Lost Orc Gate (Udun)

Learn how to reforge the Forge Tower at the Lost Orc Gate in Udun, your first objective in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. This unlocks fast travel and provide.

The Lost Orc Gate marks your initial steps into the desolate region of Udun in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. After a pivotal ritual, you'll find yourself bound to an Elven Wraith. Your first objective is to reforge the nearby Forge Tower, which serves as a crucial fast-travel point and unlocks vital information about the surrounding area, including missions and collectible locations.

Reforging the Forge Tower

Upon finding yourself in Mordor, you'll be tethered to an Elven Wraith. Your immediate priority is to locate and interact with the Forge Tower. As the Wraith, press the designated button (R1 on PlayStation controllers) to "reforge" the tower. This action is essential for several reasons:

• Fast Travel: Reforged towers act as fast-travel points, allowing you to quickly traverse the vast landscape of Udun.
• Unlocking Content: Reforging a tower reveals the locations of various missions, collectible items, and important points of interest on your map.
• Mirian Acquisition: Towers often provide a small amount of Mirian, the primary currency in the game, which is vital for upgrading your gear and abilities.

Once the tower is reforged, access the game's menu by pressing the Options button. Here, you can manage your inventory, equip powerful runes to enhance your weapons and abilities, review lore entries in the Appendices, and examine available upgrades that you may not yet have the Mirian to purchase.

First Combat Encounter and the Nemesis System

After reforging the tower, you'll leap from its heights, shedding your incorporeal form and returning to Talion's physical body. As you land, you'll be immediately challenged by a group of Uruks. This serves as your introduction to combat and ranged mechanics:

• Ranged Combat: Hold L2 to enter Ranged Mode and aim your bow. Hold L1 to draw an arrow; the longer you hold it, the more damage the shot will inflict. A "bullet time" effect will slow down time as you aim, consuming your Focus meter. Aim for headshots to quickly dispatch most standard Uruks.
• Focus Meter: Your Focus meter dictates how long you can utilize the slow-motion aiming. Manage it carefully, as it replenishes over time or through specific actions.

After dispatching the initial wave of Uruks, a more cunning foe will appear. Despite their tactics, you will defeat them. During this encounter, you'll discover a unique ability tied to your wounded hand, which has a peculiar effect on Uruks. Following the Wraith's encouragement, approach the downed Uruk and press R1 to grapple. Then, press X to brand the Uruk, and X again to "Gain Intel." This action triggers an interrogation by the Wraith, revealing your first target: an Uruk named "Gimub the Slaver." This event also serves as your introduction to the groundbreaking Nemesis system, a core mechanic of Shadow of Mordor.