Expansion
An expansion is a purchasable addition to the existing base game.
In the Lord of the Rings Online, an expansion generally includes the following:
- Level cap increase
- New map(s) with explorable landscape content
- New landscape quests
- Epic story continuation
- New game system(s) or mechanic(s)
- New crafting tier
- New reputation faction(s)
Group content and updates
Originally, expansions also included instances and raids. However, in recent years the trend to release content more gradually emerged, and group content has usually been added in separate updates after the expansion release date. Similarly, new reputation factions, gear, crafting recipes and landscape content has been added at a later date. Regardless, this content can only be accessed after the expansion has been purchased.
Payment model
LOTRO expansions can usually be pre-ordered before release. Pre-ordering allows for earlier access to the expansions. Generally, various pre-order versions are available, of which the more expensive ones offer exclusive rewards. After release, expansions may also be bought with LOTRO Points (formerly Turbine Points).
On April 20, 2022, with the release of Update 33, all expansions and LOTRO Store Quest Packs in order of release up to and including Helm's Deep were made free to all players. Additionally, the Standard Editions of the Mordor, Minas Morgul, and War of Three Peaks expansions were made free for VIPs.
Current expansions
LOTRO currently counts eleven expansions. The following table lists them all, ordered by release date. The first five, Mines of Moria through Helm's Deep, are only "expansions" in the historical sense now, since all of that content has been folded into the base game, and is not purchasable separately.
Items marked with a * indicate a level cap increase.
Expansion | Release date | Level Range | Status |
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Mines of Moria | November 18, 2008 | 50 to 60 * | Free to Play |
Siege of Mirkwood | December 1, 2009 | 60 to 65 * | Free to Play |
Rise of Isengard | September 27, 2011 | 65 to 75 * | Free to Play |
Riders of Rohan | October 15, 2012 | 75 to 85 * | Free to Play |
Helm's Deep | November 20, 2013 | 85 to 95 * | Free to Play |
Mordor | August 2, 2017 | 105 to 115 * | Free to VIP, or purchase |
Minas Morgul | November 5, 2019 | 120 to 130 * | Free to VIP, or purchase |
War of Three Peaks | October 20, 2020 | 130 | Free to VIP, or purchase. |
Fate of Gundabad | November 10, 2021 | 130 to 140 * | Purchase |
Before the Shadow | November 15, 2022 | 1 - 30 | Free to Play - |
Corsairs of Umbar | November 8, 2023 | 140 to 150 * | Purchase |
Note that while expansions typically include a level cap increase, the level cap has also been increased in between expansions:
- On July 14, 2014, the level cap was increased from 95 to 100 with Update 14, The Paths of the Dead.
- On April 12, 2016, the level cap was increased from 100 to 105 with Update 18, The Battle of Pelennor Fields.
- On October 9, 2018, the level cap was increased from 115 to 120 with Update 23, Where Dragons Dwell.
Available Quest Packs
All quest packs released before the Helm's Deep expansion in November 2013 are free to play for everyone. Those released since must be purchased by Free to Play and Premium accounts, but are free for VIP players. (See Account Type for an explanation of the differences.)
NOTE: "missions" have a minimum level of 20, and are scaled to the character's level at instance creation time. Maximum level is whatever the Level Cap is.
Quest Pack Levels Points ![]()
Beneath the Surface
Umbar-môkh150 1095 ![]()
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Gondor Renewed
King's Gondor140 995 ![]()
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Return to Carn Dûm 140 1495 ![]()
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Further Adventures of Elladan and Elrohir missions* 295 ![]()
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Yondershire 20-23 995 ![]()
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Rangers and Ruins
Angle of Mitheithel40-45 725 ![]()
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Blood of Azog missions*
+ 1301695 ![]()
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Further Adventures of Bilbo Baggins missions* 495 ![]()
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The Wildwood missions*
+ 45-501195 ![]()
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Mists of Wilderland
Floodfells and Misthallow130 1295 ![]()
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The Vales of Anduin 120 1495 ![]()
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Where Dragons Dwell
Ered Mithrin and Withered Heath115-120 1995 ![]()
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Legacy of the Necromancer
Strongholds of the North115 795 ![]()
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Battle of the Black Gate 105 795 ![]()
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March of the King 105 795 ![]()
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Far Anórien 100-105 1995 ![]()
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Old Anórien 100 795 ![]()
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East Gondor 100 795 ![]()
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Central Gondor 100 795 ![]()
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Western Gondor 95-100 795 ![]()
Gallery
This gallery shows the official logo for each expansion.
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Mines of Moria
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Siege of Mirkwood
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Rise of Isengard
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Riders of Rohan
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Helm's Deep
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Mordor
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Minas Morgul
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War of Three Peaks
-
Fate of Gundabad
-
Before the Shadow
-
Corsairs of Umbar
Links
- Ten years of LOTRO: A History of Virtual Middle-earth Ravalation, on 8 May 2017.
- Lotro legendarium: A trip back through LOTRO's expansions Massively OP, on 19 August 2017.
Expansions
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Major Expansions: Shadows of Angmar (2007) • Mines of Moria (2008) • Siege of Mirkwood (2009) • Rise of Isengard (2011) • Riders of Rohan (2012) • Helm's Deep (2013) • Mordor (2017) • Minas Morgul (2019) • Fate of Gundabad (2021) • Corsairs of Umbar (2023)
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