Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™

The Desolation of Mordor shipped on May 8, 2018, adding a new Baranor campaign, the Lithlad region, human mercenaries, Were-wyrms, and a roguelike survival mode. The Blade of Galadriel, the Definitive Edition, and two Nemesis Tribe expansions also substantially broadened the game’s story, factions, and endgame.

• The Desolation of Mordor: Baranor led a new campaign against an Orc threat in the Desert of Lithlad, with Torvin side missions, new combat gear, human bodyguards, Were-wyrms, Outpost missions, and the Shindr‚m Marauder fortress. Its separate roguelike campaign removed Talion’s Ring and wraith powers and focused on surviving as a human.
• Story and tribe expansions:
  • The Blade of Galadriel: Eltariel received her own story in Mordor, alongside new combat abilities, the Light ability, new Nemesis traits such as Tunnel Rat and Tremor, and the option to use Eltariel in the main campaign.
  • Slaughter Tribe: New Uruks and Ologs, Blood Ambush missions, Tribal Showdowns, Tribal War Bands, a fortress theme, Legendary gear, Endless Siege, and the Rebellion feature arrived.
  • Outlaw Tribe: Outlaw Showdowns, War Bands, Purge missions, a distinct fortress theme, and another Legendary gear set expanded the Nemesis system.
• Endgame and online systems: Online Fight Pits let players train followers against other armies, while Shadow Wars gained new narrative elements and a shorter path to completion. Tribal Wars also added follower Assassination and Pit Fight missions tied to a community-wide victory tally.
• Market overhaul: Gold, War Chests, and the Market were removed, with the Garrison taking over for Orcs, Chests, Training Orders, and Boosts. Unspent Gold converted into Gold Loot Chests, while Gold-based Daily Challenges awarded Legendary gear instead.
• Progression and combat: The level cap rose to 80, enemy Orcs reached level 85, and Prestige Skills, gear-level raising, and secondary-trait rerolls added post-campaign progression. Brutal difficulty joined the existing Gravewalker challenge, while high-level XP, Orc growth, beast damage, and Legendary Orc spawn rates were rebalanced.