Fifth expansion for aging MMO game being released this fall; Base and Premium versions available for prepurchase beginning today.

The fifth expansion for the free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game Lord of the Rings Online—Helm’s Deep–will launch on November 18, publisher Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced today.

The expansion is now available for prepurchase through the $60 Premium Edition and $40 Base Edition. The Base Edition includes all Helm’s Deep content, as well as the Hauberk of the Hammerhead chest piece, the title of Helm’s Enforcer, and 1,000 Turbine points.

The Premium Edition packs in the Armor of Hammerhand armor, an additional 10 quest log slots, the Crystal of Remembrance (adds one additional legacy to legendary weapons), the titles Helm’s Enforcer and Helm’s Avenger, and 2,000 Turbine points.

In addition, all Lord of the Rings Online: Helm’s Deep prepurchases will receive the Shield of Hammerhand (+25 percent experience) and the Steed of the Hammerhand, an exclusive Rohirrim mount with matching War-Steed appearance. These bonuses can be used immediately in the game.

The Lord of the Rings Online: Helm’s Deep expansion, as its name suggests, brings players to the Battle for Helm’s Deep. Players can enlist as a soldier in the Battle of the Hornburg as early as level 10 and earn rewards–win or lose.

The expansion also introduces new landscapes across the Western Rohan lands, including the Westemnet of Rohan, Edoras, Dunharrow, and the Hornburg within Helm’s Deep.

The Helm’s Deep expansion also increases the level cap from 85 to 95 and introduces new skills and updated class specializations. In the content, players will encounter Aragorn, Eowyn, and Eomer as they help restore King Theoden to his throne.

For more on the expansion, check out GameSpot’s preview of the content.

Helm’s Deep is the fifth expansion for Lord of the Rings Online. It follows Mines of Moria (2008), Siege of Mirkwood (2009), Rise of Isengard (2011), and Riders of Rohan (2012).

The game adopted a free-to-play business model in 2010, which resulted in monthly revenue jumping three times over.

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