Post Sections ⇅
- Corsairs of Umbar Release Date
- What does the Expansion Include?
- Umbar Packages and Bundles
- Character Frames
- Shoulder Parrot
- Cosmetic Outfits
- Tide-breaker’s Weapon Aura
- Mounts
- Cosmetic Pets
- Swashbuckle Emote
- XP Accelerating Gear
- Corsairs of Umbar Bundle Prices and Comparison
- Other Related Resources
The Lord of the Rings Online is due to launch its much-anticipated Corsairs of Umbar expansion in November 2023. As is often the case, you can pre-purchase various packages to enjoy some goodies before the content itself goes live. Here I’ll go through some aspects of what to expect with the Corsairs of Umbar, and unbox the Ultimate Fan Bundle too.
Let’s dive in like our ship’s on fire! Wait, maybe not that. Moving on…
Corsairs of Umbar Release Date
This LOTRO expansion is scheduled for 8th November 2023.
Note the word scheduled. Nearly everything in life is subject to change so consider this date draft. It’s not set in stone, not even a Standing Stone.
Also, from the small print:
- In the event of delay, you will receive the initial expansion content and items no later than December 1st 2023…
- and the instance content no later than March 2024.
What does the Expansion Include?
Whichever bundle or package you buy, there are things they all include. I have tried to summarise those here:
New Story & Quests
Our first foray into Umbar leads, naturally, to excellent LOTRO storytelling, world design and quests.
SSG have been great at giving us previews ahead of time, and had a Bullroarer session
recently. So either to the right, or below, you can see LOTRO’s Casual Stroll through Umbar, which includes previews of the new zones.
Mariner Class
I suck at learning new things, so I’m still trying to get used to my lowbie Mariner. Around making other content, festivals and working on my main character’s LOTRO journey!
The Mariner dual wields with a sword and dagger and has various types of attacks, some physical and some by singing Shanties. It also has a unique “balance” gauge, so you have to balance yourself between stepping forward offensive moves and backstepping defensive ones.
And all races – except Beornings – can be a Mariner, including the recently-introduced River Hobbits. Though I guess that technically makes them “Ocean Hobbits”.
Level Cap
Once the Corsairs of Umbar expansion is released, there will be a new level cap of L150 too.
Crafting Changes
And lastly (for now), regardless of whether you own the expansion or not, the LOTRO Crafting System is being changed. The aim here was to “decouple” crafting skills (e.g. Forester, Jeweller, Cook) from the existing professions.
This means you should be able to choose three different crafting skills, regardless of whether they used to be in a group or profession before.
Umbar Packages and Bundles
Normally, it would be logical to say what is in each package. But I find it more helpful to group the types of items together.
In theory, this should help you zero in on the goodies you’re most interested in, and then you can find out which packages include those things.
Suffice to say, if you’re buying any bundle The Corsairs of Umbar, then you’ll get the zone and all its quests!
Mariner Class and Character Slot
StandardCollector’sUltimate
Yep, all packages give you the new Mariner class and another character slot. This conveniently lets you try Mariner without deleting an existing character. Sneaky!
Character Frames
StandardCollector’sUltimate
I decided to put this aspect in next because you get at least one frame with all bundles, including the Standard Edition.
Each frame is named after the cosmetics and mounts found within the same package.
Fleet Merchant’s Frame
UltimateCollector’s
Tide-breaker’s Frame
UltimateCollector’s
Swashbuckler’s Frame
UltimateCollector’sStandard
Shoulder Parrot
Ultimate
Why did I feel a need to make a whole section about the Tide-breaker’s Shoulder-riding Parrot? Well, because it’s awesome but also needs a little explaining too.
You Must Equip It
Currently, you must equip your shoulder-parrot “cosmetic” as gear.
To state the obvious, it goes in your “shoulder” slot. The tooltips do say this clearly, but as its icon is clearly cosmetic, you could miss it too.
