Been away for a while and returing to the game. Questions to ask and advice sought.

[Argyle]

So before I had to leave off playing some months ago, I had a human Guardian at level 32. I'm a solo player except if I am invited into any raids or whatnot--though that hasn't happened since I started *This* Guardian. My subscription has continued so I have a bit of LOTRO coin to use, should I wish to do so. I have not and will not spend time crafting stuff nor doing anything else that isn't a quest or adventure. My current weapons are THE GREAT AXE OF THE BROWN WIZARD and a BIRCH SHORT BOW. Should I have better weaponry at level 32 or is this about right?

 

[Gildoriel]

Levelwise the items seem okay. Though with the bow there appear to be several versions which have different item levels, so if you are using the one for lvl 24 characters you might think about replacing it soon. But: Weapons aren't the only thing you should look at this way because your armour, jewellery etc. are important as well. Also if you are mostly playing solo you would possibly want to acquire a more offensive type weapon (not with parry etc. but possibly something with physical mastery or crit). Otherwise just look at the item level and you're good to go. For the most part while levelling up you'll replace items on the go, so it's not worth spending too much thought about it. Once you reach endgame it's an entirely different matter though.

 

[Gilnan]

I would not invest too much in equipment on lower levels. When doing content requiring top items, You will probably need more time to get them than to reach several more levels.

 

[Propheon]

I'd invest some of your lotro points into travel skill cooldowns/milestones.

 

[Gryffs]

I have not and will not spend time crafting stuff nor doing anything else that isn't a quest or adventure.

Never fear- you can sail through the game with only drops/reward equipment. Legendary Items require some effort/maintenance but it's not really crafting, just customizing and upgrading.

 

[Argyle]

And just to be clear (since I may have come off as a bit snarky)--the reason I don't want to spend time crafting or doing peripheral activities is that I'm married and work full-time (50-55 hours a week). So, my disposable time for "hobbies" is limited. I am also an active player and sometimes game master (or LoreMaster, to use the jargon from The One Ring rpg) of The One Ring rpg (via play by post) and that takes time as well.

 

[Erei]

You can always buy some gear from the skirmish vendors. YOu have a camp in most hubs, with one being in front of the south gate for Bree. The non "endgame" ones (what used to be endgame anyway). They sell for cheap, and if you ever did skirmishes and whatnot you probably have lots of marks. Which are kinda useless today, since they removed all the LI stuff with the revamp and the rep booster before that.
However, vanilla the game is very easy and the quest very generous, especially at low lvl. At high level quest reward can greatly vary in quality (looking at you Umbar junk that is inferior to Gundabad quest reward). Which mean even crap gear will not be an issue.
Then there is the Legendary items. Which you can get as early at 45. If you keep them reforged (2clicks with some gold) and the traceries updated, they are essentially the best in slot forever.

Playing vanilla shouldn't be much of a struggle. It's essentially "story mode" difficulty. Landscape difficulty options exist, from a ranger next to the Prancing pony. He offers fearless (basically normal difficulty) and then heroic (for fellowships, or hard mode for solo). Not trying to throw shade at people or being mean. Difficulty option exist for a reason and it's perfectly OK to enjoy the game your way.

 

[Argyle]

You can always buy some gear from the skirmish vendors. YOu have a camp in most hubs, with one being in front of the south gate for Bree. The non "endgame" ones (what used to be endgame anyway). They sell for cheap, and if you ever did skirmishes and whatnot you probably have lots of marks. Which are kinda useless today, since they removed all the LI stuff with the revamp and the rep booster before that.
However, vanilla the game is very easy and the quest very generous, especially at low lvl. At high level quest reward can greatly vary in quality (looking at you Umbar junk that is inferior to Gundabad quest reward). Which mean even crap gear will not be an issue.
Then there is the Legendary items. Which you can get as early at 45. If you keep them reforged (2clicks with some gold) and the traceries updated, they are essentially the best in slot forever.

Playing vanilla shouldn't be much of a struggle. It's essentially "story mode" difficulty. Landscape difficulty options exist, from a ranger next to the Prancing pony. He offers fearless (basically normal difficulty) and then heroic (for fellowships, or hard mode for solo). Not trying to throw shade at people or being mean. Difficulty option exist for a reason and it's perfectly OK to enjoy the game your way.

As a casual player, I'm not familiar with much of the abbreviations and jargon used, so forgive my stupid question: what do LI and rep booster mean?

 

[Gildoriel]

LI are legendary items. You get them at the start of the Moria epic.

Rep Booster is officially named Reputation accelerator, I believe. They give a +100% or +200% bonus for the experience you earn and last for a certain time that is specified in the tooltip.

 

[Erei]

As a casual player, I'm not familiar with much of the abbreviations and jargon used, so forgive my stupid question: what do LI and rep booster mean?

Poster above answered. Legendary Item (LI) can be obtained at lvl 45 (minimum, the quest is 50) by doing the introduction to Moria instanced area to the end. It can be found by talking to a dwarf in Echad Dunnan (eregion), in front of a "loading" gate.
Every class have 2 of them, and they are class based. Always the main weapon (so, bow/crossbow for hunter, melee weapon for guardian...) and a secondary item (book for minstrel, melee weapon for hunter....).

Those item are different compared to the regular item you are used to, as they get the regular bonus (like agility, moral....) but also are customizable and add bonus to your skills and class playstyle. Every 10 lvl or so, you can reforge them, and they upgrade to become basically the best the level can offer in term of raw stats. Essentially, you'll keep them forever with you.
Due to their nature, consider that once you get them, that's 2 items you will never change (just upgrade over time).

Eventually it's a bit complex and I won't go into details. The questline to get them also act as a tutorial for it, and then you have guides and wiki articles on it.

 

[Hartten Thornbush]

In regards to gear, are you doing any missions or just landscape? If you are doing missions, the Mission NPC will also barter some nice gear for the motes you gain while doing them. If you are on a very active server, just giving a shout out in the Trade channel, something like "lvl 32 looking for a new Great Axe", or "new Bow", and usually there will be someone that will make you one for free. Also many higher level players will give a call out in the trade channel for items they had picked up from an instance they were Deeding in with a 'FTFT', which means 'Free To First Tell'. You might be able to upgrade your weapons that way too.