Shadow of War: Nemesis system and orders Middle-earth: Shadow of War Guide

Nemesis system in Middle-earth: Shadow of War is a unique mechanic that is now much more developed when compared to the previous game. This system is based on a group of dozens of orcs (each region has a different group) that have names, unique traits and specializations. In addition to that, each enemy also has a specific level. This page of our guide describes in detail how the Nemezis system works.

• Nemezis system - essential information
• Gathering information about enemies
• Orders

Nemezis system - essential information

The first chapter only allows you to hunt stronger orcs and get experience by killing them. The fun starts in the second act where you get access to domination. You simply have to fight with an enemy, weaken him to a point that you can dominate and join him to your army.

You can choose what you want to do with a dominated orc.

Branded orcs can be used for various goals. However, we should start with domination because, besides taking over an enemy, it offers you a few interesting options:

1. Recruit. When you try to dominate an orc with a higher rank, you will always get an option that allows you to try and recruit him to your army. However, there may be situations in which an enemy has an iron will and you won't be able to dominate them. In addition to that, you can't recruit orcs that have a higher level than you.
2. Shame. This mechanic is unlocked in the middle of the second act. You can shame your enemies which makes them lose a lot of levels. They also flee from a battlefield.
3. Fight to the Death. When you decide that you don't want that particular orc in your army, you can always select this option - it allows you to fight and kill that enemy.

In addition to that, when you recruit a given orc, you can order him to stay where he is and keep fighting, order him to fall back or you can discard him from your army.

Gathering information about enemies

Hunt Worms and force them to tell you important details about the enemy army.

Each more powerful orc has strong and weak sides that you should discover before a battle. You can always learn about their strong points during a fight. Press the right button during a presentation to open an information panel. However, if you want to learn about their weaknesses, you must gather information about that particular orc.

In order to get them you must find Worms - they are special orcs marked by a green icon above their head. You can also find them marked on a map. Interrogate them and you will be able to choose whose weaknesses you want to discover. It is always good to know about your enemy before a fight, especially when they are Warchiefs or they are, e.g. heroic versions.

Sometimes, information can be scattered around the game's world lying on tables, in camps etc. You simply have to, e.g. pick up a scroll and you will be able to choose an orc, similarly to when you interrogate a Worm. Remember that you can't use weaknesses of a captain if you didn't have information about them before that fight.

Orders

Orders can be issued in the Army menu.

Army menu can be opened at any point of the game and it allows you to check your army's status. Characters with blue icons represent your forces. Darkened figures represent orcs that are unknown to you. You must meet them personally or get information from a Worm that can tell you who they are. When you select your orc, you will be able to give them a few orders.

1. Ambush. You can order your orc to ambush an enemy. This starts a special rivalry mission in which you can participate. If enough time passes, your orc will participate in it alone and, e.g. kill all targets.
2. Support. You can send your orcs to support your forces in a previously selected mission. This increases your chances in achieving success in a given quest.
3. Infiltration. Orcs can infiltrate, e.g. a commander or can become a spy that will betray their kind at the earliest opportunity. This option is very useful - your orc can, e.g. stab a surprised captain in the back which will make that fight much easier.
4. Pit fight. You can send your orcs to fight in pits where a winner gets a lot of experience and can gain up to 10 levels (but your orcs will never have a higher level than yours).