It’s Alive, It’s Alive!
This is not a plastic parrot attached to your shoulder. It moves, cleans itself and scratches around your head. But it is also not the Parrot pet.
A seriously neat feature is that, when you’re in combat, the Parrot flies off. Once you’re no longer fighting, it flies back to your shoulder!
With Shoulder Cosmetics
What is not apparent is that you can use other shoulder cosmetics in your Outfit tabs.
Unlike other gear slots whose appearance is completely overwritten, your (gear) Parrot will appear over your (cosmetic) shoulder item.
I hope they find a way around the need to equip a parrot as gear. Some of you may be relying on every piece of gear but still want your Parrot with you!
Cosmetic Outfits
Technically, there are two cosmetic outfits that are part of the Corsairs of Umbar expansion. In reality, there are three – because you also get the Mariner’s initial armour appearance too.
So, all you need to do is start a Mariner, get them to a point where you can access your Wardrobe and bam! All your characters can use Mariner appearances.
As I have not yet added these to my cosmetics tool, you can find the upper body pieces on a couple of different body types for you.
Mariner Starter Gear
StandardCollector’sUltimate
Fleet Merchant Cosmetics
Collector’sUltimate
Tide-breaker Cosmetics
Ultimate
The last time I checked, there was still a minor error on the name of the shoulder-guards. They were being labelled Shoulde-guards. But they look and work fine, and that matters the most.
Tide-breaker’s Weapon Aura
Ultimate
The Tide-breaker’s Weapon Aura is kinda murky – and maybe that’s what LOTRO were going for.
On narrower weapons, it appears as subtly-flowing black and dark blue water. But, once you see it on a shield, there is a lot more going on!
Have a look here on my YouTube video. I’ve shown it on a few weapons and… a spade. Because reasons.
Which Pack has the Aura?
As with all the other Tide-breaker’s Cosmetics, the Tide-breaker’s Weapon Aura is from the Ultimate Fan Bundle only.
The above video is a bit of an experiment, if the Humix version has issues, feel free to skip to the YouTube version!
Mounts
Collector’sUltimate
As ever, LOTRO are not shy at bringing new expansion-themed mounts. Which ones you get depend on the bundle you purchase. It also corresponds with the cosmetic outfits of that pack.
Fleet Merchant’s Steed
Collector’s
Tide-breaker’s Steed
Ultimate
War-Steed Cosmetics
Each of these mounts comes with a set of related War-steed Cosmetics.
You don’t need to “use” the items, they are just unlocked upon opening your bundles.
Cosmetic Pets
I love the pets that come with the Corsairs of Umbar packs! One is super-cute and the other confused me. So I’ll unravel why to help you avoid that confusion!
Parrot Pet
Ultimate
This large, striking parrot will certainly draw attention your way. And I do really like it.
However, I got confused before I looked at the tooltip for the Shoulder Parrot.
Unlike another game, the parrot pet, does not land on your shoulder.
Your shoulder-riding one is a smaller version and is a cosmetic/armour item. Hope that helps!
Fennac Fox
Collector’sUltimate
The Fennac Fox is so cute, with its giant ears and soft-looking fur.
I found it a bit tricky to get an eye-level view of it. But I’ll try dualboxing and make a new shot soonish.
Swashbuckle Emote
Ultimate
In a particular show of flair and attitude, The Corsairs of Umbar comes with a very fancy emote.
Though to call it an emote is probably understating it. Using preset weapons, your character initially performs a couple of fighting moves. It ends with a pose with attitude!
My only gripe is that, again, if you have valid weapons equipped, they’re not used.
But I am still thoroughly impressed and love this kind of pose. I hope to see more of this from LOTRO.
XP Accelerating Gear
Collector’sUltimate
The Fleet Merchant’s Earring is a special item of jewellery that increases your XP from defeating enemies and quest-turnins. It does this up to Level 140.
It also scales up stats according to your level so that you don’t lose out on gear stats to accelerate your XP.
