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Lord of the Rings Online: Free This Fall

Warner Bros. Interactive has announced that its Lord of the Rings Online MMORPG will be getting a major update this fall…and one of the key new features will be a global free-to-play capabilities. Players will of course be able to purchase expansion pages, items, and account services from a new LOTRO store—so the game isn’t going completely free—but players will be able to get their foot in the door without spending any money.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

“Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is bringing quality games based on The Lord of the Rings to multiple platforms, and the franchise’s expansive adventure story lends itself perfectly for LOTRO free-to-play, giving a wide range of players the opportunity to experience the game,” said Warner Bros. Interactive senior VP Jeff Junge, in a statement.

With the update, players will be able to download the game and explore the virtual version of Tolkein’s Middle Earth for free, all the way up to level 50. A new LOTR store will carry heaps of convenience items, along with premium content, expansion pages, additional character slots, character customizations, and more. Players purchase from the store using points: points can be purchased, or earned through gameplay. Warner Bros. hops at some point, players will want to sign up for a paid account to keep going: LOTRO VIP accounts will have unlimited access to all premium content, five character slots, receive priority service access, receive a monthly stipend of points that can be used in the LOTR store.

Players interested in getting an early look at the enhanced LOTRO game can sign up for a beta program at the LOTRO site; the beta goes live June 16, 2010.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

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Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
The best weapons in Lords of the Fallen
A knight with a large sword prepares to stab a dragon in Lords of the Fallen.

While you technically could get through a game like Lords of the Fallen bare-handed and wearing no armor, most people will have a far better experience using real weapons and armor. Weapons in particular are key to soulslikes since the weapon you want, or at least the type, is key to how you will want to build your character and distribute your stats. Just like a FromSoftware game, every weapon has different stat requirements and scaling grades that make some objectively better than others. While it isn't terribly difficult to compare the weapons you find, Lords of the Fallen gets crazy with just how many different weapons there are across all the different types. Rather than build using the wrong stats for a weapon that will be outclassed, here are some of the best weapons in Lords of the Fallen for any build.
The best weapons in Lords of the Fallen

With hundreds of weapons across all the different types, we've narrowed our list down to some of the best that cover all the major builds you would consider running.
Pieta's Sword
Swords are going to be one of the most popular weapon types in this game. Not only are they kind of the default weapon for soulslikes, but Lords of the Fallen has an almost overwhelming number of them to pick from. This shortsword can be purchased fairly easily from Molhu at the Remembrance of Pieta for 40 Umbral Scourings. This is a boss weapon that comes from none other than Pieta herself and is one of the best zoning swords in the game. It is made for Radiance builds, and comes with the Smite status effect of 100. You need your Radiance stat to be 25 or higher to wield it, and it scales starting at a C and ends at an A- rank with that same stat after upgrades.
Hallowed Praise
To throw a second short sword into the mix for consideration, we turn to another early-game option. Unlike the last pick, this sword is more traditional and works best for agility-focused builds, but with the added effect of 80 Bleed on each hit for some spice. You only need 12 Agility to equip it, again making it great early on, and it scales starting at C, but can go up to A with Agility.
Bloodlust
Despite the name, Bloodlust actually isn't as focused on Bleed as Hallowed Praise. That said, it has both 60 Bleed and Burn damage on hit. What pushes this to a top-tier sword, though, is the special effect of restoring a small amount of HP for each kill. You'll need to build to at least level 3 in both Agility and Inferno to use it, but it's more than worth it. Bloodlust scales with both Agility and Inferno, starting at a C in both and ending at an A-.
Hushed Saint's Halberd
Polearms are a more niche choice, but those who know how to handle them are almost untouchable. The Hushed Saint's Halberd is another weapon you should save up to buy from Molhu for 20 Umbral Scourings if you are going for a Strength and Agility build. It admittedly doesn't scale as high as other weapons on this list, but it does come with an insane 150 Poison effect that can easily make up for the lack of raw damage. You'll need a decent 19 Strength and 16 Agility to make use of it, and its dual scaling for those stats starts at C and D, but works up to B+ and C+, respectively.
Iron Wayfarer's Hammer
Another boss weapon that you can claim, this time by beating the Iron Wayfarer, is that character's hammer. If you are anything like us, seeing how deftly this boss utilized it against you will inspire you to try it out for yourself, and boy is it worth it. If you're using a Strength build, this could be the last weapon you ever need. It will take a huge 31 Strength to even hold, but this is a powerhouse. Despite scaling with Strength, Agility, Radiance, and Inferno, you really only need to pay attention to Strength. It starts at a B- but turns into an S by the time you hit +9 with it, while all other characteristics only go from E to D at best.
Charm of Fortune's Sight
We haven't forgotten you mage builds out there! Sure, catalysts aren't technically "weapons" in the strict definition, but they serve essentially the same purpose for spellcasters. Again, pay a visit to everyone's favorite vendor Molhu in Skyrest to buy it off him. What's so special about this catalyst in particular is that it lets you use four different spell types at once, in addition to boosting their power. You will need to be a bit of a mixed build as it requires 12 Radiance and Inferno, which are the two stats it scales with as well. To start, you get C- scaling in both, but end up with B when at +9.
Bow of the Convert
Spellcasters might be a small percentage of players, but archers are even less popular. However, they're a completely viable build in Lords of the Fallen, especially with the Bow of the Convert. Just looking at the stats, it might not seem all that special, but it has an 80 in Bleed, Burn, Poison, and Frostbite. If you add on elemental arrows, you're likely to hit an unsuspecting enemy with four or five status effects in a single shot. You only need 16 Agility to equip this bow, and the scaling isn't even that bad once you upgrade it. It starts at a C and ends at a B+.

