Mordor Haunts the Innocent - Return the Favor

An outpost on the Black Gate is decimated. No soul is spared. But in their bloodlust, the rabid troops of Mordor unearth a threat to their wasteland more powerful than they can fathom. 

When Talion the Ranger is struck down in the opening to Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor, Celebrimbor seeks out his spirit for a very specific reason: their skills combined create something unstoppable. The goal of this game is simply to become unstoppable. Talion and Celebrimbor are there to scare the very soil of Mordor.

The combat controls are smooth and intuitive. The cinematic visuals are bare and unflinching. The abilities granted and boosts provided as Talion progresses allow him to mow down orcs at will. Here are the 10 best abilities you can unlock in Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor:

10. Resilience

Stalk the ruins of Mordor.

• Hit streak will endure the first strike landed on Talion
• A lifesaver when fighting off a mob

9. Vault Stun

Become the eye of the storm.

• Instead of just vaulting over a foe, Talion stuns them with Wraith Stun as well
• Once Wraith Blast is unlocked, stun half a mob with one vault and a couple stunners

8. Blade Master

Make orcs flee, stumbling over their own feet.

• Hit streak is charged at 5 hits instead of 8
• A small difference that completely changes the game
• With critical hits in play, every other attack can be a finisher

7. Brand

Turn Mordor's treachery on itself.

• Once unlocked, every energy drain also Brands orcs
• Jedi-mind tricks orcs into fighting for Talion
• Adds a strategy element to the open-world RPG
• Expanded upon greatly in Shadow of War

6. Flame of Vengeance

Fear and chaos are your greatest weapons.

• Doubles the damage of Talion’s sword when sword is glowing
• Sword glows when Hit Streak is charged
• Equip sword rune Flame of Anor to keep the glow going all the time

5. Detonate

Let the sparks fly.

• Firing Elf-Shot into campfires will Detonate them
• Once Fire Arrows are unlocked, launch one into a crowded campfire and watch Uruks disappear in the blast
• So useful it could be a cheat

4. Death Threat

Back down from no challenge.

• Instead of Interrogating Uruks, use them to deliver a Death Threat to a Captain
• Increases the Captain’s power and protection
• In doing so, increases the potential that Captain will drop an epic rune upon defeat

3. Shadow Strike Chain

Give 'Slice & Dice' a whole new meaning.

Shadow Strike & Lethal Shadow Strike are included by proxy

• Using Talion’s bow, Shadow Strike closes the distance for a knockdown strike
• Unlocking Lethal Shadow Strike allows Talion to kill upon arrival
• Cover a lot of ground in an instant
• String multiple Shadow Strikes together with Chain

2. Wraith Burn

You are the vengeful spirit that haunts Mordor.

• Every item in this ability column (Wraith Blast/Finisher/Flash) are landmark abilities
• Celebrimbor makes the game a little unfair to the orcs
• Wraith Finisher is just classic gory fun
• Wraith Burn and Wraith Flash can clear a crowd with a click

1.Shadow Mount

Take control of the most feared in Mordor.

• Caragors and graugs can easily provide the most grief in a hurry
• This ability eliminates those threats as long as Talion has elf-shot
• Puts you directly in control of the mount with an arrow

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