Tutorials and Hints is a tab title, in the Appendices section of the pause menu, in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. The Tutorials and Hints tab is a subsection that lists gameplay tips, which are individually unlocked after meeting certain criteria throughout the game. There are a total of 35 entries.
- Note: Game controls listed in this article are for the PlayStation/Xbox versions of the game only.
Tutorial: Counter[]
Tap Triangle/Y to Counter incoming attacks when you see (the Counter icon).
Hints and tips:
-Sometimes two enemies will strike at you simultaneously. Press
Triangle/Y twice to Counter both attacks at the same time!
-While poisoned, Counter prompts will be hidden, but you
can still Counter with Triangle/Y.
-Red (Counter icon) attacks cannot be Countered. Tap X/A to dodge.
Tutorial: Ground Execution[]
Hold R2/RT + tap Square/X for Ground Execution.
Hints and tips:
-Some Runes award bonuses for Ground Executions.
-Normal attacks miss knocked down enemies. Use Ground
Executions (Hold R2/RT + tap Square/X) to finish these enemies off.
-Hold R2/RT + tap Square/X to kill downed Caragors.
Tutorial: Stealth Finisher[]
Hold R2/RT to sneak up on enemies. Press Square/X when close to
perform a Stealth Finisher.
Hints and tips:
-Unlock advanced finishers through Abilities.
Tutorial: Missions[]
Gold Icons advance the story.
Red Icons display Power Struggles where Uruks compete for
status.
Reward: Power to unlock new Ability Tiers.
White Icons represent Side Missions and Collectibles.
Reward: Mirian to purchase Upgrades.
Hints and tips:
-Power Struggles are prime opportunities to ambush
Captains in order to gain Runes and Power.
-Spend Mirian in the Upgrades menu to upgrade your Stats,
unlock Rune Slots, and obtain the most powerful Weapon
Abilities.
Tutorial: Awareness[]
The icon above an Uruk's head displays his awareness.
(Yellow icon) Indicates an Uruk is investigating a disturbance.
(Red icon) Indicates an Uruk is aware of you.
Hold R2/RT to sneak, reducing the amount of noise you make.
Hints and tips:
-Tall bushes will hide you from Uruks, unless they see you enter.
Tutorial: Double Counter[]
Press Triangle/Y twice to Counter two enemies simultaneously.
Hints and tips:
-Red (Dodge icon) attacks cannot be Countered. Tap X/A to dodge.
Tutorial: Dodge[]
Tap X/A to dodge attacks.
Tutorial: Herbs[]
Collect Herbs to restore Health.
Hints and tips:
-View the Map for Survival Challenges to earn Mirian.
-You can see which Herbs grow in an area by looking at the Map
after unlocking a Forge Tower.
-You can increase your max Health by purchasing Upgrades (using Mirian).
-Your Health will only partially regenerate after a battle. Herbs
and certain Runes will restore lost Health.
Tutorial: Last Chance Struggle[]
Use Left Stick to move the cursor into the circle, then press the
displayed button to Counter Attack.
Hints and tips:
-The Last Chance Finisher Ability allows you to kill enemies with
successful Last Chance struggles.
Tutorial: Attract[]
Hold R2/RT + tap Triangle/Y to Attract enemies.
Hints and tips:
-Kill Uruks while they investigate your Attract position.
-Use attract to separate Worms from groups and gain Intel.
Tutorial: Distract[]
Press Triangle/Y in Ranged Mode L2/LT to lure enemies toward a
location.
Hints and tips:
-Distract does not cost any Elf-shot.
Tutorial: Ledge Kill[]
Hold R2/RT + tap Square/X while hanging to perform a ledge kill.
Hints and tips:
-Use Attract to bring an enemy to the ledge.
Tutorial: Drain[]
Hold Circle/B to Drain enemies and regain Elf-shot.
Hints and tips:
-Completing Drain will also Terrify and damage your enemy.
-Once the Brand Ability is unlocked, a Drained enemy will
become your follower.
-Use Charged Shots (Hold R2/RT) to the head to make the most of
your Elf-shot.
-You can increase your max Elf-shot by purchasing Upgrades
(using Mirian).
