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Update 48 Release Notes

The Lord of the Rings Online™ · Community Announcements · April 22, 2026

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Update 48 Release Notes

[p align="start"]Here are the Release Notes for Update 48: A Glorious Hunt, released on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. 

Of Special Note:

The 19th Anniversary has arrived!

[p align="start"]The Lord of the Rings Online is turning 19! Enjoy our Anniversary Event fun starting at 10:00 AM Eastern (-4 GMT) on Thursday, April 23rd. This year's Anniversary Event continues until 3:00 AM Eastern (-4 GMT) on Tuesday, May 12th.

Find our guide on LOTRO.com!

[p align="start"]This year's celebration features new Missions, new rewards and more:

Rivendell Housing opens on Thursday, April 30th!

[p align="start"]Update 48 sees the launch of our newest premium neighbourhood, the Rivendell Steadings. Nestled high in the mountains just to the west of the Vale of Imladris, players now have the opportunity to call Rivendell home! Rivendell Housing will open on the 64-bit game worlds on Thursday, April 30th, starting at Noon Eastern (-4 GMT). Additional housing neighborhoods will open automatically once enough homes in existing neighborhoods are purchased. 

[p align="start"]There are multiple ways to get to the Rivendell Steadings. The main entrance of the neighborhood is a quick walk south-west from the Rivendell stables, right before the tree bridge crossing. You can also access the neighbourhood from Bree-town via the Broker’s Office as well as from the new Rivendell Steadings Broker’s Board in Lalia’s Market. 

New Questing: A Glorious Hunt!

[p align="start"]In the southern scrubland of Pahar Hatokáli, Shâra Mizâdi, queen of Shagâna and its environs, has pursued the villainous pretender king Bârshud across deserts, mountains and cities throughout Shagâna and Mûr Ghala. After he fled Emax Dûl, Bârshud and his sorcerous second, Sudûgul, have taken up residence south, in the Hatokáli Fells. Mizâdi and her retinue, including Numûru, Razâl and Rahâzi are fast on his heels. But like a serpent cornered, Bârshud is even more dangerous in his desperation. What fresh secrets and horrors will Mizâdi find in her hunt, buried deep beneath the Fells?

[p align="start"]Experience the story of Mizâdi's glorious hunt over three parts, released over time throughout the spring! Meet up with Shâra Mizâdi in Hanamíku in Pahar Hatokáli to begin your journey. The first set of quests is available with launch, and the second set of quests unlocks on Wednesday May 6th at 10am EDT. The final quests in the story unlock on May 20th. "A Glorious Hunt" is FREE to VIPs and available in the LOTRO Store.

A new weekly quest to earn Virtue has arrived!

[p align="start"]New Embers for Virtue quests are obtained from Embers traders around Middle-earth.

New Additions to Adventurer's and Traveler's Lootboxes!

[p align="start"]Rowan Raspberry has arrived to trade your Figments of Splendour for new and returning rewards! These new items are also available in Adventurer's and Traveller's Steel-bound Lootboxes.

Learn more in this article on LOTRO.com!

News and Notes:

Classes & Skills:

Crafting & Hobbies:

Festivals & Events:

Housing & Decorations:

Instances & Skirmishes:

Items & Rewards:

Landscape:

Legendary Worlds:

Quests, Deeds, & Adventure Areas:

Reputation:

UI & Miscellaneous:

Known issues:

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