Thread: A word about the Riders of Rohan Pre-Purchase packs.

Originally Posted by FittyBolger

Thank you!
This is welcome news indeed.

Now to decide which version I want.

What if you bought a lower package and now want to upgrade to the legendary pack?, is it ah well too late now, or is there a way of purchasing the extra?

I was going to hold off ordering but since they added the 2000 points and verified the cluster is included in the price I went ahead and did it. I was so hoping for a box but I guess these days the old boxed CE is outdated. I wonder how long are we looking at from launch to the introduction of the instance cluster? Also will be it be tested on BR before its launched to check for bugs etc?

Originally Posted by rangerspam

What if you bought a lower package and now want to upgrade to the legendary pack?, is it ah well too late now, or is there a way of purchasing the extra?

I would suggest calling customer service they possibly can fix it for you. Since you are not asking for a refund but want to pay more I do not see why it would be an issue.

Anyone else find it amazing this thread just got alot shorter??

Originally Posted by Ames

Thanks for making it right Turbine!

Anyone else find it amazing this thread just got alot shorter?? Or notice posts they made missing?

The forum by default now shows 40 posts per page, instead of only 15. All the posts are still there, you just have to click less to read them all.

Originally Posted by Fredelas

The forum by default now shows 40 posts per page, instead of only 15. All the posts are still there, you just have to click less to read them all.

That explains alot, I was just asking myself damn why did every thread I've posted in change. Thats a trip.

Originally Posted by Darmokk

Ever since Turbine is part of WB there has always been some kind of cash grab at the end of a financial quarter. Quite obviously they had some goals set by the mothership to meet. That happened every quarter so far, and the RoR pre-purchase (and that's probably one reason why it is a pre-purchase, not a pre-order) is this quarter's cash well.

So if people finally stepped on the cash brake that can cost them dearly. I think it is quite obvious from how radical and obvious these cash grabs have been so far that missing a cash goal would have major consequences.

It also explains very nicely why the pre-purchase went live this far in advance, at a point in time where they don't even know what kind of instances there will be.

Nice read.

I'd also like to thank the people at Turbine for responding - specifically, all the devs and community manager persons who had to argue to get this done. Thanks guys.

Hopefully more details on the instance cluster will be released before the pre-purchase period is over.

Good move, thanks.

Originally Posted by Lestache

Mounted combat being limited to Rohan is no different than Moria being limited to level 45+, or Mirkwood being limited to level 60+ (well, 55+ probably), or the latest raid being limited to only level 75s. Sometimes things have a level requirement, and for good reason (the reason in this case probably being that mounted combat only makes sense in Rohan, and Rohan is a level 75+ area). Generally, expansions are going to focus on new content for people who are already at the current level cap - not people who are still working their way there. Sure, there may be some new features that affect everyone (new combat system in Mirkwood, for example), but for the most part a LOTRO expansion adds new content for those at the level cap.

From a lore perspective (I never thought I'd ever write that phrase), I don't think that mounted combat makes sense in the areas that we already have. From another perspective, the areas that we already have would probably feel quite small if one were able to be on a horse the entire time. Either way, I don't expect to ever see mounted combat in the areas before Rohan.

Look at it this way: you get to save money. You have no need to buy the expansion now, and when you do get to the point where you're ready to enter Rohan, the expansion might even be on sale.

Edit: Also, what an earlier poster said: mounted combat is available to everyone, even if you don't purchase RoR. All purchasing RoR gets you is access to the Rohan quests, so you may as well save your money until you're actually at the level to access them.

The impact the expansion has on mounted combat is the skill trees for the war horse. Everyone gets mounted combat and 1 skill tree. The expansion gives access to additional skill trees and the Legendary gives access to a skill that looks like it will only be available to those who purchase the Legendary version.

Originally Posted by Arutha12

The impact the expansion has on mounted combat is the skill trees for the war horse. Everyone gets mounted combat and 1 skill tree. The expansion gives access to additional skill trees and the Legendary gives access to a skill that looks like it will only be available to those who purchase the Legendary version.

