It is used to to push people into buying the deluxe version in a similar fashion as the sixth bag was in 2012. However, LOTRO's new High Elf race is exclusive to the deluxe and legendary edition. It's not even the ridiculous price of the legendary edition that's disgruntling most current players: that's obviously meant for fans that want to support the game in any way they can, and it only grants cosmetic fluff on top of the content of the other editions. Fast forward five years and nothing has changed.
So far, each expansion has reinforced the image of the game studio as greedy and out-of-touch with their community. The pre-order offers for Helm's Deep in 2013 didn't fare much better. Only after a huge player outcry did the developers quickly announce that the bag would be available for separate purchase in the Store as well, upon launch.
Back then a essential quality-of-life feature, the sixth inventory bag, was originally exclusive to, and gated behind the legendary edition. Veteran players may still remember the Riders of Rohan pre-order costs in 2012. It is not the first time LOTRO's pre-order offers cause a stir in the community.