-The Combat Drain Ability allows you to easily regain Elf-shot in
the middle of a fight.
Tutorial: Quick Throw[]
Tap L1/LB to perform a Quick Throw
Hints and tips:
-Use Quick Throw to kill Ghûls and to build your Hit Streak.
Ability Unlocked: Wraith Flash[]
Unleash a powerful flash of light which damages and stuns Uruks,
or kills Ghûls.
When your Hit Streak is charged, press Square/X + X/A to use Wraith
Flash.
Hit Streak Charged: Every x8 consecutive hits the Hit Streak
counter will turn red and your sword will glow.
Hints and tips:
-Wraith Flash is very effective when combined with the Wraith
Burn Ability.
-As your Hit Streak increases, so does your damage.
Ability Unlocked: Graug Hunter[]
To stun a Graug, shoot it in the head twice with Charged Shots.
Approach a stunned Graug and press {your key} to mount it.
You can also press {your key} to mount a stunned Graug from
above.
Hints and tips:
-Dominated beasts remain friendly after being dismounted.
-Use {your key} to Sprint and Climb while Mounted.
Ability Unlocked: Shadow Strike[]
Shadow Strike (hold L2/LT + tap X/A) instantly transports you to
your target's location.
This ability consumes 2 Elf-shot.
Hints and tips:
-This can help you escape lethal situations, traverse strongholds,
pursue fleeing enemies, or enter combat from a distance.
-The Shadow Strike Chain Ability lets you carve through multiple
enemies by pressing Square/X or X/A while using Shadow Strike.
Ability Unlocked: Poison Grog[]
Press R1/RB to Poison Grog Barrels.
After Uruks drink from it, any survivors will become suspicious
and start fighting amongst themselves.
Hints and tips:
-The Detonate Ability allows you to shoot Fire Pits or Grog
Barrels, causing them to explode and deal massive damage to
nearby enemies.
Tutorial: Caragor Cages[]
Shoot cages to release Caragors.
Hold L2/LT to aim and tap R2/RT for a Quick Shot.
Hints and tips:
-Caragor cages can also be opened with a melee attack.
-Tough Captains can be weakened by drawing in or releasing
Caragors.
Tutorial: Bait Caragors[]
Shoot hanging bait to attract Caragors.
Hints and tips:
-Draw groups of enemies towards Explosives, Fly Nests, or Bait,
then shoot them to turn the tables.
-Tough Captains can be weakened by drawing in or releasing
Caragors.
New Enemy: Defenders[]
Defenders will block frontal attacks and must be hit from behind.
Press X/A when near an enemy to leap over them.
Hints and tips:
-Elf-shot pierces Defenders shields, making the bow very
effective.
Higher Hit Streaks allow you to break through wooden shields
and other defenses.
New Enemy: Hunters[]
Hunters should be dealt with quickly. Press X/A while running to
dodge spears.
Hints and tips:
-Use Quick Throw to stagger Hunters.
-(Projectile icon) Indicates that enemies are attacking you with projectile
weapons.
-Hunters deal more damage to beasts, including your mount.
New Enemy: Berserkers[]
Berserkers Counter normal attacks. Stun them with Circle/B before
attacking
Hints and tips:
-Tap Square/X after Stun to Flurry and build your Hit Streak.
-Higher Hit Streaks allow you to break through wooden shields
and other defenses.
New Enemy: Ghûl Spitters[]
Some Ghûls prefer to use ranged saliva to dissolve their enemies.
Press X/A to dodge their attacks.
Hints and tips:
-The Quick Throw Ability kills Ghûls in one hit.
-While poisoned, Counter prompts will be hidden, but you
can still Counter with Triangle/Y.
New Enemy: Ghûl Matrons[]
Ghûl Matrons are the most challenging of their breed.
They will strike back when you attack, so dodge (X/A) quickly!
Hints and tips:
-Use the Detonate Ability on Fire Pits against Ghûl Matrons for
massive damage.
-Ghûl Matrons are easily damaged by Elf-shot.
Tutorial: Worms[]
Worms will expose a Captain's Weaknesses when
Interrogated.
