Going Solo

 Going Solo

Prelude: It has been approximately three years since my characters seriously considered running old instances. The release of Hiddenhoard was probably the last time my main characters ran them consecutively each week. It was two years ago when the developers added a stat squish and less than one year ago when OnnMacMahal started revamping older instances. A single run with the group to Dol Guldur showed me that some of them now hold some bite. Assisting a low-level kin-member a couple weeks ago made me curious on how difficult some of these instances now might be for a freshly made level-boosted character. 

Experiment: In order to properly test the waters, some rules need to be applied. Only a character between level 105 and 120 was used. Any soloable instance must be done on-level. If the instance is designed for a fellowship and scales, then it will be set at level 50 or the lowest possible level. No premium buffs, food, scrolls, or any other special perks will be used. Health potions and hope tokens are permitted. Only an average amount of virtues and legendary equipment permitted. 

 
Delving Instances

Great Barrows: Sambrog remains locked until you use the Skull Key from completing the other two instances in the associated deed. There is barely any benefit to do these on their own, not even contribution to deeds. The Maze still has a tendency to keep you in combat from something left behind before opening the final chest (even though the only thing available are coins). 

Annuminas: The Wardens of Annuminas reputation is earned from almost every enemy. Glinghant had an interesting trial challenge on the water but didn't provide much benefit. Haudh Valandil took much longer to burn each of the four braziers and the gauntlet of burning flames up top, but enemies counted toward multiple slayer deeds for the region. Ost Elendil is perhaps the most mechanically-challenging that requires you to take off enemy shields with the light from the windows but still rather doable. There is no level limit for your standard objective-based deeds, but there is not much reward for doing them either. You will need to defeat the leaders on landscape before obtaining the second one for the leaders in the instances. 

Tham Mirdain: Known as School & Library, these two instances are a little tougher to do on-level. Reducing the level even a little bit makes these two instances a breeze to get through. There are several deeds available, including one to collect books scattered about on the floor.

 
Early Game Instances

Garth Agarwen: These three instances don't level scale, do not need to be discovered, and are practically pulled from landscape itself. You gain Eglain reputation and a couple slayer deeds like bog-lurkers in the Arboretum and wights. There are "rare" bosses that will drop Adamant Shards in each instance and the occasional chest of random goods. Sara Oakheart shows up in the Barrows with a fun run through enemies and defeating Ivar will net you a taxidermy item. Fortress is the most entertaining with an entire side section with recruits lining up to be sacrificed to the Red Maid and some awesome music as you enter the deeper section. You will obtain one Eglain Token (to which five are required for a nice weapon).  

Fornost: The Rangers of Esteldin reputation is earned rather extensively. Although the instances are listed alphabetical, the unlock order is Water, Earth, Fire, and Shadow. Sara Oakheart makes an appearance and moves really fast. In Wraith of Water, you are able to reach Megorith as he runs around with range attacks from standing only on the center platform. Objectives can be completed but can be difficult when you have to find four idols to burn in Wraith of Earth and free a ton of spirits from bone piles in Wraith of Fire. There are tons of fun events like destroying three trebuchets or the warg that patrols through the half-opened gates. As for Wraith of Shadow, a lone ranger might have trouble lighting all three braziers between attacks in order to harm the final boss. 

Helegrod: This instance can technically be set at Tier 3 but does not provide any more benefit. You aren't able to obtain the objectives unless on-level. There are not that many slayer deeds other than maybe defeating the giants. As a reminder, Dragon instance can only be completed by clearing the other three instances. The Drake instance is impossible alone as you require players to pull the levers in multiple locations to open the gate. The conversation that takes place in front of Storvâgûn seems to have been shortened to two lines of dialogue (perhaps to help with the seasonal instance during the festival).  

Other Instances 

Goblin-town Throne Room: This odd "instance" is actually pulled directly from the final room in Goblin-Town landscape. There is very little to do in this original version other than defeating the king and optionally falling down into the pits to fight with a troll (which recreates a scene from Star Wars). For the modern version with advanced mechanics, check out Seat of the Great Goblin in the Erebor Instance Cluster. For your information, the cosmetic version of the goblin crown is obtainable in the game. 

Roots of Fangorn: This instance extends the group area of Limlight Gorge in the Great River. It needs to be discovered far west of Stangard at [28.5S, 72.3W] as you find the tree bridge that crosses the river. It's interesting that you can get a total of 55 Lotro Points, Limlight Gorge reputation, and Enhancement Rune boxes through discovery, defeating the bosses, and completing the instance. The Unhatched Spider Egg is used to upgrade the region's pocket item. All gear is Bind on Equip. 