The update regarding the TP and the confirmation about the IC is fantastic, total kudos to Turbine and co. and a big thanks to Sapience, Celestrata, etc. for taking a lot of the heat on the forums. Now I think all my questions were answered except for one, and that has to do with the mounted combat traits.

1) If people do not buy the expansion, will the additional 2 trait lines be available for TP and for how much?

2) What exactly is the exclusive skill (obtained through the lineage quest/deed line) in the Legendary edition? I want to know exactly what sort of exclusive content I am getting before I fork out $70. Will it be possible to include this content in the Store? It says exclusive, I know, but the Store can already tell what stuff you own or don't own. I own all areas without being VIP and thus it always comes up blank in the Store when I try to look in the Quest Pack section -- the Store knows I have it. Could it likewise be set up so that the Store will only show/offer the exclusive content skill IF the person looking for it already owns Rohan (either through Base, Heroic, or eventually by paying TP after Sept 5th)?

Even without an answer to #1 I will almost undoubtedly be pre-purchasing at least the Base edition (but I'd still like an answer to help me figure out financially what is best for my wallet). The biggest question is #2. What is this exclusive content? How much will it effect the game? Are we going to be at a disadvantage without the skill? If its just some sort of emote skill or a nice (but not essential) attack skill, then I want to know. A lot of people will be furious if A) they buy Legendary hoping this exclusive content is important and then find out it is more fluff, or B) people don't purchase it (and opt for either Base or Heroic) and then find out its an incredibly important thing (something lots of people would really want, like the 6th bag which isn't necessary but greatly desired by the majority of the players) with no way to get it.

Also maybe its just me but when I look at the Rohan pre-purchase page where it lists what is included in the packs, it seems a little misleading. The Pre-purchase bonuses are obvious: they will never be offered after Sept 5th, right? Likewise, the stuff above that (including the bag, for example) would be eventually available in the Store, yes? Previously I believe there are 3 different methods to get stuff. Prepurchase, purchase the expansion (everything in the prepurchase except the bonuses at the bottom) with TP, or purchase the quest pack only (and possibly get other aspects of the expansion separately). Like with Moria we can buy the quest pack or the expansion, separately? The expansion includes goodies like extra slots and classes, whereas the quest pack option is just the quests (and the classes/slots/etc are available separately with TP). It seems these newer things should work the same way. The Rohan expansion for TP (typically the Base version, correct?) would include everything currently listed on the pre-purchase page minus the bonuses, the Rohan quest pack for TP would just be the quests, and everything not listed as a bonus (the bag, the steed, the armour, the crystal, the title, and the skill) should be for TP. Shouldn't the title be a bonus since I don't think it will ever be available in the Store? And the TP wouldn't be included in the Store Expansion versions either, right?

The way it is right now, the bonuses will never be available in the Store, the in-game stuff above that (including the skill) would be implied to be available in Store eventually, and then the quest pack separately. lol If any of that made sense... maybe it didn't. I'm a little confused...

Not sure if this is the best place to ask about this, but as I can't find anywhere else, here goes.
So I bought the RoR legendary edition pre-order for $70...and if I understand correctly, they're changing it to $50. So am I going to get my $20 back?

Originally Posted by TheAC

Not sure if this is the best place to ask about this, but as I can't find anywhere else, here goes.
So I bought the RoR legendary edition pre-order for $70...and if I understand correctly, they're changing it to $50. So am I going to get my $20 back?

I think you might be confused with the RoI Legendary pack price reduction, afaik the ROR has not been reduced.

I pre-ordered the Legendary RoR as I have all new packs since Moria. I am a lifetime player and I have not been dissappointed yet. Kudos Turbine!

Originally Posted by I still feel it is [U

very [/U]unfair that the use of mounted combat is going to be so limited to Rohan (and presumably future additions). If your a lower level player this makes the mounted combat almost entirely unusable, and means it will still take a long time to work through the various areas where this feature could be sooooo helpful. PLEASE consider making this feature more widely usable - otherwise a lot of lower level players are paying for something they can't use for a long time and that's virtually like not having it at all. This makes this feature still feel like a bit of a con. Even if you don't do so immediately please make mounted combat more widely available in the near future. .

