Author - Jerry Paxton

Today marks the launch of the latest expansion Fate of Gundabad for Lord of the Rings Online, the iconic MMO from Standing Stone Games. The expansion features 10 new levels and the ability to battle as a Brawler, the first class since the release of Beorning in 2014.

The Brawler is a melee class inspired by the tale of Helm Hammerhand, who fought bare-handed at one of the greatest sieges of Helm’s Deep and was known for his ferocity in battle. Brawlers forgo weapons in favor of Battle-gauntlets and heavy armor, hurling themselves into battle to the benefit of friend and devastation of foe. The main focus for Brawlers is damage, off-tanking, and support. Any race in Middle-earth can be a Brawler, except for Beornings, which are their own race and class combination.

Key Brawler features include:

• Mettle – The currency Brawlers use to power attacks and other skills. Mettle is built during combat and spent when players use their Brawler’s most powerful abilities. All Brawlers have a passive ability called “Combat Flow”, which increases the damage done by players’ skills for each point of Mettle they have.

• Battle Gauntlets – Instead of the traditional weapons of combat, Brawlers wield Battle Gauntlets and defeat enemies with punches, slams, kicks, thrown items, and more. Only Brawlers can wear Battle Gauntlets in combat, and these items will appear throughout the game world as players level. Additionally, Brawlers can acquire Gauntlets throughout the game world as you level. Gauntlets are considered two-handed weapons. While engaged in Mounted Combat, Brawlers put their throwing skills to good use.

• Brawler Trait Trees – Brawlers have two Trait trees in which to specialize, along with a third general tree to provide additional flexibility and benefits.

  • The Fulcrum (blue):  The Fulcrum focuses on defense and debuffs and offers ways to increase players’ Vitality, lower their enemies’ attack speed, buff their Critical Rating, and more. Skill names include: Brash Invitation (ranged taunt), Bracing Guard (incoming healing buff), Hold the Line (area of effect personal buff) and Gut Punch (damage debuff).

  • The Maelstrom (red): The Maelstrom focuses on the chaos of battle to increase damage dealt and more. This offense-focused Trait tree increases players’ Critical Chance, Setup Skill Damage, Might and acquisition of Mettle. Skill names include: Revel in Victory (gain Mettle), Joy of Battle (increased damage), Fist of the Valar (bonus damage) and Battle Fury (duration-based damage buff).

  • The Fundament (yellow): The Fundament is not a Trait tree that can be specialized into, but rather, this tree offers benefits that complement both The Fulcrum and The Maelstrom. Spending points into The Fundament offers benefits such as increased Mettle generation, enemy debuffs, and hitting more targets with players’ area of effect skills. Skill names include: Battle-Wise (Mettle), Strike as One! (damage boost to Fellowship), Lasting Weakness (Vulnerability) and Trail Food (bonus from food).

Fate of Gundabad is available in The Ultimate Fan Bundle for $129.99, Collector’s Edition for $79.99 and Standard edition for $39.99. For more information on the expansion, visit www.lotro.com/gundabad.