Lord of the Rings Online: First Steps Game Guide & Walkthrough

Welcome to our The Lord of the Rings Online guide for beginners! LOTRO is a MMO - which means that thousands of players from all around the world travel its virtual world simultaneously in search for glory and adventure. This guide is not indented for experienced players who are already on par with contemporary MMORPGs. It was prepared as a detailed, while simple, source of basic knowledge for all of you guys who just want to check out what's that "Massively Multiplayer" creed about.

LOTRO is not a typical MMO game. In comparison to its competitors on the market, it's a lot more story-driven. Not all quests are all about killing endless numbers of monsters, thus farming experience. In here, you might find it more worthwhile to help a hobbit cook deliver his cakes, than to spend a few hours in a forest, killing goblins. With this in mind we encourage you to start your adventure in this game just as if it was a usual action-RPG. The only difference is that from time to time you meet other players and preferably join forces with them. Well, even better.

Krzysztof "Lordareon" Gonciarz

Talk to Postman Took. You'll get your first quest. Accept it and leave the post office using the door behind your back. Go along the path until you see Bounder Boffin. Talk to him and examine the nearby Satchel. Take a weapon from it and equip it - press (I) to open the inventory screen, then double-click on the desired weapon's icon. Talk to Boffin again and wait for him to open a door before you.

Clear the way killing both spiders (you attack an enemy by right-clicking it), then talk to Boffin again. Follow him until you see a huge web. When Boffin starts to cut it, you'll have to deal with more spiders. Follow your companion when you're done. He won't be able to open the house's door, so talk to him again and go even further. You'll see a short scene in which you'll be saved by Amdir and his men. Wait for the NPCs to finish talking with Boffin, then talk to your saviors. This way you've completed your first instance in the game (instance is a story-driven quest in which you are outside the basic game world and don't meet other players).

Talk to Amdir. Wait for him to kill a guard, then go through the gate and take a weapon from a chest (right-click it to do so). Equip it and talk to Amdir once more. Go through the door that he pointed. You are to defeat 4 guards here - go forth and fight with them. (remember to search the corpses) Eventually you'll meet Celandine Brandybuck. Talk to her and she'll open the next door for you. Go through it and defeat one more enemy, Edrick. Talk to Mundo Sackville-Baggins. Follow the hobbits and watch the scene, where Amdir confronts a Nazgul. When the monster leaves, talk to Amdir, then speak with Celandine. Use the "Finish now" button to complete this mission.

1 - Archet

6 - Bronwe's Folly

2 - Spider lair

7 - Blackwold encampment

3 - Hunting Lodge

8 -Old Bloodtuska's lair

4 - Dirk Mudbrick's farm

9 - Sprigley's farm

5 - Blackwold Spy

You are now in a small town called Archet (1). Talk to Kate Henseed and accept her quest. She wants you to speak to Amdir.

HINT: If your character is a human, Mundo will be the one giving this quest. This is the only difference between Hobbit and Human storylines in this area.

Amdir is a few steps due South - he's laying under a canopy in front of one of the buildings. You'll get some coins from him, as well as a pair of gauntlets. If your character cannot use medium armor, you should probably choose the basic ones that he has to offer. You should apply this rule to most quest rewards in this chapter of the story. Finish the quest and you'll get the next one - Captain Brackenbrock. Amdir wants you to talk to him.

The captain can be found in The Mad Badger a few steps away from Amdir. Speak with him and go back to Amdir. Now you have to find a trainer appropriate for your character class. Once again, you won't have to search far - all trainers are on the market square right in Archet. When you talk to the right trainer, choose the "Intro: Honing your skills" dialogue option. Talk to him once more and choose "Train skills" - choose the only one available and buy it. Remember to drag&drop it on the quicklaunch bar at the bottom of the screen (you can access your skills through the Character [C] screen). Go back to Amdir for some more cash.

Amdir now thinks that you are ready to defend the town. You should talk to Dirk Mudbrick. Before you visit his farm, speak with Celandine Brandybuck as well (she's standing right next to Amdir). She'll give you another quest, the one that'll see you gathering some plants for her. Talk to Dirk (4) and he'll order you to kill 6 wolves that are wandering around the area. It's as easy as it gets, really - they should be all over the place, so just walk around and get rid of 6 of them. Remember to use your skills during combat (you should have 4 of them now). Also, don't forget to loot the corpses. To make things go a bit faster, you should go to Bronwe's Folly (6) and harvest 4 Kingsfoil Leaves (you gather them by standing right next to them and then right-clicking them). When you have 4 plants and kill 6 wolves, go back to Archet.