So, basically, you want to be able to run before you even learn to crawl or walk.

There are several reasons that mounted combat should not be useable for all levels or regions.
A. Characters are not "born" knowing all skills or being able to use all gameplay mechanics, you earn new skills/abilities as you level up. For instance: you gain access to skirmishes at level 20, are able to start getting your class skill quests around level 45, and ability to use Legendary Items also around level 45.
B. As stated before, even in the books/movies (LORE), we only really saw mounted combat in the Rohan and Gondor regions, and it was also mainly only the Rohirrim using it.
C. People have to have something to work towards. Giving us everything from the beginning would leave us with very little incentive to work at leveling our toons.

Originally Posted by mistrel1970

So, basically, you want to be able to run before you even learn to crawl or walk.

There are several reasons that mounted combat should not be useable for all levels or regions.
A. Characters are not "born" knowing all skills or being able to use all gameplay mechanics, you earn new skills/abilities as you level up. For instance: you gain access to skirmishes at level 20, are able to start getting your class skill quests around level 45, and ability to use Legendary Items also around level 45.
B. As stated before, even in the books/movies (LORE), we only really saw mounted combat in the Rohan and Gondor regions, and it was also mainly only the Rohirrim using it.
C. People have to have something to work towards. Giving us everything from the beginning would leave us with very little incentive to work at leveling our toons.

Very good points. Also, people buying the expansions who are still low level aren't supposed to be able to use much of it. Like, for instance, the primary part of any expansion: new quests/areas. Your low level isn't supposed to be able to use Mounted Combat yet any more than your low level is supposed to be waltzing around Rohan completing all those new quests and fighting the mobs. And think about it: only parts of Rohan will support Mounted Combat already. If the devs were to make Mounted Combat usable in all areas, they'd have to make all mobs be mounted. The FAQ talks about whether we can go on foot in the MC areas, and while the answer was yes, we also were told that we'd be at a serious disadvantage and its not recommended. It would be the other way around if we got MC everywhere without changing all the enemies to be mounted as well (and sore luck on all the critters that already have four legs of their own). That means increasing their difficulty (to match your own when mounted), changing every single mob's appearance (except those few goblins already who are on their wargs), and so much more. Not to mention most VIP players probably don't want to spend the 95TP to get the riding skill and would rather take advantage of getting it for free at lvl 20. And the areas are very puny compared to Rohan, so traveling across them would not be the same. Getting Mounted Combat available everywhere is not only impractical but very non-canon, and I think it would take a lot of fun out of the game. It would for me at least. I don't want everything handed to me on a silver platter; I want to work for the perks.

Well, so if I buy the expansion after the launch, TP or money, whatever, will I receive any of the instances to be launched?

Originally Posted by atmonello

Well, so if I buy the expansion after the launch, TP or money, whatever, will I receive any of the instances to be launched?

With TP, no. Dunno why, there is some techno babble that would go over my head anyway, but the devs apparently can't make it work that way. The Instance Cluster that will be released some time after RoR on Sept 5th will not be in the same TP bundle. They must be purchased separately...

As for buying with cash (using the current Rohan website) AFTER Sept 5... I would assume you get the IC, but don't quote me on it. I mean, it would seem it would work the same as if you prepurchased it. The special in-game Store coding wouldn't be involved so I can't see how they would make exclude you from the IC if you pay with money using the same format currently used for prepurchasing it.

Originally Posted by Mar-Evayave

With TP, no. Dunno why, there is some techno babble that would go over my head anyway, but the devs apparently can't make it work that way. The Instance Cluster that will be released some time after RoR on Sept 5th will not be in the same TP bundle. They must be purchased separately...

