Skip to main content
Tech Radar
  • Tech Radar Pro
  • Tech Radar Gaming
Tech Radar Gaming TechRadar Game-changing stories
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • News
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • How To
  • Deals
  • Switch 2
Trending
  • Switch 2
  • PS5 Pro
  • Black Ops 6
  • Monster Hunter Wilds
  • Fortnite
Recommended reading
A screenshot from the game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Gaming Death Stranding 2 tips and tricks: what I recommend you do to avoid failure after my nearly 50 hours in the game
A screenshot from Borderlands 4
Gaming I thought I was done with the series, but after three hours with Borderlands 4, I'm ready to be pulled back in again
Hell is Us.
Gaming Hell is Us director reveals that the upcoming action adventure game has something in common with everything from The Legend of Zelda to Silent Hill and Resident Evil
Atomfall The Wicked Isle screenshot
Gaming Atomfall: The Wicked Isle successfully makes the quarantine zone even creepier - but I have mixed feelings on it
Lies of P: Overture DLC screenshot
Gaming Lies of P: Overture review: the best soulslike gets even better
A screenshot from Dying Light: The Beast
Gaming In Dying Light: The Beast, one of my arrows sent a guard flying twenty metres as I got to grips with a monstrous new Kyle Crane - and now I can’t wait to get stuck in again
A screenshot of the party members from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Gaming The 23 best Xbox Game Pass games in 2025
  1. Gaming
  2. Consoles & PC

Middle-earth: Shadow Of War tips and tricks

How-to
By Dom Reseigh-Lincoln published 13 October 2017

Dominate the Nemesis System and more in the new war for Mordor

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Intro

Intro

It’s been three years since we last entered Monolith’s dangerous take on Mordor, and the latest open Middle-earth has been vastly improved with a bigger sandbox, a grander Nemesis System, castle sieges and much, much more. It’s Mordor, Talion, but not as we know it.

And if you thought 2014’s Shadow Of Mordor was a tough and challenging place to inhabit, the Dark Lord’s realm of 2017 is filled with even more rivals, allies and assassins to contend with. So to ensure you keep your head in the ever-changing landscape of Tolkien’s re-imagined universe, we’ve gathered ten essential tips, tricks and tactics.  

Don't forget, you can read our full review of Shadow of War right here.  

  • If you're looking for a display that will really bring Mordor to life, check out our list of the best gaming monitors.
Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Farm unlock points by focusing on story and side-missions

Farm unlock points by focusing on story and side-missions

Much like the previous entry in the Shadow series, Shadow Of War has its very own set of skill trees that are a must if you want to not just survive but thrive in the latter regions of the game. 

Thankfully, SOW is pretty generous with these points early on, but the most important skills are locked at the top of the trees so you’ll need to farm them to reach the game-changers.

The main story missions are an ideal way to bag plenty of points, as are the plentiful side-missions you unlock as you explore Mordor’s varied topography. Haedir Towers are also a brilliant way to farm points, as well as serving as fast travel locations across the map.

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Master parry, vault and dodge

Master parry, vault and dodge

SOW is a brutal crucible, and it’ll punish rash decisions and players who don’t think before they rush into battle. Considering how much impact your death has on the political ecosystem of Mordor, trying to keep your head firmly on your semi-Wraith shoulders is a serious issue. So heed our words: always enter every fight on the defensive.

Never get greedy with your hits, even if you’re about to strike an enemy down with a final slash. Since attacks can come from any side at any time (as most battles are against multiple foes), you’ll need to really master being able to dodge and parry early on. Whether facing a low-level orc grunt of a war chief in full-blown rage mode, parries are your best defense amid the chaos.

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Attack War Chiefs from the ground up

Attack War Chiefs from the ground up

The political landscape of the Nemesis System has been expanded far beyond the meager reaches of the first game, but the same concept still applies: destabilize a higher enemy’s power base by taking it apart brick by orcish brick. 

