How can you make your hero unique? How can you craft a character that stands out from the thousands scurrying across the face of Middle-earth? The four races and nine classes make for a broad variety of combinations, but it is still not enough, given all the players. How many Dwarf Guardians, Elf Hunters, or Hobbit Burglars are out there trying to stop the schemes of the Dark Lord Sauron and his minions? Probably more than a few.

So what can make one character different from another of the same class and race, from the time that character takes his first step until he ventures into the darkness of the Mines of Moria and beyond? Customisation.

For both the beginning and experienced player, the game offers many different methods to customise characters so they're not like every other Burglar, Guardian, or Champion visiting Bree or any other locale. In addition to which race and class you choose, you can mold your character based on what quests you take; the deeds and virtues you pursue; the crafting vocations you select and how they can help progress your class; and by changing your character's actual physical appearance and dress. The combination of these things gives your character a novel appearance and makeup.



"A Rune-keeper in tattered starter vestments begins his journey across Middle-earth."

Race and Class Customisation
At the most basic level of development is the choice of your race and class. There are currently 25 different options between the four races and nine classes, outlined in the table below. Certain combinations are not available to all of the races. Classes such as the Captain, Lore-masters and Rune-keepers are the most race-restricted, while Guardian, Hunter, and Minstrel are available to all. The combinations you select set the stage for many of the Customisation options you'll face as your character gains levels and ranges farther into the environs of Middle-earth.







The race and class you choose can be influenced by your experience with the game. Fighter or combat-based classes such as Champion and Guardian tend to be easier for beginners, and the characters advance effectively. Empowered characters like Lore-masters, Minstrels, and Rune-keepers might be more difficult for first-timers.

Another consideration is which race and class combinations work the best together in regards to their Power and Morale. Combat and tactics-orientated characters need to be able to suffer large amounts of physical damage and should focus on increasing their Morale. While those classes that focus more on skills than dealing damage need a greater Power for using their special abilities. A Dwarf Guardian has the greatest starting Morale of any character, followed by a Dwarf Champion and Hobbit Guardian. The Elf Lore-master and Elf Minstrel are the least physical of the race/class combinations. Elves and Dwarves have the racial advantage of the greatest Power scores when creating Rune-keepers and Lore-masters. Next, Hunters of any race have high Power scores.

The various combinations help guide you in choosing your stats, skills, and other abilities as you gain levels. Try to decide early on what type of character you plan to develop, as it makes later Customisation easier. While any bonus you earn from a skill, item, or ability can help progress the character, it is always best to focus on strengths based on the race and class you’ve chosen, and ultimately on how you want to play your hero.



" The barber of Thorin's Hall."

Customising with Traits
The next step in customising is obtaining various Trait types: Virtues, Race Traits, Class Traits, and Legendary Traits. The combinations here are practically limitless when you consider 20 Virtues, 8 Racial Traits for each race, and 15-20 more Traits and Trait Sets depending on your class. Then, based on your above choices, you can work your way toward acquiring Legendary Traits. The exact benefits given by the various types of Traits outlined below can be reviewed at the official Lorebook.

Virtues
When customising your character, focus on the abilities you want to increase. You can do this by pursuing specific Virtues by completing slayer and exploration Deeds. Each of the 20 different Virtues have 10 ranks that can be increased as you gain levels and accomplishments and move into different regions of Middle-earth. Virtues give enhancements which improve your character's combat abilities and regeneration of Power and Morale.

For example, if a Hobbit Guardian defender focused on gaining bonuses to Morale, the best Virtues to pursue might be Determination (bonus to Agility, Morale regeneration), Justice (Morale regeneration), and Valour (bonus to Might, Morale regeneration). Examples of other Virtues of importance would be Empathy (bonus to Armour, Fate, and Fear Resistance), Loyalty (bonus to Vitality, Power, and Armour), and Fortitude (bonus to Might, Disease resistance, Morale regeneration).

For classes that rely more on skills and magic such as a Hunter, Lore-master, or Rune-keeper, Virtues such as Loyalty (bonus to Vitality, Power max, and Armour), Mercy (bonus to Agility, Power regeneration, Magic vulnerability), and Patience (Power regeneration, Wound resistance, Ranged vulnerability) are more appropriate.

Racial Traits
Most Racial Traits are available to your character after 10th level. There are eight for each race and provide your character with a variety of skills such as weapons or magic. They also offer quicker travel to racial regions (Thorin's Gate, Rivendell, Bree, or Michel Delving). Gaining Racial Traits can be more difficult, as that requires a specific combination slayer Deeds.

