Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:23 am

Lorini wrote:Alrighty guys, thanks very very much for the help. I want to enjoy this game so much but I keep getting clobbered.

Run. Run far away. The moment things get too tough, just turn heel and bolt. I've run halfway across the map a few times.

It's hard for me to remember detailed strategy because it's been awhile, but I finished the game twice and the second time I intentionally made all the "worst' choices I could for skills and whatnot to try to increase the difficulty, because as Smoove says, eventually you're an unstoppable juggernaut.

We could give you piles of general advice (and some good suggestions already have been made) but can you tell us exactly what you're struggling with? How do you find a one on one fight? Easy? Hard? Challenging but doable? What about 2 on 1?

Is stealth a problem for you? Are certain mission types confusing or do you feel you're outclassed by the missions being offered you?

Like I said, I don't recall specifics too well right now, but the "leap over guys" (edit: I see many people mentioned this already. That's because it's crazy good) is a great move to get out of trouble, and once you add a stun to it, it became my "go to" move if things got rough. While in your animation you are immune to damage, so as long as you keep rolling over the backs of guys, you can't be hurt. At which point you run into the guys who stop you from rolling over them and things get interesting again but you can literally roll back and forth across guys all the way through a fortress, immune the whole time.

The bow is a bit tricky until you get some focus and arrows. My first play through I tried to use it too much before I had the skills to make it effective. That was mildly frustrating I recall.

What level are you? The game is at it's most challenging right at the beginning. It's like a reverse difficulty curve. Some choices you make can be considered Suboptimum at the beginning, but that's only because it slows you down from getting some extremely powerful skills for a bit. Sub-optimum is still completely doable, so don't stress about making mistakes when picking skills.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:48 am

Once you combine the roll-over with the exploding head and the runes that give health on head explosions, you pretty much stop dying except to some level 20 warchiefs who just happen to be immune to everything.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 10:00 am

I think the biggest is what Blackhawk mentioned. I think most of us have played multiple Assassin's Creed and Arkham games and the parry/counter system is second nature. With the exception of ranged guys, once you are caught out of stealth, you are almost always better off reacting than acting. Parry, counter, kill, parry, counter, kill, etc until there are no more bad guys or your health is getting low and you run!

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:00 am

Yeah, the combat is all about defense. A typical fight isn't 'go kill', it is parrying and getting in an odd hit here and there until your sword glows, then killing an orc with the combo, then repeating. If you're wading in and just trying to chop up the orcs, you'll die, and fast.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:15 pm

Blackhawk wrote:Once you combine the roll-over with the exploding head and the runes that give health on head explosions, you pretty much stop dying except to some level 20 warchiefs who just happen to be immune to everything.

Well I did a decent job of parrying but still died twice in five minutes of play. I get overwhelmed with orcs and they all beat up on me at the same time and I die. I think I'll try GG's strategy of running next time.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:25 pm

Lorini wrote: I get overwhelmed with orcs and they all beat up on me at the same time and I die. I

Tumble to the edge of the pack.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:29 pm

...and stay away from the fortress/city/stronghold whatever places until you are stronger and more comfortable in combat

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 12:32 pm

Don't neglect the opener. You should be popping out of stealth and instantly killing one of them to start (ideally). This could mean creeping up to a pack that's sitting around fire or sneaking in behind the last one if they're patrolling or dropping from a ledge. If there are too many, creeping around a structure (camp, ruins) staying in cover and attracting them one by one to your location is another great way to thin the herd.

But yeah, running to a white forge tower and climbing up always works. In fact, perhaps hang out near one of them while you're trying to practice this so you can use the tower for quick escape. Also, make sure before you try to ambush any of these groups you slip into Wraith mode and scout around for named Orc leaders that might hear the combat and come running.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 9:10 pm

This is one of those times where video would help. 5 seconds of watching a fight and we'd be able to write you an essay on how to improve.

Defense is absolutely the key. I think it's possible to turn off visual indicators of when an attack is incoming and when it's time to parry in the options. Make sure this is on! The game will literally tell you when you need to parry.

If it gets too crowded (but not waves of orcs) you can run a bit to string them out, then re-engage. This will keep them from surrounding you and attacking your flank/rear. If the crowd is big enough, just parry until your blade is blue then murderize one of them with an insta-kill like Blackhawk said. You can actually do this all day when you get better, and in fact one of the missions (sword mission) is to do exactly that. It was kinda hard for me the first run through. It was second nature and fun as heck the second run through.