Taking out/dominating commanders and captains that answer to a specific war chief will usually draw them out, as well as improving your chances of taking them down in your eventual showdown. If you’re in a risky mood, you can opt to take on middle-tier orcs without destroying their subordinates. Be warned though – if you fail, you’ll just end up strengthening an already formidable foe.  

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Purify every Haedir Tower from the off

Purify every Haedir Tower from the off

SOW is an open-world game so, of course, it’s littered with radio towers - sorry, Haedir Towers - which are littered across the many regions of Mordor. These cloud-piercing structures serve three important roles: first, they give you unlock points for your skill tree every time you ‘purify’ one (ie, claim it for you own); second, they serve as helpful travel points across the impressively vast regions of the game; and third, they unlock hidden missions and collectibles.

To make your life a whole lot easier, especially in your first hours in each area, make a beeline for each tower and get it purified from the off. The sooner these towers are claimed, the more content will be opened up on the map and the faster you’ll be able to move when you’re chasing story missions for upgrade points, etc.

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Always keep replenishing your quiver

Always keep replenishing your quiver

Your spectral bow is just as important as it was in Shadow Of Mordor, often proving the tipping point in most battles where you’re about to be overwhelmed by a horde of murderous orcs with questionable names. The only problem is your basic arrows run out really quickly and don’t replenish automatically.

Thankfully, arrows can be found across the game. Keep an eye on your mini-map for arrow symbols as you explore and always stop to grab them (as long as you’re not down to your last sliver of health). Never be afraid to retreat and restock on this all-important ammo, especially when assaulting a high level settlement.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Seek out every Worm you can find

Seek out every Worm you can find

Identified by a green symbol on your mini-map (or colored green in Wraith Vision), these low-level orcs can provide you with important intel on orcs and uruk-hai operating in the immediate area. Not only will this enable you to plan your attack by identifying weaknesses and strengths, it will also streamline how you bring down high level commanders.

Worms are best taken by stealth, so hold down the Right Trigger/R2 then hold A/Circle to begin the interrogation. You’ll now be able to select which orc to reveal in the Nemesis menu. You can also scavenge intel from dead Worms located across Mordor (simply press RB/R1 over their corpse). However, if you kill a Worm in battle you’ll lose that potential intel.

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Drain orc health to replenish your own

Drain orc health to replenish your own

Dying in Shadow Of War will shape the Middle-earth of your playthrough, so to avoid giving your enemies an unexpected promotion you’re going to need to keep that health meter from depleting. One of the quickest (and riskiest) ways to fill it back up is by draining orcs of their lifeblood.

To do this simply hold B/Circle when near an enemy to begin the process. However, it takes around three seconds to fully drain them and you’ll only receive the benefits if you fully drain your enemy. Doing this leaves you open to attack, so either draw one enemy away, or wait until you’re down to one foe to bandage your wounds.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Never pass up an orc bearing treasure

Never pass up an orc bearing treasure

Since gear and gems (more on those in a moment) are all the rage in Shadow Of War, you’ll want to keep your eye out for powerful new items on your travels. Thankfully, you won’t just have to take them from defeated Captains or War Chiefs (or even from *shudder* loot boxes) since random orcs also carry lootable items.

These orcs are defined by a black and white star symbol above their head, and will usually be surrounded by a larger group of foes. Since gems can provide buffed attributes, and weapons enhanced abilities, always try to slay and loot these orcish nightmares for all their worth. These orcs will also drop Mirian (SOW’s in-game currency).

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
Gems will enhance your gear and weapons

Gems will enhance your gear and weapons

This classic RPG trope enables you to infuse each part of your inventory (so that’s your sword, your dagger, your bow, your armor and your cape/hood) with a gem that buffs a certain attribute. These gems, like weapons and armor, come in different levels which define the strength of their buff.

Thankfully, you can also equip gems of a higher level than your own current level (which is incredibly useful in your first few hours). To infuse a gem, head to the Inventory screen, and select the gear you want to infuse. However, it takes 1,000 Mirian to unlock each slot so you’ll need to grind for a while before you can fully utilize your best gems. 

