Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor Mega Guide: Collectibles, Locations, Epic Runes

Check out this complete guide for Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor. Here you will find a complete list for all trophies/achievements, weapons, abilities, character attributes, Epic Runes and upgrades. You will also be able to find Forge Tower, Artifacts and Ithildin locations. The guide also includes fixes for crashes/errors for the PC version, bonus content, cheats and unlockables.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor is developed by Monolith Productions and being published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor is available now on PC, Xbox One, and PS4. The game is scheduled to release on the PlayStation3 and Xbox 360 during the first half of November. Check out the complete game guide below and let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below.

Forge Tower Locations:

Located throughout the land of Mordor are five locations known as Forge Towers. Upon discovering these towers Celebrimbor will interact with these and reforge them to be used by the player. Talion will be able to advance the time of day, fast travel to other towers, and respawn here should he be defeated by enemies in the game.

Using the video guide below you will find all known locations of these towers. This will also unlock Memories of Eregion trophy/achievement.

• Forge Tower 1 (The Black Road)-0:00
• Forge Tower 2 (The Southern Udun Pass)-0:41
• Forge Tower 3 (Udun Crossing) -1:05
• Forge Tower 4 (Durthan Outskirts) -1:32
• Forge Tower 5 (Barrows of Udun)- 2:01

Artifacts Locations:

Located in Mordor are Artifacts that contribute to Talion’s experience points and the strength of the Wraith. Below is a video guide for the locations of the first half of known artifacts. There are a total of 44 of them. This will also unlock Shadows of the Ancient Past and Paths of the Dead achievements/trophies.

Ithildin Locations:

When Celebrimbor reforges the towers in a given area, locations for Ithildin will be unlocked. Ithildin contribute towards Talion’s experience points and reveal background information on Celebrimbor’s past. This video guide below reveal the first half of Ithildin locations. There are a total of 32 of them. This will also unlock the Bearer of the Shining Lamp and Crowned with Living Light trophies/achievements.

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor Cheats and Bonus Unlockables:

Pre-ordering Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor grants players access to various skins and content within the game. All standard pre-orders grant players “The Dark Ranger” skin. While store specific pre-orders provide gameplay specific DLC that essentially works as cheats in giving Talion the upper hand in battle.

• The Dark Ranger – Playable Dark Ranger skin (Talion’s ranged headshot damage is increased), Test of Power challenge mode.
• Amazon-exclusive – The Deadly Archer Rune (Bow attack damage are increased against bosses)
• Steam-exclusive – The Orc Slayer Rune (Damage increases when executing special attacks against Sauron’s Captains.
• Walmart-exclusive – The Rising Storm Rune provides Talion with the ability to unleash unlimited executions.

The Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor Season Pass delivers more content in the way of story based content and challenge based arenas.

Story-based:

• The Bright Lord Mission allows the player to play as Celebrimbor in an expanded story in which he must face Sauron.
• Guardians of the Flaming Eye Mission allows players to earn the Rising Flame Rune after facing Sauron’s elite defenders in a battle before the Black Gate.
• Lord of the Hunt Mission provides players will the chance to earn new skills and discover new runes as they face various monsters and beasts from the lands of Mordor.

Challenge-based:

• Test of Wisdom Challenge -Prove yourself in strategic based combat by earning new skills in speed and efficiency.
• Test of Speed Challenge – Earn high scores by defeating Talion’s enemies as fast as possible.
• Endless Challenge -Face off against the enemies of Mordor to earn powerful upgrades as they continuously respawn.

Miscellaneous:

Game crashes upon launch:

1) Locate My Documents/WBgames/Shadow of Mordor. In these folder create three files in notepad named render.cfg, setting.cfg, and game.ini

2) Paste each of the following lines below in the corresponding notepad files.

In game.ini:

[Game]
Build=Build 1636

In settings.cfg:

“DeviceAdapter” “0.000000”
“DeviceOutput” “0.000000”
“ScreenHeight” “1080.000000”
“ScreenWidth” “1920.000000”
“UIHeight” “0.000000”
“UIWidth” “0.000000”
“VSyncOnFlip” “0.000000”
“Windowed” “0.000000”

In render.cfg:

