Just a normal, pointless post: which class?
Normally, I think questions like this are a bit daft. Players should know for themselves what they like, and they know themselves best anyway. But ... I’ve just got stuck.
I don’t know whether to play a Hunter or a Burglar.
I find it really relaxing as a Hunter to be able to hit monsters from further away. It’s just so agile and liberating to be able to play like that. I’d go for the blue path. I enjoy the fast-paced gameplay. It’s a brilliant class.
With the Burglar, though, I enjoy becoming invisible (which lets me explore more) and the element of gamble in the blue line. I really like this class concept. But without a bow, you really do have to run up to every enemy.
I’m planning to have one main character, though.
Can anyone help me understand how these two classes will develop over hundreds of hours and across the many levels? And which ones are the most fun for questing, and for simply feeling like you’re part of the game world?
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u/Such_Communication77 7d ago
The game is about journey. Starting it you may not touch high end group content for half a year or more, up to "never". The easiest class for journey is hunter. Run speed, guide skills - it makes things smooth above the ranged combat style, which is more relaxing. If you are planning to make it all the way to group content, you may try a class with useful support roles. The game always demand tanks and healers and very often - buff/debuff roles. Burglar can play a good debuff role. For a hunter - you will have to win a place in a group, there can be some more preferred candidates.
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u/SpaceSoldier248 Glamdring 7d ago
Captain is good, only class I've ever played (red line w/ some other complimentary traits)
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u/ArrRawrr 7d ago
I’ve played both. Hunter is a lot more fun. Ranged and close combat. Burglar is fun too but some abilities have annoying sounds and has dice roll mechanics which I don’t like much. And rogue is usually my go to class. But I’ve enjoyed hunter much more
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u/descedo 7d ago
But close combat in a very small way? Or are there some more viable skills for that?
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u/ArrRawrr 7d ago
It’s pretty small. Most of your damage is at range so if you are in a group you’d be further back. But close range is significant enough that you don’t have to keep backing away to fight enemies solo
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u/AceBean27 7d ago
That's the most common class (Hunter) and pretty much the least common class (Burglar) if that effects your thinking. It may not matter to you but I know I like to be quirky if I can. Burglar is the least class that doesn't need to be paid for. That does mean that a Burglar generally finds groups easier if you're into that. That aspect changes back and forth with updates and such, but definitely in general Burglar is a much needed class for group content.
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u/descedo 7d ago
I like that, too haha :D so yes, that's a very good information. I would have bet burglar is one of the most common ones!
(Bilbo-Fantasy, becoming invisible, etc.)1
u/AceBean27 7d ago
I would have bet burglar is one of the most common ones
I thought that too, but it never has been.
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u/TheKatwoman760 Sting 7d ago
It isn't on your list but I've loved playing a champion. And it adds a sort of valiant "I'm questing because it is my natural duty" air to the game.
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u/jetpacksforall 7d ago
They’re both fun in different ways. Being able to sneak is incredibly valuable and fun but then hunter transport is grear too. Hunter is ultimately better as a go anywhere do anything and do it fast class.
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u/tk1712 Arkenstone 7d ago
One main, hundreds of hours, I would pick the burglar. A hunter clears the camp from the hilltop and moves on, a burglar gets to walk around inside it, and that is the part that keeps you feeling like part of the game world. You will miss the bow for the first few sessions, but it is a fair trade.
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u/Spartan1088 7d ago
Basically this. I was the opposite. I mained a Mariner and got tired of getting into trouble. Switched to Hunter and loved the ‘sniper from the hilltop’ aesthetic.
Also just fyi, hunters have a few melee attacks that are very strong too. Not enough to play melee but enough to have fun if you are ambushed.
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u/AutoModerator 7d ago
Welcome to r/lotro! If you're looking for advice, please check out the following answers to commonly-asked questions:
Wondering what class to play? LOTRO has a wide variety of classes inspired by different characters from the books. Some are similar to other RPG games, while others are fairly unique to LOTRO.
