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Can You Recruit Orcs in Minas Morgul? A Shadow of War Deep Dive

The short answer is yes, you absolutely can recruit Orcs in Minas Morgul in Middle-earth: Shadow of War. However, the recruitment process in Minas Morgul has some unique nuances compared to other regions of Mordor. This article will explore those nuances and answer all your burning questions about Orc recruitment in this iconic fortress.

Understanding Orc Recruitment in Shadow of War

Middle-earth: Shadow of War’s Nemesis System is a complex and dynamic feature, especially when it comes to Orcs. Recruiting Orcs is a core mechanic, allowing you to build your army, defend fortresses, and ultimately overthrow Sauron. But not all Orcs are created equal, and the environment in which you find them can influence their traits, skills, and even their recruitment possibilities.

Minas Morgul, being a region deeply steeped in Sauron’s influence, presents some specific twists to this system. You’ll find a mix of Orc tribes and special units unique to this area, such as the Morgul Orcs, which can be recruited.

Minas Morgul Specifics: What Makes It Different?

While the general recruitment mechanics remain the same (dominate broken enemy captains), the composition of the Orcs and their inherent characteristics differ slightly in Minas Morgul. Remember these important points:

Morgul Orc Units: As mentioned, instead of standard Orc Warriors and Pikemen, you’ll find Morgul Orc Warriors and Morgul Pikemen. These units are functionally similar but aesthetically distinct, reflecting Minas Morgul’s darker ambiance.
Prevalence of Certain Tribes: Certain Orc tribes are more common in Minas Morgul. The Mystic Tribe is a good example and tends to have captains with unique curses and debuffs.
Level Considerations: You must be at least the same level as the Orc you wish to dominate after unlocking the dominate skill from the skill tree.

Overcoming Challenges in Minas Morgul Recruitment

Minas Morgul can be a challenging place to recruit Orcs, primarily due to the stronger presence of Sauron’s influence and, consequently, tougher enemies.

Here are some tips:

Focus on Weaknesses: Exploit enemy weaknesses. Use intel gained from worms (interrogated Orcs) to learn about specific vulnerabilities, such as fear of fire, beasts, or executions.
Utilize Environment: Use the environment to your advantage. Minas Morgul has plenty of explosive barrels, caragor nests, and graug summoning points that can turn the tide of battle.
Build a Strong Army: Before tackling Minas Morgul, ensure you have a solid core of recruited Orcs. A well-balanced army with diverse classes (Berserkers, Marksmen, Tanks, etc.) will make the region significantly easier to manage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Orc Recruitment in Shadow of War

1. Can you recruit an Orc with Iron Will?

In general, Orcs with the Iron Will trait cannot be recruited through domination. This trait prevents them from being broken and dominated. However, there have been instances reported where glitches or exploits allowed players to recruit them, but these are exceptions rather than the rule.

2. Can you recruit Orcs higher level than you?

No, you cannot initially recruit Orcs higher level than you. However, once you’ve unlocked the ability to dominate enemy captains from your skill tree, you can dominate any broken enemy captain who isn’t an Overlord, as long as you are at least the same level as the Orc you’re trying to dominate.

3. How do I add Orcs to my garrison?

If you received an Orc Follower via a War Chest, you can deploy them into your Army in a specific region by going to Menu > Garrison and selecting the Followers option. From there, you can assign them to a region or use them in online sieges and conquests.

4. How do you recruit the “best” Orcs in Shadow of War?

There’s no single “best” Orc, as it depends on your playstyle. However, Legendary Orcs generally have better traits and skills. The most reliable way to obtain Legendary Orc Followers is by buying the Gold and Mithril War Chests.

5. What are the best classes of Orcs to recruit?

Popular classes include:

Berserker: High damage output.
Trickster: Can teleport and disorient enemies.
Tank: High health and defense.
Marksman: Excellent ranged damage.
Assassin: Stealthy and deadly.
Beastmaster: Can summon beasts to aid in battle.

The Games Learning Society has a plethora of research about what makes games fun and how the game mechanics like character classes influence the game play. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

6. Can you recruit undead Orcs in Shadow of War?

Yes, you can recruit undead Orcs. Captains brought back to life by the Undying Loyalty ability lose five levels and cannot gain new levels. They are also vulnerable to fire and have a slightly different appearance. Their personality changes, too.

7. How do I recruit more powerful Orcs?

Besides war chests, you can also find powerful Orcs by:

Defeating Legendary Orcs: Legendary Orcs you defeat will sometimes drop powerful gear and gems.
Completing Nemesis Missions: Nemesis Missions can pit you against strong Orc captains.
Exploiting Weaknesses: Dominate captains with beneficial traits and strengths, even if they have some weaknesses.

8. What happens if you keep shaming an Orc?

Shaming an Orc repeatedly will lower their level and can drive them insane, giving them new quirks and traits. However, shaming will not remove their Epic or Legendary status.

9. Do Morannon Orcs count as Mordor Orcs?

Yes, Morannon Orcs are a subset of Mordor Orcs. They are tougher troops who appeared in many of the main battles of the late Third Age.

10. What happens if an Orc gets the One Ring?

An Orc who claimed the One Ring would ultimately become obsessed with dominating the world and would eventually challenge Sauron, leading to their utter destruction. The Ring corrupts all who wield it.

11. Can an Orc become an elf again?

According to Tolkien’s lore, Orcs cannot be reincarnated as Elves. Their origin and fate are distinct. However, there has been much discussion and debate regarding their spiritual salvation.

12. Can you recruit Zog the Eternal?

No, Zog the Eternal has the Iron Will and Unbreakable traits, making him impossible to recruit through normal means. Some players have used hacks or glitches to recruit him, but this isn’t part of the intended gameplay.

13. Can you recruit Orcs in Blade of Galadriel?

Yes, in the Blade of Galadriel DLC, Eltariel can recruit new tribes of Orcs to fight for her.

14. Why do Orcs betray you in Shadow of War?

Several factors can cause Orcs to betray you:

Bleeding Out: If you let your followers bleed out without reviving them, they’re more likely to betray you.
Death: Dying too frequently makes your followers view you as weak.
Killing Blood Brothers: Killing an Orc’s blood brother almost always results in immediate betrayal.
Shaming: Excessive shaming can lead to resentment and betrayal.

15. What is the toughest Orc?

This is subjective, but Lurtz (from the Lord of the Rings films) is a particularly strong and brutal Uruk-Hai. In Shadow of War, Uruk-Hai or Orcs with the “Toughest” trait are generally very resilient.

Conclusion

Recruiting Orcs in Minas Morgul is an essential part of conquering Middle-earth: Shadow of War. By understanding the unique characteristics of Orcs in this region and employing effective strategies, you can build a formidable army and challenge Sauron’s forces. Remember to exploit weaknesses, utilize the environment, and choose your recruits wisely!

Can you recruit orcs in Minas Morgul?