Shadow of War: General tips Middle-earth: Shadow of War Guide

On this page you will find advice on how to start playing Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Using our guide will help you start the game, understand the most important gameplay mechanics and successfully complete the whole game.

• Missions and campaign
• Bodyguards and orcs captains
• Domination and exploration
• Equipment and skills

Missions and campaign

The game offers more than 40 story missions and many additional quests that can, e.g. strengthen your army.

1. Missions. This game is much more complex and challenging than the prequel. You can find various missions that can strengthen your character, allow you to recruit powerful captains etc., at almost any point of the game. Starting with the second act, you will be able to travel between various parts of the world and complete numerous missions. Try to do them regularly and when you come across a mission that is too difficult for you, you can simply focus on another one.
2. Acts. The game is divided into acts and many of the mechanics are unlocked with your progress in the main storyline. One of the game's biggest features, recruiting captains, creating your army and assaults are available only from the second act. Treat the first act of your adventure as a complex tutorial that teaches you how to control your character.

Bodyguards and orcs captains

You can recruit other orcs and, e.g. make one of them your bodyguard.

1. Bodyguard. Even someone as strong as Talion needs a bodyguard in a form of a powerful orc. Try to recruit someone strong as soon as possible and summon him in a most critical moment. It is recommended to hunt an orc that can call other creatures or to find one that is really resistant (has, e.g. a shield). A bodyguard like that can focus attention of your enemies which can allow you to, e.g. retreat and heal.
2. Captains. The game revolves around orc captains, fights with them and their recruitments. Try to always learn weak points of a captain that you are going to fight with and use these weaknesses to, e.g. defeat him. Some enemies are scared of beasts, stealth attacks or spiders. Others can kill your mount with one hit, can be resistant to ranged attacks etc. You should know beforehand with whom you will deal with and come up with a strategy suitable for that fight.

Domination and exploration

Try to always dominate weakened captains.

1. Enemy numbers. Enemies will always outnumber you. This can be very problematic, especially when, e.g. you want to kill a given captain ? during that fight you will be flooded with weaker enemies. What is worse, you will come across moments when another captain joins in and helps the other one. Because of that you should try to be fast and precise ? by knowing your enemy's weaknesses you can focus on using them. Defeat an enemy and change your location.
2. Dominate your enemies. Before you start a fight with a given captain, etc. you should always try to brand nearby archers because this can give you huge advantage in a fight. You should always remember to dominate Caragors/Graugs because they can help you greatly.
3. Explore your surroundings. Usually, the game gives you a certain goal, such as dominate a captain but it is up to you how you want to complete this objective. Spend a lot of time on analyzing your surroundings, enter Wraith-world (this game's version of detective mode) in order to check number of enemies and find important elements that can be used during a fight. In the beginning of a confrontation you should stay hidden and calmly plan your first steps, the game will never punish you for slow tempo.

Equipment and skills

Keep updating Talion's equipment and always read their detailed descriptions.

1. Items stats. Each item in the game has certain stats and you should update your gear regularly. However, you must remember to read their descriptions carefully and pay attention to their unique bonuses. A weapon that, e.g. inflicts curse status on enemies is more powerful than the one that has higher base damage.
2. Abilities. Their more detailed descriptions can be found in a separate chapter; however, you must prepare yourself that you will have to learn how to use most of the abilities and how to be versatile. If, e.g. you only use melee weapons then you won't be able to defeat a captain that is immune to these attacks and has an ability that won't allow you to jump over him. The game, especially on higher difficulties, can be really difficult and it can force you to think about your actions.
3. Replaying missions. Unlike in the previous game, this one allows you to replay a mission by selecting it from your journal. If, e.g. you didn't complete a bonus goal or you simply want to replay a given adventure, you are free to use this option.