We’re in the run up to the Q4 expansion launches for Daybreak titles, and while we have had some news about them, Lord of the Rings Online is first out of the gate with a feature list and pre-orders.
For Q4, LOTRO will continue to head south with the Kingdoms of Harad expansion.
Kingdoms of Harad – Coming Q4 of 2025
As previously noted, LOTRO is constrained to content in the trilogy, which includes things in the sizeable appendix, so we are heading deeper into some pretty lightly covered aspects of the book.
Straight out of the announcement we have some framing for the new content.
The Kingdoms of Harad stand at a crossroads, their rivalries sharpening as a greater threat gathers strength. Gandalf has come with a warning of a darkness rising in the South. The Thardúth, ancient servants of Morgoth, rise once more, harnessing powers that could unmake the balance of Middle-earth.
And then we have the details.
- Level Cap Raised to 160: Advance from 150 to 160 and unlock new powers, abilities, and gear to face the trials of Harad. Grow stronger than ever as the struggle against Morgoth’s shadow reaches its decisive moment.
- Explore the Heart of Harad: Journey through four vast new regions: the blighted lands of Adagîm, the arid gorges of Kíghan, the scorched plateaus of An Shêru, and the once vibrant lakes of Idagâl.
- Forge Fragile Alliances: As the Thardúth rise with power from the First Age, the South teeters between unity and ruin. Rally the proud Kindred of the Coins and the fierce Mizâdi, Shâra of Renewed Hamât, even as the ambitious Nakási Wave-reaper moves to tip the balance.
- Journey Farther with Expedition Supplies: Get immediate access to Expedition supplies to enhance your journey! The Collector’s Edition includes five Reputation Acceleration Tomes, a Virtue XP Accelerator, five 100% XP Accelerators, and a Rare Crafting Component x5 Selection Box. The Ultimate Fan Bundle also includes 25k virtue XP, four Virtue XP Accelerators, and an Ultimate Carry-all Selection Box. Expedition Supplies are limited to one per account.
- Exciting Bonus Items in the Ultimate Fan Bundle: Enjoy other great features in the Ultimate Fan Bundle, including: 10 slots of extra bank space, an Ultimate 150 level-up package, Ultimate Carry-all Selection Box, Housing Teleporter, Armor of the Golden Lion, Weapon Aura of the Golden Lion, Camel and War-steed of the Golden Lion, Baby Camel pet, a “What’s in the Basket?” Bauble, XP Boost Earing, and a level 150 Valar Package.
That seems pretty par for the course. Raids and instances will not be there at launch, but there will be some 400 new quests available to keep you busy.
There is no official launch date as yet, but the purchase site says “Fall 2025,” which means between now and December 21, 2025, which is the usual time frame for these sorts of things.
There is also a pre-purchase trailer.
Then there are the pre-order option, broken out as usual like the rings of the elves, into three options.
- Standard Edition – $40
- Kingdoms of Harad Content
- Instance Cluster & Raid Content
- 150 level-up package (1/account)
- Trailblazer Title
If you just want the content, here is your cheapest option, though it does include a level boost. The LOTRO team no doubt lacks the resources to do anything like the level squeeze that WoW did back with Shadowlands… but then again, I am not sure that was worth the effort. So we’re just going to have an ever increasing level cap here.
- Collectors Edition – $80
- Kingdoms of Harad Content
- Instance Cluster & Raid Content
- 150 level-up package (1/account)
- Extra Outfit Slot (account-wide)
- Vigilant Sentinel Title
- Armor of the Vigilant Sentinel
- Camel and War-steed of the Vigilant Sentinel
- Vigilant Cobra Pet
- Vigilant Cobra Bauble
- Improved Expedition Supplies
Here was have the usual middle child option. I would like to see a breakdown at some point of what percentage of an expansion’s sales a represented by each of these options. I know over on the Norrath side of the house they were clear that the top priced package had a significant following. So my gut says that the middle option is probably the least purchased.
- Ultimate Fan Bundle – $130
- Kingdoms of Harad Content
- Instance Cluster & Raid Content
- 150 level-up package (1/account)
- Level 150 Valar Package (1/account)
- Extra Outfit Slot (account-wide)
- Leader of the Pride Title
- Golden Lion Armor Set
- Camel and War-steed of the Golden Lion
- Baby Camel Pet
- Golden Passage Milestone Style
- Golden Lion Weapon Aura
- What’s in the Basket? Bauble
- Ultimate Expedition Supplies
- Extra Shared Bank Storage (10 slots)
- Housing Teleport Item
- Monsterplay Appearance
- Golden Lion Earring (XP boost through 150)
- And more!
Why just be a fan when you can be an ULTIMATE fan?
If nothing else, it is the ultimate FOMO bundle. How are you going to get 100% completion on the pets window without that baby camel pet?
Do I sometimes want some of the items in the big package? Yes.
Do I ever buy the big price tag option? Very rarely.
Am I going to rush out and pre-order? Probably not. I did my run at LOTRO this year already and, having gone from a fresh character to seeing the ring destroyed, was not particularly enamored with the “time to clean up Mordor” aspect of the ongoing content. I poured through the appendices back in my youth, but I am not sure I care to play through them as I approach my dotage.
I also am nowhere near the level cap and I do mistrust SSG’s level boost mechanisms. In the past it has left me technically leveled up, but stuck with meager gear and a completely untouched legendary item, effectively stranding me in the middle of content I am not able to face.
Anyway, as we continue another circuit around the sun another expansion has been queued up for LOTRO.
Related: