Lord of the Rings Online gets Riders of Rohan expansion this fall

In September, Turbine released the Rise of Isengard expansion for its free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game Lord of the Rings Online. That pack added new zones like Dunland, the Gap of Rohan, and Isengard, and it became the best-selling add-on ever for the game. Today, Turbine announced that gamers will be able to continue their journeys through Middle-earth with a new expansion.

The Riders of Rohan add-on--which Turbine says is twice the size of Rise of Isengard--brings new zones, mounted combat, and a level cap increase to 85. It is scheduled to arrive this fall, and Turbine did not affix a price to it.

In the expansion, gamers will join the Rohirrim galloping across the Plains of Rohan; experience the breaking of the Fellowship at Amon Hen; meet the Ents of Fangorn forest; and join up with Eomer, aiding him on his quest to protect King Theoden's people.

As for the expansion's new mounted combat ability, the add-on gives players the ability to mount their steeds and battle from atop the creatures. Using this new ability, players will encounter fresh foes in warg riders, who beset the Plains of Rohan. Additionally, gamers can customize their horse's armor and level its skills.

Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar was released in 2007 to a warm critical reception. The game welcomed expansions Mines of Moria in 2008 and Siege of Mirkwood in 2009, before it adopted a free-to-play business model in 2010. The title's Rise of Isengard expansion followed in 2011. Lord of the Rings Online is set in Middle-earth, a fictional fantasy universe created by J.R.R. Tolkien.