Finish both quests by talking to Dirk and Celandine. You get two healing potions from Celandine. Dirk gives you new greaves and a next mission - The Spies. You are to find a Blackwold Spy, kill him and search his body. Before you set out, find Peg Pruner - the local merchant - and sell some stuff that you've collected so far. Don't waste money on healing potions, you won't need them for the time being, so invest in better equipment (or, even better, don't spend anything at all). Peg has another quest for you (Fresh Supplies) - accept it.

Go south of the town (5). You'll see some Bristlehide Piglets around the area - you need 6 pieces of their meet for Peg. Also, if you see a Blackwold Spy, kill him and search his body. You'll find Blackwold Orders - take them back to Dirk. He tells you to show them to Captain Brackenbrock (he's still in The Mad Badger). When you do so, the quest will be over. Captain tells you to find his son named Jon. For now, talk to Peg and finish her quest. If you've already reached level 4, go back to your trainer and buy some new abilities (all of them are useful!). You can find 2 more quests in Archet. Ned Pruner, local jailor, wants you to gather 4 doses of Bilberries (Question the Prisoner), and Constable Thistlewool (right next to the practicing archers) tells you to speak with Cale Sprigley, a farmer living in the Southern part of the area (Beyond the Bulwarks).

First go to Sprigley's farm (9). He'll send you back to Thistlewool, but will also give you a quest of his own - to kill a boar called Old Bloodtusk. Its lair can be found to the East (8). If your character is not too strong in combat, you might have a little problem dealing with it. It's good to join forces with other players on this one. You don't have to enter any fellowships for now, but just help somebody who is fighting the boar, then ask him politely to do the same for you when it respawns in a couple of seconds. Remember that experience and loot for killing a monster goes to the player who first attacked it.

Go back to Sprigley. Your reward for this quest will be the best weapon you can get during this chapter, so be sure to choose the one that suits you best and equip it immediately. Now is a good moment to go back to Archet - to sell unnecessary junk and talk to Thistlewool to finish his quest.

Now head West. By the small lake you will find Bilberries, so gather 4 doses of them for Pruner. Go to Hunting Lodge (3). Talk to the dwarf named Atli and you'll get a quest called Spiders at the Walls. He wants you to deal with some spiders east of the lodge (2). Defeat 5 of them and examine the body of a dead hunter (it's at the end of the path there). Go back to Atli and you'll get a shield or a staff for your trouble.

Enter Hunting Lodge and talk to Jon Brackenbrook. He orders you to kill 5 Blackwold bandits. Also, find Ann Granger outside the lodge - she lost her satchel in bandit encampment and wants you to retrieve it.

The two quests that remain to be finished now are the last ones in this chapter of the game, so you might want to go back to Archet to sell some stuff and finalize Pruner's quest. When you're ready, head for the bandit encampment (7). Watch out so you don't have to fight more than 1 enemy at a time (2, if you're feeling lucky). Some of them are armed with bows and have a wide range of sight, keep that in mind. The satchel is right in the middle of the camp. In order to get it, you'll need a few seconds without being attacked by anyone - that means you should deal with the surrounding bandits in advance. When you have the satchel and defeat at least 6 enemies, go back to Hunting Lodge. First finish Ann's quest, then Jon's. When you are ready, proceed with Jon's next request, which triggers the next instance.

Go forth and defeat more and more bandits. From time to time you also have to deal with spiders here. Eventually you'll reach the burning village. Defeat the prisoners on the courtyard and talk to Ned Pruner (he's laying on the ground). Defeat more enemies, go through the gate and talk to Amdir. Approach the well and pick up a bucket of water. While carrying it, stand next to the flames near Amdir and you character will automatically put it out.

After a short scene you'll have to do some fighting again. When you defeat enough enemies, Eogan himself will confront you. Watch your guard, he can be a bother. When you deal with him, talk to Mundo, then to Celandine. Well, that's it for training missions. Now you're free to explore the true Middle-Earth!

