Skirmishes have been a success since day one of their release. This past weekend I was describing them to a friend of mine who quit in 2007 and he said a system that would allow him to jump into the game and then jump out 20-30 minutes later would be perfect. Needless to say, I’m going to be dropping him a line on September 10th to remind him to sign up for an account. Luckily for him, he’ll be able to try skirmishes 10 levels sooner than I was since with free-to-play Skirmishes will now be available at level 20 instead of level 30 (which is what it is set to now). As a free player he’ll have access to 4 skirmishes compared to 9 as a VIP (Premium only have 4 as well), with the option to purchase more.
So what skirmishes are available at what level, and how much will they cost?
| Level | # of Skirmishes Opened | Skirmishes Opened | Cost | Other Requirements |
| 20 | 2 | Siege of Gondamon Trouble in Tuckborough |
Free | |
| 25 | 1 | Stand at Amon Sûl | Purchased for 495 points* or free with a VIP subscription | |
| 30 | 1 | Thievery and Mischief | Purchased for 495 points* or free with a VIP subscription | |
| 35 | 1 | Defence of The Prancing Pony | Purchased for 495 points* or free with a VIP subscription | |
| 40 | 1 | Ford of Bruinen | Purchased for 495 points* or free with a VIP subscription | |
| 45 | 1 | Survival: Barrow-downs | Purchased for 495 points* or free with a VIP subscription | |
| 60 | 2 | Strike Against Dannenglor Protectors of Thangûlhad |
Requires the Moria and Mirkwood Expansions (2495 Points Each*) | Volume 2.7.4 Volume 2.9.14 |
| 65 | 4 | Breaching the Necromancer’s Gate Assault on the Ringwraiths’ Lair The Battle in the Tower Rescue in Nûrz-Ghâshu |
Requires the Moria and Mirkwood Expansions (2495 Points Each*) | Volume 2.9.15 Volume 2.9.15 Volume 2.9.18 Volume 3.1.1 |
* Denotes that all prices are those in the Beta and may change from Beta to Launch or anytime hereafter.
What other changes will we see with Skirmishes? Outside of a couple of Lieutenants being changed, one thing that stands out is that players who play Skirmishes that are higher than their character level will earn extra marks. Currently if you run a higher level Skirmish (for example if you’re level 30 and you’re running the Skirmish at level 35) you don’t get any bonus marks. After Free-to-Play you will! Also, the skills to summon and direct your Soldier are now immediate, which is definitely a nice change. One thing to remember is that if you are a VIP subscriber that downgrades to Premium, you may need to purchase some (or all) of these skirmishes once again.
I think that lowering the level is a good idea, but I also think it’s a strategic move as well. It allows Free-to-Play players a chance to experience content at level 20, right about the time that they’ll run out of quest content. This most likely is to encourage Free-to-Play players to keep leveling and coax them to purchase more content so that they could advance even further in the game. I personally don’t see an issue with this, because it’s a great game and definitely worth the money!
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August 27, 2010 at 12:40 pm
As I leveled as F2P in beta, I obtained the skirmishes without purchasing them directly. It may be that certain skirmishes are obtained through the purchase of zone quest packs.
August 27, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Did you happen to create an account specifically for free play? If not and you linked it to your current account that would have set you as a VIP which could account for your obtaining them automatically. The first two do come automatically.
August 27, 2010 at 1:06 pm
I’m sure at least one person will complain that they raised the level for the Barrow Downs skirmish from 40 to 45. Personally, I prefer the new order, as I always found it annoying waiting ten levels between Amon Sul and T&M. But you can be sure there is at least one person (or more likely three given that the lowest setting is a Small Fellowship) who just can wait to hit 40 and enter the Barrow Downs.
August 27, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Oh yea this will make leveling much more interesting I have a cappy and mini at level 35 and a lore master at 25
August 28, 2010 at 6:13 am
There are only 2 skirmishes available to F2Try players, the 2 you listed are the ones available.
Turbine announced 4, but they included the tutorial – I have no idea where the fourth comes from, probably another ‘technically counts as a skirmish but isnt one, we just included it to make it sound better’
August 28, 2010 at 7:30 pm
There are two tutorial skirmishes: the brief T&T and the brief Prancing Pony.
I haven’t heard official confirmation that the four were intended to include the tutorials. The only alternative I can think of is that they were planning on two more skirmishes but they were postponed. Either way, there are only two real skirmishes available for free with the 3.2 release.
August 28, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Gonna make leveling alts easier. I can wait for f2p to open up. I have alts that I have held off on leveling because of the points that I’d miss out on from doing deeds.