after him and became masterful swordsmen. Hutha, however, was smaller and slighter, and this led to merciless teasing by other children, who disparagingly called him "Elfling." This was mitigated only by the ferocious protectiveness of his brothers, who would dole out brutal thumpings to anyone they caught bothering Hutha. Hutha, in the meantime, developed a quick sense of humor to protect himself, and at his father's insistence trained with bow and arrow alongside the huntsmen of the Everholt. Rather than Eorl and Helm, Hutha grew up idolizing Bard, the northman who slew Smaug the Golden, and dedicated himself to the archer's craft. He turned out to be a natural shot, and by the age of 10 he could feather a quail in flight from a hundred paces. At 12, he could follow this by splintering the first arrow with a second while the bird was still falling to earth. This talent earned him great respect and renown, and at 15 he was sent to Aldburg to serve Éomer. Training with the Marshal's own best archers, he shifted his quarry from game to Orcs, and has spent much time in the field, stalking and slaying the fell creatures with his bow. He is a master of stealth and cunning, moving through the shadows and killing without a sound, and was therefore a natural choice to join Burnoth's band in their infiltration of the Orc-held eastern plains. The other warriors still tease him: his long, flowing hair, proficiency with the bow, and lack of beard keep the "Elfling" nickname alive, but the mockery is more good-natured now, and he often goes along with it. The fact that women adore him certainly helps matters: he has not even considered marrying yet, for there are too many girls to woo to think of such things.
Hutha is a jocular young man who counts riddles and word-play among life's pleasures. His past as a target for bullies has made him an expert at making friends, and he is an excellent scout, able to travel far and learn much from those he meets. In battle, however, his personality changes radically, and the twinkle in his eye gives way to the gleam of a true killer. He is brutally efficient at his bloody work, and has no pity for anyone who pits themselves against the Riddermark. Utterly dedicated, he would follow his captain straight through the Black Gate of Mordor. He bears a deep love for both his brothers, and worries about them now that they are no longer together – Hereman has ridden to the Fords of Isen alongside Elfhelm of Faldham, and Heca is a knight in the service of Théoden King. It would devastate him to learn that harm had befallen him, and the feeling is mutual.
Hutha's bow, Bloodhorn, is a simple weapon, unadorned and unremarkable as it is deadly. He crafts and fletches his own arrows, and even keeps one painted black in mimicry of Bard. His horse, Hafoc ("hawk"), is a spirited and temperamental stallion that fought him for an hour when they first met. Undaunted, he remained with the animal until they became unaccustomed to each other. Hutha jokes that he doesn't know who broke who; inside, he suspects it was Hafoc who trained him to ride. Often, Hafoc has been his only companion in his wanderings, so the bond between them is strong even according to the standards of the Rohirrim.
Axeman
Ulf the Reaver is a mystery: a bloodthirsty, reckless, and deadly warrior with a past that he keeps hidden from his fellow warriors. Indeed, Ulf is not even his birth-name: he was born Wigelm, son of Waldere, 36 years ago near the vales of Gapholt in the faraway Westfold. A woodcutter's son of mixed Rohir and Dunlending stock, he received no formal training, but learned to wield an axe in the manner of his forebears. He lived a commoner's life, marrying a girl named Atta at the young age of 17. By 26 he had three fine sons: Wigbrit, 8, Dermod, 5, and a babe named Egric. And then it was all taken from him.
The Orcs of the Misty Mountains had grown increasingly restless in recent years, and Thane Gladsúnu of Gapholt called a weapontake to cleanse them from the area. Wigelm, his father, and his brothers all took up their axes and joined the mustering, pushing the battle deep into the Orcs' caverns. Unbeknownst to them, however, the Orcs – actually servants of Saruman when he was still pretending to be a friend to the Mark – had laid a trap, and pinned the men down inside the caves by attacking from both above and below. Of 120 men who had entered the caves, the Thane led fewer than 20 back out again after three hard days of fighting. Wigelm alone, of all his kin, escaped the bloodbath. When the survivors returned home, however, they found their homes burnt and their kin slain by Dunlendings who had cunningly crossed the Fords of Isen under cover of night. Wigelm returned to ashes and corpses – his wife and sons, all dead – as well as a dozen Dunlendings camped amid the ruins. That was when the red fog first settled upon him. Overcome by grief and rage, something snapped inside him, and he waded into the Dunlendings' midst, unarmored and with axe awhirl. He remembers nothing of what happened next; he simply awoke in a forest glen, covered in blood from countless wounds, including a deep gash across his face, with the severed heads of the Dunlendings strewn about him. So Wigelm perished, and Ulf the Reaver was born.
