Eras of Arda: Renewed Addon (First and Second Age)
Middle-earth has never been closer to your blocky fingertips. The Eras of Arda: Renewed Addon (First and Second Age) expands the beloved Lord of the Rings Renewed Mod by opening up two of Tolkien's most legendary time periods as fully playable dimensions. If you have ever wanted to walk the forests of Doriath, fight alongside the men of Dor-lómin, or serve the dark halls of Angband, this add-on delivers exactly that experience inside Minecraft.
What This Add-On Brings to the Table
This is not a small content pack. The add-on is split into two massive halves, the First Age and the Second Age, each with its own custom world generation, NPCs, factions, and atmosphere. The First Age edits the existing map to include Beleriand while revamping much of Eriador to better match Tolkien's writings. Over 20 new factions and subfactions have been introduced, along with unique armor sets, weapons, and biomes that give every region its own identity.
The Second Age follows the same philosophy but on an even grander scale. Players can align themselves with Númenor, forge alliances among the elves, or embrace the rising shadow. Transitioning between all three Ages is smooth once the add-on is installed, letting you move from the Third Age into the distant past without starting a brand-new world.
Classic World Types
Beyond the portal dimensions, the add-on also adds First Age Classic and Second Age Classic world types. These override the standard map and generate like a regular Minecraft world, but they use First Age or Second Age biomes throughout. It is a fantastic option for players who want a traditional survival start with a Tolkien twist from the very first block.
Supported Versions and Loaders
Currently, the add-on is playable only on Minecraft 1.16.5 with Forge. The developers have stated that it will be updated to newer versions in tandem with the Lord of the Rings Renewed Mod, so future compatibility depends on the base mod's progress. For now, 1.16.5 Forge remains the definitive way to experience everything the add-on offers.
How to Install
Getting started is straightforward, but you do need the right setup. The add-on requires the Lord of the Rings Renewed Mod to function, and the developers strongly recommend Just Enough Items and JEI LOTR to help with recipes. In total, four mods are needed for the best experience:
- The Lord of the Rings Renewed Mod
- Just Enough Items (JEI)
- Just Enough Items LOTR
- The Renewed Eras of Arda Add-On
Place all four files into your mods folder, launch Minecraft 1.16.5 with Forge, and the new dimensions will be available through the portal system. If you prefer a smoother route, the foxygame.net launcher keeps Eras of Arda: Renewed Addon (First and Second Age) and its dependencies in a single catalog, so you can add everything to your profile with one click instead of hunting down each file manually.
Why Players Keep Coming Back
Since development began on January 12th, 2021, the add-on has grown into one of the most ambitious Tolkien-themed projects in the Minecraft community. The sheer scale of the First and Second Ages, combined with the attention to lore, makes it feel like a full expansion rather than a side project. Whether you want to roleplay as an elf of Doriath or a soldier of Númenor, the choice is entirely yours.
If you are ready to download Eras of Arda: Renewed Addon (First and Second Age), make sure your mods folder is prepared and your Forge installation is set to 1.16.5. For questions, suggestions, or bug reports, the community Discord and the LOTRMod Wikia page are the best places to look. Older players on 1.7.10 can also explore the First Age Legacy and Second Age Legacy submods for a classic experience.
Middle-earth is vast, and this add-on proves it. Grab your gear, pick a faction, and step into the Ages that shaped the legend.