f13.net

My local Best Buy has the Mines of Moria Xpac for $20 right now.  Looks like that price is online as well.  So I bought it to play when I get bored of WoW in a few months. 

Looks like it's not just an xpac, but has the base game in it as well.  $20.00 sounds like a pretty decent deal for anyone, including those on the fence about whether they want to try it. 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9107691&st=mines+of+moria&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218024213290

Indeed.

Yes, it included the original game. I think all versions of the x-pack do.

Does that include a free month of play?

Yes.

    * Includes The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar, all content updates, the Mines of Moria expansion and 30 days free game time
    * Also includes two in-game item tokens, three 14-day free Buddy Key Cards, a Mines of Moria poster and a Middle-earth map
    * Explore the realm that lies below Middle-earth in this epic MMORPG based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy universe
    * Customize your character by selecting from among four races, nine classes including the new Warden and Rune-keeper, 10 professions, seven vocations and more than 1,000 titles, skills and traits
    * See Moria come to life before your eyes with new graphics technology that dwarfs you with the scope of its stunning vistas and towering stone columns
    * Engage in thrilling monster versus player combat, now with Artifact Control, and see how you rank on an online leaderboard
    * Live out a complex adventure as you learn to fish and craft, develop traits and reputations, and buy houses you can decorate with artwork and trophies

Damn.  I'm running out of reasons not to give this another shot. 

Combat still have that nifty underwater feel to it?

I was never quite sure what people mean by this, I'm still not. It's ok, we don't need to go over it again. However, there are skills, traits, and items that reduce induction times.

Also, i did read, that if you turn off auto attack (the reason for the "Stall") instants do not wait for the auto attack animations to end..etc.. This may help that feeling?

I think the slowness I sometimes feel to the combat is just from a bad video card (particularly when a conjunct loads for the first time).

I never noticed this.

To be fair, the last time I played was in beta.  I think I may give it another shot.

I would recommend that at the price.  The combat is much better than the last time I played it. 

It has been a while, but the pace currently seems about like what I had when I was playing a warrior in WoW at release.  I'm only talking about hunters, guardians and runekeepers here.

If/when I burn out on EVE I may give this a run again. Beta was mildly amusing (FAR better than WAR beta), and I would like to see some more of the world. I hear crafting is pretty interesting now too- it was kind of a mess last time I played.

Who did you hear that from?  I don't really know if it is better than beta since I actually could not be bothered with it in beta.  Making shit isn't bad in itself but the interdependence pisses me off and no one buys anything since everyone rolls an alt to craft their own shit.  So, maybe it's better now since everyone does it?  Crafting is the main reason I have alts.

tru dat

I have a crafting alt just to make food (farm/cook) which actually provides some terrific stats, as good or better food buffs than WoW.

I'm not sure how valuable crafting is overall, however, it's invaluable for running alts and I have seen some people near the cap with mastered, crafted ("purple") gear.

Yes and no.  Its different.  What you use is more important then button mashing randomly - so a lot feel its underwater feel.

ie. randomly loading skills 1-10 is fail, though I guess doable.  There is a lot more strategy involved then say... WoW. 

Actually that is true and I appreciate that the slightly slower nature of combat because it allows me to make better decisions on the fly, such as should I do an arc-attack to hit multiple enemies or a single-target attack?  Even something that you might think of as simple like a Guardian has this sort of choice... in fact I switch between sword/shield and a two-hand sword with my guardian with hotkeys, depending on what I am fighting.  When using the two-hander, I lose access to my skills that rely on a shield and have to switch up my game.

Traits have a big effect as well, especially when you get to the point where they start making "sets" like equipment from Diablo II.  Knowing the trait bonuses I get gives me a bias toward using certain skills, and it is interesting to see how my wife's hunter does different things than mine due to her traits and choice of skills.

No longer $20.  Any suggestions on someplace selling it for less than $35?  Tried BBC and Amazon.  No deal.

Its still a deal (because it includes the original game), but no to your question. Maybe a local "mom and pop"?

Alternatively, i can send you a buddy pass and link to the download if you would like to do that. PM me your e-mail.

I am back in it and enjoying it.  Past lvl 20 you slow down on xp gain so I suggest you group more.  Grouping is more fun than solo and xp gain is faster and you get better gear. 

Best Buy has it again for $19.99 this week. 

For those upgrading your account with it, it actually gives a whole free month of play.  I resubbed to add the Moria key to my account and wound up with 60days play time.  Fairly good deal

I went to my old account and to digitally upgrade my account it would cost $29.99.  Fuckers.

Got to blow out that retail channel and make room for The Sims 3.

Wish it would go on sale up here.

I ordered this online from Best Buy for $19.99 and guess what... it's BACKORDERED!

Maybe Turbine is pulling an EvE with this game.  Good for them!

If you have a local BB there's likely 40 copies sitting on a shelf. 

I would like to think so.  I don't find any major flaws with this game, as compared to other PvE fantasy MOGs I have played.  This might be my tastes, though, since people who just like killing shit don't like this game, and for good reason.  It's all about the story.  Also it has much, much, much less VN-factor than WoW.