As for buying with cash (using the current Rohan website) AFTER Sept 5... I would assume you get the IC, but don't quote me on it. I mean, it would seem it would work the same as if you prepurchased it. The special in-game Store coding wouldn't be involved so I can't see how they would make exclude you from the IC if you pay with money using the same format currently used for prepurchasing it.

lol my bad for the double post

But yeah, I was planning on buying the expansion after the launch using RoR site, with cash. As a friend said, he bought RoI last year after the launch with cash and he got the IC. Hope to hear from the dev team, but thanks for the help.

Sorry, skimmed over the posts, but didn't see anything about this.

Will the instance cluster be included in the base edition as well?

Cosmetics, a trait for my horse and a few other nifty things are not convincing me to drop $70 on a game. If the instance cluster isn't included in base, I'll be forced to buy the Legendary edition, but I'll wait 'till it's on sale around the holidays.

Originally Posted by airsoftg36c

Sorry, skimmed over the posts, but didn't see anything about this.

Will the instance cluster be included in the base edition as well?

Cosmetics, a trait for my horse and a few other nifty things are not convincing me to drop $70 on a game. If the instance cluster isn't included in base, I'll be forced to buy the Legendary edition, but I'll wait 'till it's on sale around the holidays.

Yes. The instance cluster is included in all tiers of the EXPANSION.

Originally Posted by Mar-Evayave

They must be purchased separately...

When the instance pack is available in the store there will likely be the expansion in the store also. They just won't be able to offer the expansion for TP before the instance pack is released so if you want to start questing on day 1 of the expansion you'll need to get the Rohan quest pack with TP or the expansion itself with cash.

Originally Posted by Lohi

When the instance pack is available in the store there will likely be the expansion in the store also. They just won't be able to offer the expansion for TP before the instance pack is released so if you want to start questing on day 1 of the expansion you'll need to get the Rohan quest pack with TP or the expansion itself with cash.

Not quite. It isn't logical. HERE is listed what can officially be purchased in the store on/after Sept 5th. The "Rohan Expansion Content" won't just be the quest pack. It includes the quest pack, but won't be all (at least not the way it words it). And as confirmed HERE, it won't include the IC (which goes back to the techno babble that I likely wouldn't understand even if the team decided to share it with us, about how that offer can't include the IC due to technical issues, since the IC wouldn't even be available yet). It also won't include the bag, crystal, token, or the skirm soldier cosmetic (all of which have separate prices). I wouldn't be surprised if the 4295 TP Expansion Content includes the horse and title and maybe a bit of cosmetics or something, but that's all.

Because the Expansion will have already been released by the time the IC is released, it wouldn't make sense to "re-release" it, and it would also not be fair for those who'd bought the initial offer for 4295 TP. If they re-released it (with the IC) the price would have to be higher, and how would the others get the IC without rebuying the thing? They'd have to pay something like 9000-10000 TP in the end (4295 TP for the initial Expansion Content on/after Sept 5th, and the "new" offer that would include the IC for some price probably more towards 5k TP at least). Turbine would be simply flooded with hate mail from people who paid the 4295 and now are expected to pay that and more for a second time just to get the IC. It makes far more sense for Turbine to release the already announced pack (for 4295 TP) on Sept 5th (which has been confirmed) and then when the IC finally is released, to simply put it in as a separate order (for something between 1k-2k TP or something similar). If no one has purchased the Expansion Content for 4295 TP already, the store simply won't show the Rohan IC if someone looked for it. It keeps everyone on level grounds and is the easiest method anyway. In Sapience's post that I quoted above, (s)he doesn't clearly say whether the entire expansion will be released or not when the IC is released. (S)he merely says its impossible for the 4295 TP offer (that is already announced) to include content that isn't available yet (which is the IC).

Course, I don't work for Turbine, so naturally none of the above 100% for sure, but it is the most logical method of reaching the end result. *shrug*

Originally Posted by Mar-Evayave

HERE is listed what can officially be purchased in the store on/after Sept 5th.

That's what can be purchased on Sept 5th. It does not say that this will be the price forever and the there will never be a combined expansion pack like we have today for Isengard. When the instance pack for Isengard became available in the store the expansion also become available in the store at the same time (it cost slightly more than quest+instance purchased separately, presumably because it did include the xp bonus item?). In other words there is no reason to believe that Rohan expansion will be treated differently in the store than Isengard was.

In Isengard there was a "initial offer" as you describe it but it was only the quest pack! Don't make the same mistake this year as some did and assume it was the entire expansion! There will not be an initial offer of the Rohan expansion in the store for TP until the instance pack is ready.

One of the first things I noticed when the Pre-Order launched was no TP added. The second thing was that only one level had previous quest packs added to it. Those were the two reasons I have not already pre-ordered.

I'm grateful that Turbine has modified their offer. I'm one of the members of the LOTRO community that gets quietly frustrated at what seems like unfair deals. The TP prices in the LOTRO store still greatly concern me as it seems no matter how many points you get, the prices are so high that those points are negligible.

My main concern, before I possibly pre-purchase RoR is figuring out what quest packs I do not have. Even after pre-purchasing ROI, after letting my VIP membership lapse for a month, I found that I didn't have all the quest areas. Probably the one single complaint that I have about this game is that buying expansions do not include getting the previous expansions or quest areas. In that respect, it's unlike any other game being offered.

When I came to the game at MoM, I started paying monthly after about 2 weeks of gameplay. So, technically, I didn't bother to learn the ins-and-outs of the F2P system. In the past, with any other game, when an expansion was released, buying that expansion gave you access to all previous content. I expected no less with LOTRO, but I was wrong.

If LOTRO resumed their Lifetime membership, I would purchase that. But, since they have no plans to do so, I pay the monthly subscription. But, having had to drop it for a month, I realized that I don't have all the content. Considering how much real-world dollars I've put into playing this game, I think that's a bit shortsighted on Turbine's part where creating longterm players is concerned.

That's just my two-cents. I am appreciative that Turbine has amended their pre-purchase offer. It's good to see a gaming company paying attention to what their customers have to say. I think understanding the needs of your gaming community makes the difference between satisfied customers who endorse your product and distrusting, resentful customers who love a game but are unsure on how much money they will spend to play it.

Originally Posted by Lohi

Don't make the same mistake this year as some did and assume it was the entire expansion!

lol Goodness sake no! I bought Legendary Isengard the moment it came out so I'm not as familiar with how things were treated in the store. Since I own Legendary none of the in-store Isen stuff show up for me from what I can tell. So if you are saying that there is the raw "expansion/quest pack," the raw IC, and then a combination of the two (plus a few perks)? If that is the case then I agree wholeheartedly. I guess I didn't understand what you were saying.

Originally Posted by Aragard

The TP prices in the LOTRO store still greatly concern me as it seems no matter how many points you get, the prices are so high that those points are negligible.

Not sure about buying the expansions in the Store, but if it concerns you, just pre-purchase. I dunno if the Store versions will include the 1k-2k TP that are in the $$$ versions, but if they are then the prices (4295 TP for the quest pack stuff, for example) are incredibly LOW. Even the 4295 I think sounds quite reasonable. Going back to pre-purchase, the prices they are asking are incredibly low. The 2000 TP in the Legendary Rohan would ordinarily cost roughly $25 (ie: Gamestop has $25 point cards that come with exactly that much TP). Naturally there is some fluctuation based on TP sales and special offers, but in general that is how much they are worth. That means that ~$25 of that $70 is the points alone. That makes the rest of Legendary Rohan worth ~$45. Base ($40) and Heroic ($50) both have only 1000 TP, which we can put at roughly $12.50. So take that cost away and the Base Edition costs more along the lines of $27.50 and the Heroic Edition costs $37.50. Add in that each expansion version includes IC (admittedly we don't know how much yet, but I'd been willing to bet on at least as much as Isengard brought: 1+ raid, 1-2+ 6-man instances, 3+ 3-man instances). The prices with these updates are incredibly realistic now and FAR more affordable.

