In most other online fantasy games, elves slaughter other elves. This isn't the case in The Lord of the Rings Online™, where players can assume the role of cunning and destructive monsters such as Orcs, Uruks, Wargs and Spiders. This unique competitive feature is known as Monster Play and takes place within the Ettenmoors, a massive region filled with a variety of quests, enemy players and objectives to fight over.

Oh, and it's also free-to-play.

PvMP Overview

Although Monster Play is free for all players, it must first be unlocked for new players. Thankfully, unlocking Monster Play is easy – get any Free Peoples character to level 10 and Monster Play opens!

This minor requirement ensures that new Monster Players have a basic understanding of the controls and game mechanics when they jump into PvMP, which can turn hectic incredibly fast!

Monster Play Tips

Start the Hobbit-Hunting!

To create a Monster, click on the "Monster Play" button during character login:
 

 

 

The Ettenmoors

Monster Players arrive at the Ettenmoors in the starting base of Gramsfoot, a starting area/rallying point safe from enemy attacks. Beyond the borders of Gramsfoot lurks dangerous open warfare in the form of Free Peoples players. There are several types of non-player characters (NPCs) who offer means for Monster Players to grow in strength: quest givers, provisioners, skill trainers and corruptors, the Monster Player version of Bards.

 

There's plenty of PvMP action and quest content in the Ettenmoors; completing quests often earn a combination of Gold, Infamy and Destiny Points, and quests can be completed solo or with a group of other players. Additionally, Monster Players and Free Peoples can earn significant buffs for their faction by engaging in battles for control of various points of conflict.

To locate these points of conflict press "M" while situated in the Ettenmoors. This opens a map with flag markers; a red/yellow eye denotes Monster Player control, and blue tree represents the Free Peoples.

 

 

 

Friends or foes often lie in wait within these contested strongholds, depending on what color currently paints the flag. When attacking a blue flag, it's recommended Monster Players do so with a considerably –sized force. Taking over enemy strongholds are missions for large groups of players. Flipping camps to Monster-controlled results in access to more quests; certain quests can only be completed when a camp is under Monster control.

Monster Play Advancement

There are several incentives for participating in Monster Play. In this section we'll cover the basic of advancement: Battlefield Promotions, Rank, Rating, Infamy and other information about player participation and advancement.

Battlefield Promotions

Monster Players can improve the core elements of their Monster characters with Battlefield Promotions.

With each new Rank (see below) earned, Monster Players can acquire the next tier of the passive Battlefield Promotions skill from a Monster Player Trainer. Included with each new rank of Battlefield Promotion is additional Morale, Power, Damage and Finesse – or in other words, core statistical improvements to every LOTRO character, Monster or otherwise.

Rank & Character Panel
A Monster Player's Rank reflects the favor earned in service to Angmar's army as a monster. Each Monster class can earn up to 15 ranks, and each new rank makes powerful new class enhancements available.

Infamy

For each enemy defeated and quest completed – whether solo or with a group – Monster Players earn Infamy. At certain milestones of Infamy earned, a Monster Player character will automatically unlock a new Rank until capping out at Rank 15. Earned Infamy points are never lost and continue to build as Monster Players fight battles and complete quests.

Destiny Points

In addition to earning Gold and Infamy, Monster Players can earn Destiny Points; when Monster Players want to acquire new class Skills, armour, bonus damage, etc, they may use Destiny Points. Additionally, Monster Player characters can spend Destiny Points on Perks.

Alternatively, LOTRO allows its players to earn Destiny Points while playing a Free Peoples character. It's possible to build up extra Destiny Points to use on a Monster Player character in this way. Yet another option for certain Monster Player improvements (e.g. Skills, Traits, etc) is using Turbine Points in the LOTRO Store.

Perks

Earned by spending Destiny Points (see above) Perks are temporary buffs that can boost strength, increase speed and grant various other benefits.

Traits

Equipping a Trait will allow a Monster Player to alter both the function and appearance of their Monster. To equip traits, visit a "Corrupter" non-player character (NPC) and speak with them. There are four types of Traits in Monster Play:

 

Here's four of the 16 Appearance Trait options for the Orc Defiler:

 

 

 

Rating

Rating is a fluctuating number that rises and falls based on player victories and defeats in Player vs. Monster Player (PvMP) combat. The amount of Rating lost or gained is based on the overall Rating between opponents. For example, when a Monster Player defeats a Free People player with a higher Rating, they earn bonus Infamy.

Conclusion

Those are the basics of Monster Play. We hope this overview has whetted your appetite for Free Peoples-slaying in LOTRO. See you on the battlefield!