Thread: What happens if... answers about the account types

I was putting this together for my own needs so I could just copy/paste for responses to future posts, but seems to me it might be useful as a single "look at this post to answer your question" so none of us have to try and think of all the things again (and probably forget something important each time). Couldn't find anything available in this format anywhere else, and this is the format I find most of the questions I get are requesting.

So posting this here for feedback to start with - does anyone have any suggestions either on what should be changed, added, removed or clarified in the responses I've put together? And are there any other very common account status "What happens if..." type questions that we see regularly which could be included?

Edit: I've now updated this first post with all of the suggestions/changes/additions made through the thread and will continue to do so. Thanks to all who have contributed and please continue to do so.
Edit: Updated with the new Update 3 instances and information on the Rise of Isengard pre-order options
Edit: Updated with changes stemming from Rise of Isengard release. RoI pre-order options replaced with RoI purchase options
Edit: Updated with details of the Mithril Edition
Edit: Updated for the release of Update 6: Shores of the Great River

-----------------------------------------------------

What happens if...

...I establish a free account

- You receive 2 character slots per server
- You can create characters from any of the game's 4 races: Dwarves, Elves, Hobbits and Men
- You can create characters in 7 classes: Burglar, Captain, Champion, Guardian, Hunter, Lore-master or Minstrel
- You can create an Orc Reaver character in Monster Play
- You cannot create characters in the premium classes: Rune-keeper or Warden
- You cannot create characters in the other Monster classes
- You can level your characters all the way to the level cap (currently level 75)
- You have access to all regions of the game world except the Ettenmoors (the Player vs Monster Player region, only your Monster characters can enter here)
- You have access to all quests and deeds in 4 regions: Ered Luin, the Shire, Bree-land and the Lonelands
- You have access to tasks in all regions where they exist
- You have access to all of the quests that make up the epic quest line
- You have access to the Legendary Item system
- You have access to the first 7 ranks of Skirmish traits
- Your characters cannot quest for the riding skill
- Your characters have three inventory bags
- Your characters are limited to 2 Gold each
- Your characters cannot mail gold
- Your characters have anti-spam features on mail and chat limiting repeated chat or in game mail
- Your characters are limited to 2 Virtue Traits, 2 Racial Traits, 2 Class Traits and 1 Legendary Trait at a time
- Your monster characters are limited to 2 Corruption Traits, 2 Racial Traits, 2 Class Traits and 0 Appearance Traits at a time
- You can purchase items from the Auction House, but cannot post items for sale
- You have access to the first 2 skirmishes along with all skirmishes associated with the epic quest line
- You can craft items and advance your crafting skill through all 6 crafting tiers
- You can join a crafting guild and reach Acquaintance standing
- You can earn Turbine Points in-game which can be used to unlock the majority of game content. Regular play will produce a good amount of TP. Unlocking ALL game content without purchasing Turbine Points is possible but extremely time-consuming.



...I buy Turbine Points with real money

- Your account is permanently elevated to a Premium account
- You gain 1 additional character slot (in addition to any previously purchased)
- All your current and future characters' gold cap is increased to 5 Gold
- All your current and future characters are able to trade and mail gold
- All your current and future characters receive a more lenient anti-spam limitation on chat and in-game mail
- All your current and future characters can list 5 items each in the auction house
- You permanently receive a high priority in the login queue if servers are full
- You permanently receive full access to the forums and other community features
- You receive full access to customer service (contacting a GM via in-game support tickets) for 30 days



...I subscribe and become a VIP

While subscribed, you gain:

- All 5 bag slots permanently unlocked on any character you log in with
- All trait slots permanently unlocked on any character you log in with (including Monster characters)
- Ability to trade and mail gold
- No anti-spam limitation on chat or in-game mail
- No gold cap on any character you log in with
- Access to Swift Travel permanently unlocked on any character you log in with
- 3 character slots (if upgrading from F2P, 2 character slots if upgrading from Premium)
- Access to all quests, deeds, instances and skirmishes in North Downs, Evendim, Trollshaws, Misty Mountains, Angmar, Forochel, Eregion, Lothlorien, Enedwaith and The Great River
- Access to all instances not bound to a quest pack/expansion - including Inn of the Forsaken and Halls of Night
- 500TP per month
- Highest priority in the login queue if servers are full
- Full access to the forums and other community features
- Full access to crafting guild advancement
- Access to the slow Bree-Land starter pony at level 5 (200 in-game silver)
- Access to the Riding Skill quest at level 20
- 20 Wardrobe slots
- Ability to spend destiny points
- Full access to Monster Play (including all Monster classes) and the Ettenmoors (PvMP) on both sides
- Full access to customer service (contacting a GM via in-game support tickets)
- Rest XP for all characters
- Your characters can list 30 items each in the auction house