Level 140 Level-skip
Ultimate
As is often the case, LOTRO have included an insta-Level item for you. This one takes you to Level 140, the starting one for The Corsairs of Umbar.
If you are new to LOTRO, bear in mind there is a lot of great content before this expansion. If you boost one character to experience this expansion, consider using another one and enjoy the world, stories and characters before it.
Other Items
The Collectors and Ultimate bundles come with various extra items.
Collector’s Edition
Reputation Acceleration Tome × 5
Virtue XP Acceleration Tome × 1- XP Accelerators × 5
- Rare Crafting Component × 5
Corsairs of Umbar Bundle Prices and Comparison
Here is a quick overview comparison of the different packs/bundles.
Standard Bundle
Price: £30.99
- Corsairs of Umbar Content
- Instance Cluster
- Mariner Class
- One Extra Character Slot
- Swashbuckler Portrait Frame
Title: Swashbuckler
Collector’s Bundle
Price: £62.99
- Corsairs of Umbar Content
- Instance Cluster
- Mariner Class
- One Extra Character Slot
- Swashbuckler Portrait Frame
- Title: Swashbuckler
- Fleet Merchant’s Armour
- Fleet Merchant’s Steed (and War-steed Cosmetics)
- Fennac Fox Pet
- Equippable XP Accelerator
- Title: Fleet Merchant
- Fleet Merchant’s Portrait Frame
- Various consumable items (“Expedition Supplies”).
- Reputation Acceleration Tome × 5
- Virtue XP Acceleration Tome × 1
- XP Accelerators × 5
- Rare Crafting Component × 5
Ultimate Fan Bundle
Price: £101.99
- Corsairs of Umbar Content
- Instance Cluster
- Mariner Class
- One Extra Character Slot
- Swashbuckler Portrait Frame
- Title: Swashbuckler
- Fleet Merchant’s Armour
- Fleet Merchant’s Steed (and War-steed Cosmetics)
- Fennac Fox Pet
- Equippable XP Accelerator
- Title: Fleet Merchant
- Fleet Merchant’s Portrait Frame
- Various consumable items (“Expedition Supplies”).
- Reputation Acceleration Tome × 5
- Virtue XP Acceleration Tome × 1
- XP Accelerators × 5
- Rare Crafting Component × 5
- Tide-breakers Cosmetics including the Shoulder Parrot.
- Tide-breakers Portrait Frame
- Tide-breaker’s Steed
- Title: Tide-breaker
- Parrot Pet
- Tide-breaker’s Weapon Aura
- Swashbuckle Emote
- Instant Level Boost to L140 (Valar)
Carry-all Selection Box- Housing Decoration that ports you to a relevant spot in Umbar.
- Monster Play appearance (I’ve never done PvMP, so I’ll just smile and nod on this one).
- Ultimate Expedition Supplies
In case I’ve missed a detail here or there, remember to check out the official expansions page for more details.
Other Related Resources
- Corsairs of Umbar on LOTRO-Wiki
- Crafting in the Umbar expansion – by Louey7
TL;DR Tons of Features in the Corsairs of Umbar Bundles!
Yet again LOTRO have created a huge amount of features for their bundles. And, I feel, in some aspects they’ve really upped their game again. The new emote, the shoulder-riding parrot and a new class all push boundaries for SSG. And that’s before we get into the new region, quests and stories.
Umbar has a lot of history from a LOTR sense. So, whether you’re always waiting for new content or, like me, you’ll eventually reach it, there is plenty to look forward to. Which bundle you buy is up to you, hopefully this overview will help you to make an informed decision.
Enjoy Middle-earth!
About the Author
I have been playing MMOs for about ten years and began writing guides to The Lord of the Rings Online in 2017. I've only been creating content about Final Fantasy XIV since 2022, but I am glad for the mix. My current games include LOTRO, FFXIV and the occasional Palia session too.
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