As for dropping VIP and finding yourself short of areas, that's always been how its been, since F2P started. Some areas are included in some expansions, but not all. Its just the way it is, same as anything in the real world markets. If, for example, Legendary Rohan included EVERY previous quest pack area, its price would likely far exceed $100. Those things aren't free. You can play anywhere for free in LOTRO, but not all aspects of the gameplay will be free, and quest packs aren't one of them. I purchased every area possible before I ever got VIP (and as soon as VIP expired I bought the Great River pack, which had come out in the last week of my VIP term). I never expected to buy areas for free. In fact, this is pretty much what I have spent altogether. $25 point card (worth 2000 TP) and $50 for Legendary Isengard. Between the 2000 TP and Legendary Isen and all the TP I earned on my own in the gameplay, I was able to get every single area offered at the time (taking advantage of quest pack sales, etc). I also had gotten the gold uncap, extra traits and milestones, riding ability for 3 characters, unlocked all 5 bags, and probably a few other odds and ends. Then I got VIP for 3 months and another $25 point card for Christmas (worth $55). And I plan to pay $40 to get Base Rohan (lol procrastinating right now, but I will). And I'll still own everything and haven't regretted a single dollar spent.

In the pre-purchase packs you can get the "The Outrider's Token". Does this 25% xp boost apply only to killing mobs or all xp gains such as quest completion turn-ins?

Also

There is this thing called "Crystal of Remembrance" that will add an extra legacy to your weapon. Is this a one time only use or is it per weapon?

Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by Mightytree

In the pre-purchase packs you can get the "The Outrider's Token". Does this 25% xp boost apply only to killing mobs or all xp gains such as quest completion turn-ins?

mob kills only. It's just like Derudh's Stone from last year, but it goes up to L74 instead of 64.

There is this thing called "Crystal of Remembrance" that will add an extra legacy to your weapon. Is this a one time only use or is it per weapon?

One time use only. Once its gone, it's gone. But every character on your account, present and future, will get one to use.

Originally Posted by Sapience

As most of you know, last week we launched the Riders of Rohan pre-purchase program. While initial sales have been strong and overall response has been positive, we have been paying very close attention to feedback from our community, where some concerns have been raised.

First, many of you shared how much you appreciated the inclusion of Turbine Points as part of last year’s offers. While we believe that the Rohan packs already offer an excellent value, we’ve heard your request and are now adding bonus points into all tiers of the Pre-purchase packs!
The updated editions will now include:

• Base Edition: 1,000 Bonus Turbine Points
• Heroic Edition: 1,000 Bonus Turbine Points
• Legendary Edition: 2,000 Bonus Turbine Points

Are you one of the many players who already purchased Riders of Rohan? You get points too! Anyone who has already applied their Rohan key will see points credited directly to their account over the next few business days. You will not need to contact customer service to receive your points. They will be granted automatically.

Additionally, some players had questions about the instance cluster coming after the launch of RoR. While we are still not ready to talk about the details of the cluster we did want to confirm that we will be releasing a new instance cluster in an update after Rohan launches, and that the cluster will be free to all players who have purchased the Riders of Rohan expansion.
Thanks to everyone for your candid feedback about the pre-purchase offers and the Rohan expansion. At Turbine we have always made it a point to listen closely to our players and adjust when necessary to provide the best possible entertainment experience.

Note: There are a large number of accounts that will be receiving a points credit as part of this change. Please allow 3-5 business days for your points to arrive.

Hi there,
Bought Legendary pack a few days ago,
but have not received all the "instant" bonuses.
The Rohan armor?
The 25% xp booster till level 75?
The horse? got the quest and finished them (stops by Eogar in the horse fields after playing as the horse.)

Plz info. Error or release later during Rohan release?

Originally Posted by SeraphSRT

Hi there,
Bought Legendary pack a few days ago,
but have not received all the "instant" bonuses.
The Rohan armor?
The 25% xp booster till level 75?
The horse? got the quest and finished them (stops by Eogar in the horse fields after playing as the horse.)

Plz info. Error or release later during Rohan release?

check your bags for anything that looks like a cardboard box. Click that to open it.

Great News