LOTRO Before the Shadow
LOTRO’s Before the Shadow expansion launched in November 2022 and finally became available for LOTRO points in March 2023. Here are my posts and guides related to that expansion.
Buying the Expansion
The various packages are still available, such as the Before the Shadow Ultimate Fan Bundle Unboxed!. But you can also buy it for 
1,999 – this is, in real-money terms, similar to the cost of the Standard Edition.
The New Regions
Swanfleet
Meet the various people groups in Swanfleet, find hidden relics of an ancient past and take on the foes attacking the Free Peoples. And this is just the start. Get ready for an Epic adventure.
Cardolan
Explore ancient ruins, fend off the awakened Dead and get lost in the Southern Old Forest. Cardolan is steeped in Middle-Earth lore and history. While some parts of the region are beautiful, Before the Shadow creeps ever closer to the Shadow’s Arrival.
Want Early Access to my Guides?
None of my posts will ever be behind a paywall. However, if you want to see my posts before they hit the blog, please consider joining me on Patreon.
If not, that’s cool too – go ahead and enjoy Before the Shadow and enjoy your journeys in Middle-Earth.
The Ravaging of Cardolan DeedThe final part of the exploration deeds in LOTRO's Cardolan region is the Ravaging of Cardolan. This has a similar feel to Dwellers of Old Swanfleet in that you have to find some items.But you can...Read More →
LOTRO Treasure of Cardolan DeedOur journey through the various deeds of Cardolan continues with the Treasure of Cardolan Deed.As we have already seen in the Swanfleet region of Before the Shadow, Cardolan's treasure caches are...Read More →
LOTRO Trophy-Hunter of Cardolan DeedThe Trophy-hunter of Cardolan Deed sees you track down wanted targets in the West and East of the region. You have to take something as proof of the deed; it could be something innocuous like a quiver...Read More →
LOTRO Inhabitants of the Vanished Realm DeedThe Inhabitants of the Vanished Realm Deed in Cardolan is the easiest one to clear in the region. That said, it is always the people that make locations interesting. All of the places you need to comp...Read More →
LOTRO Perils of Cardolan Deed GuideIt's good to be back in the swing of guide writing again. Even in high pain, it gives me a focus. Today we're going to look at the LOTRO Perils of Cardolan Deed. Spread across the region, these locati...Read More →
LOTRO Slayer of Cardolan Deed GuideAfter a break due to writing about Festivals, I am once again picking up my Before the Shadow series. Today we're going to look at the LOTRO Slayer of Cardolan Deed. The people of Cardolan face threat...Read More →
LOTRO Explorer of Swanfleet DeedWith the launch of Before the Shadow, LOTRO introduced two new starter regions. The first of these is Swanfleet, and with the story content come more deeds to complete. The Explorer of Swanfleet Deed...Read More →
Trophy-Hunter of Swanfleet DeedWelcome to the final part of the Swanfleet exploration deeds in Before the Shadow! Today we'll be taking on the Trophy-hunter of Swanfleet Deed. Here, you'll be tasked with finding six named creatures...Read More →
LOTRO Slayer of Swanfleet DeedWelcome back to Swanfleet in Before the Shadow! I'm continuing my series of posts covering the deeds in this region. Today we're homing in on the Slayer of Swanfleet Deed. Unlike original starter deed...Read More →
LOTRO Treasure of Swanfleet DeedWelcome to what I believe is the hardest of all the LOTRO Swanfleet exploration deeds: the Treasure of Swanfleet Deed. It took myself and Eldalleth quite a long time in beta and shortly after launch t...Read More →
LOTRO The Many Folk of the GlanduinWelcome to my first proper Before the Shadow Guide: The Many Folk of the Glanduin Deed. As with my other exploration deeds, I've provided information and a map to help you. But because Swanfleet and...Read More →
LOTRO Perils of Swanfleet Deed GuideYou do not need to quest long in Before the Shadow to know that difficulty and dangers lurk in the picturesque surrounding landscape. The Perils of Swanfleet Deed sees you going from North to South an...Read More →
LOTRO Dwellers of Old Swanfleet DeedThe Dwellers of Old Swanfleet Deed in LOTRO is an exploration deed worthy of the name. Instead of mapping key locations within the region, you need to find specific items which are spread throughout t...Read More →
How to Start a New Character in Before the ShadowAt the time of writing this, LOTRO's Before the Shadow expansion is near its launch date! There are various changes coming in at the same time so that players of all levels have new things to explore....Read More →
Before the Shadow Ultimate Fan Bundle Unboxed!With the latest expansion of The Lord of the Rings Online being released in early November 2022, it's time to have a look at the LOTRO Before the Shadow Ultimate Fan Bundle! Let's unbox it all and let...Read More →
LOTRO Before the ShadowI wanted to chat with you about the upcoming Before the Shadow content in LOTRO. This is going to be the latest "mini expansion" released by SSG and open to lower levels. Sometimes, when you've been p...Read More →
