How to Bring an Uruk Back to Life: A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Bringing an Uruk back to life, or rather, undeath, is a fascinating mechanic in the world of Middle-earth: Shadow of War. It’s not a straightforward resurrection in the traditional sense, but a reanimation of their corpse, turning them into a formidable, if somewhat diminished, undead follower. The process isn’t available from the start; it requires progression through the game’s storyline and the acquisition of specific skills.
Here’s the key to reanimating your fallen Uruk captains:
- Undying Loyalty Skill: This is the cornerstone of Uruk reanimation. You must unlock this skill in the skills menu, but it only appears after completing Act 3 of the game. It’s a crucial upgrade that allows you to bring back slain orc captains as undead followers.
- Intact Bodies: This is a very important element of your Uruk’s revival. For a captain to be eligible for resurrection, his body must be mostly intact upon death. That means no decapitation! If his head ends up on a spike, he cannot be brought back. Look for the complete body on the ground instead.
- Army Menu Reanimation: Once you have the Undying Loyalty upgrade, go to your army menu. Here, you can select a dead captain of yours. If his body is intact and you have the Undying Loyalty skill, you’ll be able to resurrect him as if you were issuing him a command. Simply select the option to resurrect him.
- Undead State: Be aware that resurrected Orcs are not the same as their living counterparts. They come back as undead versions of themselves. While they are loyal, they won’t level up, and they lose five levels. This significantly impacts their combat prowess, particularly later in the game when facing strong enemies or engaging in Pit Fights.
- Not for Enemy Captains: Crucially, this reanimation ability only works on your own fallen captains, not on enemy captains. You cannot raise your enemies from the dead.
Essentially, reanimating an Uruk in Shadow of War is about using the Undying Loyalty skill on the intact body of one of your dead captains within your army menu. This will bring them back as an undead follower, though with some significant trade-offs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to further explore the ins and outs of Uruk resurrection and related mechanics in Shadow of War:
1. Can I resurrect any Orc captain I kill?
No, you can only resurrect your own captains who have died. Enemy captains cannot be resurrected. Furthermore, their body needs to be intact, no decapitation.
2. What is the Undying Loyalty upgrade, and when can I get it?
The Undying Loyalty upgrade is a skill that allows you to resurrect dead Orc captains as undead followers. It only becomes available after completing Act 3 of Shadow of War. It won’t even show up in your skill tree before then, so don’t waste your time looking for it!
3. Why can’t I resurrect a certain captain?
You likely cannot resurrect an Uruk captain because his body is not intact (i.e. he was decapitated), or because you do not have the Undying Loyalty upgrade yet. Or he might be an enemy and those cannot be resurrected.
4. Does resurrecting a captain bring them back at full strength?
No, resurrected Orc captains come back as undead versions of themselves. They will be loyal, but they will not level up and will lose five levels. This makes them less potent in combat than when they were alive.
5. How do I make sure my captains’ bodies stay intact?
Avoiding decapitations during fights with your captain is not always easy. Focus on using methods that do not involve headshots or other decapitating blows. If you plan to resurrect, keep them away from the very lethal finishing moves, or perhaps use less lethal methods during the fighting.
6. Can I use resurrected captains in the fight pits?
Yes, you can use them. However, be mindful of their limitations. They do not level up and have reduced stats from the five-level penalty, which could prove to be a liability for Pit Fights, especially when facing high-level orcs.
7. Does being undead change their abilities or strengths?
Yes, being undead reduces their maximum level, thereby making them weaker. They are however very loyal, and will not betray you. In some instances, the undead can be a good strategy, but it’s not recommended to rely on them too much.
8. Can I resurrect a captain multiple times?
Yes, you can resurrect a captain multiple times, provided their body is intact each time they die.
9. Is there any limit to how many captains I can resurrect?
No, there isn’t a limit to the number of captains you can resurrect as long as their bodies are intact and you have the skill.
10. How do Uruks normally “come back” in the game?
Outside of reanimation by the player, Uruks can cheat death in Shadow of War. This happens when a captain is killed but manages to return later, often with scars or other changes based on their demise. This can happen only if they are not decapitated, and they had to be killed by the player at least once.
11. Can Uruks be resurrected by other means besides the Undying Loyalty skill?
No, there is no other way to directly resurrect an Uruk captain. The Undying Loyalty skill is the only way you can resurrect them yourself. Uruks can cheat death and come back on their own, but that is different.
12. What is the level cap in Shadow of War?
The level cap in Shadow of War has been increased to 80, allowing for a broader range of power and combat abilities. Also, you can level gear and weapons to level 85, and even level 90 for weapons that an Olog breaks.
13. Can orcs betray you in Shadow of War?
Yes, even after you dominate them. A hidden part of the Nemesis system, Orcs can betray you for various reasons, especially if you kill their blood brother. Be mindful of your actions because they can impact your relationships with your followers.
14. What is the best armor set to use in Shadow of War?
Armor sets in Shadow of War vary greatly in their benefits. Many players prefer the Bright Lord and Ringwraith sets because of their strong perks, making them a top choice for many gamers. However, there are many strong sets and it can be a matter of preference or play style.
15. What happens if I keep shaming an orc?
Shaming an orc multiple times weakens them, and can remove immunities, but it will not make them lose their epic or legendary traits. It can still be a useful mechanic to make an enemy easier to handle, and sometimes they can become powerful maniacs after shaming.
Understanding how to resurrect Orc captains adds another layer of complexity and strategy to Shadow of War. Utilizing the Undying Loyalty skill wisely can be a game-changer, especially when dealing with tough foes or managing your army effectively. But also remember that it can come with drawbacks since they do not level up and suffer a penalty to their overall power levels.