“Render.Setting.AmbientOcclusionQuality” “0.000000”
“Render.Setting.AspectRatioLock” “1.000000”
“Render.Setting.AutoDetectedGPURating” “4.000000”
“Render.Setting.AutoDetectionVersion” “1.000000”
“Render.Setting.DepthofFieldToggle” “1.000000”
“Render.Setting.FrameRateLimit” “2.000000”
“Render.Setting.LightingQuality” “2.000000”
“Render.Setting.MeshQuality” “3.000000”
“Render.Setting.MotionBlurQuality” “0.000000”
“Render.Setting.OITToggle” “1.000000”
“Render.Setting.ShadowQuality” “2.000000”
“Render.Setting.TessellationToggle” “1.000000”
“Render.Setting.TextureFiltering” “3.000000”
“Render.Setting.TextureQuality” “3.000000”
“Render.Setting.VegetationQuality” “4.000000”

In settings.cfg:

“DeviceAdapter” “0.000000”
“DeviceOutput” “0.000000”
“ScreenHeight” “1080.000000”
“ScreenWidth” “1920.000000”
“UIHeight” “0.000000”
“UIWidth” “0.000000”
“VSyncOnFlip” “0.000000”
“Windowed” “0.000000”

 How to enable SLI profile for Nvidia graphics cards:

1) Search for the Nvidia inspector using your preferred search engine and download to your desktop.
2) After the download is complete and installation has been finished run the program and browse for Middle-Earth:Shadow of Mordor.
3) Add the game (Middle-Earth:Shadow of Mordor.exe) to the current profile.
4)Last and final select Fear 3 on SLI bits Compatibility bits(Dx1x) and than hit apply.

Download times appear to be frozen:

During the download of Middle-Earth:Shadow of Mordor the game may appear to be frozen once it reaches 99%. This is perfectly normal and although the game may remain at this number for 20 to 25 minutes, it’s just the game finalizing it’s download and installation process.

Abilities:

While journeying through Mordor Talion’s abilities will increase after earning experience and currency, from doing battle with Uruks and finding hidden collectibles. These are all known abilities, divided in to Ranger abilities and Wraith abilities.

Ranger Abilities:

Level 1 Ranger Abilities

Requirements: These are default abilities from the start of the game.

• Impact
  This allows Talion to stun or knock back enemies that have been countered.
• Execution
  Execution grants Talion the ability to kill a single enemy instantly following the end of a Hit Streak.
• Strike From Above
  All of Talion’s aerial takedowns on unaware targets will become more powerful.

Level 2 Ranger Abilities

Requirements: You will need 160 Power for these to unlock.

• Critical Strike
  Talion’s doubles Hit Streak will receive gains on well-timed attacks.
• Poison
  Poisoning Uruks will cause them to fight each other and die.
• Last Chance Finisher
  Perform an execution on a successful Last Chance Struggle.
• Throwing Daggers
  Grants Talion the ability to throw daggers at enemies.
• Brutalize
  Enemies fear Talion after seeing a stealth strike.

Level 3 Ranger Abilities

Requirements: You will need 300 Power for these to unlock.

• Brace of Daggers
  Throw multiple daggers in one go.
• Swift Finisher
  The time required to perform Ground Executions is decreased.
• Vault Stun
  Vaulting over enemies leaves them stunned.
• Shoulder Charge
  Dash attacks increase in power to break shields.

Level 4 Ranger Abilities

Requirements: You will need 500 Power for these to unlock.

• Resilience
  Talion will be able to endure one attack  while remaining in combo attacks.
• Blade Master
  Talion’s threshold for initiating special moves are decreased.
• Death Threat
  Allows Talion to threaten Warchiefs and Uruk Captains.

Level 5 Ranger Abilities

Requirements: You will need 700 Power for these to unlock.

• Critical Strike 2
  3x Hit Streaks on perfectly timed attacks.
• Flame of Vengeance
  Charging Talion’s Hit Streak will grant 2x damage
• Double Charge
  Charged Hit Streaks will execute two special moves.

Wraith Abilities:

Level  1 Wraith Abilities

Requirements: These are default abilities from the start of the game.

• Elven Swiftness
  Vaulting over obstacles will gain Talion a temporary speed boost while in movement.
• Detonate
  Fire and exploding barrels no longer cause damage to Talion.
• Ride Caragors
  Allows Tallion to ride Caragors.
• Wraith Stun
  Stunned enemies can be punished with continuous sword strikes.

Level 2 Wraith Abilities

Requirements: You will need 160 Power for these to unlock.

Caragor Hunter

• Allows Talion to counter, stun, and mount a Caragor.

Pin in Place

• Enemies can be pinned where they stand by fire arrowing towards their legs.

Wraith Flash

• Following a hit streak Talion can initiate an area based attack to stun all surrounding enemies.

Shadow Strike

• Spend 2 Elf-Shots to grant Talion the ability to teleport towards an enemy and strike.