...my subscription ends

- Your account is permanently elevated to a Premium account
- All characters logged in while VIP keep the unlocks for bags, traits, gold cap and swift travel. New characters will have the Premium restrictions (see "...I buy Turbine Points with real money")
- All monster characters logged in while VIP keep the unlocks for traits
- You lose access* to all quests, deeds and instances in North Downs, Evendim, Trollshaws, Misty Mountains, Angmar, Forochel, Eregion, Lothlorien, Enedwaith and The Great River. Quests and deeds already in your log can be completed (just the specific quest/deed, not the chain)
- You lose access* to all skirmishes with the exception of Trouble in Tuckborough, Siege of Gondamon and those associated with the epic quest line
- You lose access* to all instances not bound to a quest pack/expansion - including Inn of the Forsaken and Halls of Night
- You lose 2 character slots. If you do not have 2 empty character slots, you will have to select characters to temporarily lock until your account has enough slots to support them
- You no longer receive 500TP each month
- You fall back to a high priority in the login queue if servers are full
- You lose access to crafting guild advancement. Any advancement already achieved is maintained
- You lose access to the riding skill quest. Characters who have already completed it do not lose the skill
- You lose 20 wardrobe slots. Existing items in the wardrobe are not deleted, but no new items can be added until your total wardrobe items are less than your current wardrobe size
- You lose the ability to spend destiny points
- You lose access to Monster Play and the Ettenmoors (PvMP) except for the Reaver class. All other Monster classes will be locked*, but your Monster characters will not be deleted.
- You lose access to customer service (contacting a GM via in-game support tickets)
- Your characters no longer gain Rest XP (any amassed Rest XP is maintained)
- Your characters can only list 5 items each in the auction house

* Note that you will NEVER lose access to a quest pack, instance, skirmish or class you previously purchased with Turbine Points.



...I resubscribe

- Everything which was lost when your subscription ended (above) is reinstated


...I purchase a Shadows of Angmar retail box/code and apply the code.

- This ONLY works if you have NOT applied a Shadows of Angmar OR Mines of Moria code yet.
- You gain a month of VIP access (or extend your existing subscription by a month) and all of the benefits that entails (including the 500TP stipend)
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase a Mines of Moria expansion (Turbine, not Codemasters) box/code and apply the code.

- This ONLY works if you have NOT applied a Mines of Moria code yet.
- You gain a month of VIP access (or extend your existing subscription by a month) and all of the benefits that entails (including the 500TP stipend)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Warden and Runekeeper classes
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Moria
- You gain permanent access to the first 15 ranks of Skirmish traits
- You gain 2 character slots (in addition to any you have as F2P/Premium/VIP or have purchased)
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase the Mines of Moria expansion from the LOTRO store

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Warden and Runekeeper classes
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Moria
- You gain permanent access to the first 15 ranks of Skirmish traits
- You gain 2 character slots (in addition to any you have as F2P/Premium/VIP or have purchased)



...I purchase the Mines of Moria quest pack from the LOTRO store

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Moria



...I purchase the Rise of Isengard Legendary Edition

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Isengard expansion (including the Isengard quest pack, Draigoch Raid and Isengard instance cluster)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Dunland, Gap of Rohan and Nan Curunír
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Trollshaws, Eregion, Moria, Lothlorien and Mirkwood
- You are granted 1000 Turbine Points
- You receive 3 cosmetic armour sets and 3 horses on all characters, current and future
- You gain permanent access to the first 35 ranks of Skirmish traits (even if you did not previously purchase skirmish trait upgrades)
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase the Rise of Isengard Heroic Edition

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Isengard expansion (including the Isengard quest pack, Draigoch Raid and Isengard instance cluster)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Dunland, Gap of Rohan and Nan Curunír
- You are granted 1000 Turbine Points
- You receive a cosmetic armour set, a horse and a title on all characters, current and future
- You gain permanent access to the first 35 ranks of Skirmish traits (even if you did not previously purchase skirmish trait upgrades)
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase the Rise of Isengard Base Edition