Your adventure begins in Ered Luin, in an area known as Thorin's Gate. Talk to Gloin and go where he told you to (it's marked on your mini-map by a golden ring), then enter the mine. Talk to Gimli here. Follow the tunnel until you meet Otur, who is fighting with a small creature. Speak with him and take a weapon from a satchel nearby. Equip it, and then talk to the dwarf once more. Follow him. You'll see a scene in which one of the miners unleashes a troll. Talk to Otur and he'll open a gate for you. Go through it. You'll now face your first enemies - Cave-Claws.

Go through the tunnel, beating 5 creatures total. You'll see Gimli fighting with a troll - when you approach him, Gandalf will appear and save the day. Talk to the wizard to finish this instance (instance is a story-driven quest in which you are outside the basic game world and don't meet other players).

Thorin's Gate

1 - Goblin Cave

6 - Erynwen

2 - Axe-Head Path

7 - Frerin's Court

3 - Deep Silver Mine

8 - Selur

4- Frostmantle

9 - The Berghold

5 - Olin

10 - Winterheight

You are now in an encampment called The Berghold (9), southern part of Thorin's Gate. Talk to Bolli, then to Dori (he's near the trainers to the right). You should now advance do level 2. Accept his quest and find a trainer appropriate for your character class - they're all nearby, so just look around and choose. Talk to him and preferably learn a new ability (by choosing "Train Skills" dialogue option). From Dori you'll get a few coins, food, and trousers. If your character cannot use medium armor, you should probably choose the basic ones that he has to offer. You should apply this rule to most quest rewards in this chapter of the story.

Once again talk to Dori. Your next quest is to find Olin and speak with him. He's in a guardhouse a few steps to the East from Frerin's Court (6). Before you leave Berghold, accept three more side-quests: from Otur (The Lost Lore of Edhelion), Nos Grimsong (Restoring the Balance), and Selur (Fear of Collapse). Go to the guardhourse (5). Olin is sick and needs some rare mushrooms as a cure. You can find them in a cave called Winterheight (10). Before you reach it, take your time to finish the aforementioned side-quests.

Otur wanted you to look around Deep Silver Mine (3) in search for a missing scroll. You can find it at the end of the mine, right next to where Gandalf defeated a Troll. Activate a pile of Rubble by right-clicking it (*). Take the scroll back to Otur and you'll get a new weapon for that. You should choose the one with the highest Damage Per Second ratio (but still choose the one that your character CAN equip).

Nos Grimsong ordered you to gather 6 lynx pelts for him. It's simple - Highland Cubs are all over the eastern part of the area, so just hunt them for a while and you'll be done in no time (the reward for this quest is a pair of gauntlets or gloves). Selur (8) asked you to defeat 6 Cave-Claws. You've probably killed some already and know they are around Deep Silver Mine (3). Watch out for their ability to burry underground - if one of them does that, go away a few steps and wait for him to reappear. Your reward for this quest will be a New Mace and a cloak in the color of your choice.

It's time to help Olin now. Enter the cave (1). You'll see one of the mushrooms right near the entrance (Nestadalas). Pick it up by right-clicking it, then go further into the cave. This area is small, but fairly deep - watch out so you don't fall down. When you have 5 mushrooms, go back to Olin to get your reward. You'll get a new armor.

Olin tells you that Dwalin wanted to see you. He can be found near Frenir's Court (7). He tells you to defeat one Goblin Prowler and search its corpse. Goblins can be found up the mountain in the North-Eastern part of Thorin's Gate, around Axe-Head Path (2). Loot the body and go back to Dwalin.

HINT: As soon as your character hits level 4, you should seek out your trainer and buy some new abilities.

Now is a good moment to get some more side-quests. There are two of them to get at Frenir's Court. Talk to Mathi Stouthand and Bogi (they're both near Dwalin). Their quests are related to each other and therefore best done at the same time. Bogi wants you to get 6 pieces of Auroch meat. These animals can be found in Eastern part of the area (4). You'll get new shoes for this one. Mathi wants you to get rid of an overgrown Auroch called the Frostmantle (4). In order to kill it without any problems, you probably should join forces with other players. Your reward for this quest will be the best weapon you can get in this chapter, so be sure to choose the one that suits you best and equip it.

