11: The Black Captain | Main missions Middle-earth: SoM Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Requirements for starting the mission: You need to complete the tenth main mission (The Dark Monument).
Secondary objectives: You need to use the dagger, on the grabbed orcs, ten times.
You start this mission in the same spot as the tenth one and its aim is to defeat one of the Black captains - The Hammer. This boss is not too demanding, although it is better if you learn the information below.
Note - You will not be able to take a look at the strong and weak points of the boss. Fortunately, they have been predetermined so, you can use the hints presented on this page.
I recommend that, right after the fighting starts, you complete the secondary objective of this mission. You need to grab the regular orcs and press the dagger key/button to deal damage to them (Shank).
Since you can stab an orc five times, before he dies, you can complete the secondary objective by killing, in total, two orcs this way (unless the attacks are interrupted in the process, by the rest opponents)
The abovementioned orcs are the boss's guards. You can attack them, but you need to know that this does not take you any closer to winning. What is even more, the main opponent will be summoning more orcs in the battlefield as he loses health. I recommend that you attack the regular orcs only to bring up the multiplier, which will ensure you with the option to use special attacks, such as Execution, Wraith Flash or Combat Drain.
Since you know a thing, or two, about the regular orcs, let us focus on the main opponent. First of all, you need to be prepared to perform dodges, because The Hammer can perform ranged attacks and one of them has been presented in the above screenshot. In the majority of cases, however, you have plenty of time to dodge the attack.
After you get within close range of The Hammer, you may try countering his standard attacks. Every now and then, he also lands a stronger blow (similar to the one that the shielded guards attack with). It is impossible to counter this attack, in any conventional way so, the only way to avoid damage is dodging.
A very good news is that you can deal damage to The Hammer in many different ways. If you prefer ranged combat, you can rely on the bow and throwing daggers. This type of attacks do not drain the boss for lots of health, but this does not mean that you should ignore them completely. It is worth adding here that The Hammer can parry some ranged attacks.
The best way to deprive The Hammer of health points quickly, is to attack him in melee. If you land standard blows with your sword, it is imperative that you dodge to the side, every three blows, because this is when the boss uses his strong attack. The best tactic, in my opinion, is to bring up the multiplier, thanks to attacking the regular orcs, and using special attacks (e.g. Execution) on the main boss.
Note - Do not attempt vaulting over The Hammer, because you will fail!
Since The Hammer's blows usually deal lots of damage, you can run out of health, at some point. The best thing to do, then, is walk away from the opponents and take a look around for a health-replenishing herb. Make sure, however, that at such a situation you do not wander outside of the green circle on the map, because you will fail the mission. If you have the Combat Drain skill unlocked, you can use this special attack on the opponents and regenerate your health partially this way.
Keep fighting. To win the fight, you "only" need to drain The Hammer's entire health (the health bar that you can see on the screen). At the same time, defeating all the orcs in his guard is optional. Get ready to complete the minigame - you need to move the pointer into the circle, within the allotted time limit, and press the key/button specified by the game.
Rewards for completing the mission:
- 800 experience points
- 150 gold pieces (Mirian) - only if you have completed the secondary objective of the mission
- New main mission unlocked - "The Messenger"