Stealth Drain

• Talion can drain enemies from stealth attacks.

Level 3 Wraith Abilities

Requirements: You will need 300 Power for these to unlock.

• Graug Hunter
  Talion will be able to mount Graug.
• Combat Drain
  Terrorizing Uruks can be performed instantly following a hit strike.
• Lethal Shadow Strike
  Allows Talion to teleport  towards an enemy and perform an instant kill.
• Wraith Finisher
  Enemies will explode from flurry and drain attacks.

Level 4 Wraith Abilities

Requirements: You will need 500 Power for these to unlock.

• Brand
  Mind control enemies to fight under Talion’s command.
• Fire Arrow
  Charged hit streaks allow arrows to be fired in flames.
• Shadow Mount
  Perform a shadow strike towards a Graug or Caragor to instantly mount.
• Wraith Blast
  Wraith Blast is upgraded to perform an area based attacks that damages all enemies.

Level 5 Wraith Abilities

Requirements: You will need 700 Power for these to unlock.

• Dispatch
  Talion can now kill all branded Uruks.
• Quick Draw
  Elf-Shot increase in charge speed.
• Shadow Strike Chain
  Talion can now chain Shadow Strike attacks.
• Wraith Burn
  Charging Hit Streaks will grant Talion the ability to create an area based attack of Wraith Fire which can kill stunned enemies.

Character Attributes:

Attributes allow Talion to increase his amount of HP, quantity of weapon runes, and Elf-shots. Attributes are unlocked by earning an in-game currency known as Mirian.

Health Attributes:

• Level 1 -100 Mirian
• Level 2 -320 Mirian
• Level 3 -640 Mirian
• Level 4 -1050 Mirian
• Level 5 -2100 Mirian

Elf-Shot Attributes:

• Level 1 -130 Mirian
• Level 2 -370 Mirian
• Level 3 -870 Mirian
• Level 4 -1750 Mirian
• Level 5 -2100 Mirian

Focus Attributes:

• Level 1 -100 Mirian
• Level 2 -320 Mirian
• Level 3 -640 Mirian
• Level 4 -1050 Mirian
• Level 5 -2100 Mirian

Weapon Attributes:

A total of four runes are available for each weapon Talion holds. Each with a cost in the form of Mirian.

• Rune 1 -60 Mirian
• Rune 2 -80 Mirian
• Rune 3 -380 Mirian
• Rune 4 -800 Mirian

Weapon Runes Talion’s Bow:

Aura of Dismay

• Uruks flee at the chance of a headshot .

Broken Mind

• Talion will have a chance of recovering 4 Elf-Shots from a Drain.

Howling Storm

• Weapon damage increases when riding a beast.

Keen Eyed

• Stealth kills from Bow attacks earn Talion Focus.

River of Arrows

• Talion gains a chance of recovering Elf-Shots from bow kills.

Sylvan Arrow

• Headshots give Talion the chance to earn +30 Focus.

Unbreakable Bond

• Pinning Uruks in place with Bow attacks may recover Focus.

Weapon Runes Talion’s Dagger:

Bare as Bones

• Chance of initiating a Critical hit during Hit Streak.

Breath of Light

• Health is restored on a stealth kill.

Chill Soul

• Talion gains 50 Focus when attacking using a head explosion kill.

Choking Horror

• Chance to terrify more than two uruks with a Brutalize kill.

Favor of the Lady

• Talion recovers HP when using Drain and Brand.

Harbinger of Doom

• Talion recovers HP when using Drain and Brand from above.

Rule through Fear

• Talion recovers Focus when killing with stealth.

Sylvan Doom

• Brutalize kills recover five Elf-Shots.

To the Death

• Using grab kills earns Talion focus boost.

Worm’s Tooth

• Head explosion kills gain Talion extra HP.

Weapon Runes Talion’s Sword:

Betrayer

• Attacking enemies from behind increases all sword damage.

For Vengeance

• After reaching a Hit Streak of 30 Talion gains increased melee damage.

Grim Resolve

• Talion’s defence increases against ranged attacks.

Blade Master

• Talion gains HP after a Hit Streak of 30.

Know no Pain

• Talion may gain a chance of +5HP for each kill.

Power of Earth

• Ground executions gain Talion Focus boost.

Quick to Anger

• Talion receives HP recovery with each Critical strike.

Savage Onslaught

• Talion’s HP will begin to recover during a 5-29 Hit Streak.

Smite

• Talion will be granted Focus Boots with Flurry kills.

Strength from Courage

• Flurry kills gain Talion HP during recovery.

