Rise of Isengard Beta Kicks Off with New Images

Turbine has released another batch of screenshots for Lord of the Rings Online's upcoming expansion, Rise of Isengard. These new images provide a first look at the Tower of Orthanc, as well as the Gap of Rohan. Click the links to view the screenshots in our gallery.

If that's not enough LOTRO news for you, the Rise of Isengard beta program launches today, July 27! The beta is invite-only, and players who pre-purchase the expansion will get preferred access.

Rise of Isengard launches on September 27. It raises the level cap to 75 and features three new regions, including Dunland, the Gap of Rohan and Isengard. It also introduces a 24-player raid and a massive dragon boss named Draigoch.

Rise of Isengard Beta Program Begins July 27

Turbine just announced that the Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard beta program will launch on July 27! The beta is invite-only, and players who pre-purchase the expansion will get preferred access.

Rise of Isengard launches on September 27. It raises the level cap to 75 and features three new regions, including Dunland, the Gap of Rohan and Isengard. It also introduces a 24-player raid and a massive dragon boss named Draigoch.

In addition to getting preferred beta acess, players who pre-purchase the expansion will receive some immediate perks. Once you purchase the expansion, you'll immediately gain access to items such as mounts, a cloak, an in-game title and a 25% XP Boost for all characters on your account that will last up to level 65.

New Images Give a Tour of LOTRO's Dunland

Turbine has released a new batch of screenshots that show off the Dunland region that's coming to Lord of the Rings Online in the Rise of Isengard expansion. Head over to our screenshots gallery to browse through the impressive scenery images.

Rise of Isengard launches on September 27. It raises the level cap to 75 and features three new regions, including Dunland, the Gap of Rohan and Isengard. It also introduces a 24-player raid and a massive dragon boss named Draigoch.

You can receive some immediate awards by taking advantage of three Rise of Isengard pre-purchase offers. Once you purchase the expansion, you'll immediately gain access to items such as mounts, a cloak, an in-game title and a 25% XP Boost for all characters on your account that will last up to level 65.

Turbine Releases Concept Art for Dragon Raid Boss

Turbine has released a new piece of concept art that depicts Draigoch, one of the most powerful creatures in Middle-earth and the boss in the new 24-player raid coming in the Rise of Isengard expansion.

Rise of Isengard launches on September 27. It raises the level cap to 75 and features three new regions, including Dunland, the Gap of Rohan and Isengard. Of course, it also introduces the raid and that massive dragon boss.

You can receive some immediate awards by taking advantage of three Rise of Isengard pre-purchase offers. Once you purchase the expansion, you'll immediately gain access to items such as mounts, a cloak, an in-game title and a 25% XP Boost for all characters on your account that will last up to level 65.

LOTRO Stat Changes Planned for Isengard Expansion

Stats will be getting a major update in Lord of the Rings Online when the Rise of Isengard expansion launches on Sept. 27. Ken "Graalx2" Burd has outlines the changes in a new developer diary entry. Here are his main points:

  • The caps on the primary characteristics Might, Agility, Vitality, Will and Fate will be completely removed. The caps on other stats will be greatly increased.
  • Finesse is a new ratings-based stat that will directly reduce the Resistance of monsters as well as their Block/Parry/Evade ratings.
  • Many stats are being consolidated into Resistance, Tactical Mitigation and Critical Hit Rating.
  • Secondary characteristics will be deleted. "Instead we have increased the rating contributions from primary stats so that you will be able to have the ratings that you desire rather than the ones we gave you."
  • The offence rating of most classes will receive a contribution of their primary stat multiplied by 10. In a special case, the primary offence rating for Burglars will be based off of Agility rather than Might.

Rise of Isengard Expansion Launches Sept. 27

Turbine just announced that Rise of Isengard, the next Lord of the Rings Online expansion, will launch on Sept. 27. The expansion raises the level cap to 75 and features three new regions, including Dunland, the Gap of Rohan and Isengard. Players can also battle the ancient evil of Draigoch in a new 24-player raid.

Rise of Isengard is still three months away, but you can receive some immediate awards starting today by taking advantage of three pre-purchase offers. Once you purchase the expansion, you'll immediately gain access to the following items:

  • Legendary Edition, $49.99: All three Rohirrim Style Mounts, all three sets of matching cosmetic Rohirrim Style armour, an in-game title, access to the Path of the Fellowship Quest Packs, and 1,000 Turbine Points.
  • Heroic Edition, $39.99: Your choice of one Rohirrim Style Mount, a set of cosmetic armour, an in-game title, and 1,000 Turbine Points.
  • Base Edition, $29.99: A Rohirrim Style Mount and an in-game title.
  • Every edition also comes with a cosmetic cloak and a 25% XP Boost for all characters on your account that will last up to level 65.

Want to see Rise of Isengard in action? Then check out the new images in our screenshots gallery and watch the E3 reveal trailer below!