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Isengard expansion (including the Isengard quest pack, Draigoch Raid and Isengard instance cluster)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Dunland, Gap of Rohan and Nan Curunír
- You receive a horse and a title on all characters, current and future
- You gain permanent access to the first 35 ranks of Skirmish traits (even if you did not previously purchase skirmish trait upgrades)
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase the Rise of Isengard expansion from the LOTRO store

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Isengard expansion (including the Isengard quest pack, Draigoch Raid and Isengard instance cluster)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Dunland, Gap of Rohan and Nan Curunír
- You gain permanent access to the first 35 ranks of Skirmish traits (even if you did not previously purchase skirmish trait upgrades)


...I purchase the Rise of Isengard quest pack from the LOTRO store

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Dunland, Gap of Rohan and Nan Curunír



...I purchase the Lord of the Rings Online Mithril Edition

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Trollshaws, Eregion, Moria and Lothlorien
- You are granted 2000 Turbine Points
- You receive the Steed of the Horse-lords mount on all characters, current and future
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'

You should add a link to Turbine's Free 2 Play FAQ. It answers most of the questions I see posted.

Originally Posted by tessathecat

You should add a link to Turbine's Free 2 Play FAQ. It answers most of the questions I see posted.

Sadly it's woefully out of date now and is likely to generate a whole bunch of new questions!

Originally Posted by tessathecat

You should add a link to Turbine's Free 2 Play FAQ. It answers most of the questions I see posted.

Originally Posted by Ozeagle

Sadly it's woefully out of date now and is likely to generate a whole bunch of new questions!

Agreed. The FAQ hasn't been updated since before the November update and is highly outdated. Turbine needs to get on the ball in regards to relieving a lot of the confusion that has surfaced on the boards since then.

Nice work Ozeagle. I'm completely exhausted so I'll re-read it tomorrow with a fresh set of eyes and see if there's anything I can help contribute.

This should definitely be stickied and spread across the different boards.

Good info! Definately worth a permanent home somewhere, either in a FAQ or other sticky!

Ozeagle, this is great info! Thanks for posting it! I'll give you reputation for it.

This would be great to have in the stickied "Answers to Your Questions" thread (in the first post), but I wouldn't want to use it without your permissions and without giving you full credit for compiling it. If you would be open to me putting your summary (fully accredit to you, with a link) in the stickied thread, let me know. We can chat via PM, if you prefer.

At any rate, thanks for the topic that will be helpful to so many!

EDIT:

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Ozeagle again.

Sorry that I can't give you any more reputation right now.

Very nice. This is exactly the kind of concise summary I've been looking for everywhere and have been unable to find. The only things I'm still not clear on is what exactly is meant by "full access to the forums and other community features" and "full access to customer service". Is it known what the premium and VIP players have access to that f2p-ers don't?

F2P/Premium can not create in game tickets in game (see below) except for gold selling, and harassment (assuming they've fixed the harassment option.)

http://www.lotro.com/component/conte...ort-ticket-tse used to let you get a hold of the in-game-team, anyway but since they redid their site, i've got no clue where the new link is.

Excellent synopsis! + Rep.

/vote for sticky and (un)official replacement reference for the F2P FAQ/chart (which I believe was slightly outdated as of the F2P launch).
This can be a good new-player link alongside Eluros' Answers thread.

Now to rework the F2P/Premium/VIP chart with information which is actually correct... (already underway, thanks in advance to Fringe and the team working hard on that!)

Comments for clarity:

You might add a section at the beginning with "...remain a Free2Play account?" outlining the limitations of F2P as a baseline.

...I buy Turbine Points with real money

- Your account becomes a Premium account
- You gain 1 additional character slot (this is on top of any purchased)
- All of your characters' gold caps are increased to 5 Gold (making it clear that existing and future characters are upgraded)
- All of your characters are able to trade and mail gold (making it clear that existing and future characters are upgraded)
- All of your characters can list 5 items each in the auction house (making it clear that existing and future characters are upgraded)
- You receive a high priority in the login queue if servers are full
- You receive full access to the forums and other community features (this could be clearer, I'm also unsure of what the limitations are for F2P)
- You receive full access to customer service for 30 days (also unclear... just for in-game support tickets?)

...I purchase a Mines of Moria expansion (Turbine, not Codemasters) box/code and apply the code. This ONLY works if you have NOT applied a Mines of Moria code yet.

