Games

LOTRO: Lord of the Rings Online

Hiearchy of Peril

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A mob’s category is a shorthand measure of its difficulty to defeat in combat. Target or mouseover a mob to see its category. Each category is signified by a different portrait ring:

• Swarm: Green ring. Alone, these are easy foes.
• Normal: Blue ring. One or two of these common mobs is suitable challenge for a lone hero of the right level.
• Signature: Red ring. These are uncommonly sturdy creatures—as tough as aurochs—often known by name or reputation.
• Elite: Glowing red ring bearing the Eye of Sauron. These are formidable foes—as tough as Trolls—best faced by a small or full fellowship.
• Elite Master: Spiked red ring bearing the Eye of Sauron. These are the lords of the Elites, and they can challenge even full fellowships.
• Nemesis: Spiked, molten ring bearing the flaming Eye. These legendary creatures may outmatch a lone fellowship.
• Arch-nemesis: Molten ring bearing the Eye aflame. These most grievous foes are doom to all but the worthiest Raids.

Mobs also have a conning attribute. That is, the floating name above their heads is colored to represent the basic level, and thus difficulty, of the creature vs. the player’s level.

* Purple: The mob is at least 8 levels above the player’s level.
* Red: The mob is 6-7 levels higher than the player.
* Orange: The mob is 4-5 levels higher than the player.
* Yellow: The mob is 2-3 levels above the player’s level.
* White: The mob is of equal or 1 level higher than the player.
* Dark Blue: The mob is 1-2 levels lower than the player.
* Light Blue: The mob is 3-4 levels lower than the player.
* Green: The mob is 5-6 levels lower than the player.
* Grey: The mob is 7+ levels lower than the player.

Notes: At level 30 my RK has a 50/50 shot at killing an elite ranged white mob at 20 meters. My L30 RK can consistantly solo a single pull dark blue elite mob, but two light blue elite mobs gives him serious pause. On the other hand, if the mob is swarm or normal, I have very little trouble taking out even a red mob. Signature mobs I would be willing to solo at yellow, but I might think about it before soloing an orange or red. As a matter of principle, I try not to agro purple mobs.

Different classes work better at different ranges. Hunters are better at ranged foes that do not want to come close. Champions are good at wading into small stacks of foes at close range. The RK does better starting at 30 meters for melee mobs, or 20 meters for ranged mobs.

I hear that some classes can kite in LOTRO, but in my experience, it is not a critical skill, although it has come in handy when things get too dicey.