Crafting – Luck of the draw

I wasn’t 100% sure on what to title this.  Basically I’m wanting to address some of the bizarre functions in LOTRO’s crafting.  Overall I enjoy the crafting, albeit somewhat time consuming.  However, the way their crafting works when attempting to crit on a single use recipe is frustrating.

They provide a rough percentage for your chance to crit.  This value is determined by the following :

  • Base crit chance of 5%
  • Crafting Tool (up to 20%)
  • Crafting Lore (up to 12.5% from Supreme Scholars)
  • Crafting Journal (this is the “crit item”, 35%)
  • Crafting Resource (45%; in the case of Metalworking, brimstone)

So, in total there is a 82.5% chance to crit on a single use recipe, or 92.5% chance on normal recipes.  Seems like the odds are in the crafter’s favor, but they really aren’t (at least for the single use recipes).  For some strange reason this percentage doesn’t convey assurance that you will crit on an item.  It’s still 50/50 (which is logical in a sense, I either will or will not crit). The fact that the materials/effort needed to get these conditions can be costly or time consuming should be reason enough to bolster the crafter’s confidence in this crit value.  I’ve had some instances where I’ve failed to crit on all but one piece of a single use recipe set (that’s six recipes).  This is unacceptable. :(

My proposal is to simply switch the critical values of the Crafting Resource and the Crafting Journal.

I know that the other aspect of the crit chance is to help out the game’s economy by making certain crafting gear less abundant.  I also know that much of the gear is easily replaced later on through instances and rep gear.  The main point I’m attempting to hit is the frustration caused by failing to crit with such a high chance at doing so.

- Thrangis

Onto the Sequel!

It has been a rewarding couple of days in LotRO.  I managed to finish Volume 1 of the Book storyline, with the help of my brother.  The buff system they implemented creates an instance easy to solo, so two-manning it was no trouble.  With this hurdle taken down I can return LotRO to a more “casual” play status.  Here’s a screenie of Mordirith blasting Amarthiel/Narmeleth with Nazgul power.

Two days until the Rift beta and I really hope I manage to get on board.  I never did find a VIP key, but I’ll be watching their twitter in case any other opportunities arise before the 3rd.  Overall the game looks interesting.  It has that “familiar” style found in older MMO’s, but I really hope that these similarities won’t cause players to lose sight of some of the game’s finer points.

- Thrangis

LotRO – November update right on schedule

The new patch, which focuses a great deal of attention on Rune-keeper and Lore-master (woo!), is now live.  It’s a relatively quick patch (took me about 10 minutes).

Be sure to give the patch notes a quick glance.  There’s some updates to the whole F2P content as well, such as max level cap access.

update: I just got a look at the “meta-deed” mounts that came with the update.  I really like the goats. :)

[side note]: be sure to check those online shopping spots for the Cyber Monday sales! Newegg, TigerDirect, Amazon, Overstock…  just to throw a few of my hot spots out there. :)

- Thrangis

Thanksgiving Sales – LotRO

LotRO

The sales aren’t as good as they were when the F2P switch went into effect, but I’m expecting some more to come around Christmas time.  The key sales are:

  • 20% off select quests. Angmar, Enedwaith, Eregion, Evendim, Forochel, Misty Mountains, North Downs and Trollshaws!
    • Primarily 20-50 leveling area.
  • 20% off select cosmetics.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone.  Don’t spend too much time on the computer this Holiday. :)

- Thrangis

Rise of Isengard

This is a bit early to get overly excited for it, but I’m happy to say that Turbine is taking LOTRO to Isengard!  I’m looking forward to getting into some of the more pivotal areas from the books.  Also, the closer I get to Rohan the better!

The expansion is set to be released in Fall of 2011.  Here are the major highlights:

  • Level cap raised to 70 (an extra five levels)
  • New traits/abilities/virtues
  • Revamped monster player (PVMP – Player vs. Monster Play)
    • LOTRO ‘s current PVP scene is rather lacking and difficult to pick up.  The new update is bringing a new zone with it and a “change” to advancement. (I’m curious to see how the changes are going to set the pace for PVMP)

Crafting wasn’t talked about, but I’m assuming there is going to be another tier added.  As it stands Supreme is the highest tier with Master being the next tier down.  So, I’m wondering how, or what rather, they’re going to name this next tier.

On top of this, my Rune-keeper is bursting at the quickslot bars with abilities.  I hope they don’t add any more abilities.  As much as I’d love to see some great new abilities, I have no feasible place to put them.  My suggestion would be to revamp current abilities to either be more powerful or do something extra.  Something that Turbine has already done during the release of Lothlorien and Mirkwood.

- Thrangis