Update 45.5 Release Notes
Here are the Release Notes for Update 45.5, released on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
Of Special Note:
Kingdoms of Harad is now available for Pre-Purchase!
The Kingdoms of Harad stand at a crossroads, their rivalries sharpening as a greater threat gathers strength. Gandalf has come with a warning of a darkness rising in the South. The Thardúth, ancient servants of Morgoth, rise once more, harnessing powers that could unmake the balance of Middle-earth.
Rally the Kindred of the Coins along with the fierce Mizâdi, Shâra of Renewed Hamât, as rival kingdoms clash and old grudges resurface. From arid wastelands, blighted forests, and perilous ruins, war looms on every horizon. Who will rise to lead the Kingdoms of Harad against the coming darkness, or deeper into it?
Experience the Epic Finale: Embark on over 400 new quests, uncovering stories of betrayal, shifting alliances, and ancient powers. Test your strength in three new instances and raid** as you take part in the climactic chapter of the Song of Waves and Wind.
- Level Cap Raised to 160: Advance from 150 to 160 and unlock new powers, abilities, and gear to face the trials of Harad. Grow stronger than ever as the struggle against Morgoth’s shadow reaches its decisive moment.
- Explore the Heart of Harad: Journey through four vast new regions: the blighted lands of Adagîm, the arid gorges of Kíghan, the scorched plateaus of An Shêru, and the once vibrant lakes of Idagâl.
- Forge Fragile Alliances: As the Thardúth rise with power from the First Age, the South teeters between unity and ruin. Rally the proud Kindred of the Coins and the fierce Mizâdi, Shâra of Renewed Hamât, even as the ambitious Nakási Wave-reaper moves to tip the balance.
- Journey Farther with Expedition Supplies: Get immediate access to Expedition supplies to enhance your journey! The Collector's Edition includes five Reputation Acceleration Tomes, a Virtue XP Accelerator, five 100% XP Accelerators, and a Rare Crafting Component x5 Selection Box. The Ultimate Fan Bundle also includes 25k virtue XP, four Virtue XP Accelerators, and an Ultimate Carry-all Selection Box. Expedition Supplies are limited to one per account.
- Exciting Bonus Items in the Ultimate Fan Bundle: Enjoy other great features in the Ultimate Fan Bundle, including: 10 slots of extra bank space, an Ultimate 150 level-up package, Ultimate Carry-all Selection Box, Housing Teleporter, Armor of the Golden Lion, Weapon Aura of the Golden Lion, Camel and War-steed of the Golden Lion, Baby Camel pet, a "What's in the Basket?" Bauble, XP Boost Earing, and a level 150 Valar Package.
** Instance & Raid content will be available after Kingdoms of Harad release.
Click here to learn more about Kingdoms of Harad!
The Bane of Rhûn has arrived on Angmar and Mordor!
The Bane of Rhûn has joined the Black Blade of Lebennin to challenge adventurers on the Legendary Worlds of Angmar and Mordor!
Learn more about these worlds on LOTRO.com. Ringwraiths will sometimes appear in-game, either in the landscape or accessible by a portal that appears, and anyone at the level cap of the game world can enter the portal or otherwise take part in the fight. Once enough players arrive through the portal, the Ringwraith will spawn. New versions of these Ringwraith instances will appear as necessary based on the number of players who enter the portal instance space.
Filbert Fig and Adventurer's and Traveller's Steel-bound Lootboxes have been updated!
Filbert Fig has arrived to barter your Figments of Splendour for new and returning rewards! Filbert Fig can be found by the Boar Fountain in Bree along with Galtrev in Dunland, Skarhald in Ered Mithril, Estolad Lan in Imlad Morgul, the Twenty-First Hall in Moria, and in Hultvis in The Vales of Anduin.
Read more on LOTRO.com!
News and Notes:
- This update includes a series of significant changes to frills and bushes to address an issue with game performance. Most frills and bushes are now client-only by default. Some rock and frill placement may be adjusted as a result of these changes, but few visible differences should be noticed. These changes reduce the overall physics complexity of these objects and improve game performance.
- River hobbits will now grow and shrink properly during the Mushroom Hunt.
- Chests at Lugazag and Tirith Rhaw should now spawn after control shifts from one side to the other after one hour.
- The Tyrant at the lumber camp is, once again, the required kill to flip the Lumber Camp back to the Free People.
- The Evergreen Sickle-fly and Russet Corgi cosmetic pets now properly appear in the collections panel and have accompanying text describing how to obtain them.
- The Ringwraith event space has had an adjustment aimed at improving encounter AI.
- The Valorous Potion of Morale can now be properly contained in a Healer's Carry-all.
- The volume of the Hand-knell has been reduced slightly to be more in-line with other musical instruments, and the Ab2 note is now closer in tone to surrounding notes.
- Guild leaders can once again transfer without selling their Kinship housing. Items in Kinship Housing Escrow will be moved to Personal Housing Escrow, and can be found on any character on the account. These items can also then be transferred with a Shared Items Transfer.
- The wrapper quests "A Bountiful Harvest" for the Harvestmath Festival can no longer be cancelled to prevent issues with properly receiving the quests every year.
Known Issues:
- Some animations are not displaying correctly on the new Camel of the Golden Lion and Camel of the Vigilant Sentinel. These animations will be corrected for all races in a future game update.
