Before the Shadow: Frequently Asked Questions

Before the Shadow is the latest mini-expansion for The Lord of the Rings Online where players will learn about the mysteries of the One Ring, travel with Boromir and more! You can get full information about Before the Shadow and pre-purchase the expansion in the LOTRO Market.

Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Before the Shadow:

Can I purchase the expansion with LOTRO Points?

Before the Shadow will be available for LOTRO Points in March 2023 and will be priced as follows:

  • Base Edition (includes the new regions, Missions, & Instances only): 1995 Points

How do I add the Expansion to my existing LOTRO account?

After your purchase, your account will automatically be updated based on the edition you have purchased. If you are logged into the game at the time of your purchase, you may need to log out of the game and back in before the changes take effect on your account.

When and how do I get my expansion bonus items?

Most cosmetics, titles, and other bonus items are delivered to every character, while the Expedition Supplies deliver to the first server and character that you log into the game with after your purchase. You may need to log out of the game and back in before the changes take effect on your account.

The following items will be delivered to every character on your account:

  • Housing Teleport Item (with Before the Shadow release)
  • Titles
  • Valiant Armour of the Dúnedain
  • Valiant Steed of the Dúnedain with War-steed appearances
  • Friendly Heron cosmetic pet
  • Elf Dance of Old Traditions Emote
  • Armour of Flowing Silver
  • Elk of Flowing Silver with War-steed appearances
  • Weapon Aura of Elven Blessings
  • Mount Dressage Emote
  • Loyal Turtle cosmetic pet.
  • Elven Stars Weapon Aura
  • For PvMP Monster Play Characters Only: Monster Play Appearances

The following items will be delivered once, to the first character you log into following your purchase. Make sure to acquire these items on your intended server!

  • Improved Expedition Supplies Box
  • Ultimate Expedition Supplies Box

The following items will be delivered with your pre-purchase immediately:

  • “From the First Page” Title
  • “Before the Shadow” Title
  • Cosmetic Armour
  • Cosmetic Pets
  • Emotes
  • Mounts
  • Elven Stars Weapon Aura
  • Monster Play Appearances
  • Expedition Supplies

The following items will be delivered when Update 34: Before the Shadow is released:

  • Extra Shared Storage
  • Extra Character Slot
  • Housing Teleport item
  • Before the Shadow gameplay content.

Each edition of Before the Shadow has its own Expedition Supplies Box, so purchasers of the Collector’s Edition will receive the Improved Expedition Supplies Box, and purchasers of the Ultimate Edition will receive both an Improved Expedition Supplies Box and an Ultimate Expedition Supplies Box. The Ultimate Edition Supplies Box will include the Expedition Supplies items not included in the Collector’s Edition.

Bonus items are delivered to players through items located in their inventories named:

  • Graceful Elven Dance Emote (all editions)
  • Before the Shadow Collector’s Edition – Bonus Items!
  • Before the Shadow Ultimate Fan Bundle – Bonus Items!
  • Before the Shadow Ultimate Fan Bundle – Monster Play Appearances
  • Caras Gelebren Mural Alcove (Ultimate edition Housing Teleporter at Expansion release)

Ultimate Edition purchasers will receive both the Collector’s and Ultimate Edition items, while Collector’s Edition purchasers will receive Collector’s Edition items.

If I don't pre-purchase the expansion, can I still buy the expansion bonus items at a later time?

At this time, the Standard Edition, Collector’s Edition, and Ultimate Fan Bundle will remain available after the launch of the Before the Shadow expansion.

While the expansions will still be available in the LOTRO Market, please note that you will be unable to purchase the bundled cosmetic items or shared storage through the LOTRO Store for points.

I pre-purchased the expansion, but I didn't get a Product Key. Where is it?

You no longer need a product key after you purchase. Your account is automatically updated via the LOTRO Market. If you were logged into the game at the time that you made your purchase, you may need to log out and then back into the game before the changes will take effect on your account.

What are the “Expedition Supplies” listed in each bundle?

These Expedition Supplies include useful items to help your character through the expansion content. Your Expedition supplies are delivered as an inventory item one time on your account, to the first character and server you log into after making your purchase on the LOTRO Market. Opening the item will bestow your supplies to that character. All of your Expedition Supplies are bound to your account. Purchase of the Ultimate Edition will deliver both the Ultimate Expedition Supplies Box and the Improved Expedition Supplies Box.

Ultimate Expedition Supplies Box:

  • 4 Virtue XP Accelerators
  • Ultimate Carry-all Selection Box (includes Large Healer's Carry-all)
  • Flowing Silver Stone of the Tortoise
  • Flowing Silver Stone
  • 15,000 Virtue XP

Improved Expedition Supplies Box:

  • 5 Reputation Acceleration Tomes
  • 1 Virtue XP Acceleration Tomes
  • 5 100% XP Accelerators
  • 5 Rare Crafting Components

Will all the Before the Shadow content be released at the same time?

The Six-Person Instance will be released after the release of the Before the Shadow expansion in November.

Can I see what the cosmetic items look like?

Here are the cosmetic items in the Collector’s Edition:

Here are the cosmetic items in the Ultimate Edition:

Here is the Tome of the Loyal Turtle:

Here is the Dressage Emote in the Ultimate Edition:

Do VIPs get a discount on Before the Shadow?

Yes! Players who are VIP and are logged into LOTRO.com with their game account are offered a 10% discount on any of the three editions of Before the Shadow.