- You gain a month of VIP access (or extend your existing subscription by a month) and all of the benefits that entails (including the 500TP stipend)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Warden and Runekeeper classes
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Moria
- You gain 2 character slots (in addition to any you have as F2P/Premium/VIP
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase the Mines of Moria expansion from the LOTRO store I thought this was going away as an option... is it still available?

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Warden and Runekeeper classes
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Moria
- You gain 2 character slots (in addition to any you have as F2P/Premium/VIP

Originally Posted by KnowBuddy

Now to rework the F2P/Premium/VIP chart with information which is actually correct...

Shameless plug...we're working on that right now so please add any changes not already listed so that we can add them to the list and hopefully Turbine will listen:

Updated Subscription Plan Chart

Originally Posted by KnowBuddy

/vote for sticky and (un)official replacement reference for... Victorie's Answers to Your Questions thread (which is getting older and is quite bloated).

As I posted earlier in the topic, this topic is very helpful! Great job, OP!

About the Answers to Your Questions thread... that's actually mine. I try to keep it updated as much as possible-- if you check the first post, it says at the very top: Version 16.5; Updated 3:15pm EST, 1/13/11.

If you think it's getting bloated and there could be a more efficient way to store/organize the information, feel free to hit me with it-- I'm all ears!

Originally Posted by Eluros

As I posted earlier in the topic, this topic is very helpful! Great job, OP!

About the Answers to Your Questions thread... that's actually mine. I try to keep it updated as much as possible-- if you check the first post, it says at the very top: Version 16.5; Updated 3:15pm EST, 1/13/11.

If you think it's getting bloated and there could be a more efficient way to store/organize the information, feel free to hit me with it-- I'm all ears!

Ah, my mistake. I had assumed that since it had been getting high in post count that it might be unwieldy, but I had not checked it lately to verify. You have been doing an excellent job keeping it updated, I will alter my earlier comment.

Eluros: More than happy for it to be included in/linked to your Answers thread. Not quite yet though, I'd like to get some more feedback on it first.

KnowBuddy: Thanks for those, I'll make some updates accordingly. As for the MoM expansion in the store, I think it's there to stay given they actually changed the package (removed Lorien) in the November update rather than break it apart like they did Mirkwood. But I should perhaps put in an extra "what if I just buy the Moria quests" one to differentiate. Just need to make sure I get the exact names correct as per the store so it's clear.

Originally Posted by Ozeagle

Eluros: More than happy for it to be included in/linked to your Answers thread. Not quite yet though, I'd like to get some more feedback on it first.

Sounds great, thanks! Let me know when you're ready for it to go in the thread.

Thank you, very helpful in clearing up a few questions I didn't even know I had.

One more thing...
My boxed edition says "Complete Edition" Including Moria and Angmar. I haven't bothered to enter my code yet so I don't know, what does the Angmar portion give me? Will the Angmar quest area be retained if I return to premium after my free month of VIP?

Originally Posted by Eriwyn

Thank you, very helpful in clearing up a few questions I didn't even know I had.

One more thing...
My boxed edition says "Complete Edition" Including Moria and Angmar. I haven't bothered to enter my code yet so I don't know, what does the Angmar portion give me? Will the Angmar quest area be retained if I return to premium after my free month of VIP?

That code will give you access to all SoA content for the 30-day VIP period. After that, you will only have access to the portions of SoA that are available to all players for free (3 starter areas and Lone-Lands).

Ok thanks. That's what I assumed.

Looking at this list and doing a bit of calculation myself, I find that this is what I get for free with VIP:

Quest packs and expansions (excluding MoM and Mirkwood) = 5955

Bonus character slots = 2x595 = 1190

Currency cap removal = 495

Bags = 2x495 = 990

Wardrobe = 2x995 = 1990

AH slots = 5x95 = 475

Total of above = approx 11000

Plus other benefits I have not been able to put a value to yet (or I can't access yet, like the guild things - 295 per crafting guild tier per character).

If you buy all of the above at full price, you will spend around $120, which is what you would spend on a one year VIP subscription. But you can get it for much less using sales. And you have the flexibility of choosing when and what and how much you want to buy.

On the other hand, as a VIP you get additional benefits that I haven't calculated yet. But unless new content is added that is automatically available to the VIPs, in the long run Premium will have a distinct advantage, IMO. But then, the 6000 TP/year that a VIP will get should cover even the most expensive of expansions.