  • These are the best PS4 games you can get right now
Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Save your own skin with a summon

Save your own skin with a summon

Since Mordor’s new inhabitants are tougher than ever, Monolith has introduced the ability to summon allies to aid you in battle. This ability can be a lifesaver, especially if you’re fighting a high level orc, so it’s an important set of skills to pursue.

You’ll find this ability, known as Call Followers, in the Story branch of the skill tree. You can call in a bunch of orcs to save you, or upgrade it to bring in a horde of spiders, a captain or tougher orcs. You can also acquire the Call Mount skill from the Mount skill line, which includes draugs, caragors and drakes. 

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
Dom Reseigh-Lincoln
Read more
A screenshot from the game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Death Stranding 2 tips and tricks: what I recommend you do to avoid failure after my nearly 50 hours in the game
A screenshot from Borderlands 4
I thought I was done with the series, but after three hours with Borderlands 4, I'm ready to be pulled back in again
Hell is Us.
Hell is Us director reveals that the upcoming action adventure game has something in common with everything from The Legend of Zelda to Silent Hill and Resident Evil
Atomfall The Wicked Isle screenshot
Atomfall: The Wicked Isle successfully makes the quarantine zone even creepier - but I have mixed feelings on it
Lies of P: Overture DLC screenshot
Lies of P: Overture review: the best soulslike gets even better
A screenshot from Dying Light: The Beast
In Dying Light: The Beast, one of my arrows sent a guard flying twenty metres as I got to grips with a monstrous new Kyle Crane - and now I can’t wait to get stuck in again
Latest in Consoles & PC
A PlayStation 5 Pro console with colorful streams of light emanating from its base.
The PS5 lead architect says the PS5 Pro will get an advanced graphics update in 2026 that will deliver better performance
Shadow Labyrinth
Shadow Labyrinth will run at 4K 60fps on Nintendo Switch 2 thanks to a free upgrade
Nintendo Switch 2 overheating
Nintendo Switch 2 owners, beware – some owners are reporting worrisome overheating problems
A screenshot from the game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach sold me on the PS5 Pro, but I'm still not sure I'd recommend the premium console to everyone just yet
Donkey Kong Bananza on Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo reveals that Donkey Kong Bananza is developed by the Super Mario Odyssey team – then confirms grass is still green
The Nintendo Switch 2 on a red background
Nintendo is raising the prices of some of its products in Canada, but oddly not the Switch 2 – and what could this mean for other regions?
Latest in How Tos
Henry Lloyd-Hughes as DS Nathan Rose in Ragdoll
How to watch Ragdoll on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Finn Russell of British & Irish Lions makes a break in the lead up to his side's third try, scored by Elliot Daly, left, during the tour match between Western Force and the British & Irish Lions at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.
Waratahs vs Lions FREE streams: How to watch British & Irish Lions tour live online from anywhere
Novak Djokovic plays a forehand at Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Evans vs Djokovic online: live stream Wimbledon 2025 tennis FREE
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell go head-to-head at the Austrian GP.
How to watch British Grand Prix F1 on Channel 4 (it's free)
Jonas Vingegaard leading the peloton at the 2024 Tour de France.
How to watch Tour de France 2025: TV details, stage schedule, free streams
Nolann Le Garrec kicks a conversion off the tee in a match against England Rugby.
How to watch New Zealand vs France: live stream rugby online from anywhere
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    I tested this workplace-focused mini PC - here’s why it outperforms many rivals for the price
  2. 2
    Yes, there are AirPods Pro 2 deals in the 4th of July sales – but you shouldn't buy them, here's why
  3. 3
    This limited-edition Nespresso machine is totally adorable, and it's received an epic price cut ahead of Amazon Prime Day
  4. 4
    We called the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro an "outdoor watch powerhouse" and Amazon is selling it for a record-low price
  5. 5
    Horror fans, do NOT miss this deal! AMC+ is less than $1 through Prime Video – here are 5 movies with over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes to watch first

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...