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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[The Stream Team: Making mischief with a Protector soldier in LotRO]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/11/the-stream-team-making-mischief-with-a-protector-soldier-in-lot/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/11/the-stream-team-making-mischief-with-a-protector-soldier-in-lot/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/11/the-stream-team-making-mischief-with-a-protector-soldier-in-lot/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/lord-of-the-rings-online/" rel="tag">Lord of the Rings Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/livestream/" rel="tag">Livestream</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-stream-team/" rel="tag">The Stream Team</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/11/the-stream-team-making-mischief-with-a-protector-soldier-in-lot/"><img alt="The Stream Team: Making mischief with a protector soldier in LotRO" data-credit="MJ Guthrie" data-mep="85420" src="http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/adam/19d1a3c35bc7b61bd02b192d3bcebb2e/lotro 1-11-14.jpg" /></a></div>
Last time, Massively's MJ suffered through the unwise antics of her Warrior soldier in <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/lord-of-the-rings-online">Lord of the Rings Online's</a></em> Thievery and Mischief skirmish. As promised, this go-around she's inviting the tank soldier along. Will there be a significant difference, and if so, will it be for the better or the worst? Will the Protector protect her, or will he exhibit behavior befitting one who's been smacked in the head a few too many times? Join us live at 2:00 p.m. to see how it all plays out.<br />
<br />
<strong>Game:</strong> <em>Lord of the Rings Online</em><br />
<strong>Host:</strong> MJ Guthrie<br />
<strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, January 11th, 2014<br />
<strong>Time:</strong> 2:00 p.m. EST<br />
<br />
Enjoy our Steam Team video below.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/11/the-stream-team-making-mischief-with-a-protector-soldier-in-lot/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Stream Team: Making mischief with a Protector soldier in LotRO</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/11/the-stream-team-making-mischief-with-a-protector-soldier-in-lot/">The Stream Team: Making mischief with a Protector soldier in LotRO</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sat, 11 Jan 2014 14:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://legal.aol.com/terms-of-service/full-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/11/the-stream-team-making-mischief-with-a-protector-soldier-in-lot/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20801250/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/11/the-stream-team-making-mischief-with-a-protector-soldier-in-lot/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>f2p</category><category>fantasy</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>livestream</category><category>livestreaming</category><category>livestreams</category><category>lord-of-the-rings</category><category>lord-of-the-rings-online</category><category>lotro</category><category>massively-meta</category><category>massively-tv</category><category>MJ-Guthrie-livestream</category><category>mv-tv</category><category>mvtv</category><category>Protector</category><category>protector-soldier</category><category>Skirmish</category><category>skirmishes</category><category>stream</category><category>stream-team</category><category>streaming</category><category>streamteam</category><category>the-stream-team</category><category>turbine</category><category>turbine-entertainment</category><category>twitch</category><category>twitch-tv</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[MJ Guthrie]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 11 Jan 2014 14:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[MechWarrior Online adds Protector Orion and new tutorial]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/04/mechwarrior-online-adds-protector-orion-and-new-tutorial/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/04/mechwarrior-online-adds-protector-orion-and-new-tutorial/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/04/mechwarrior-online-adds-protector-orion-and-new-tutorial/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/trailers/" rel="tag">Trailers</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mechwarrior-online/" rel="tag">MechWarrior Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/moba/" rel="tag">MOBA</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/04/mechwarrior-online-adds-protector-orion-and-new-tutorial/"><img alt="MechWarrior Online adds Protector Orion and new tutorial" data-src-height="311" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/09/mech.jpg" style="width: 530px; height: 311px;" //></a></div>
Are you amped up for <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/08/18/mechwarrior-online-announces-launch-party-new-project-phoenix-l/">this month's official launch</a> of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mechwarrior-online/"><em>MechWarrior Online</em></a> -- or will it not really change anything for you whatsoever? Perhaps we can get you more excited about a new content update that went live today and features an improved tutorial and a new hero 'mech.<br />
<br />
The update adds the first of several announed tutorials that will help players acclimate to the to the unique challenges of piloting a 'mech. Today's tutorial is just about the basics of movement and combat, but that's what tutorials are for, right?<br />
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The Protector Orion hero 'mech has come online today as well, a hard-hitting, tough-as-nails machine that's got a nice array of weapon choices. The Protector Orion comes with a 30% boost to C-bill acquisition and can be spotted in the trailer after the break.<br />
