Classes | Races and Classes LotRO: First Steps Guide

Minstrel

Suggested race: Dwarf

This class is particularly interesting. Its strength lies in positive buffs, that raise your statistics during combat. Most of them are actually "songs" that your bard-character can play. The key ability is Raise the Spirit - a quick in-combat healing spell. That single buff makes minstrels virtually invincible in the beginning of the game. On the whole, playing a minstrel is totally painless and enjoyable. Besides having strong defensive abilities, you get a powerful magical strike (Piercing Cry) and such cool spells as Ballad of Steel and Ballad of Swiftness, that buff and deal damage at the same time.

Captain

Suggested race: Man

The most flexible and universal class, that is quite aptly named for its in-fellowship value. Among Captain's abilities we can find both strong offensive spells, positive and negative buffs (mostly introduced as battle cries), and some healing talents. Nonetheless, this is a class intended for playing with other gamers.

Guardian

Suggested race: Dwarf

Guardians are LOTRO's "tanks" - characters that are based on very strong defense and abilities that raise your resistance to enemy blows. Almost from the start you have such abilities as Guardian's Ward or Guardian's Defense, which raise your block and parry chance by 4% each. Aggressive guardian abilities are generally hit and miss. You don't get much choice, so you have to learn to live with it. You can really feel safe when playing a Guardian. When I was playing one, my morale (health) actually NEVER got reduced to less than 2/3 of a bar. Now that means something.

Hunter

Suggested race: Elf

When playing a hunter you have to accept the fact that you should start every battle from a distance, using your bow. Weakening enemies before direct impact is the key to victory here. Moreover, even at close-quarters bow abilities can be more effective than standard melee combat. During your first 5 experience levels you'll get no less than 4 bow-based abilities, and only one using melee. Also, notice the passive ability called Stance: Strength. You should keep it on at all times when you get it (at least before you can get a better one).

Lore-master

Suggested race: Elf

One of the more difficult classes to play - especially at the beginning. You only have one ranged offensive spell when you start the game, which is Burning Embers. You also get one close-quarters ability (Sign of Power: Command). What's surprising, lore-masters are not powerless in melee. Don't hesitate to use Burning Embers when fighting at close quarters - if you get attacked, the spell counter will be reset, but eventually you'll manage to pull it out. When facing a more demanding enemy, do the following: first cast Sign of Power: Command from a distance, then throw in 2 fireballs - before the enemy can get to you.

At level 5 you get an animal companion (Raven-Lore). Use it to draw enemies' attention from yourself (you can control the raven using the menu in the lower-left part of the screen; it appears every time the animal is summoned).

Burglar

Suggested race: Hobbit

That's quite interesting - I myself found Burglars to be most tiresome class to play. Seriously. You get a character that has very poor offense and defense, and all that you get in return is some crappy Sneak ability and raised critical chance. Well, the key to being a burglar in LOTRO is using negative spells on enemies, such as Trick: Disable. You can't use Sneak during combat, so forget about escaping tough situations this way. Generally, this is a class for the most patient gamers - burglars deal so little damage that every single duel is too long and too boring. At least at the beginning of the game.

Champion

Suggested race: Man

A powerful offensive class that offers a wide variety of strong attacks and damage-dealing abilities. One of the first abilities you'll buy will actually zero your block and parry chance in exchange for more damage. Playing as a Champion is enjoyable and dynamic, but it doesn't give you that confidence you can get when being a Guardian or a Minstrel.