HINT: If your character is not too strong in combat, you might have a little problem dealing with it. It's good to join forces with other players on this one. You don't have to enter any fellowships for now, but just help somebody who is fighting the auroch, then ask him politely to do the same for you when it respawns in a couple of seconds. Remember that the experience and loot for killing a monster goes to the player who first attacked it.

When you are done with all previous quests, Dwalin will order you to go to Goblin Cave and meet Elrohir in there. Before you go, talk to Erynwen (6) to get another side-quest from her - A Deadly Bloom. Go along the Axe-Head Path (2). When you reach the Goblin encampment, you'll see plants called Skorgrim's Bloom growing all over the place. Erynwen asked you to destroy 6 of these - you can do that by approaching each of them and right-clicking it. Be sure that there are no enemies around, as the action will be interrupted if you get attacked when performing it. You can now go further up the mountain, or go back to Erynwen and get your reward - a bow, a staff, and a shield - choose the one that's most useful to you.

The Goblin Cave is up the Axe-Head Path. Elrohir can be found at (*). The cave is filled with goblins, obviously, so watch out. Talk to the elf and you'll get a letter from him. Take it back to Dwalin to finish this quest. When you are ready, proceed with Dwalin's next request, which triggers the next instance.

The action begins in Refuge of Edhelion, a city near Thorin's Gate. Talk to Talagan Silvertongue. Search Haerandir's body and equip the items you've found. Talk to Talagan once more. Go down the stairs and follow Edehlben. When you are left alone, you'll have to defeat 5 invaders. Go forth all the time, fighting each of them separately. Speak with Dorongur when he opens a gate for you. Elrond will appear and save you and your companions. After a scene talk to him, and you'll be done with the first part of the tutorial.

1 - Refuge of Edhelion

5 - Frostmantle

2 - Elf Encampment

6 - Erynwen

3 - Deep Silver Mine

7 - Axe-Head Path

4 - Frerin's Court

8 - Goblin Cave

You are back to Refuge of Edhelion (1). Talk to Merethen. She'll tell you to find Dorongur Whitethorn. Head east and go to elf encampment in Thorin's Gate (2). Talk to Dorongur for some gold and probably advancement to level 2. He wants you to speak with your class trainer. He can be found right in the encampment. Use this opportunity to train the only skill that is available for now - remember to drag&drop it into the quicklaunch bar at the bottom of the screen. Speak with Dorongur once more to get your reward and another quest - he wants you to go to Deep Silver Mine and talk to Elladan (3). Before you go, get two more quests from the camp. Talk to Gailthin (Lost Lore of Edhelion), Orodlin (kill 6 cave-claws), and Laergil (get 6 lynx pelts). When you have all the quests, head for the mine.

It's best to complete all these quests at once. First - to warm up - hunt some Highland Cubs and gather their pelts. You need 6 of them. The same thing goes with Cave-Claws. You can find them in eastern part of Thorin's Gate, as well as inside the mine. Go to (3) and talk to Elladan. He tells you to go down into the mine.

Your goal is to search 4 goblin bodies that are laying here - you'll pick up their axes automatically. Go along the main corridors. Activate a pile of Rubble that you see at the end (*) - you'll find a scroll that Gailthin wanted. When both quests are marked by a tick on your list (in lower-right part of the screen), you can leave. Talk to Elladan once more. He tell you to take these axes to Dwalin, who can be found at Frerin's Court (4). Before you head there, go back to elf encampment and talk to Gailthin, Orodlin and Laergil to finalize their quests and get the rewards. When you have a choice in rewards, choose parts of equipment that your character can wear. Also, remember to equip all new stuff - by entering the inventory and double-clicking the appropriate item.

Dwalin can be found near Frenir's Court (4). He tells you to defeat one Goblin Prowler and search its corpse. Goblins can be found up the mountain in the North-Eastern part of Thorin's Gate, around Axe-Head Path (7). Loot the body and go back to Dwalin.

HINT: As soon as your character hits level 4, you should seek out your trainer and buy some new abilities.

Now is a good moment to get some more side-quests. There are two of them to get at Frenir's Court. Talk to Mathi Stouthand and Bogi (they're both near Dwalin). Their quests are related to each other and therefore best done at the same time. Bogi wants you to get 6 pieces of Auroch meat. These animals can be found in Eastern part of the area (4). You'll get new shoes for this one. Mathi wants you to get rid of an overgrown Auroch called the Frostmantle (4). In order to kill it without any problems, you probably should join forces with other players. Your reward for this quest will be the best weapon you can get in this chapter, so be sure to choose the one that suits you best and equip it.

