Red

Overview

Red Champion or The Berserker is one of the most fun melee classes to play, it has quick DPS rotations, really good mobility with Sprint skill, and recently got some great self heal. It still requires some awareness of mechanics, as Melee classes have some restrictions in LOTRO and often get punished.

Leveling in red is mostly the same as yellow. Normally on landscape the extra damage for red is outshined by yellows aoe buffs. A larger focus on quick kills and melee buffs can push red over yellow in some fights.

Stat Priority

For stats you’ll focus on Critical Rating -> Physical Mastery-> (Enough)Finesse -> Tact/Phys Mitigations -> Vitality

Trait Tree

3 points of Merciful strike crit chance are not used. With the increased damage it might be worth it now. Removing Morale heal and 1 tactical mitigation from blue or Finesse and 1 Battle frenzy from yellow.

One option is the 1 point of finesse and 1 point from red in a damage skill or Ebbing ire likely has the smallest impact at the start of level 160.

Virtues

Main priority is damage virtues, but stats are easier to get now and there is a lot of finesse floating around. You can replace Wit, Valour or Confidence with Loyalty or Honour to reduce your finesse and improve mitigations and morale.

Traceries

Class item shared between red and yellow champion

Watch: Champion guide