This episode we spend a good deal of time talking about the new announcement of “Rise of Isengard” from Friday. We also have a list of items that we know are coming between now and Fall 2011 for those worried that there is nothing new between now and Isengard.
Goldenstar recalls logging in and playing her Runekeeper but doesn’t remember anything interesting happening. Merric is working on Enedwaith and made an attempt at the Watcher. Together they ran the School with friend Bryandt.
Town Crier:
- New Zones: Dunland, Gap of Rohan, Isengard
- Increased level cap (70)
- Gain Access to New: Traits, Virtues, Skills, Class Quests
- Expanded Monster Play (not open-world PvP)
- Rohan and Mordor are eventual expansions; they just weren’t the “next” expansions.
Updates that are planned before Isengard
- New Raid (first part of 2011)
- Instance cluster (first part of 2011)
- Changes to the Legendary Items
- Removal of Radiance Gating
- From Massively: Epic Books, Cosmetic System enhancements, Non-combat pets (squirrel), Level 65 First Age Legendaries, Dungeons starting at level 30-40
Additional Official News
- November Content Date Announced (Nov 29)
- Dev Diary Class Consumables
- Turbine is seeking feedback on the forums.
- Turbine Store Monthly Sale
- Weekly Sale
- Moria and Lothlorien quest packs sold separately next Update
- Aaron Campbell interviewed by EuroGamer
- More information on Point Cards
- Bullroarer: Mounts No Longer Block/Parry/Evade
- Twitter Contests
- Tell the Community Team
Player News:
- Join the CSTM Weekly Newsletter!
- Kia’s LOTR Holiday Gift Guide
- Changes at CSTM
- New LOTRO Podcast: A Day in LOTRO
- Keep your eye on The Lonely Mountain Band as they announced this week an audio podcast with John DiBartolo, Ted Nasmith and Dr. Corey Olsen called “The Minstrel, The Painter and the Scholar”. They are recording later this month!
- Turkey Day Invasion of the Chickens (Landroval) – November 25th
- Band Camp (Crickhollow) – November 27
Raise Your Glass:
Angel:
I want to thank you all for being active in the how-to’s, the lotro news, and the many other things you do in this swirling world of MMOs. I cannot doubt it is a lot in addition to your RLs. You make the understanding of people’s, like me, gameplay and involvement in this community possible if not at least more managable. In fact, you’ve helped redevelop my understanding the idea of a “community” (in such an advanced
technological time) and from a psychological stand point, it’s an incredible thing. As a fellow Landrovalrim, again, I thank you for doing what you do.
Special thank you to Jan (Pjotr) for their donation!
Thank you to the following podcast reviewers:
- Droxine
- Jovial1
- The confused hobbit
Musical Credits:
- “Taking the Hobbits to Isengard” by Erwin “Tron” Beekveld
- “Battle of Ballylochian” by Fathom
- “Let Us Sing Together” by Lonely Mountain Band
- “Beyond the Western Seas” by Lonely Mountain Band
Contact Us:
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November 21, 2010 at 12:29 pm
*turns bright red*
November 21, 2010 at 12:30 pm
haha! “Taking the Hobbits to Isengard” was the first thing I thought of when I heard the new announcement. I had to go and watch it for old times’ sake. Excellent choice of music.
November 22, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Hehe, I played it before recording and it was Kia’s suggestion to keep it in the podcast.
November 21, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Another excellent episode as usual. I salute you both. /salute
November 22, 2010 at 11:01 am
You need to make a sound byte of “Taking the hobbits to Isengard!” and have it available like your “wah wah waaaah” sound effect. (which I love… probably extra because Goldenstar seems to hate it so much.)
You should use the new sound byte each time you mention the expansion!
So sayeth Strunto
November 22, 2010 at 1:51 pm
I have to concur with Strunto. It would be epic!
November 22, 2010 at 2:26 pm
I feel I should clarify… You’re awesome, Goldenstar.
It’s just that husbands live to vex their wives, and I like to cheer on one of my brethren.
November 22, 2010 at 4:19 pm
It is in our job description.
November 22, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I know that you have asked about how we acess your podcasts and I thought I should let you know:
I typically listen to a stream via ITunes on my Iphone. This morning I attempted to connect, and kept getting an error message. I was able to access the LOTROReporter Podcast. But I ALWAYS listen to CSTM first. I will try again on the way home, but I thought it may have something to do with your new hosting site, etc.
Looking forward to listening. If the streaming doesn’t work, I can always download and sync.
November 22, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Thanks for letting us know Thurley. I’m not sure what the issue could be. I just attempted to stream from my iPhone and it started playing. Try again when you have time if you wouldn’t mind. I’ve no idea why it would refuse to stream unless you happened to hit it at bad times, twice by coincidence.
November 22, 2010 at 5:51 pm
yea, when the expansion was announced, all I could think about was this song. Glad you included ‘taking the hobbits to Isengard.’ Good choice.
November 23, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Removal of gated radiance – yeah! But.. I coudln’t find it anywhere in the linked thread?
November 24, 2010 at 12:49 pm
It’s at the end of the first paragraph.
http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?&postid=5086306#post5086306
It’s my understanding that it should be removed when the next raid cluster is released.
November 25, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Thanks.
I clicked the link again and I think it had actually taken me to the middle of the thread, to page 17 or something. 
November 25, 2010 at 1:16 am
good episode cstm and happy turkey day to all readers in the States.