For five years Ulf roamed the wilds of Rohan, from the foothills of the Misty Mountains all the way up to Eorlsmead, then down to the Mouths of the Entwash and back again. He hired out his axe to those beset by Orcs, Dunlendings, and Men of the East, and let the red fog carry him, falling into a frenzy of bloodlust from which no foe could escape. Minstrels sang of his deeds, and so the lords of Rohan became aware of him. It was Éomer who finally found him, asleep beside a heap of mangled Orcs at the foot of one of the Argonath, and offered him a place among his retainers. Tired of wandering, Ulf accepted, and he has served the Marshal ever since. In Aldburg he found a kind of peace, forgetting his past among the warriors there, and even made a few friends. Even so, on the battlefield Ulf's anger still worsts him more often than not, and woe befall any who get between him and his quarry. He barely remembers his old life now, the wife and children and brothers he lost: he only knows the need to slay, not why. In his darkest dreams, however, he returns again and again to the charred ruins of his home, and lives that dark day over.
Ulf chose to join Burnoth's band, happy for the opportunity to wreak havoc anew among the Orcs. The coming war has awakened his hunger for blood as never before, and he hopes to make an ending for himself that the minstrels will sing of until the breaking of the world.
Ulf does not name his axes, for he has a tendency to break them in battle in his fury. Gesith, his horse, has been with him since Éomer brought him to Aldburg, and is the only being toward which he ever shows tenderness. Its loss would likely unman him for good.
Which Edition is Right for You?
- Base Edition - $39.99 (USD)
- Heroic Edition - $49.99 (USD)
- Legendary Edition - $69.99 (USD)
- Pre-Purchase Between 2012.06.05 and 2012.09.05
- The expansion now include an update that adds an instance cluster!
| Benefits on Purchase | ||
|---|---|---|
| Base | Heroic | Legendary |
| Future Instance Cluster | Future Instance Cluster | Future Instance Cluster |
1,000  |
1,000 |
2,000
|
| The Steed of the Eastemnet | The Steed of the Eastemnet | The Steed of the Eastemnet |
| Hauberk of the Eastemnet | Armour of the Eastemnet | |
| Friend of the Mark | Friend of the Mark | Friend of the Mark |
| Evendim, Moria, and Lothlórien Quest Packs |
6th Inventory Bag | |
| Crystal of Remembrance | ||
| Exclusive Rohan Content | ||
| Pre-purchase Benefits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Base | Heroic | Legendary |
| Rohan Elite Guard Statted Cloak | Rohan Elite Guard Statted Cloak | Rohan Elite Guard Statted Cloak |
| Rohirrim Soldier on Landscape Appearance | Rohirrim Soldier on Landscape Appearance | Rohirrim Soldier on Landscape Appearance |
| The Outrider’s Token | The Outrider’s Token | |
- Turbine Points
- Pre-order purchasers will receive a Turbine Point bonus. Those who purchased before 2012.06.14 will receive their bonus retroactively.
- An exclusive Rohirrim Mount available immediately with matching War-steed appearance available when Riders of Rohan launches
- An exclusive full set of Rohirrim cosmetic armour
- An exclusive in-game Rohirrim title
- 6th Inventory Bag
- An inventory bag that grants 15 additional storage slots
- Adds one additional legacy to your legendary weapon
- Exclusive Rohan Content
- Discover the lineage of the great War-steeds and earn a mounted combat deed that grants an exclusive skill for your War-steed
- An Unusual Arrival - An unusual horse has arrived in the town of Combe and those tending the stables are having trouble giving it adequate attention.
- A box of four level 75 statted cloaks that allows you to choose a power bonus for your hero type
- A 25% XP Boost for all characters on your account that will last up to level 75
- Rohirrim Soldier on Landscape Appearance
- Upon reaching level 20, you can customize your Soldier on Landscape with a Rohirrim Appearance
See A word about the Riders of Rohan Pre-Purchase packs for more information.
Riders of Rohan Pre-order FAQ
See Riders of Rohan Pre-order FAQ for the current official version.
Do you have questions regarding the LOTRO Riders of Rohan expansion pack or pre-order? Below you'll find answers to the most commonly asked questions that we've seen so far! If you have a question you don't see answered here, be sure to visit our Riders of Rohan discussion forums. We'll also be adding more information to this document as we get questions!
1. Will I be able to access the Rohan Region if I don’t purchase the Rohan expansion?
Yes! As with all regions in LOTRO, you can explore the region, fight monsters, and take part in the epic story for free. If you want to experience Rohan to its fullest, however, you will need to purchase Rohan to unlock all content and quests.
2. Is the Epic Story in Rohan still free?
Absolutely. All players will be able to experience the newest chapters in the epic story for free when Rohan is launched.
3. Do I have to buy the expansion to get a War-steed?
No. All players will be able to participate in mounted combat. Free players, however, do not have access to all of the War-steeds abilities (two of the three trait trees are locked) but will be able to purchase access and unlock s through the LOTRO store. Players who have purchased the Expansion will have all aspects of mounted combat unlocked immediately.
4. How do I get a War-steed?
Players are introduced to mounted combat and obtain their War-steed via a quest line that is available for free to all players.
5. Can I fight from my existing in-game horse?
No, you will get a new steed, called a War-steed specifically built for combat. It’s larger than the current in-game mounts and better able to handle the demands of combat. (It’s modeled after horses like the Friesian, Andalusian or Lusitano, breeds commonly used in war).