Achievements and Trophies Guide:

In Middle-Earth:Shadow of Mordor there are 51 known achievements. Below is a list of all achievements and explanation for some of them on how to achieve them.

Master of Mordor (Platinum) — One has walked in Mordor.

You Will Obey (Bronze) — Make an uruk yours.

Height of Despair (Bronze) — Use Strike From Above while at least 60 feet above your target.

Burning Vengeance (Bronze) — Perform an Execution on a flaming Berserker.

And it Burns, Burns, Burns (Bronze) — Use the Detonate ability to burn 50 uruks.

Legend of the Maker (Bronze) — Complete a Bow Mission and begin growing the legend of Azkâr.

Iron of Death (Bronze) — Issue a Death Threat, and then successfully kill the target.

A New Master (Bronze) — Brand a Captain while in combat.

No Power in Numbers (Bronze) — Help a Captain survive a Recruitment Power Struggle, and then kill him and all his new recruits.

Bearer of the Shining Lamp (Bronze) — Collect 100% of the Ithildin.

Black Celebration (Bronze) — Poison a Captain at his own Feast.

Shadows of the Ancient Past (Silver) — Collect 100% of the Artifacts and listen to their memories.

Stinking Rebels (Bronze) — Brand 5 Bodyguards of a Warchief, turning them against him in combat.

A Graug’s Heel (Bronze) — Capitalize on a Warchief’s Fear.

Divide and Conquer (Bronze) — Eliminate the bodyguards of two Warchiefs, then draw them out and kill them.

Lord and Master (Bronze) — Brand all 5 Warchiefs.

Power Vacuum (Bronze) — Kill all 5 Warchiefs before any uruk can rise to their place.

Rise and Fall (Bronze) — After an uruk kills you to become a Captain, help him become a Warchief, then kill him.

The Spirit of Mordor (Bronze) — Start a Riot by commanding a Warchief to attack another Warchief.

The White Rider (Bronze) — Liberate 30 slaves in 180 seconds while riding a caragor.

Unleashed (Bronze) — Release five caragors from their cages.

Legend of Shadow (Bronze) — Complete a Dagger Mission and begin growing the legend of Acharn.

Jaws of Death (Bronze) — Attract caragors with bait 5 times.

Fly you fools! (Bronze) — Make 20 uruks flee by dropping Morgai Fly nests

Repaid in Blood (Bronze) — Complete a Vendetta Mission.

Legend of Vengeance (Bronze) — Complete a Sword Mission and begin growing the legend of Urfael.

Fire of Justice (Bronze) — Complete all Urfael Legend Missions.

The Last Shadow (Silver) — Complete all Acharn Legend Missions.

The Maker’s Bow (Silver) — Complete all Azkâr Legend Missions.

The Cold Light (Bronze) — Unlock 3 Sword Rune slots.

Paid in Blood (Bronze) — Unlock 4 Dagger Rune slots.

Strike True (Bronze) — Unlock 2 Bow Rune slots.

A Mighty Doom (Bronze) — Acquire a level 25 Rune.

Crowned with Living Light (Bronze) — Collect 50% of the Ithildin.

Paths of the Dead (Bronze) — Collect 25% of the Artifacts.

Scout of the Morannon (Bronze) — Successfully complete a Survivalist Challenge.

Ranger of Ithilien (Silver) — Complete all Survivalist Challenges.

The Free Folk (Bronze) — Complete an Outcast Rescue Mission.

Liberator (Silver) — Complete all Outcast Rescue Missions.

Thrill of the Hunt (Bronze) — Successfully complete 4 Hunting Challenges.

Master of the Wilds (Silver) — Complete all Hunting Challenges.

Memories of Eregion (Bronze) — Activate all Forge Towers.

Hidden Trophies:

Ratbag the Great and Powerful (Silver) — Get Ratbag promoted to Warchief.

The Bright Master (Bronze) — Discover some of the Wraith’s past.

Gorthaur the Cruel (Silver) — Destroy the Monument Gate and topple the statue of Sauron.

The Hammer Falls (Silver) — Kill The Hammer.

Beyond Hope (Silver) — Save Lithariel’s life.

The White Wizard (Silver) — Lift Lady Marwen’s curse.

For My Brother (Silver) — Kill the Great White Graug.

The Tower Crumbles (Silver) — Kill The Tower.

The Hand is Severed (Gold) — Kill The Black Hand.

To Rule them All (Silver) — Witness the creation of The Rings of Power.

Note: This guide will updated once we have more information about the game.

Note: This guide will updated once we have more information about the game. You can also check out the complete video walk-through of Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor here.