What happens after you beat the game in shadow of war?

What Happens After You Beat Shadow of War?

So, you’ve conquered Mordor, faced down Sauron (sort of), and watched the credits roll in Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Congratulations, Ranger! But the journey doesn’t end there. After completing the main story, you’re thrust into the Shadow Wars, an extended endgame sequence that tests your strategic prowess and Orc management skills. It’s a challenging, often grindy, but ultimately rewarding experience that offers a “true ending” and plenty of post-game content.

Here’s the breakdown:

  • Shadow Wars (Act IV): This is the heart of the post-game. You’ll defend your fortresses against wave after wave of Sauron’s forces. These aren’t just simple skirmishes; they are full-scale sieges that require careful planning, upgraded defenses, and a loyal army of Orcs.
  • Fortress Defense: The primary goal of the Shadow Wars is to hold onto your captured fortresses across Mordor. Each fortress is vulnerable to attack, and you must successfully defend it to progress through the stages.
  • Evolving Orcs: The key to surviving the Shadow Wars is constantly improving your Orc followers. Train them, level them up, give them new gear, and make sure they have the necessary immunities to withstand the enemy’s onslaught. If you neglect your Orcs, you’ll find your fortresses quickly falling to Sauron’s armies.
  • “Many Years Later” Cutscene: After successfully defending your fortresses through 10 stages of the Shadow Wars, you’ll unlock a “many years later” cutscene. This is considered the “true ending” of the game, providing closure to Talion’s story and foreshadowing his eventual fate.
  • Free Roam: After completing the Shadow Wars, you can continue to free roam Mordor, complete any remaining side quests, hunt down collectibles, and engage in online conquests. The world remains open for you to explore.
  • Optional Siege Missions: After the Shadow Wars, you gain the ability to initiate siege missions against your own fortresses whenever you want. This allows for endless replayability and lets you continue to test your Orcish armies.
  • Talion’s Fate: The endgame also sets the stage for Talion’s grim destiny. As he wields Isildur’s Ring to hold back Sauron’s forces, he slowly succumbs to its corruption, eventually becoming a Nazgûl, a Ringwraith bound to Sauron.

The Shadow Wars provide a significant challenge and allow you to delve deeper into the nemesis system, forging powerful alliances and rivalries within the Orcish ranks. It’s a test of your skills as a war chief and a fitting conclusion to Talion’s epic journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the post-game experience in Shadow of War, providing further insights and answers:

1. Is Shadow of War truly endless after the “true ending”?

While the main Shadow Wars campaign ends after 10 stages and the “many years later” cutscene, you can continue playing the game indefinitely. The optional siege missions against your own fortresses allow you to test your armies and strategies as much as you like. This creates a kind of endless gameplay loop within Mordor.

2. Can I lose my fortresses permanently in Shadow of War?

During the main Shadow Wars campaign (Act IV), you can lose your fortresses. If you fail to defend them, they’ll be recaptured by Sauron’s forces. You’ll then need to retake them through siege missions. After completing the Shadow Wars and unlocking the optional siege missions, the consequences of losing a fortress become less significant, as you can easily retake it whenever you choose.

3. What is the best way to prepare for the Shadow Wars?

The key to success in the Shadow Wars is to develop a strong and diverse army of Orcs. Focus on:

  • Leveling up your Orcs: Ensure your Orcs are at or near the maximum level.
  • Gearing up your Orcs: Equip your Orcs with high-level gear and weapons.
  • Assigning Overlords and Warchiefs: Choose Orcs with beneficial traits and abilities to lead your fortresses.
  • Upgrading Fortress Defenses: Invest in defensive upgrades such as walls, fortifications, and traps.
  • Understanding Orc Weaknesses and Strengths: Exploit enemy weaknesses and leverage your Orcs’ strengths.

4. Does Talion become Sauron at the end of the game?

No, Talion does not become Sauron. He does, however, eventually succumb to the corruption of Isildur’s Ring and becomes a Nazgûl, replacing Isildur as one of the Ringwraiths.

5. What level should my Orcs be for the Shadow Wars?

Ideally, your Orcs should be at or near the maximum level (80) before starting the Shadow Wars. This will give you a significant advantage in defending your fortresses.

6. What happens if I shame an Orc too many times?

If you shame an Orc repeatedly, they will eventually become “deranged” or “maniacal.” This can result in unpredictable behavior, such as betraying you or becoming incredibly powerful. It’s a risky tactic, but sometimes it can lead to unique and interesting outcomes. Shaming will weaken the Orc, but not remove any legendary traits.

7. Is there a limit to how many Orcs I can have in my army?

Yes, there is a limit to the number of Orcs you can actively have in your army. You can store additional Orcs in the garrison, but you can only deploy a certain number of them in each region.

8. Can I still complete side quests after beating the main story?

Yes, you can still complete any remaining side quests after finishing the main story and the Shadow Wars. The game allows you to free roam and explore Mordor at your leisure. You can also miss out on quests if you play through the final quest without playing them first.

9. What are online conquests, and how do they work?

Online Conquests allow you to attack other players’ fortresses. You can customize your attack force and strategy, and your success depends on your ability to outmaneuver the defending player’s forces. Winning online conquests earns you rewards and improves your ranking.

10. Are there any missable achievements or trophies in Shadow of War?

Yes, there are missable achievements/trophies in Shadow of War. Some are tied to specific side quests or actions, so it’s essential to pay attention to the achievement/trophy list and plan accordingly.

11. What is Mirian used for in the post-game?

Mirian is still used in the post-game for the same purposes as during the main story:

  • Purchasing Gem Slots for Gear.
  • Upgrading Rare, Epic, or Legendary Gear.
  • Upgrading Fortress Defenses or Assault Bonuses.
  • Purchasing Silver War Chests and Loot Chests.

12. How does Talion’s story end in Shadow of War?

Talion’s story concludes with him eventually succumbing to the corruption of Isildur’s Ring and becoming a Nazgûl. This leads to his eventual demise with the destruction of Sauron and the One Ring in the events of The Lord of the Rings. While tragic, his sacrifice ensures Mordor is protected for as long as possible.

13. Are there any new skills or abilities to unlock in the post-game?

You will not unlock any new abilities in the post-game content. After finishing the game, Talion is completely maxed out, encouraging the player to focus on optimizing their Orc army.

14. What is the maximum level for gear and weapons?

While the maximum player level is 80, gear and weapons can be leveled up to level 85. Ologs can also break weapons, upgrading them up to level 90.

15. How does Shadow of War differ from The Lord of the Rings lore?

Shadow of War takes significant liberties with The Lord of the Rings lore. While it incorporates familiar characters and locations, it also introduces new elements and deviates from established canon. Talion himself is a non-canonical character. Even characters that appear in LotR are presented differently in the games. Don’t assume anything or anyone in the games is canon.

Final Thoughts

The post-game content in Shadow of War offers a challenging and engaging experience for players who want to continue their journey in Mordor. While the Shadow Wars can be a grind, they provide a fitting conclusion to Talion’s story and allow you to further develop your Orc army and strategic skills. So, embrace the challenge, defend your fortresses, and prepare for the long war ahead! You can also continue to enhance your understanding of games by checking out the Games Learning Society and other similar resources. Explore more by visiting GamesLearningSociety.org.

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