If you're a Dwarf Champion or Guardian, Dwarf Axe-damage Bonus or Shield Brawler are excellent choices, while Rune-keepers and Minstrels would do better with Fateful Dwarf or Dwarf-endurance. Other examples would include Hobbit Burglars pursuing Hobbit-stealth or Hobbit-silence, an Elf Hunter focusing on Elf Bow-damage Bonus and Sylvan Shadows, and a Man Captain achieving Duty-bound and Tactics and Might Bonus to benefit their Fellowship.

Class Traits
Yet another way of customising your character is through the acquisition of Class Traits, most of which are also available after surpassing 10th level. Obtaining specific Class Traits allows you to enhance your skills based on your specific style of play. Class Traits are gained through the use of specific skills or abilities, the completion of Class Quests, and by obtaining Legendary Traits. Gaining Class Traits can provide additional bonuses when creating Trait Sets, which are new with the Moria expansion.


"The Class Traits of the Huntsman."


For example, if your character is a Hunter specialising in ranged bow attacks, then the use of the skill Barbed Arrows eventually gains you the Class Trait of Barbed Fury, which inflicts greater wounds to your enemy and gains you a Trait Set bonus for The Bowmaster. On the other hand, if your Hunter is more inclined toward melee combat, then the accumulated use of Swift Stroke against your enemies earns you Rapid Recovery after 500 successful attacks and nets your Hunter a Trait Set bonus toward The Huntsmen.


The Outfit System and Barbershops
Tired of all Hobbit Burglars and Elf Lore-masters looking just a bit too similar? When you create your character, you are limited to a finite number of variations in appearance. You can use dyes acquired at the auction house or from a scholar to change the colours of your armour. Plus, you can find or buy different equipment to wear. To increase your options, take advantage of the Outfit System and Barber Shops. These two additions to game-play give you much greater control over the cosmetic appearance of your hero.


" A hero's customised look."

Shave and a Haircut
Major cities have Barber Shops. For a small fee, the barbers can change your hairstyle and add facial details not available at character creation. Perhaps you regret the initial choice of white hair and a ponytail, or want to add a facial scar to reflect a recent raid. These changes can be made anytime your character stops in a shop during game-play. Barber Shops are located in the following regions:


" The barbershop interface screen."




A Hero's Habiliments
Probably the best tool for customising appearance is the Outfitting System. Once your character reaches 20th level, you'll receive an in-game message notifying you that this option is now available. This gives you access to additional tabs in your Character Journal which allow you to toggle between two sets of clothes, plus armour. The three “looks” your character now has is referred to as Equipment, Outfit 1, and Outfit 2. Equipment is how you look with your current items as they truly appear, while Outfits 1 and 2 represent your new cosmetic customised appearance.


" A Dwarf hero's two outfits."



With the Outfitting System you no longer need to look like you are wearing mismatched armour and leathers you pulled from a Troll's lair–which is probably where you found them in the first place. You can look stylish! While some might be fans of the torn robes and odd-coloured gloves and boots they had at 1st level, the Outfitting System gives you hundreds of possible combinations of flashy, matching attire. These “cosmetic” items have no armour value or stat bonus associated with them.


"What the Outfit System can do for you."


The Outfitting System lets you alter your appearance without losing the benefits of your gear. For example, a plain looking cloth shirt you find on a raid that gives incredible bonuses can be transformed into a fine, long-sleeved dress that still gives the same incredible bonuses. All members of your kinship can also choose to wear a specific helm or cloak that signifies your affiliation, together with a matching colour scheme. Any items you purchase and equip in Outfit 1 or 2 supersede the facade of your primary equipment’s appearance when you switch between looks. You’ll also have the option to “turn off” individual items so you can’t see them, such as a particularly unattractive helm or a bulky backpack, by clicking the eye icon next to each piece of gear.
On the Outfitting screen there is one “slot” for each piece of gear you would normally be able to equip: helmet, shoulders pads, chest-piece, legs, boots, and gloves. Like the Barber Shops, the ability to change and buy outfits can be done only through Outfitter NPCs found at the locations below. Each of the Outfitters also carries a different inventory, so one NPC might have different outfits than another.



There are certain restrictions to the Outfitting System. If you venture into the PvMP area of the Ettenmoors, your Outfitting is disabled. This is to prevent characters from “hiding” their true class affiliation. For example, a Champion who has an outfit of robes and is armed with a staff would disguise the fact that he is actually wearing heavy armour and wields a two-handed sword, the ruse giving him an advantage against monster player opponents.

When activating items for Outfits 1 or 2 it is not required that you keep said items in your inventory bags. Once you’ve equipped your outfits, a picture of that image is recorded, and keeping the item in your inventory is no longer necessary. These items can either then be sold or moved to your player’s vault. Each Outfit slot can only record one image of your custom appearance, so if it is altered later, you cannot go back unless you have the original outfit to equip again.

You can also use the interface’s key mapping ability to hotkey your outfits, giving you the ability to instantly switch between them with a simple keystroke.

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