HINT: If your character is not too strong in combat, you might have a little problem dealing with it. It's good to join forces with other players on this one. You don't have to enter any fellowships for now, but just help somebody who is fighting the auroch, then ask him politely to do the same for you when it respawns in a couple of seconds. Remember that the experience and loot for killing a monster goes to the player who first attacked it.

When you are done with all previous quests, Dwalin will order you to go to Goblin Cave and meet Elrohir in there. Before you go, talk to Erynwen (6) to get another side-quest from her - A Deadly Bloom. Go along the Axe-Head Path (2). When you reach the Goblin encampment, you'll see plants called Skorgrim's Bloom growing all over the place. Erynwen asked you to destroy 6 of these - you can do that by approaching each of them and right-clicking it. Be sure that there are no enemies around, as the action will be interrupted if you get attacked when performing it. You can now go further up the mountain, or go back to Erynwen and get your reward - a bow, a staff, and a shield - choose the one that's most useful to you.

The Goblin Cave is up the Axe-Head Path. Elrohir can be found at (*). The cave is filled with goblins, obviously, so watch out. Talk to the elf and you'll get a letter from him. Take it back to Dwalin to finish this quest. When you are ready, proceed with Dwalin's next request, which triggers the next instance.

Dwalin has one last intro-based task for you. Before accepting it, make sure you've completed all previous quests, as you won't be able to go back once you do it. Also, pay a visit to a trainer and learn all available skills (trainers are in The Berghold and in elf encampment). If you've done everything correctly, your character should now be level 5 or 6.

When you're inside the dungeon, talk to Dwalin. Your task is to make sure he's safe. Follow him and fight off the Goblins that attack you from time to time. When you get separated from the enemies by the flames, turn around and right-click on Tub of Fetid Water, then approach the fire and your character will automatically put it out.

A while later you'll be facing Gormr Dourhand and his fellow dwarves. When you defeat them, follow Dwalin even further. At the end of the dungeon you'll face Marecc and a Goblin Leader. Try not to get attacked by both enemies at once - let them attack Dwalin and then get attention of only one of them. After the battle talk to Elrohir and Dwalin. You'll end up outside the stronghold. Your reward for this quest is an item called Map Home. Once every hour you can use it to teleport to a town that's currently marked as your home location.

Race

Classes allowed

Race of Man

Minstrel, Captain, Guardian, Hunter, Lore-master, Burglar, Champion

Dwarf

Minstrel, Guardian, Hunter, Champion

Elf

Minstrel, Guardian, Hunter, Lore-master, Champion

Hobbit

Minstrel, Guardian, Hunter, Burglar

What can be said about choosing you character's race in LOTRO? Well, the same goes with every RPG out there: try to follow your nose! Choose the one you like best - esthetically - because your choice very much determines the whole game that's before you. If you don't like the character you use, well, what's the point? Below I've described all available classes and proposed the most appropriate race for each of them. Keep in mind, that this is only a suggestion, the most obvious and logical choice, but not necessarily the best. Try to put a piece of your heart into the character you create. Yeah, that sounds pathetic, but is, in fact, very true.

Minstrel

Suggested race: Dwarf

This class is particularly interesting. Its strength lies in positive buffs, that raise your statistics during combat. Most of them are actually "songs" that your bard-character can play. The key ability is Raise the Spirit - a quick in-combat healing spell. That single buff makes minstrels virtually invincible in the beginning of the game. On the whole, playing a minstrel is totally painless and enjoyable. Besides having strong defensive abilities, you get a powerful magical strike (Piercing Cry) and such cool spells as Ballad of Steel and Ballad of Swiftness, that buff and deal damage at the same time.

Captain

Suggested race: Man

The most flexible and universal class, that is quite aptly named for its in-fellowship value. Among Captain's abilities we can find both strong offensive spells, positive and negative buffs (mostly introduced as battle cries), and some healing talents. Nonetheless, this is a class intended for playing with other gamers.