Halls of Night: This instance used to be exclusively purchased through the store for 195 Lotro Points until it was offered free for all in 2022. You can discover its location in Angmar at [0.3N, 37.6W]. The story sort of replicates the dream written in the book that the hobbit experienced when heading to Bree. Coordinating your color against foes provided you with a buff. The quest Family History helps give you some background information. Most of your reward will be paid in medallions.

Inn of the Forsaken: The other instance that originally had to be purchased through the Lotro Store can be discovered through the introductory quest Inn of the Forsaken: Stroke of Midnight from the tavern man. It would be wise to have the list of riddles handy as you progress through the instance. There are three special activities depending on your classification of class - brawn can break down walls, lore can read information and operate runes, and aware that can use the mechanisms to stop traps. An unusual deed to find journal pages will require running the instance on T2 and someone capable of breaking down a wall. They can be traded freely among characters. Traps will kill you quickly regardless of your level.  

 
Angmar Instances 

Urugarth/Carn Dum: The Council of the North reputation is earned from enemies that aren't lowly like goblins or pale-folk. Each of these instances are filled to the brim with both exclusive deeds inside and the slayer deeds outside. There are optional bosses, shortcuts, and alternative pathways depending on how in-depth you want to go inside the instance. There are no chests as loot is automatically given upon defeating a boss. Urugarth requires a Steel Key from the arena after crossing the final bridge. Carn Dum provides the Ornate Grate Key from a troll on top of the makeshift bridges and Iron Key by Azgoth the Morraval after you travel through the cave system. Both are required to enter into the fortress. As you roam the hallways, make sure you visit Witch King's Watch. Class items for each special "legendary" quest are also available, though you can still buy the "ingredients" from the Skirmish Camp. A number of Vile Bronze Coins and Vile Silver Coins can be obtained to barter for special equipment. There are no maps for the outside areas. I did manage to "break" Tarlug the troll by clicking on him before getting into position. Thankfully, leaving the instance fixed it. Make sure you have plenty of bag space as you will overflow with items.

Barad Guluran: There are several deeds included in this instance. Interestingly, you still do not have to use a single item to defeat the final boss. Using a hope token here would still be a good decision. You can throw away the three letters explaining how to use the artifacts at any time. 

The Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu: The Eldgang reputation is almost exclusively earned from helping the giants in this instance. There is a stable-master and mustering horn to Iorelen's Camp to supply some quests and barterers. There are tasks that award reputation as well. While the raid is doable on your own, the final encounter of Thaurlach will require someone to turn the wheels as the boss thrashes against the high elf. There are a couple of rest stops where you will be able to interact with the giants to obtain more quests and barter currency.  

Revamped Instances 

Moria: Reputation can be earned through various dropped tokens, task items, or specific types of enemies. Instances like 16th Hall, Fil Gashan, Skumfil, and Dark Delving all contribute to Iron Garrison Miners. Instances like Forges and Grand Stair contribute to Iron Garrison Guards. Most of these instances include very technical mechanics like how Forges requires you to "juggle" two trolls while placing powder down to collapse tunnels or Forgotten Treasury requires you to observe the order in which the statues retract light. Dark Delving was very difficult and rather impossible to defeat the final encounter alone. Although defeating the Vile Maw (and Filikul) was impossible, you still may complete the deed in discovering the lost dwarves and defeat tentacles. Each instance offers Medallions of Moria for gear and a good chance for items that go into your wallet for decorations.

 

Lothlorien: The Lothlórien instances like Mirrors contribute to the Galadhrim reputation. Water Wheels still requires you to have two people pull levers unless you can move really fast to beat the gate. At least you can still complete the lizard slayer deed. Although now balanced for a full fellowship, Halls of Crafting can still be completed if you carefully manage the mechanics of the first boss and prevent the goblins from equipping the final boss. Each instance offers Medallion of Lothlorien for gear and a low chance for items that go into your wallet for decorations.

  

Dol Guldur: The raid Barad Guldur is now impossible on your own with enemies 20 times your morale. Sammath Gul is also brutally difficult and not feasible. The Dungeons are just as mechanically-challenging as they were in the past but surprisingly their enemies are not that difficult to take down. Sword-Halls and Warg Pens are very doable but slightly more challenging than before the changes. Medallions of Dol Guldur are given out to obtain certain items, even if you only rescue one elf from each wing of the dungeons.  

 

In Their Absence: Perhaps the most heart-breaking of my experience is seeing how difficult these instances became. Starting at level 65 minimum, each of these instances need to be discovered as you find the mysterious relics in landscape and complete their questline. Although the small fellowship instances of Northcotton Farms and Stoneheight were very easy to complete, Lost Temple was extremely difficult. Defeating the dastardly duo might be doable if you keep Sidhag within visual range in the back from Angaidh, but the sudden loss of mitigations from the final boss is too overwhelming to overcome. 