Hints and tips:
-Worms and Intel pickups are visible on Main Map and
Minimap.
-Captains are much stronger than regular Uruks. Gain Intel and
review their Details to find a Weakness and plan a strategy.
-Using a Captain's Fears against him will disable many of his
Strengths and Immunities, making him much easier to defeat.
-You cannot exploit Weaknesses and Vulnerabilities until you
gain Intel.
Tutorial: Intel Pickups[]
Intel pickups will reveal a Captain's Weaknesses when
collected.
Hints and tips:
-Worms and Intel pickups are visible on Main Map and
Minimap.
-You cannot exploit Weaknesses and Vulnerabilities until you
gain Intel.
-Unlocked Weaknesses enable you to more easily defeat a
Captain. A Vulnerability means a Captain can be killed in one
strike with a specific Combat strategy.
-Exploiting a Captain's Vulnerability will guarantee he drops a
Rune for the associated weapon. For example, exploiting his
Ranged Vulnerability will result in a Bow Rune.
Ability Unlocked: Brand[]
When you Drain enemies, you will now also apply your Brand,
causing them to become your followers.
To Brand enemies:
Brand: Hold Circle/B
Stealth Brand: Hold R2/RT + tap Circle/B
Combat Brand (Ability): Press X/A + Circle/B with a charged Hit Streak
Hints and tips:
-You can also hold Circle/B to Brand grabbed Uruks.
-Press Up to activate Branded Uruks.
-Dismissing a Captain after Interrogation will leave him Branded.
Ability Unlocked: Command[]
After Dominating a Captain (hold R1/RB + tap X/A), you can now
press Triangle/Y to issue a Command.
This allows you to send your Branded Captain to murder another
Captain, or try to become a Warchief's Bodyguard.
Hints and tips:
-Your follower will become more powerful if his Mission is
successful.
Tutorial: Aerial Execution[]
Hold R2/RT and press Square/X to jump onto an Uruk. This can be used
while mounted.
Hints and tips:
-Use Attract to get your target into range.
-Use Right Stick to aim/select your target among a group. Your target is
highlited with an outline.
Ability Unlocked: Caragor Hunter[]
You've gained the ability to Counter Triangle/Y a Caragor's leap attack,
which will also stun the beast.
Use R1/RB to mount stunned Caragors
Hints and tips:
-Dominated beasts remain friendly after being dismounted.
-Use a Mounted Caragor's speed to catch fleeing enemies.
-Use X/A to Sprint and Climb while Mounted.
Tutorial: Caragor Attacks[]
While mounted on a Caragor:
-Press Square/X to attack (knocks down enemies)
-Press Triangle/Y to bite (kills knocked-down or unaware enemies, and
regains health for your mount).
-Hold L2/LT to use Ranged Mode
-Hold R2/RT + tap Square/X to Strike From Above (dismounts)
Hints and tips:
Hold Circle/B to Drain your mount and regain Elf-shot. This will
damage your mount.
-Hold X/A to charge through enemies, knocking them down.
Tutorial: Mounted Bow Attacks[]
Ranged Mode can be used while mounted.
Hold L2/LT to aim and hold R2/RT to Charge your shot.
Hints and tips:
-Hold Circle/B to Drain your mount and regain Elf-shot. This will
damage your mount.
-In Ranged Mode L2/LT, press R3/Right Stick (click) to toggle Slow Time on/off.
Tutorial: Graug Bleed[]
Hold R2/RT to sneak up behind an unaware Graug and press Square/X to
Bleed it.
Hints and tips:
-Bleeding the Graug will cause massive damage and attract
Caragors.
-Horned Graugs can't be mounted from above until weakened.
Tutorial: Graug Attacks[]
Graugs can attack Square/X enemies in an area.
They can also grab Triangle/Y and eat Uruks to regain Health.
Hints and tips:
-Hold L2/LT to use Ranged Mode while mounted.
-Hold Circle/B to Drain your mount and regain Elf-shot. This will
damage your mount.
-Hold X/A to charge through enemies, knocking them down.
-Hold R2/RT + tap Square/X to Strike from Above (dismounts).