Low-Level Outfitting: Lore-Master Starting Outfit

For an introduction/explanation of this Starting Outfit series, check out this post.

In the Lord of the Rings, Elrond has always fascinated me. He has lived for ages (literally); his memory is long and his understanding deep. It is fitting then that the lore-master class was created with Elrond in mind. Lore-masters use ancient knowledge to unleash nature against their enemies. Animal companions are an interesting component of this class; both the bear and lynx are just so cute! Apparently the elves trust some men and women to learn the ancient wisdom, for both races can be lore-masters.

The lore-master starting outfit consists of three pieces, two of which are complicated by other classes' starting pieces with similar names or designs.  Please see the post on Sorting out the Confusion for clarification.

1. Chest: Robe (green with yellow accents)
The lore-master's starting robe is a beautiful elven robe in green and yellow with an orange sash. This design will appear countless times in the lower levels as quest rewards, but you might as well put this one in the wardrobe and start dyeing it for various occasions. Just be aware this design is not unique to lore-masters. My guardian found it quite smart for the 2011 Summer Festival Horse.

2. Legs: Quilted Leggings (brown)
Interestingly, you might never realize that your lore-master has these because they're completely hidden from view when the robe is equipped (See picture at right; the shirt there is the male undershirt that cannot be removed, which conveniently prevents streaking in Middle Earth). If you want to deviate quickly from the robe look, these are a basic set of leggings that will serve for a while.

3. Feet: Padded Shoes (brown)
This is a basic shoe that is definitely worth keeping. I have a pair of these in my wardrobe in a dozen colors.

The trick to dyeing robes is figuring out which portions do not dye and what their colors are. Sometimes, only a tiny amount is dyeable and thus the piece has little potential for variety. In this case, the robe will continue to have an orange sash and yellow trim, but the overall impact color can be changed. By the way, sashes are notorious for having odd shades that don't seem to go well with anything! Here I've dyed the robe black, which simultaneously looks elegant and allows the bright trim and sash to pop. Black shoes finish the outfit.

Full Details:

Chest: robe (black)

starting lore-master outfit piece, no min. level required
Legs: quilted leggings (default)

starting lore-master outfit piece, no min. level required

Feet: padded shoes (black)

starting lore-master outfit piece, no min. level required

Low-Level Outfitting: Hunter Starting Outfit

For an introduction/explanation of this Starting Outfit series, check out this post.

Like guardian, hunter is an equal opportunity class. Any race can be a hunter. Hunters are excellent archers and are most effective fighters at a distance; they do have a melee weapon as well if needed. Turbine's model representative for this class is Legolas, whose kill record in Helm's Deep kept pace with that of Gimli the axe-wielding dwarf..

Hunters receive a starting outfit of light armor in green and brown tones. The outfit consists of three pieces, one of which is complicated by other classes' starting pieces with similar names or designs.  Please see the post on Sorting out the Confusion for clarification.

1. Chest: Cloth Vest (green and brown)
The green portions of this sleeveless chest piece dye well. The same shirt with sleeves can be found later in-game. If you like the sleeveless look, this is a good piece to keep.

2. Legs: Cloth Pants (green and brown)
These "pants" are skirted leggings whose green portions dye well. There is a crimson stripe around the lower leg that does not dye, and the green belt also stays regardless of dyeing.

3. Feet: Padded Shoes (brown)
These are great, basic shoes. I have a copy of these in my wardrobe in a dozen colors.

This outfit is quite versatile and adapts to many different looks. My take on it here ties in the crimson of the leggings and matches the leggings and shoes to the brown of the vest; it borders on Christmasy but hopefully stops just short!

Full Details:

Chest: cloth vest (crimson)

starting hunter outfit piece, no min. level required
Legs: cloth pants (sienna)

starting hunter outfit piece, no min. level required

Feet: padded shoes (sienna)

starting hunter outfit piece, no min. level required

Low-Level Outfitting: Champion Starter Outfit

For an introduction/explanation of this Starting Outfit series, check out this post.

Elf Champion

In contrast to captains, who can be only human, the champion class is available to all races except human. Champions are fierce and unflinching in battle, wading into swarms of enemies and racking up the kills. With half the health of other melee classes, though, they are more apt to die unlike Turbine's model representative for this class, Gimli son of Gloin.

Champions receive a starting outfit of medium armor in green and brown tones. The outfit consists of three pieces, all of which are complicated by other classes' starting pieces with similar names or designs.  Please see the post on Sorting out the Confusion for clarification.

1. Leather Jacket (green and brown)
This long-sleeved chest piece has an interesting cross-hatch pattern on it, and the background dyes very well in various colors. If you like the style, definitely keep this.

2. Leather Leggings (green and brown)
These skirted leggings go with the jacket, but could undoubtedly be used in other outfits as well.

3. Leather Shoes (brown with green cuff)
These shoes dye only on the cuff and are good when you need an accent of color instead of a block of color. The minstrel copy of this design is in my wardrobe.

I really like this outfit for its versatility in dyeing. It simply looks good in a lot of different colors. Here's just one variation. Notice how brightly the jacket dyes white!

Full Details:

Chest: leather jacket (white)

starting champion outfit piece, no min. level required

Legs: leather leggings (white)

starting champion outfit piece, no min. level required

Feet: leather shoes (Evendim blue)

starting champion outfit piece, no min. level required

Summer Festival 2011 Mount Outfit

This outfit took a while. I tried all sorts of various green-themed outfits. Then I tried other colors in all sorts of raiment, and finally this red robe surpassed them all. The bright hue of robe matches the brightness of the green and yellow tack, and the robe, tack, and boots have similar swirls.  The white plume of the hat matches the whiteness of the horse, and the gilded brown echoes the leather of the tack.

Full Details:

Head: Plumed Hat (gold)

quest reward for classes that wear light armor (Introduction), no min. level required

Chest: Elven Robe of Might (red)

monster drop, light armor, min. level 30

Hands: Elven Cotton Gloves (gold)

Expert (T3) Tailor recipe, light armor, min. level 22

Feet: Elven Leather Boots of Vigour (red)

monster drop, light armor, min. level 30

A Spring Festival Horse Outfit

I was so excited when I first saw the 2011 Spring Festival horse.  It was so . . . springy!  Within a couple of days Gelmirian bartered spring leaves for both the horse and the spring hauberk  During the festival, both Gelmirian and Luivia wore the hauberk, dyed Rivendell green.  After the festival, however, Gelmirian needed a different outfit that would go with the mount.

The mount is blonde with a grey mane, but really the only thing one notices is the bright, cheery, yellow and green blanket and leg braces.  The outfit has to match or complement the yellow and green. Fortunately there was an easy solution: the dwarf-make chain hauberk.  This cosmetic item has bright yellow accents, and it dyes nicely with rich jewel tones.

Full Details:

Head: White rose circlet

2011 Spring Festival barter item

Chest: Dwarf-make chain hauberk (forest green)

cosmetic item, purchased from Othrikar outfitter, often appears on Auction Hall, no level restrictions

Hands: Forge-crafted gloves (umber)

T2 single-use metalsmith recipe (monster drop), heavy armor, min. level 20

Feet: Thistlewool's shoes

optional quest reward (Quest: "Thistlewool's Sullied Name"), medium armor, no minimum level restrictions