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[Source: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/piranha-games">Piranha Games press release</a>]<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/04/mechwarrior-online-adds-protector-orion-and-new-tutorial/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>MechWarrior Online adds Protector Orion and new tutorial</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/04/mechwarrior-online-adds-protector-orion-and-new-tutorial/">MechWarrior Online adds Protector Orion and new tutorial</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 17:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://legal.aol.com/terms-of-service/full-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/04/mechwarrior-online-adds-protector-orion-and-new-tutorial/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20711713/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/04/mechwarrior-online-adds-protector-orion-and-new-tutorial/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>content-update</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>mech</category><category>mechs</category><category>mechwarrior</category><category>mechwarrior-mmo</category><category>mechwarrior-online</category><category>mwo</category><category>patch</category><category>piranha</category><category>piranha-games</category><category>protector</category><category>protector-orion</category><category>sci-fi</category><category>trailer</category><category>tutorial</category><category>update</category><category>video</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Olivetti]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 04 Sep 2013 17:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Champions Online reveals new Mountain archetype]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/champions-online-reveals-new-mountain-archetype/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/champions-online-reveals-new-mountain-archetype/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/champions-online-reveals-new-mountain-archetype/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/super-hero/" rel="tag">Super-hero</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/classes/" rel="tag">Classes</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/champions-online/" rel="tag">Champions Online</a></p><div style="text-align: center;">
	<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/champions-online-reveals-new-mountain-archetype/"><img alt="Champions Online - The Mountain" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2012/01/mountain.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/champions-online"><em>Champions Online</em></a> has a new protector in town, and he's about as subtle as <a href="http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Gregor_Clegane">Gregor Clegane</a> (though quite a bit nicer). The game's newest archetype is called The Mountain, and <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/cryptic-studios">Cryptic</a> has revealed all the vitals on <em>Champions</em>' official website.<br />
<br />
The Mountain is "an embodiment of the rocks and earth that surround us, standing firm in the face of [his] foes," and Cryptic says that the archetype boasts knock-downs and considerable damage-soaking abilities.<br />
<br />
The devs have also provided a handy power listing that details everything from 1 to 40, as well as a few concept phrases -- like rock golem, earth elemental, and primordial entity -- to give you an idea what you're in for if you make a Mountain.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/champions-online-reveals-new-mountain-archetype/">Champions Online reveals new Mountain archetype</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://legal.aol.com/terms-of-service/full-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/champions-online-reveals-new-mountain-archetype/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20153203/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/champions-online-reveals-new-mountain-archetype/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>archetypes</category><category>champions</category><category>champions-online</category><category>classes</category><category>cryptic</category><category>cryptic-studios</category><category>f2p</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>game-mechanics</category><category>mountain</category><category>perfect-world</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>protector</category><category>roles</category><category>superhero</category><category>tanking</category><category>tanks</category><category>the-mountain</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jef Reahard]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Forsaken World offers a look at the Stoneman Protector]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/forsaken-world-offers-a-look-at-the-stoneman-protector/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/forsaken-world-offers-a-look-at-the-stoneman-protector/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/forsaken-world-offers-a-look-at-the-stoneman-protector/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/screenshots/" rel="tag">Screenshots</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/classes/" rel="tag">Classes</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/previews/" rel="tag">Previews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/races/" rel="tag">Races</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/forsaken-world/"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2010/11/forsakenworldcharchoice580kv.jpg" /></a></div>
There's always that moment when starting to play a new game -- just what are you going to choose as a character? Will a neat racial choice capture your eye? Perhaps you're so fond of playing a particular class that no matter what the race is, that will definitely be your choice? Maybe you just love the idea of creating a character that is completely different from who you are in the real world. Well, today we have a short video in which <em><a href="http://fw.perfectworld.com/">Forsaken World</a></em><a href="http://fw.perfectworld.com/">'s</a> Project Manager, Shoko Bogen, tells us her reasons for wanting to play a Stoneman Protector. <br />