Guardian

Suggested race: Dwarf

Guardians are LOTRO's "tanks" - characters that are based on very strong defense and abilities that raise your resistance to enemy blows. Almost from the start you have such abilities as Guardian's Ward or Guardian's Defense, which raise your block and parry chance by 4% each. Aggressive guardian abilities are generally hit and miss. You don't get much choice, so you have to learn to live with it. You can really feel safe when playing a Guardian. When I was playing one, my morale (health) actually NEVER got reduced to less than 2/3 of a bar. Now that means something.

Hunter

Suggested race: Elf

When playing a hunter you have to accept the fact that you should start every battle from a distance, using your bow. Weakening enemies before direct impact is the key to victory here. Moreover, even at close-quarters bow abilities can be more effective than standard melee combat. During your first 5 experience levels you'll get no less than 4 bow-based abilities, and only one using melee. Also, notice the passive ability called Stance: Strength. You should keep it on at all times when you get it (at least before you can get a better one).

Lore-master

Suggested race: Elf

One of the more difficult classes to play - especially at the beginning. You only have one ranged offensive spell when you start the game, which is Burning Embers. You also get one close-quarters ability (Sign of Power: Command). What's surprising, lore-masters are not powerless in melee. Don't hesitate to use Burning Embers when fighting at close quarters - if you get attacked, the spell counter will be reset, but eventually you'll manage to pull it out. When facing a more demanding enemy, do the following: first cast Sign of Power: Command from a distance, then throw in 2 fireballs - before the enemy can get to you.

At level 5 you get an animal companion (Raven-Lore). Use it to draw enemies' attention from yourself (you can control the raven using the menu in the lower-left part of the screen; it appears every time the animal is summoned).

Burglar

Suggested race: Hobbit

That's quite interesting - I myself found Burglars to be most tiresome class to play. Seriously. You get a character that has very poor offense and defense, and all that you get in return is some crappy Sneak ability and raised critical chance. Well, the key to being a burglar in LOTRO is using negative spells on enemies, such as Trick: Disable. You can't use Sneak during combat, so forget about escaping tough situations this way. Generally, this is a class for the most patient gamers - burglars deal so little damage that every single duel is too long and too boring. At least at the beginning of the game.

Champion

Suggested race: Man

A powerful offensive class that offers a wide variety of strong attacks and damage-dealing abilities. One of the first abilities you'll buy will actually zero your block and parry chance in exchange for more damage. Playing as a Champion is enjoyable and dynamic, but it doesn't give you that confidence you can get when being a Guardian or a Minstrel.

If you want to replay any instance you've completed in the game, you have to find an object called the Reflecting Pool. Here are two sample locations of such portals.

Thorin's GateBree

Vocation

Skills

Armorer

Metalsmith, Prospector, Tailor

Explorer

Tailor, Forster, Prospector

Armsman

Weaponsmith, Prospector, Woodworker

Tinker

Jeweller, Prospector, Cook

Woodsman

Woodworker, Forester, Farmer

Historian

Scholar, Weaponsmith, Farmer

Every vocation in LOTRO is a set of three skills that you can master. You are to choose one vocation out of six. The set of skills that you get in each vocation determines which materials you will be able to gather yourself and which will have to be bought from other players or NPC. For example: as an Armsman you can gather ore on your own, because you have the Prospector skill. On the other hand, you won't be able to gather wood, as this requires the Forester skill. Thus, whenever you'll want to use a Woodworker recipe, you'll have to trade for materials. In the next part of the guide I'll tell you about production process for each skill. First let's deal with the basics, though.

When you finish your second instance in the game and are free to wander around Middle-Earth, you'll get a crafting-based quest from one of the NPC near your starting location. That is: Alf Goodcliff in Little Delving if you're a hobbit; Bogi Deepdelver near Thorin's Hall gates if you're a dwarf; Mibrethil in the southern part of Celondim if you're an elf; Edward Carver near Archet if you're a human. Details apart, this quest is to find a Master of Apprentices and learn a vocation. You can find such character at every bigger market place, for example in Michel Delving, Combe, Thorin's Hall, Celondim. When you talk to him/her, you'll have to make a choice on which vocation you want to learn. Should you decide, you'll also get the basic tools you need for all three skills you gain. If you want to, you can immediately switch to better ones by buying them from one of the local suppliers.