Have I missed something? Based on this, I think a VIP is a good choice for me, as long as I plan to maintain it and not downgrade. Of course, over a period of 2-3 years, it might actually be more expensive if I only stick with a few characters. But then it will probably also mean a lot easier breathing. And the sub can be cancelled if I don't want or can't play for some time, although the 3 month sub is less flexible there.

So, it is still quite a tricky decision to make! It is almost like a mini-game in itself

EDIT: Corrections.

Some things to consider...Riding Skill, Chat, Mail, Auction House, Rest XP, Skirmishes, Traits, Destiny Points, PvMP, and Customer Service. Plus things like Vault Slots are sometimes easier to purchase with the free monthly TPs as opposed to earning in-game gold (they can cost 4+ gold rather quickly per character).

Add those into the mix depending on your personal preferences and you'll have a better idea of how the two plans compare.

Personally, I have been, still an, and will continue to be VIP for my own reasons.

Yes, I think that I will also go with it - I have already setup a 3 month subscription, although my card won't be charged for another 3 weeks. I think a VIP sub will give me the best experience and peace of mind. I just hope that LOTRO continues to value the VIP subscribers as a steady and reliable source of income and doesn't short-change us.

Plus having thousands of TPs sitting out there and enticing me is not a good thing. I will probably end up buying on mounts and whatnot, and run up a bill of $200 instead of $120

EDIT: It looks like LOTRO is selling these days. The retailer from which I bought MoM hiked the price from $9 to $12 to $15. And now it is out of stock!

BTW, a pretty good OP

EDIT 2: Still undecided about VIP...

Contents moved to this thread so as not to derail the original topic!

Lothlorien? Purchased (or VIP?)
Mirkwood? Purchased (or VIP?)

I don't about Lothlorien, but Mirkwood isn't free for VIPs. The Mirkwood Expansion is available to me for 995 TP.

Originally Posted by EtherDragon

...Use Crafting Guilds? One guild Free, can Purchase More

A character may only be a part of one guild at any time. Period.
The purchase relates to a nonVIP gaining reputaiton beyond aquaintance. They can obtain aquaintance, and apply reputation until the point where they'd become friend, but it will not ding over to friend. The purchase allows any character on that account who is a member of that guild to go to 'kindred'.

Updated guild info
Added ...Own a Fast Horse?
Updated Mirkwood as Purchase only.

Keep the comments coming!

I can confirm that Lothlorien is included with VIP but requires the purchase of the QP otherwise.

Meh.. and I find this all out after purchasing 3 extra bags.. I guess at least my second character will start as VIP then.

Shameless Plug

Cary on, with OT. =)

Excellent summation. I only wish Turbine themselves would post all this detail someplace more official and easy to find. (Or at least sticky this thread.)

One thing you may want to add at the beginning of this list is:

...I establish a free account

- You have 1 character slot per server (can purchase more with Turbine Points)
- You can create characters from any of the game's 4 races: Dwarves, Elves, Hobbits, and Men
- You can create characters with any of 7 classes: Burglar, Captain, Champion, Guardian, Hunter, Lore-master, or Minstrel; but not the two premium classes: Rune-keeper or Warden (unless purchased with Turbine Points)
- You have access to travel around through all regions of the game world
- You have access to all the quests and deeds in 4 regions: Ered Luin, the Shire, Bree-land, and the Lonelands (can purchase others with TP)
- You have access to all of the quests that make up the epic storyline
- Your characters have three inventory bags (can purchase with TP access to the other two)
- Your characters can only accumulate a maximum of 2 gold each (can purchase limit removal with TP)
- You can only access the first 1 or 2 slots for equipping each type of trait (can purchase unlocks of the rest with TP)
- You can purchase items from the Auction House, but cannot post items for sale (can purchase posting access with TP)
- You have access to 4 skirmishes (can purchase others with TP)
- You can craft items and advance your crafting skill through all 6 crafting tiers
- You can join a crafting guild and reach up to Acquaintance standing. (Can purchase with TP access to raising your reputation beyond Acquaintance.)
- You can earn Turbine Points in-game (mostly by completing deeds) with which to buy other regions or features. Nearly all features available from the other account statuses are available for purchase with TP, but they're designed to cost more in total than most free players will readily earn in-game. You can easily buy a few features or regions, but expect to have to make choices on where to spend your points unless you are willing to either spend a huge amount of time on repetitive grinding of more points, or (as Turbine is hoping you'll do) spend some real money to buy more and move into one of the other categories described below.