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Along with this peek into <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Forsaken-World/"><em>Forsaken World'</em></a>s enormous tank class, we've also gathered up a bunch of new screens that show off various aspects of the game. From large-scale battles to laid back fishing shots, you'll find lots of new eye candy in the gallery below. Or, for those who prefer sound and animation with their eye candy, you can catch the preview video behind the break.<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/forsaken-world/">Forsaken World</a></strong></p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/forsaken-world/#3845859"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2011/02/screen1_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/forsaken-world/#3845863"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2011/02/screen2_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/forsaken-world/#3575112"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/11/fwpreviewkv001_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/forsaken-world/#3575113"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/11/fwpreviewkv002_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/forsaken-world/#3575114"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/11/fwpreviewkv003_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/forsaken-world-offers-a-look-at-the-stoneman-protector/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Forsaken World offers a look at the Stoneman Protector</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/forsaken-world-offers-a-look-at-the-stoneman-protector/">Forsaken World offers a look at the Stoneman Protector</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://legal.aol.com/terms-of-service/full-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/forsaken-world-offers-a-look-at-the-stoneman-protector/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/19719886/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/forsaken-world-offers-a-look-at-the-stoneman-protector/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>forsaken-world</category><category>free-to-play</category><category>fw</category><category>gallery</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>project-manager</category><category>protector</category><category>pwe</category><category>screenshots</category><category>shoko-bogen</category><category>stoneman</category><category>stoneman-protector</category><category>tank</category><category>video</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Krystalle Voecks]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Forsaken World details protector class]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/forsaken-world-details-protector-class/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/forsaken-world-details-protector-class/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/forsaken-world-details-protector-class/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.perfectworld.com/"></a><a href="http://www.perfectworld.com/blog/?p=130441"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2010/10/article3.jpg"  alt="" /></a></div>
Hot on the stiletto heels of their <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/forsaken-worlds-assassin-slices-and-dices/">assassin</a> and <a href="http://fw.perfectworld.com/news/?p=128101">vampire</a> spotlights, <a href="http://www.perfectworld.com/">Perfect World Entertainment</a> brings us a brand new <a href="http://fw.perfectworld.com/"><em>Forsaken World</em></a> class preview focusing on the protector.  According to the game's official blog, protectors are "<em>nine feet tall, carry hammers the size of people, and are regularly seen carrying dwarves on their shoulders</em>."<br />
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Dwarf-tossing references and subtlety-related snarkiness aside, the protectors serve as <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/forsaken-world"><em>Forsaken World's</em></a> tanking class, complete with the usual amenities such as aggro-building taunts and very large pieces of armor.  Protectors also make use of a special ability called fury, which gradually charges up over the course of a fight.  Theoretically, protectors grow stronger and more dangerous the longer the fight continues.<br />
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To learn more about the protector class, head over to the class preview at the official Forsaken World <a href="http://www.perfectworld.com/blog/?p=130441">blog</a>.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/forsaken-world-details-protector-class/">Forsaken World details protector class</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://legal.aol.com/terms-of-service/full-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/forsaken-world-details-protector-class/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/19671549/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/forsaken-world-details-protector-class/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>aggro</category><category>armor</category><category>class-preview</category><category>classes</category><category>forsaken-world</category><category>fury</category><category>heavy-armor</category><category>mechanics</category><category>perfect-world-entertainment</category><category>perfect-world-international</category><category>protector</category><category>pwi</category><category>stoneman</category><category>tank</category><category>taunt</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jef Reahard]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Shopping for your skirmish soldier]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/21/the-road-to-mordor-shopping-for-your-skirmish-soldier/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/21/the-road-to-mordor-shopping-for-your-skirmish-soldier/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/21/the-road-to-mordor-shopping-for-your-skirmish-soldier/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/lord-of-the-rings-online/" rel="tag">Lord of the Rings Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-road-to-mordor/" rel="tag">The Road to Mordor</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://www.lotro.com/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2010/05/lotro1.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
</em></div>
<em>Every Friday, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-road-to-mordor/">The Road to Mordor</a> brings you the latest in </em><a href="http://www.lotro.com/">Lord of the Rings Online</a><em> news, guides and analysis.</em> <br />
