The latest Lotro Update 7.2 brought us some curious new items. As they are cosmetics-related, a newsflash on my blog seems appropriate*.

MORIA COSMETICS

The Cosmetics vendor at the Skirmish Camp now sells “Moria” cosmetics, but if you, like myself, were hoping for the high level Moria and Watcher stuff, you will be disappointed. Only both sets of the light, medium and heavy armour items are available, and not the raid items nor the class specific items. I assume those will be added with a later Update.



I only took previews of the first set of items but the second set is also available and shares appearance with the crafted Lothlorien T6 recipes. Since the Lothlorien items are not very current anymore, I can see how a beginning player would want these.

Unfortunately the oddest thing about these Moria cosmetics is their price. Each piece will cost you 687 marks + 42 medallions! I don’t think any pre-moria level player will spend that many medallions on one single cosmetic item, and level 56+ players are much better off running a Grand Stairs Hard Mode rather than spending their medallions. One quick GS run will net you enough Medallions of Moria to purchase two or even three of those same pieces at the Orc Watch or the Shadowed Refuge. Frankly, I don’t understand the pricing of these items. They’re more expensive than the Rift or Helegrod cosmetics even!

APPAREL DUMMIES

In different places around Middle Earth, Apparel Dummies have appeared. There are four different dummies, each displaying a different cosmetic outfit. Clicking on these objects takes you to the Lotro Store, where the corresponding outfit is offered as a Cosmetics Bundle. The items on display are not available individually.

Though I really like the idea of using ingame dummies to promote store cosmetics, the idea is not very well executed. First of all, the dummies appear in odd places. I would expect them near Armour Vendors or places that have natural vendor traffic, but in stead they seem to stand around randomly, unrelated to any vendor or market place activity. Rather than blending in they appear out of place. Secondly, some of the outfits on display can be obtained ingame as well. Personally I would have preferred outfits that were store exclusive only. Some players are furious that these items are yet another in-game “button” to take you to the Lotro store. I respectfully disagree. I am all in favour of buying cosmetics and fluff in the store rather than stat tomes and relics, and unlike the store button on your UI, these dummies are easily avoided if they irritate you.

Some of these dummies present armour that is also available from crafting or drops. Below I have identified and listed the individual pieces and (if available) an alternative way to obtain them.

From left to right:

DUMMIE 1



Chest, legs, shoulders, hands and feet: Crafted T6 Medium Armour level 51-58. Appears as Footman’s, Scout’s, Herald’s or Marchwarden’s Armour

Head: Himhar (quest reward from Vol.I, Ch.8, Heavy Armour), or Ceremonial Himhar (store cosmetic), or Scowling Helm (Classic Vendor, Halls of Night, Heavy Armour level 50)

Back: Wig-feld, (boa drop from Thaurlagh, Rift raid) or Ceremonial Wig-feld (store cosmetic)

DUMMIE 2



Chest: Arth-crus, (boe drop from Isengard instances, Light Armour, sometimes available at the Auction House)

Legs: Rhuvel-socas, (boe drop from Isengard instances, Light Armour, sometimes available at the Auction House)

Head: Fancy Plumed Hat (store exclusive cosmetic)

Feet: Rune-stitched Dunlending Shoes (etc.) Dunland quest reward (Light Armour level 65-70) -> these boots look very different on female characters!

DUMMIE 3



Head: Turquoise Summer Circlet (Festival gift-box cosmetic – not dyeable) or (store cosmetic – dyeable)

Chest: Elegant Formal Dress (store exclusive cosmetic)

Back: Cloak of the Dragonfly (store exclusive cosmetic)

DUMMIE 4



Chest: Short-sleeved Corsair’s Tunic and Pants (Festival gift-box cosmetic), Long-sleeved version is a tailor recipe from Spring Festival

Head: Black Corsair Eyepatch and Hat (Festival gift-box cosmetic or Pirates Event reward – without gold band) or (store cosmetic – with gold band)

Back: Map-maker’s Travel Pack (skirmish or store cosmetic)

* Thank you Crell for not letting me off so easy 😉