Crafting Guide

Crafting is often one of the most fun, enjoyable, and exciting parts of any MMO, and LOTRO doesn't dissapoint in this expectation. There are many aspects to crafting that are to be learned and in turn mastered. If you aren't familiar yet, check out the available vocations and professions for Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar before you begin this crafting guide. This guide will evolve as more information and knowledge comes out in the areas listed below, so bookmark it and check back in the future to see updates.

LOTRO Crafting Guide
Starting vocations (NPC Locations)
Understanding the Crafting Interface
Starting Vocations (NPC Locations)

Each vocation consists of three professions. To begin crafting, you must learn a starting vocation from one of the NPC's (Non playable characters). In Lotro, you must talk to a master or mistress of apprentices to do so. There are several towns in which you can do this.

The Shire
In Michel Delving you want to speak with Blossom Proudfoot, who is the Mistress of Apprentices
Bree-land
In Combe, speak to Jill Brushwood, Mistress of Apprentices
In the Bree-Town Crafting Hall you want to speak with Old Roger Sorrel, Master of Apprentices
Ered Luin
In Gondamon you want to speak to Alfwin, Master of Apprentices
In Celondim you want to talk to Golphedinir, Master of Apprentices
In Thorin's hall you need to talk with Nasi, Master of Apprentices
Understanding the Crafting Interface

The first key component of the LOTRO Crafting system is the interface, which you'll have access to once you select your main vocation. The Interface components will change based on professions/vocations, but the idea/look is identical throughout. Take a look at some of the screens and familiarize yourself with them so you can become a better crafter.

There is an anvil icon next to your main menu icon that you can click on. You'll find it within your toolbar on the game screen. You can also use a hot key and just hit T to access it. From this screen you'll be able to craft different items depending on your professions. You can also learn recipes throughout the game and use them. From this screen you can also view your mastery options. In order to craft a certain item within the game, you need to have the right tool, the right ingredients, and be near a crafting facility that suits your profession. Your three professions will show up on the tabs, just like in the picture above (Cook, Farmer, Tailor).

Unlike some other MMORPG games, players can change their crafting vocations at any time by speaking to the minstress or master of apprentices again, but keep in mind any progress you made in your previous field will be lost. (If one of the old professions is shared with the new, you won't lose it). An example of this might be if you changed from a Woodsman to a Yeoman, you would carry over your farming profession but lose the others not shared.

As you craft or continue working your select professions, your crafting skills will grow, and you will be able to advance to the higher levels of crafting, like Apprentice, Journeyman, Expert, Artisan, and ultimately if you're good enough you'll reach Master level. There are crafting quests to advance to the next "level" but basic experience in crafting is gained simply by crafting items. Once you have become a Master at a given Profession, you can use the “Mastery Options” tab in your Crafting Panel to increase the odds of a Critical Success when crafting items under that Profession.

The Lotro Crafting system is diverse and there is much more that can be learned by trying it. This brief overview will help you be familiar with the current system but as it progresses we hope to add more and more to this guide.

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