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Breaking up, as the song goes, is hard to do -- but sometimes very, very necessary. I'll admit that I have recently settled into a bit of a skirmish funk, firing up a session here and there merely for the XP and the privilege of filling my bags with 576 different types of marks (seriously, <a href="http://www.lotro.com/">Turbine</a>, couldn't we switch from this confusing <a href="http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/money.html">British-like currency</a> to something more streamlined, like the Euro?). When I couldn't find a partner for a skirmish, the sessions seemed like a drag, and even though I dutifully stabbed my way through them, I grew to resent their length and my death-prone Herbalist soldier.<br />
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It wasn't until the other day that a friend challenged my choice of soldier, and in so doing, freed me up for a more enjoyable skirmish experience. "Why are you sticking with the Herbalist?" he asked. I shrugged -- I thought that's what you picked when you were DPS-y and lacked a lot of self-heals. After doing a bit of research on the forums, I made the switch from the decaf healbot to 100% caffeinated Archer goodness, and I couldn't be happier. Pew pew, stab stab, win win.<br />
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The choice of a soldier companion for skirmishes may be the tipping point between a painful slog and a joyful battle, as it was in my case. If you're still trying to figure out which soldier might work best with your class, then hit the jump and see what other players recommend you try.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/21/the-road-to-mordor-shopping-for-your-skirmish-soldier/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Road to Mordor: Shopping for your skirmish soldier</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/21/the-road-to-mordor-shopping-for-your-skirmish-soldier/">The Road to Mordor: Shopping for your skirmish soldier</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 21 May 2010 11:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://legal.aol.com/terms-of-service/full-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/21/the-road-to-mordor-shopping-for-your-skirmish-soldier/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/19485222/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/21/the-road-to-mordor-shopping-for-your-skirmish-soldier/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>archer</category><category>bannerguard</category><category>burglar</category><category>captain</category><category>champion</category><category>combo</category><category>duo</category><category>featured</category><category>guardian</category><category>herbalist</category><category>hunter</category><category>if-you-read-these-tags-you-have-excellent-eyesight</category><category>lord-of-the-rings-online</category><category>lore-master</category><category>lotro</category><category>minstrel</category><category>protector</category><category>rune-keeper</category><category>sage</category><category>skirmish</category><category>skirmish-solider</category><category>soldier</category><category>turbine</category><category>warden</category><category>warrior</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Olivetti]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 21 May 2010 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Builds, powerhouses and tiny pets in Champions Online's new State of the Game]]></title><link>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/builds-powerhouses-and-tiny-pets-in-champions-onlines-new-stat/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/builds-powerhouses-and-tiny-pets-in-champions-onlines-new-stat/</guid><comments>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/builds-powerhouses-and-tiny-pets-in-champions-onlines-new-stat/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/super-hero/" rel="tag">Super-hero</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/champions-online/" rel="tag">Champions Online</a></p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/champions-online/"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2009/07/action_figureco.jpg" alt="" /></a>The big focus for this week's <a href="http://www.champions-online.com/node/97747">State of the Game for <em>Champions Online</em></a> is builds, which act as a way to switch your group role on the fly. The four flavors are: balanced, offense, defense and support -- or Guardian, Avenger, Sentinel and Protector, as they're known respectively in-game. Builds are part of a system that's designed to allow for more flexibility, and thus create characters who may be focused on defense for one mission and protection on another.<br /><br />Another point of interest are the addition of Powerhouses, which are the in-game training rooms <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/create-my-champion-week-zero/">where players can test out potential new powers</a> before committing to them. They're also where retraining occurs as well, so consider them your one-stop shop for all power selection possibilities.<br /><br />As for the image you're seeing on our post, well, that's an action figure! Everyone loves chibi versions of characters and you can't have an MMO without tiny little personal pets following you around. So, who wants a mini-Foxbat? We know we do, because nothing's cuter than tiny super villains.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/builds-powerhouses-and-tiny-pets-in-champions-onlines-new-stat/">Builds, powerhouses and tiny pets in Champions Online's new State of the Game</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://legal.aol.com/terms-of-service/full-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.champions-online.com/node/97747>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/builds-powerhouses-and-tiny-pets-in-champions-onlines-new-stat/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/19106971/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/builds-powerhouses-and-tiny-pets-in-champions-onlines-new-stat/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>atari</category><category>avenger</category><category>builds</category><category>champions-online</category><category>cryptic</category><category>cryptic-studios</category><category>guardian</category><category>powerhouse</category><category>powerhouses</category><category>protector</category><category>sentinel</category><category>state-of-the-game</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kyle Horner]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>