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Where to get the Pilgrim’s Perch Key in Lords of the Fallen
Stomund from Lords of the Fallen

Like any good game in the Soulslike genre, Lords of the Fallen is filled with intricate explorable areas featuring branching pathways and well-hidden secrets. To uncover them all, you'll have to take things slow and be extremely thorough, but even if you're checking every nook and cranny, you'll occasionally find that you're missing an important item or key needed to pass through specific barriers. For instance, early in the game while exploring Pilgrim's Perch, you may come across a door or two that requires a Pilgrim's Perch Key, which you actually won't be able to find in the area itself. Don't worry, though – we'll tell you where to get it below.
Where to get the Pilgrim's Perch key
The Pilgrim's Perch Key can be purchased for 9,500 Vigor from Stomund, Captain of the Fidelis in Skyrest. You can find this NPC standing to the right of the vestige, but he'll only start selling you items after you've exhausted all of his initial dialogue, so be sure to speak with him multiple times if you haven't already.

It's perfectly reasonable to see the cost of the Pilgrim's Perch Key and feel a bit overwhelmed – that's an absolutely staggering amount of Vigor to obtain early in the game. However, it shouldn't take too long to farm it up, especially if you use our favorite XP farming spot a bit further into Pilgrim's Perch. Plus, the cost will be worth it, as you'll be able to open various doors throughout Pilgrim's Perch that lead you to new areas and rewards.

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How to get Severed Hands in Lords of the Fallen and where to donate them
The Lords of the Fallen undead scene.

Lords of the Fallen offers both cooperative and competitive play, and if you're mostly in it for the latter, you'll want to know all about Severed Hands and the Shrine of Adyr, which is where you'll need to take them to earn yourself some rewards for all of your slaying. Read on to find out how to get Severed Hands and where to find the Shrine of Adyr.
How to get Severed Hands
Severed Hands are obtained by defeating other players in PVP. This can be achieved by slaying someone who has invaded your game or by invading and taking down another person in their game by using the invasion option at a vestige. Once you have some Severed Hands, you'll need to track down the Shrine of Adyr.
Where to donate Severed Hands
You can donate your Severed Hands to the Shrine of Adyr. This shrine won't be accessible early in the game, so you'll need to progress through the Forsaken Fen before you're able to visit it.

To reach the Shrine of Adyr, make your way to the bridge where you face off against the Ruiner boss. On this bridge is an Umbral entity blocking a path you can only see while in the Umbral Realm. You can cleanse the entity by passing under the archway on the opposite side of the bridge and soulflaying a spot on the backside of it.

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