How should I play the Middle-earth: Shadow of War DLCs for an Epic Gaming Experience?
As a longtime Shadow of War player and content creator focused on helping fellow fans maximize their enjoyment of this incredible game, I cannot recommend the DLC highly enough! Here is the ideal order to play them:
- Finish the Shadow of War main story (approx. 55 hours of gameplay)
- Play Blade of Galadriel DLC (adds 8 additional hours)
- Play Desolation of Mordor DLC (adds 12 additional hours)
This order allows you to best understand the continued storyline and evolving world of Middle-earth. Now, let‘s break down everything both expansions add to the experience!
Blade of Galadriel DLC: Embrace New Assassin Skills as Eltariel
Playtime: 8 Additional Hours
Key Features:
- Play as elite elven assassin Eltariel with a brand new set of combat abilities
- Go behind enemy lines to new regions like Sergost Citadel
- Learn skills tailored to stealth attacks, ranged kills, enemy manipulation
- Continue the Shadow of War story from a new perspective
- Face challenging new enemies like the dreaded Nazgûl
- Epic showdown with Sauron‘s forces at the fiery Mt. Doom
I absolutely loved embracing Eltariel‘s asssassin skillset after easily sinking 50+ hours perfecting Talion‘s combat flow. Her expanded ranged attacks open up an entirely fresh style emphasizing tactics and precision over raw power. Flitting through the shadows manipulating and eliminating high-value targets brought back memories of my early days mastering avoidance-centric builds against towering raid bosses in classic WoW!
Desolation of Mordor DLC: Recruit an Army for Epic Fortress Sieges as Baranor
Playtime: 12 Additional Hours
Key Features:
- Step into the boots of battle-hardened human Captain Baranor
- Venture into the new and extremely lethal region of Lithlad
- Baranor excels at melee combos and close-quarters crowd control
- Recruit and command your own army of mercenaries for assaults
- Liberate and defend fortresses from hordes of vicious orcs
- Optionally enable permadeath for extreme danger around every corner!
- Seamlessly embeds new Nemesis enemies into the core game
Desolation of Mordor swiftly shot into my top 3 Shadow of War DLCs thanks to the supremely satisfying gameplay loop of building a deadly mercenary army piece-by-piece and unleashing their combined fury against nigh impenetrable fortresses. The white-knuckled stress of advancing yard-by-yard through a chokepoint as arrows fill the air cannot be overstated! Baranor himself plays like a hybrid between Eltariel‘s rapid attacks and Talion‘s raw strength.
As both expansions unlock entirely new abilities tailored to their protagonist, mastering advanced tactics specific to each playstyle is a must:
Eltariel‘s Ideal Build for Assassin Action
| Skill Tree Priority | Description |
|---|---|
| Ranger Focus | Significantly boosts ranged damage – Eltariel‘s specialty |
| Shadow Dominate | Mind control enemies from stealth for invaluable intel |
| Wraith Chain | Essential for chaining instant assassinations |
| Ice Storm | Decimates tightly packed enemy mobs |
| Elven Precision | Further improves ranged attacks |
| Brutal Cold | Freezes surrounding enemies after stealth kills |
Baranor‘s Overpowered Melee Build
| Skill Tree Priority | Description |
|---|---|
| Iron Body | Reduces ranged damage taken during melee combos |
| Whirlwind | Devastating AoE attack finisher |
| Fiery Weapons | Bonus fire damagefurther boosted by combos |
| Shield Bash | Knocks enemies off balance |
| Combat Master | Extends melee combos allowing higher damage |
| Battle Frenzy | Restores health for each melee hit |
I cannot overstate the hours of added enjoyment both DLC chapters provide to an already packed base game. The new protagonists, enemies, gear upgrades, and world regions had me itching to experiment with builds long after the credits rolled.
If you love sinking your teeth into expansive open world games with intensely polished combat systems, Shadow of War‘s DLCs are mandatory. Let me know if you have any other questions about conquering them below!
