The Black Captain¶
Ratbag learns the hard way that Sauron is less forgiving of incompetence than Talion was (left). The “Gravewalker” steps foward to answer The Hammer’s challenge (right).
“The Gorthaur has fallen and the Black Captains have answered your challenge.”
Return to the Barrows of Udun, more specifically the Outcast hideaway to start your next mission. Hirgon and his wife are tending to a wounded Outcast. Apparently Sauron isn’t a jovial guy, and the pushback has begun-one of the Black Captains has arrived, and he’s killing Outcasts to call out the “Gravewalker”. Talion tells Hirgon and his Outcasts to flee Mordor quickly, while he heads off to answer the challenge. Meanwhile, Ratbag-as the last surviving Warchief-is being questioned by his superior. His answer isn’t satisfactory, and he ends up getting demoted-forever. From life. If you killed all the other Warchiefs you’ll unlock the Trophy/Achievement “Power Vacuum”.
The Hammer can be harmed by arrows, just be sure to fire multiple shots in a row, as he’ll grab the first of the bunch and fling it back at you (left). Attacking the attendant Uruks to charge your Hit Streak will allow you to perform damaging Executions (right).
While Talion didn’t arrive in time to save Ratbag from his incompetence this time (or perhaps he just didn’t care to?) he does show up in time to pick a fight with the Black Captain. Sauron’s dog will bark some fighting words, and with that the fight begins. Our foe-The Hammer-isn’t terribly challenging; a Warchief with a bad set of traits could prove more troublesome. He can be damaged by ranged attacks, but he’ll grab the first shot you shoot at him and throw it back, so if you’re going to shoot at him, take multiple shots and be prepared to dodge when you exit Ranged Mode or run out of Focus. He does have an unblockable ground-slam attack that sends a wave of force at you, but simply rolling aside is enough to dodge it. Use his attending Uruks to build up Hit Streaks, then try to hit The Hammer with Executions to do a fair bit of damage. He’ll occassionally counter melee attacks with a quick attack that can’t be Countered, so you shouldn’t strike him too frequently in combat, save to perform Executions. If you must confront him directly, take a swing or two, wait for him to attack, and Counter it. He cannot be Vaulted over, so don’t even bother trying.
The bonus objective for this mission is to shank Uruks ten times during the fight. Just grab an Uruk (R1) and hit (Square) repeatedly. This builds up your Hit Streak quickly, which can be used to perform Executions against The Hammer, and he moves slowly enough that he shouldn’t interrupt you, if you’re careful. Your average Uruk can survive about five Shankings before dying. Another way to deal damage to The Hammer is by luring him near an explosive object and shooting it.
Talion takes his anger out on The Hammer, to the Wraith’s annoyance (left). Shortly after the fight Lithariel arrives, and her words draw us to Nurn (right).
After you are victorious, the Wraith will chastise you, while Talion argues in favor of his narrow-minded revenge. Your squabble will be interrupted by Lithariel, who invites you to come meet with one “Marwen, Queen of the Shore”. She even name-drops Celebrimbor, whose return this Marwen has forseen. Aside from just enough information to whet our curiousity, she can’t tell us much, but it looks like answers await us in Nurn.
Before you go, consider completing any unfinished side-quests. No better time to do them than now.
| Reward | Bonus Objective |
|---|---|
| 800 XP | 150 Mirian |
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