Don't always go for a full combo, and definitely break your combo to parry when the game tells you you need to parry. Whittle away at their health. It might take awhile, but as long as you're not in an infinite spawn situation (and you shouldn't be unless you've crashed a stronghold too early) you'll get through them eventually.

The entire combat system is based on parry/riposte, so keep that in mind. When you see a couple of orcs, don't think "Imma gonna swing my sword at that guy", instead think "that guy is gonna attack me and I'm gonna need to block it". This might seem like I'm saying the opposite of Smoove's opener comments, but not really. You're going to have to start blocking sooner or later. Smoove's way is better because you instantly start the fight with 1 fewer orcs, but once that happens, you're back to parry/riposte.

You can get fancy after you get good at the basics. Parrying is a core skill that you must master. Luckily it's not hard and in fact it's WAY easier in Shadow than it is in Batman: Arkham Asylum, which is the only other game of this nature that I've played.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:49 pm

Yep, just downloaded OBS so I can provide you guys a video. Probably won't be until Sunday though. Again I really appreciate the thoughts!!!!

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 4:43 pm

Ok, cool!

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Sat Jan 17, 2015 5:51 pm

Just do what I do. I pretend the nemesis system consists of the LA Dodgers Roster. It makes me play better. Puig dies alot.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 3:11 pm

naednek wrote:Just do what I do. I pretend the nemesis system consists of the LA Dodgers SF Giants Roster. It makes me play better. Puig Posey dies alot.

You knew that was coming.

In other news, my recording session was not successful so back to the drawing board on how to use OBS. It recorded the audio but not the video.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 4:52 pm

My son is home now and it turns out my video was successful, but Quicktime is not very good. So here is is, and hopefully you guys can help me out:

ignore sorry. I'll try again.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 5:08 pm

Lorini wrote:My son is home now and it turns out my video was successful, but Quicktime is not very good. So here is is, and hopefully you guys can help me out:

http://youtu.be/PiXdlOcwxWU

Oh! Try turning on the monitor when you play.

Your video is just blackness.

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 5:18 pm

Blackhawk wrote:
Lorini wrote:My son is home now and it turns out my video was successful, but Quicktime is not very good. So here is is, and hopefully you guys can help me out:

http://youtu.be/PiXdlOcwxWU
Oh! Try turning on the monitor when you play.

Your video is just blackness.

Or use your wraith vision!

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 7:04 pm

Nope it didn't work. So back to the drawing board but this time I'll make sure my son helps me out.

Moliere · Post by **Moliere** » Sat Jun 27, 2015 2:38 pm

After reading all 8 pages of this thread I decided to try this game again. I deleted my previous save game and started over since I had forgotten most of the game mechanics. It has been much better the second time around as I figure things out. Thanks OO!

Moliere · Post by **Moliere** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 3:07 pm

Finished with 92.8%. One of the few games where I did most of the side quests.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 4:12 pm

This and Witcher 3 are my two biggest games I haven't played. I tried a little Mordor back a ways but couldn't get into it. But Im thinking maybe Witcher first.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 7:25 pm

Moliere wrote:Finished with 92.8%. One of the few games where I did most of the side quests.

Cool. It was my first game of this type, so it had a bit of a learning curve for me.

I think after a couple of batmans, sleeping dogs and tomb raider, going back to this would be too easy. I wish the game was a bit more challenging. Maybe they've added difficulty levels since it was first released?

I'm glad you liked it. Killing orcs is pretty damn satisfying.

Moliere · Post by **Moliere** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 10:23 am

GreenGoo wrote:I wish the game was a bit more challenging.

I had a bit of this too. In the beginning I was scared to move around. By the middle I was running past everyone without much concern if I didn't want to fight. Of the dagger, bow, and sword quests I only completed the dagger. The other two I reached 8 out of 10. I was disappointed that the only reward was more writing on the dagger. They should have tied it into a special ability. Or replaced the big purchased ability for the dagger, bow, and sword and instead only get them if you complete the 10 quests for that weapon. The ending was way too easy. Press the spacebar twice and hold E to kill the Hand? I wanted a boss fight.

GreenGoo wrote:Killing orcs is pretty damn satisfying.

I never tired of swooping down on them for the stealth or brutalize kill.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 10:25 am

Moliere wrote:I was disappointed that the only reward was more writing on the dagger.