There's probably a few more things that could go in that description (for instance, I don't know what the limitations on chat or mail are), but some description of what's initially included with the free account would make the subsequent description of differences seem more complete.

Originally Posted by Niwashi

Excellent summation. I only wish Turbine themselves would post all this detail someplace more official and easy to find. (Or at least sticky this thread.)

I very much agree. I believe that I extended the offer, to the OP, to have the content of this post in the stickied "Answers to Your Questions" post. I seem to recall that they said they would like to wait until they did a bit more editing. As soon as I get word from Ozeagle, I'll be happy to find a way to prominently feature it, with full credit to the OP.

Sorry about this thread, I got busy at work and had to drop out for a while leaving this one hanging.

I've taken some of the suggestions on board, special thanks to Niwashi for the work on the "establish a free account" addition which was an excellent idea. Also made a few changes in line with recent updates so things aren't unclear.

Eluros, I'd be most pleased to have this added to the "Answers to your Questions" sticky if you feel there's a good spot for it in there. Also always interested in feedback/corrections/additions from anyone.

My next thought is to try to put this into a colourful chart that illustrates exactly what you get (and can also be used in the other direction to determine what you need). But that's a bit of work and may not be achievable so I won't make any promises.


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What happens if...

...I establish a free account

- You receive 2 character slots per server
- You can create characters from any of the game's 4 races: Dwarves, Elves, Hobbits and Men
- You can create characters in 7 classes: Burglar, Captain, Champion, Guardian, Hunter, Lore-master or Minstrel
- You cannot create characters in the premium classes: Rune-keeper or Warden
- You can level your characters all the way to the level cap (currently level 65)
- You have access to all regions of the game world exept the Ettenmoors (the Player vs Monster Player region)
- You have access to all quests and deeds in 4 regions: Ered Luin, the Shire, Bree-land and the Lonelands
- You have access to tasks in all regions where they exist (currently implemented up to Eregion)
- You have access to all of the quests that make up the epic quest line
- You have access to the Legendary Item system
- Your characters do not have the riding skill or access to permanent mounts
- Your characters have three inventory bags
- Your characters are limited to 2 Gold each
- Your characters cannot mail gold
- Your characters have anti-spam features on mail and chat limiting repeated chat or in game mail
- Your characters are limited to 2 Virtue Traits, 2 Racial Traits, 2 Class Traits and 1 Legendary Trait at a time
- You can purchase items from the Auction House, but cannot post items for sale
- You have access to the first 2 skirmishes along with all skirmishes associated with the epic quest line
- You can craft items and advance your crafting skill through all 6 crafting tiers
- You can join a crafting guild and reach Acquaintance standing
- You can earn Turbine Points in-game which can be used to unlock the majority of game content. Regular play will produce a good amount of TP. Unlocking ALL game content without purchasing Turbine Points is possible but extremely time-consuming.




...I buy Turbine Points with real money

- Your account becomes a Premium account
- You gain 1 additional character slot (this is on top of any purchased) with your first TP purchase
- All your current and future characters' gold cap is increased to 5 Gold
- All your current and future characters are able to trade and mail gold
- All your current and future characters receive a more lenient anti-spam limitation on chat and in-game mail
- All your current and future characters can list 5 items each in the auction house
- You permanently receive a high priority in the login queue if servers are full
- You permanently receive full access to the forums and other community features
- You receive full access to customer service (contacting a GM via in-game support tickets) for 30 days



...I become a subscriber

While subscribed, you gain:

- All 5 bag slots unlocked
- All trait slots unlocked
- Ability to trade and mail gold
- No anti-spam limitation on chat or in-game mail
- No gold limitation
- Access to Swift Travel
- 3 character slots (from F2P, 2 character slots if you were Premium)
- Access to all quests, deeds, instances and skirmishes in North Downs, Evendim, Trollshaws, Misty Mountains, Angmar, Forochel, Eregion, Lothlorien and Enedwaith
- 500TP per month
- Highest priority in the login queue if servers are full
- Full access to the forums and other community features
- Full access to crafting guild advancement
- Access to the slow Bree-Land starter pony at level 5 (200 in-game silver)
- Access to the Riding Skill quest at level 20
- 20 Wardrobe slots
- Ability to spend destiny points
- Access to Monster Play and the Ettenmoors (PvMP)
- Full access to customer service (contacting a GM via in-game support tickets)
- Rest XP for all characters
- Your characters can list 30 items each in the auction house