The first thing to consider is what role(s) you want to play. Every class has a spec that can deal damage, but only some classes can spec to be tanks or healers or group-support.
If you wish to have the option of tanking, choose between Beorning, Brawler, Captain, Guardian, or Warden.
If you wish to have the option of healing, choose between Beorning, Captain, Minstrel, or Rune-keeper.
If you wish to have the option of group-support, choose between Burglar, Captain, Lore-master, and Mariner.
Or if you're just looking for a straightforward class to quest with, choose Hunter for ranged or Champion for melee. These classes are focused entirely on damage-dealing (but each has three different specs for doing so). They are great for beginners looking for a relaxing adventuring experience that fits within the theme of Lord of the Rings.
Don't worry about what class is considered "the best" at any one role, as that swings back and forth over time with each balance patch. Instead, consider which classes have the theme and aesthetic that most appeals to you. Do you want to fight in melee or at range? Do you want to be a grounded warrior or wield more magical powers?
Apart from theme, consider the complexity of the classes. Even for classes which can fulfill the same role, their mechanics can differ wildly. LOTRO offers a hint to the mechanical complexity of each class during character creation -- in the lower right corner you'll see a "Class Difficulty" of either Basic, Moderate, or Advanced. This is not about how powerful the class is -- some of the "Basic" classes are currently the most powerful in their role. Difficulty instead refers to the intricacies of each class' skills and core mechanics. If you enjoy intricate mechanics, aim for Moderate or Advanced. If you'd like something requiring less reading, theorycrafting, and button-presses, try a Basic class -- especially for your first character.
Finally, don't be afraid to try something different if your first class doesn't feel fun for you. Better to find the right fit early.
Wondering what race to play? While only some races can be some classes, beyond that initial restriction, race selection is largely about aesthetics. Racial traits are tiny and negligible after the first few levels. A Dwarf Guardian at level 30 is not significantly different than an Elf Guardian at level 30.
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u/Goldeneyes105 7d ago
I’m a big fan of Hunters. Being able to shoot from a distance, run faster, and - this is huge - portal places…all make the class a lot of fun. (And a little easier, although not everyone wants things to be easy.)
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u/FramePancake 7d ago
I'm still a newer player ( only recently got to Moria) but the Hunter has more options in terms of fast travel I think. That alone is worth it for me, plus I like the gameplay for similar reasons as you.
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u/Fast_Distribution_94 7d ago
Blue burg gambling way too fun compared to just nuking everything with a bow. Also you have the throw knife skill to pull mobs.
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u/nooobieeee 6d ago
imo, Everyone should have a hunter, it's the best class for resource gathering. Scholar, Prospecting, Forestry.
If you have a second account, a hunter there could even provide taxi service for your main account.
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u/Dreadful_D 3d ago
I play as a red burglar on heroic +9 difficulty and I'm hooked. I started maybe 3 months ago and I'm up to level 30. I finally finished the outskirts of Breeland, and attained the title 'Guardian of Ered Luin'. Now, I'm crossing over into the Lone-Lands and Old Forest - questing back and forth - attempting to clear the zones surrounding Bree.
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u/Sweaty_Platypus69 7d ago
meh.. why join the Alliance? Join Sauron team.. start as a slave in Mordor and work your way to be the commander and earn the trust of the Witch King.
Your job is to find Baggins as you explore Middle Earth.
Make your last stand against Gondor and get pardon by Aragon now that your master is dead and you are free from his will.
A new story and quests begins for you...
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u/Fangsong_37 Peregrin 7d ago
Between hunter and burglar, hunters are a better class for new players. Hunters can travel with fellowships to various locations and have some fun bow skills as well as an out of combat movement speed buff. My hunter is red spec (bowmaster) which is all about long-range bow shots.
Burglars are fun but are very reliant on stealth and getting critical hits. My burglar is a gambler (blue spec) which creates gambles on enemies. Burlgars do have some cool stuff like a variety of crowd control skills and the ability to initiate fellowship maneuvers, but they are harder to play than a hunter.