The Lord of the Rings Online: Before the Shadow Mini-expansion Announced

Following some recent leaks, Standing Stone Games brings us their official announcement for Before the Shadow, a new “mini-expansion” for their long-running MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online. With pre-orders opening in late September, Before the Shadow will expand the game’s low-level content and introduce some new group activities, challenges and rewards.

Here’s a quick teaser trailer:

And some extra details:

The Lord of the Rings Online: Before the Shadow is a new mini-expansion focusing on early levels of the game!

Before the Shadow will send players into two new regions, Swanfleet and Cardolan, as Boromir makes his way north to Rivendell ahead of the meeting of what will eventually become the Fellowship of the Ring while the Nazgûl search for “Baggins” in the peaceful land of the Shire. Players will discover the threat rising from Mordor and Saruman’s Uruks as they explore the far history of Middle-earth!

Before the Shadow features questing from levels 1 to 32 in addition to four new Books for new characters. Higher level characters will see a new six-person Instance, in addition to a new Skirmish, and a Delving difficulty system that will offer new rewards and challenges!

There is plenty more to say about Before the Shadow, so players can expect more information about new content and special incentives for VIPs as we get closer to its planned pre-purchase availability in late September.