Lotro PvP

Turbine put a PvP (Player versus Player) system called ‘PvMP’ into LORTO.

Since you can’t play the ‘evil race’ like you can in other MMORPGs, you’re only chance to play the dark side in LOTRO is PvMP.

What the heck is PvMP? LOTRO uses something called PvMP (Player versus Monster Play) for PVP. Once you get to level 10, you can take control of a monster and battle other players. You can even improve your monster with monster points earned in Lotro PVP.

Players are transported to the Ettenmoors, a consensual PvMP (Player vs. Monster Player) region about the size of the Shire. Here, the Free Peoples and the forces of Angmar are in constant active conflict, and players can choose to join the fight as either their normal Free Peoples character, or as one of the servants of the Enemy!

To access monster play, you must begin your journey as a regular Free Peoples player. Once you’ve attained level 10, travel to one of the monster play portals. To reach one such portal, travel to Bree and locate Beggar’s Alley on the western side of town. In this unsavory neighborhood, you’ll find a "Fell Scrying Pool."

Use this pool to choose to play the part of an Orc-reaver, Spider-weaver, Uruk-blackarrow, Uruk-warleader, or Warg-stalker (all of which start as level 50 monsters). You can also resume life as one of your previously created monster characters here.

There are additional Fell Scrying Pools located in East Bree, Michel Delving, and Thorin’s Gate.

The Uruk Warleader

On the battlefield, the Uruk-warleader shines as a warrior on the front line and an inspiration to his allies. Through mocking, humiliation and force of will, the Uruk-warleader can inspire the meekest of troops to greatness. His fearsome howls augment his strong arm and shield to make his blows all the more deadly.

The main tank of the Monster side, this hefty orc is directly intended to be the leader in groups. With powerful in combat and out of combat buffs, as well as the ability to heal and do moderate damage per second, the Warleader is sort of a jack-of-all-trades.

The Orc-Reaver

Savage, brutal and deadly, the Orc-Reaver is at home on the field of battle - and few places else. His swift attacks and ability to dual-wield weaponry make him a formidable foe. When pressed, the Orc-Reaver is capable of tapping the strength of his blood to become a frenzied warrior who rains blows on his enemy with frightening speed.

The Champion class for Monsters, the Orc REAVER is your most essential damage doer. Also with the ability to de-buff, interrupt skills, and do some tanking, he’s a crafty foe not to be taken for granted.

The Uruk Blackarrow

Accurate, vindictive and violent, the Uruk-Blackarrow employs the bow against his foes, striking from behind the front-line warriors of Angmar's army. Employing fire and the deadly gifts of shadow from Angmar, the Uruk-Blackarrow is a potent foe who drives his arrows deep into his targets' midst.

An expert Uruk orc Archer, this class is a ranged damage dealer with some crowd control abilities, and a sprinkling of area of effect damage dealing.

The Warg-Stalker

At home in a pack or stalking the woods silent and stealthy, the Warg-stalker strikes suddenly and does not offer escape to his foe. Strong jaws, hardened claws and fierce determination drive the Warg-stalker, making him one of the most feared opponents in battle.

A stealthy canine abomination of the Dark Lord’s army. These pups are proficient in doing high burst damage, they can serve as a tank in some pinches, and are capable of interrupting opposing players spells and skills.

The Spider-Weaver

Cunning, patient and fearsome, the Spider-Weaver's home is not within the heart of the battle, but rather at its edges, where she can best employ her strengths and shield her weaknesses. With poison, clinging webs and the ability to burrow beneath the ground, the Spider-Weaver is a mistress of woe who skulks on the fringes of battle.

Similar to the spiders often found giving travelers trouble across Eriador, these little eight-legged freaks are efficient at crowd control, damage over time, some light damage dealing, and even some ambush attacks.

As if ravaging hobbit villages as an Orc and sending their furry little feet fleeing in terror weren’t reward enough, there are other incentives for participating in monster play.

Destiny Points

Only monster characters can directly earn Destiny Points in the Ettenmoors, but both your monster character and your Free Peoples characters will share and benefit from this point pool. Destiny Points can be used to purchase new skills, improvements to armor, extra damage, and so forth for your monster character.

In addition, Free Peoples characters can spend them on Perks. Destiny Points appear on the main character page of your Character Journal for both monster characters and Free Peoples characters. Additionally, you will see a handy UI window appear after level 10 showing you how many Destiny Points you currently have, and a button allowing you to buy Perks wherever and whenever you like (with your player character).

Rank

Rank is a reflection of your standing and service to the Free Peoples as a normal character, and the favor earned in service to Angmar’s army as a monster character. Each type of character, monster or Free Peoples, can earn up to 15 of the available ranks.

Renown and Infamy

Renown (for Free Peoples characters) and Infamy (for monsters) are similar to experience. Each time you defeat an enemy, whether solo, in a fellowship or in a raid, you earn an amount of Renown or Infamy largely based on the rating of the defeated foe. Earned Renown and Infamy are never lost, and continue to drive you closer to ever higher Ranks. Current Renown and Infamy appear on The War page of your Character Journal.

Rating

Rating is a fluctuating number that rises and falls based on your victories and defeats in player vs. monster player combat (PvMP). The amount of rating points earned or lost depends on your rating and the rating of your opponent or opponents. A higher rating grants bonus Renown/Infamy from PvMP victories.

Prestige

Prestige is a visual representation of your PvMP rating. Prestige appears as a collection of stars surrounding your player portrait.

Perks

Perks are short-term buffs which benefit your normal player characters, and can be used to boost your strength, increase your speed, and even give you more experience points. Perks are purchased with Destiny Points earned through monster play. Perks may be purchased via the window in your UI after level 10. We hope this overview has whetted your appetite for a taste of LOTRO’s monster play, and provided the information you need to join the fight.