 

  

Isengard Instances

 

Draigoch's Lair: Although you aren't able to break through to the dragon without six players, you can still take the time to unlock the raid by obtaining the questline at the south entrance of Galtrev, making your way up Nar's Peak, and finding the entrance. The raid requires a lot of coordination with knowledge of fellowship maneuvers. An alternative perspective can be seen through Bingo Boffin questline.

 

Ox Clan: All of Isengard instances can be discovered at once as soon as you reach the Ox Clan to the east of Nan Curunir at [79.9S, 0.2E]. Make sure to obtain A Thorn in the Hand and do not abandon the quest if you wish to complete the meta deed for the horses. There is a quest there to introduce you to the Orthanc Sigils that break down into currency for your account. You can buy a special steed or upgrade a necklace. Pits of Isengard will require two people to stand on platforms before opening either final chamber. Fangorn's Edge has a lot of fun deeds like getting killed by a troll. Dargnákh Unleashed is perhaps the longest instance that requires you to perform a number of tasks to inch a giant along a path. Foundry can be difficult, especially if set at T2, but can be soloed if you bring the first boss through the debris even after it drops. All equipment are Bind of Equip. 

 

Notation: These instances may or may not be revamped when the legendary servers increase their level. I was going to wait to post the blog, but their release has been pushed another two weeks. 

 

  

Modern Instances

 

Erebor: There is an optional quest chain available that acts more like a guide in the instances through The Road to the Lonely Mountain. Also known as "Gandalf's Express" since it sends you directly to Rivendell upon accepting the quest, these instances are purely academic since the deeds award you medallions for Tier 1 and Tier 2 completion. Challenge deeds are only available if the instances are set to your level. Objectives inside the instance award you legendary experience and medallions portioned out to the difficulty of the instance. There are a few random slayer deeds available in the Webs of the Scuttledells instance. Otherwise, Tier 2 is achievable for non-raids. Flight to the Lonely Mountain is much tougher on Tier 2 as enemies keep coming as you defeat them instead of the two minute wait period between waves on Tier 1. Battle for Erebor is pretty much impossible unless you want to cheapen the experience by knocking it down further to level 20. Fires of Smaug is doable as long as you defeat the boss before the reinforcements work the secondary mechanic for the raid. 

 

Osgiliath: These instances used to be required to complete the Ashes and Stars questline for class trait points. Now those points are awarded automatically through levels. Sunken Labyrinth has three gates that need to be opened in quick succession (left, down, right) or you can also cheat by pulling the lever through the bars on the left side. Slugs in the instance count as beasts for the slayer deed. The only difficulty for Ruined City was trying to loot the chest as endless mobs poured out after defeating the final boss. The trolls inside Dome of the Stars do not count toward the slayer deed. Rook from Dunland is an optional side boss if you defeat all five of his followers. There were no stats on any of the gear obtained from these instances. If you are careful, and perhaps use a hope token, you might be able to defeat the final boss in Dome of Stars without the spirit bombs killing you.  

 

Solo Instances 

 

Black Grave: Available at level 20, this instance needs to be discovered. It provides you regional Iron Coins of Cardolan and Enhancement Runes. There is a couple of rare housing decorations and a very exclusive pet that is excruciating difficult to obtain. This is the place to get a level-scaled off-hand weapon.

 

Shadow of Chambers: There is an entire event revolved around unlocking this instance for the server. You do not need to discover it but does not become available until level 50. There is a small chance at getting a cosmetic crown or weapon. This short instance is great for random level-scaled gear that disenchant into Motes of Enchantment. 

 

Woe of the Willow: Available as early as level 20, you can obtain the quest at the entrance of Buckland for Morgul Blade Trophy. If Tom Bombadil sounds different, it's because they have a new voice actor. You will obtain a couple of random resource crates. Make sure to follow close to the river to encounter both bosses and summon your companion as needed.  

 

Agoroth: Available at level 45, completing this instance might take you awhile with all the dialogue involved between the characters. You can cut a portion of the final conversation off by going directly to the beacon inside the last chamber. Rewards include some random crafting crates and a small chance of a few housing decorations. As long as you have your companion and don't overdo yourself with the second boss reflect ability, you should be able to complete this without any problems. If you want, there is a questline available to obtain a cosmetic surcoat.  

 

Overview

 

Summary: Through my experience, the level 58 to 65 instances are now much harder. Dark Delving, Sammath Gul, and Lost Temple are three non-raids that my character could not complete. I was quite surprised at the number of instances that gave reputation, extra deeds, and non-binding equipment. There's also quite a number of instances that seem to be rather lackluster in rewards. The older instances are actually quite enjoyable with all the mechanics added while traversing the space inside instead of simply focusing on the complex boss fights.