Didn't those quests unlock the rune slots on the weapons? It has been too long to remember for certain.

Moliere · Post by **Moliere** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:22 am

coopasonic wrote:
Moliere wrote:I was disappointed that the only reward was more writing on the dagger.
Didn't those quests unlock the rune slots on the weapons? It has been too long to remember for certain.

No. The runes were unlocked by earning a special kind of xp doing side quests like freeing slaves and doing the weapon quests. They were not directly related as you could have unlocked the runes without doing the weapon quests.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:54 am

I means the slots in the weapons, not the runes themselves, if that wasn't clear.

coopasonic · Post by **coopasonic** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:56 am

OK, I'm wrong, apparently it is just the appearance.

Oh well, I completed them all anyway.

Moliere · Post by **Moliere** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:56 am

coopasonic wrote:I means the slots in the weapons, not the runes themselves, if that wasn't clear.

The slots were purchased through that special xp. Not related directly to the weapon missions.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:58 am

Same answer.

Internet searching tells me that the weapon models changed, and there were "money" rewards, but there was nothing critical about performing the weapon challenges.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 1:17 pm

That's weird, I could of sworn getting to 10/10 on the weapon challenges did something.

Moliere · Post by **Moliere** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 1:26 pm

GreenGoo wrote:That's weird, I could of sworn getting to 10/10 on the weapon challenges did something.

Pretty writing and a sense of accomplishment?

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 1:40 pm

Shrug. It has been awhile.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:06 am

Whew, this game is LOADS of fun and really makes you feel like a badass mowing down bad guys left and right. I can't quite chain the executions just yet, as I can't perform a stealth finisher on demand, and I tend to try to go for execution at the wrong time, and when I knock an Uruk dizzy I didn't quite get the ground kill move right, but I can now survive 4 -5 Uruks ganging up as I have the knockback and I've killed level 5 captains. I'm not quite sure I want to go after those elite level 8's yet though. As there's infinite Uruks around that doesn't seem to be a problem. it's almost like playing Farcry 3 / 4 when you just take down outpost and the random patrols and try not to bite off more than you can chew.

I'm 6 percent complete, killing level 4-5 captains, while trying not to get killed.

GreenGoo · Post by **GreenGoo** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 1:51 pm

Have fun! It's a blast.

That I barely remember, apparently.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Wed Aug 19, 2015 12:10 pm

Isgrimnur wrote:Same answer.

Internet searching tells me that the weapon models changed, and there were "money" rewards, but there was nothing critical about performing the weapon challenges.

I think doing the weapon challenges gets you the "Weapon money" (Mirian?) for weapon upgrades (more rune slots, special weapon powers like fire, bonus damage to captains, etc.) in addition to just walking around and grabbing artifacts.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Wed Aug 19, 2015 12:29 pm

Just wait until the endgame when you are fighting level 20 elite orcs that are immune to just about everything.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 4:21 am

10% mark roughly, just met the coward, need to do more power struggles and missions to earn those abilities, as I'm still stuck on abilities level 1. Died about 4 times, once against elite captain and failed the save, then another failed a save against a caragor. Good thing those beasts don't climb, but they sure do pack a punch.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 8:24 am

Kasey Chang wrote: failed a save against a caragor. Good thing those beasts don't climb,

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 11:38 am

Okay, can't climb... "much".

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Sun Aug 23, 2015 6:52 am

Got another artifact with help of Gollum... need to do more missions, and got stealth drain and 2 more elf-shots so I can shoot 8 arrows before needing a refill, and refill now is easier. Also, got Karagor taming. Still, can't seem to time the "dodge" correctly with those "Defenders" and the axe/spear throwers. Got killed once or twice.

Did the 3 arrow and 3 dagger challenges. Need to do the sword one.

Kasey Chang · Post by **Kasey Chang** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 4:56 am

Those darn defenders and shooters are hurting too much, can't seem to jump dodge in time (or my frame rate's too low). Decided to engage a trainer, as I'm not the kind of guy who prefers to kill myself over and over. The Ghul matron killed me a few times too. Argh!

Any way, I now have combat drain and I need to play a few more main missions to unlock tier 3/4 abilities. I think my best kill so far is P11, or was it P14 (11+ a few bonuses)

Ran into one of those captains that's invulnerable to combat finishers. Had to jump up, then ambush him with a death from above to kill him. Annoying as heck.