...my subscription ends

- Your account becomes a Premium account
- All characters logged in while VIP keep the unlocks for bags, traits, gold cap and swift travel. New characters will have the Premium restrictions (see "...I buy Turbine Points with real money")
- You lose access* to all quests, deeds and instances in North Downs, Evendim, Trollshaws, Misty Mountains, Angmar, Forochel, Eregion, Lothlorien and Enedwaith. Quests and deeds already in your log can be completed (just the specific quest/deed, not the chain)
- You lose access* to all skirmishes with the exception of Trouble in Tuckborough, Siege of Gondamon and those associated with the epic quest line
- You lose 2 character slots. If you do not have 2 empty character slots, you will have to select characters to temporarily lock until your account has enough slots to support them
- You no longer receive 500TP each month
- You fall back to a high priority in the login queue if servers are full
- You lose access to crafting guild advancement. Any advancement already achieved is maintained
- You lose access to the riding skill quest. Characters who have already completed it do not lose the skill
- You lose 20 wardrobe slots. Existing items in the wardrobe are not deleted, but no new items can be added until your total wardrobe items are less than your current wardrobe size
- You lose the ability to spend destiny points
- You lose access to Monster Play and the Ettenmoors (PvMP)
- You lose access to customer service (contacting a GM via in-game support tickets)
- Your characters no longer gain Rest XP (any amassed Rest XP is maintained)
- Your characters can only list 5 items each in the auction house

* Note that you will NEVER lose access to a quest pack or skirmish you previously purchased with Turbine Points.



...I resubscribe

- Everything which was lost when your subscription ended (above) is reinstated


...I purchase a Shadows of Angmar retail box/code and apply the code.

- This ONLY works if you have NOT applied a Shadows of Angmar OR Mines of Moria code yet.
- You gain a month of VIP access (or extend your existing subscription by a month) and all of the benefits that entails (including the 500TP stipend)
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase a Mines of Moria expansion (Turbine, not Codemasters) box/code and apply the code.

- This ONLY works if you have NOT applied a Mines of Moria code yet.
- You gain a month of VIP access (or extend your existing subscription by a month) and all of the benefits that entails (including the 500TP stipend)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Warden and Runekeeper classes
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Moria
- You gain 2 character slots (in addition to any you have as F2P/Premium/VIP or have purchased)
- Your account is permanently elevated to Premium as you have 'spent real money'



...I purchase the Mines of Moria expansion from the LOTRO store

- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the Warden and Runekeeper classes
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Moria
- You gain 2 character slots (in addition to any you have as F2P/Premium/VIP)

Originally Posted by Ozeagle

Eluros, I'd be most pleased to have this added to the "Answers to your Questions" sticky if you feel there's a good spot for it in there. Also always interested in feedback/corrections/additions from anyone.

Thanks, Ozeagle; I have included this in the Answers to Your Questions thread. Feel free to take a look (the link is in my signature) and let me know what you think. I gave it priority placement, and tried to give you full credit. If you prefer I have it displayed/credited in some other manner, let me know.

And again, excellent work!

Originally Posted by Ozeagle

- Your account becomes a Premium account
- All characters logged in while VIP keep the unlocks for bags, traits, gold cap and swift travel. New characters will have the Premium restrictions (see "...I buy Turbine Points with real money")

Should be: all swift travel routes unlocked to date by those characters ...

... since swift travel routes which are not unlocked while VIP will not be accessible once the account reverts to Premium status.

Originally Posted by dorablu

- Your account becomes a Premium account
- All characters logged in while VIP keep the unlocks for bags, traits, gold cap and swift travel. New characters will have the Premium restrictions (see "...I buy Turbine Points with real money")

Should be: all swift travel routes unlocked to date by those characters ...

... since swift travel routes which are not unlocked while VIP will not be accessible once the account reverts to Premium status.

I've heard from several people that logging in while VIP at any level means that all routes are unlocked once reaching the appropriate level after they're Premium. They don't have to be unlocked by level during the VIP period. Creating and logging in a level 1 character while VIP and then dropping to Premium means that that character will get all swift travel routes at the same level as they would if they were still VIP. (Many routes have minimum level requirements or the requirement to have been to the destination before, and those restrictions still apply, but even VIPs have those limitations.)

Thanks for the correction and the additional information.

Are the two extra character slots gained by purchasing the MoM physical box permanent? They will stick around after my VIP subscription ends?