Farming pipeweed is not the most heroic deed you can perform in Middle-Earth.

Generally speaking, to create a new item you need a recipe (you get all the basic ones as soon as you choose your vocation), its ingredients, a tool, and a specified type of workplace (oven, workbench, forge). Every time you use any of your crafting skill, you get experience in it. Gather enough of it and you'll advance in rank and be able to execute better recipes.

HINT: In order to execute a particular recipe, you must have the appropriate tool currently equipped. Remember about it, because sometimes it's easy to forget to switch from a mining pick to a smithing hammer.

HINT: When you have a skill that's based on gathering resources (such as foresting or mining), you also get a passive ability that you can use to mark their location on the mini-map. This won't get the job done for you, but is still a great help.

HINT: All the workplaces are marked on a mini-map with a golden anvil.

Farmer

Farmer's work is divided into two phases. The first one is to plant seed and gather the crops. In order to do that, you have to buy all the ingredients pointed in the recipe (from an NPC called a Farmhand) and find an appropriate field (appropriate for the type of plant you want to cultivate: pipeweed, grain, vegetables). When standing on a field, open your crafting panel and push the button that will start the process. In a few second you'll be able to gather the crops. Now you can transform them into final products by using the Workbench. You'll need Farming Tools for all of that.

Tailor

When being a tailor you mostly need leather. The easiest way to get it is to hunt, obviously. You can work it using the Workbench, and using Tailor's Tools. Additional materials can be bought from NPC Tailors.

Cook

As a cook you process materials into tasty food that can be later used to get positive buffs during combat. Materials can be bought or prepared by a farmer. You need an Oven or a Campfire to execute a recipe. You also need Cooking Supplies.

Metalsmith

Metalsmith's work is to work on metal ingots in order to form them into armors, helmets, boots, shields, etc. You need a Smithing Hammer and a Forge for that.

Prospector

A Prospector is basically a miner - he finds ore deposits and extracts metal using the Mining Pick. Later, he processes the ore into ingots at the Forge.

Forester

A Forester gathers wood in forests, then processes it into a form that can be used by Woodworkers. He uses Forester's Axe as a tool and a Workbench as a crafting location.

Weaponsmith

Weaponsmith uses metal ingots (made by Prospectors) to create weaponry. He works in a Forge, and Smithing Hammer is his tool.

Woodworker

A Woodworker creates weapons that are mostly made of wood, such as bows, crossbows, staffs. He needs support from both Prospectors and Foresters. He uses Woodworking Tools and a Workbench.

Jeweller

A Jeweller works on precious stones and metals, creating jewelry. He uses Workbench and Jeweller's Tools. Materials for jewelling come mostly from Prospectors, but some can also be found in random loot.

Scholar

A scholar produces scrolls and potions using ancient relics and other peculiarities. Most of them can be found in ancient ruins (they are therefore much less common than ore or wood deposits) in objects such as Urns. Sometimes they appear as random enemy loot. As a Scholar you don't need a workplace, only a tool - Scholar's Glass.

Monster Play is a PvP (Player vs Player) element included in LOTRO that enables you to join the forces of evil and battle high-level gamer characters. When you reach level 10 with your basic character, you can access Monster Play using the Fell Scrying Pool. These are sample locations of these portals:

Thorin's GateBreeMichel Delving (South-Western part of the Shire) 

When you activate a Fell Scrying Pool, you'll be prompted to choose your evil alter-ego. You can decide from Uruk Warleader, Uruk Blackarrow, Orc Reaver, Spider Weaver, and Warg Stalker. These are evil counterparts (more or less) of Captain, Hunter, Champion, Burglar, and a Guardian.

After choosing your character, you'll be teleported to LOTRO's PvP area - Ettenmoors. You are automatically granted level 50 when entering. The point of this part of the game is to battle players who enter this area with their basic characters (they can do that only after reaching level 40). You can't advance your level as a monster, but you can get new abilities. To do that, you have to accumulate Destiny points and then spend them at the local trainer's.

Apart from PvP battling, playing as a monster is quite similar to normal course of gameplay in LOTRO. The quests are a bit simpler (most of them are about killing a number of certain enemies). Keep in mind that despite you're level 50, all the monsters here are not much weaker and you if you want to stand up to a drake or a dragon.. you'd better find yourself a fellowship.