LOTRO: The Angle of Mitheithel Preview
Yesterday, Standing Stone Games made Bullroarer Update 32 - Beta #4 available on their test server. Unlike the previous three test builds, this one allows players to visit the new area coming in Update 32 to the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online. According to SSG “The Angle of Mitheithel stretches south from the Trollshaws to the junction of the Bruinen and Mitheithel rivers. It is a wild land of rocky hills and deep pine-woods, and a graveyard of ancient kingdoms. The ruins of Elves and Men alike crumble among the trees, and the Rangers steal through the shadows of the trees, ever watchful, carrying out secret assignments as the north grows more dangerous by the day. The Angle of Mitheithel will be for levels 40 to 45”. This is a very early build and as a result, there are no mobs at present in the new zone, nor have any new maps or stables been added to the game at present.
The Angle of Mitheithel utilises that same visual aesthetic last seen in the Wells of Langflood. It is a zone swathed in mist and it does lend an air of mystery to the dense pine-woods and rocky bluffs. There is a steep path to the East of the zone which leads down into a valley directly below Gwingris in Eregion. You can clearly see the fallen tree bridge that links Eregion and Trollshaw. The zone is hemmed in by high cliffs and several swift flowing rivers. As mentioned by Standing Stone Games in their press release, there are both Elven ruins as well as deserted settlements from the former kingdom of Arnor. There is also a small village populated by Rangers which will no doubt be a quest hub. At the entrance to the new zone, just south of the Last Bridge in Trollshaw, there is a camp with Elladan as an NPC.
Aesthetically speaking the new zone is pleasing to the eye and has a suitable ambience. As this is a new addition to an established part of SSG’s virtual Middle-earth, it uses art assets and textures already seen in Trollshaw and the borders of the Lone-lands. So don’t expect any surprises in The Angle of Mitheithel, other than the topographical design. Beyond this, at present there is precious little to report about the new zone as much of its resources have not yet been added to the game. However, I do like the fact that SSG is not solely focused on creating endgame content and it is pleasing to see material added to LOTRO for levelling players. The Wildwood addition to Bree-land was most welcome. Hopefully The Angle of Mitheithel will be equally well received. In the meantime, here is a gallery of pictures taken from Bullroarer Update 32 - Beta #4.
