Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor Best Abilities [Top 10]

Updated:

22 Feb 2024

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