6. What about all those mounts I bought? Are they obsolete?
Your other mounts can still be used as travel mounts anywhere in Middle-earth, including in Rohan, but you will not be able to fight from horseback using these mounts. Also any character that is not at cap level will still need travel mounts for accelerated travel just as they do now. If you have purchased certain mounts via the LOTRO Store, you will receive a War-steed cosmetic variant that will allow you to further customize your War-steed. This includes the various class mounts and the Steed of Night.
7. Can I have more than one War-steed?
No. Players get one War-steed that they advance and customize through the course of the mounted combat experience.
8. I’m a Dwarf or a Hobbit. I’m tiny! What do I ride?
Your War-steed comes in pony size! Its build is still somewhat heftier than the in-game ponies so it’s also more capable in battle. (This one is modeled after the Fell Pony which is a scaled down version of the Friesian).
9. Can I use my War-steed at all outside of Rohan?
Yes, you can ride your War-steed anywhere you can currently ride horses in LOTRO but remember that fighting from horseback is only possible in the open plains of Rohan.
10. Can I fight from horseback anywhere in Middle-earth?
No. Fighting opponents from horseback is possible only in the open plains of Rohan.
11. Do I have to fight from horseback?
To a limited extent, yes. Many of the opponents you encounter in the plains of Rohan will be mounted and an unmounted combatant will find combat more difficult against mounted opponents. Mounted combat is likely to be incorporated into parts of the epic quest line so in the course of completing that content, you will spend a moderate amount of time fighting from horseback. There may also be some optional quests that can only be completed with the extra speed and agility you will have when riding your War-steed.
12. Is all my combat in this expansion done from horseback?
No. Some areas (dense enemy war-camps, Fangorn, Amon Hen) and many quests will function just like they do now. While you can choose to fight opponents from an un-mounted position you will be at a disadvantage when fighting mounted opponents.
13. Do I get new skills unique to mounted combat?
Yes, definitely! Not only will you have new and unique skills to use when fighting from combat, you’ll also have horse skills that you will be able to use so that your horse can be directly involved in the fight.
14. My War-steed can fight?
Yes! Horses can do quite a lot of damage with bites & kicks as well as other unique abilities. If you’ve ever seen someone get double-barrel kicked in the chest by a horse you’ll fully appreciate just how much damage can be done by a War-steed!
15. Does my War-steed level up?
Yes. Your War-steed gains steed experience in a variety of ways and as you level you earn trait points that you can spend to advance the skills and traits that best suit your play style in mounted combat.
16. Can I use all my existing class skills during mounted combat?
Not exactly. Some of your class skills will have a mounted combat counterpart so that things that are class defining remain part of your repertoire of things you can do in combat but the skills you use when mounted are all new.
17. Can I group in mounted combat?
Sure. Nothing stops you from grouping and it may be a very wise move to coordinate an attack on a Warband with other players.
18. Is there a level requirement?
Yes. You must be at least level 75 in order to pick up the quest that will earn you your War-steed.
19. I’m not at level cap. How can I participate?
At the current time, you must be level 75 in order to begin the mounted combat experience. At some future date, it’s possible that we may have some alternatives to give non-capped characters the ability to experience a limited skirmish-like mounted combat experience.
20. How much will Riders of Rohan be in the LOTRO Store? Can I buy parts of the expansion pack separately?
Yes, you can purchase portions of the expansion separately with your Turbine Points in the LOTRO Store. These items will be released in the LOTRO Store on the same day as the expansion, September 5th. The prices are as follows:
- Rohan Expansion Content: 4,295
- Expansion Content includes the quests in the Rohan region.
- Rohirrim Skinned Soldier on Landscape: 295
- 6th Inventory Bag (Account-wide): 995
- Crystal of Remembrance: 995
- The Outriders Token: 495
21. I'm having an issue with pre-purchasing Riders of Rohan through the LOTRO Market (http://rohan.lotro.com or http://store.turbine.com/lotro). Who can I contact?
If you've tried to purchase the expansion and are encountering errors, you can contact our Account Support team at http://support.turbine.com. Submit a ticket to them, explain which error you are encountering as clearly as possible, and they will assist you.
22. It's asking me to create an account when I attempt to purchase Riders of Rohan, what is this?
The store is asking you to create an account with our sales partner, Digital River. This account is not your LOTRO Account and is in no way associated with your LOTRO account. This is a separate account that you will create for this purchase. Simply fill out the required information, and keep it in a safe place.
23. When are we going to see some new instances?
We will be introducing a new instance cluster by the end of the year. More information will be released later this summer.
Beta Tester NDA has been lifted 2012.08.22
In a forum post, Community Manager Rick (Sapience) Heaton announced: "Today we have officially released Riders of Rohan beta testers from their NDA. Beta testing will continue as we move towards our new release date of October 15th. In the meantime, those Beta testers who wish to share their thoughts and experiences thus far with the general community are encouraged to do so here."
- Launch date is scheduled for 15 October 2012 (Rescheduled from 5 September.)
| Mounted Combat Related Information |
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With the release of Riders of Rohan, there are many overlapping areas of information between the War-steed and Mounted Combat. The information is split to improve readability. New Game technologies:
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