Missions and Maps in Mordor

Unlock the secrets of Mordor's map icons in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Learn about Main Missions, Power Struggles, Intel, and Collectibles to dominate Sauron's forces.

Alright, so you've just had a little run-in with an Uruk, and the Wraith let him skedaddle. Talion's not too pleased about that, which is totally understandable given his family situation. Anyway, the game's about to give you a rundown of what all those little icons popping up on your map actually mean. Let's break it down so you know exactly what you're looking at.

• See those Gold icons? Those are your Main Missions. Stick with these to push the main story forward.

• Red icons are Power Struggles. Winning these gives you Power, which is crucial for unlocking new upgrade tiers. You'll then use Ability Points you earn from XP to learn new skills. Plus, winning these can actually promote an Uruk, making them tougher with a higher Power Rating.

• White icons point to Side Missions and Collectibles. These will net you Mirian, the game's currency. Collectibles come in two flavors: Ithildin and Artifacts. Ithildin are ancient symbols you can only spot when you're in wraith form (hit R1/RB). They're usually etched onto walls and might require some climbing to reach. Artifacts are weird objects that hold memories. Find them, interact with them, and you'll uncover those memories.

• Those Green diamonds mean Intel. This could be a sensitive document lying around, a slave you need to rescue, or a slimy Uruk known as a 'Worm' who's holding onto it. If it's a Worm, you'll need to Grab them and then Interrogate them to get the juicy details. And what secrets are we talking about? The Strengths and Weaknesses of any Uruk you're unsure about. If you don't know an Uruk's identity, getting Intel will reveal both who they are and what they're vulnerable to. You can learn an Uruk's identity by interrogating any regular Uruk, but to find their weaknesses, you absolutely need Intel. Remember, you can't exploit weaknesses if you don't know what they are!

• Lastly, you've got Herbs. These are plants scattered around specific areas. They won't show up on the main map but will appear on your mini-map with a colored, shaped marker depending on the herb. Gathering them helps with Survival Challenges, earning you more Mirian. So, check which plants you need, look at the main map to see where they might spawn (especially if you've claimed a Forge Tower in the area), and go hunting. Bonus: they fully heal you and are pretty quick to harvest.

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