I was F2P (2 slots). Then I bought some turbine points and was bumped up to premium (3 slots). Then I picked up a MoM box and entered the code. Now I have 7 slots. Presumably that is because I got two from the MoM expansion itself and two more from the one-month VIP access. In three weeks do I drop down to five slots? Or three?

If the former, I suggest adding some language to the MoM section indicating that the slots are permanent.

Only other suggestion: add something indicating that once you have "spent real money," your account remains premium forever, even if you never spend another cent of real money. That was something I wondered when I first went premium.

This is a great guide. I'm sorry I didn't see this until now.

The only thing I haven't seen listed is regarding the skirmish trait ranks. I believe this is as follows:

...I establish a free account, become a subscriber, or my subscription ends

- Skirmish trait (Attribute, Skill, Training, Personal) ranks are capped at level 7.

...I purchase a Mines of Moria expansion (Turbine, not Codemasters) box/code and apply the code. (not sure about from LOTRO store)

- Skirmish trait (Attribute, Skill, Training, Personal) ranks are level cap is increased to level 15.

...I purchase a Siege of Mirkwood expansion from the LOTRO store

- Skirmish trait (Attribute, Skill, Training, Personal) ranks are level cap is increased to level 25. (can anyone verify this as I haven't yet purchased this expansion, but have heard this from other sources)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Southern Mirkwood
- (Can anyone verify if there any other benefits to this purchase? I thought I heard SoM also gives you another 2 character slots. Any truth to this?)

No, SoM does not include any extra character slots.

Originally Posted by Eluros

Thanks, Ozeagle; I have included this in the Answers to Your Questions thread. Feel free to take a look (the link is in my signature) and let me know what you think. I gave it priority placement, and tried to give you full credit. If you prefer I have it displayed/credited in some other manner, let me know.

And again, excellent work!

Thanks Eluros, I didn't expect priority placement! Feeling quite proud now.

Looks great, please feel free to chop/change/add to it at any time for any reason if it is warranted. I am NOT precious about it and will NEVER be offended if it gets changed or rearranged.

Originally Posted by Hikerdude2010

This is a great guide. I'm sorry I didn't see this until now.

The only thing I haven't seen listed is regarding the skirmish trait ranks. I believe this is as follows:

...I establish a free account, become a subscriber, or my subscription ends

- Skirmish trait (Attribute, Skill, Training, Personal) ranks are capped at level 7.

...I purchase a Mines of Moria expansion (Turbine, not Codemasters) box/code and apply the code. (not sure about from LOTRO store)

- Skirmish trait (Attribute, Skill, Training, Personal) ranks are level cap is increased to level 15.

...I purchase a Siege of Mirkwood expansion from the LOTRO store

- Skirmish trait (Attribute, Skill, Training, Personal) ranks are level cap is increased to level 25. (can anyone verify this as I haven't yet purchased this expansion, but have heard this from other sources)
- You gain full and permanent access (regardless of subscription) to the quests and deeds in Southern Mirkwood
- (Can anyone verify if there any other benefits to this purchase? I thought I heard SoM also gives you another 2 character slots. Any truth to this?)

Thanks hikerdude. To be honest I know very little about the skirmish ranks and haven't seen it discussed much. All I know for certain is that the Mirkwood increase no longer linked to anything, it is only available for purchase alone since the breakup of the Mirkwood expansion in the November update.

I'd be interested if anybody knows for absolute certain any of the following:

1) Does a VIP automatically have the L25 cap? I suspect not.
2) The level 15 unlock used to be linked to the Moria expansion. Post-November update, is that now linked to the Moria quest pack instead? Or has it been decoupled (like LIs, Supreme crafting etc) and automatically available to all?

There is an easy way to confirm both of these if we can find the right players. For question 1 we need someone who is VIP and DOES NOT have Moria yet to check in the store if they can buy the skirmish trait increase. We also need someone who is VIP and DOES have Moria to check the same thing.

If neither of them can see it then VIPs get it automatically.
If both can see it then the L15 unlock is free for all and everyone needs to buy the L25 unlock.
If only the Moria-owning player can see it then the L15 unlock comes with the Moria quest pack.

The only thing I know for certain regarding the skirmish level cap is that while I was VIP, but before using the code for my Moria expansion, I was capped at level 7. Once I entered the code for Moria, it unlocked the level cap and I've been able to progress to higher levels, but I haven't yet reached level 15 on any of the skirmish traits, so I don't know if it currently has a cap of 15 or 25.