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Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

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Captains, Bodyguards, and Warchiefs

By
Nathan Garvin

There are three types of special Uruks-Captains, Bodyguards, and Warchiefs. Common to all three of these types are Uruks is a set of randomly determined Strengths and Weaknesses (which cannot be exploited without gaining Intel) and Power Rating. These Uruks glow red when seen via Wraith Vision, drop Runes and reward Power when killed. Like lesser Uruks, they are either Warriors, Archers, Hunters, Defenders or Berserkers, with the same weapons and attacks… plus perhaps extra abilities, depending on their Strengths.

Power Rating

An Uruk’s Power Rating is more or less their level-the higher the Power Rating, the more powerful the Uruk. Uruks with a higher Power Rating tend to have more traits, generally favoring Strengths over Weaknesses. Uruks can gain Power by killing the protagonist, getting promoted, or successfully completing Power Struggles. Sending an Uruk a Death Threat will also increase their Power Rating by five, making it the easiest way to significantly increase an Uruk’s Power Rating. Power Rating can vary between one and twenty.

When you kill an Uruk, you’ll gain Power equal to the Uruk’s Power Rating. Runes dropped by Uruks also have a base level equal to the slain Uruk’s Power Rating (except for Epic Runes, which have no level).

Captains

The most common of the more powerful Uruks, Captains can vary greatly in Power and can be found lurking around Mordor. Occassionally they have retinues of Uruks that are often the same type (Hunter Captains will have Hunters in their retinue). Captains commonly engage in Power Struggles, which if successful will increase their Power. A lesser Uruk who kills the player will become a Captain, but otherwise Captains are regularly promoted as time goes on. Captains will almost always drop normal Runes when killed, but a Captain who recieves a Death Threat has a 40% chance to drop an Epic Rune. After receiving a Death Threat, the Captain will gain five Power and a retinue of followers of the same type. A Branded Captain can be Commanded to join a Warchief, and if they succeed at a Power Struggle, they will become a Bodyguard.

Bodyguards

Bodyguards are Captains who serve a Warchief. When the Warchief is summoned, they will be part of the Warchief’s retinue. Otherwise, they can be found throughout Mordor like normal Captains. All Captains are not Bodyguards, but all Bodyguards are Captains.

Warchiefs

The strongest of all Uruks, Warchiefs can have a retinue of Bodyguards. Unlike Captains, they cannot be found wandering Mordor, they must be successfully challenged by completing a random Showdown Mission. This must be done each time a Warchief is encountered. Warchiefs commonly drop Epic Runes (almost guaranteed if they are the recipient of a Death Threat), and must always be finished off with a button prompt. There are only five Warchiefs at any one time in either Nurn or Udun.

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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment
  • Platforms,
    PC, PS3, PS4, XB 360, XB One
  • Genre
    Action Adventure
  • Guide Release
    25 March 2015
  • Last Updated
    10 December 2020
  • Guide Author
    Nathan Garvin

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Life can be dangerous in Middle-Earth, but for none moreso than the Rangers of The Black Gate, who guard the very border of Mordor. After tragedy strikes, Talion, Captain of The Black Gate rises as the Gravewalker, bound to a mysterious Elven Wraith. Talion will have to fight his way through an army of Uruks to reach the Black Captains as he seeks to find answers, vengeance, and a respite from his cursed afterlife.

The guide offers the following:

  • A walkthrough for all the main story missions.
  • Walkthroughs for every side mission, including Outcast Rescue missions, Legendary Weapon missions etc.
  • Integrated information detailing how to complete all the Hunting and Survival Challenges.
  • A full trophy/achievement guide.
  • Descriptions of the Nemesis System, including Strengths, Weaknesses, the different types of Uruks etc.
  • Information on all the Abilities and Attributes in the game.

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