Middle-earth Shadow of Mordor: 100% Achievement Guide (Base Game + DLC)

A guide detailing how to obtain all 74 achievements in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.

Main Story Achievements

You Will Obey
“Make an uruk yours.”

The Bright Master
“Discover some of the Wraith’s past.“

Ratbag the Great and Powerful
“Get Ratbag promoted to Warchief.“

To Rule them All
“Witness the creation of The Rings of Power.“

Gorthaur the Cruel
“Destroy the Monument Gate and topple the statue of Sauron.“

The Hammer Falls
“Kill The Hammer.“

The White Wizard
“Lift Lady Marwen’s curse.“

For My Brother
“Kill the Great White Graug.“

Beyond Hope
“Save Lithariel’s life.“

The Tower Crumbles
“Kill The Tower.“

The Hand is Severed
“Kill The Black Hand.“

All 11 of these achievements are earned by progressing through the Main Story Missions and are unmissable.

Side Missions

The Free Folk
“Complete an Outcast Rescue Mission.”

Complete any Outcast Rescue Mission.

Liberator
“Complete all Outcast Rescue Missions.”

Complete all 34 Outcast Rescue Missions. Outcast Rescue Missions are marked on your map with a fist icon.

Repaid in Blood
“Complete a Vendetta Mission.”

Since Vendetta Missions are no longer a part of the game, you must kill a Revenge Target to earn this achievement.

Combat

Stinking Rebels
“Brand 5 Bodyguards of a Warchief, turning them against him in combat.”

To get this achievement, find a Warchief that has one or more bodyguards and brand all of them (if they have any). In order to fill the remaining number of bodyguards required for the achievement, you will need to dominate Captains and command them to fight for the selected Warchief, you will need to help each of the Captains complete their initiations to ensure they survive. Once you’ve branded 5 bodyguards, challenge the Warchief and command his bodyguards to fight for you in battle (“I” by default).

Height of Despair
“Use Strike From Above while at least 60 feet above your target.”

After unlocking the “Strike from Above” ability, go to any forge tower and stealth kill an Uruk from the top of the tower.

Black Celebration
“Poison a Captain at his own Feast.”

After completing “The Outcasts” main mission you will unlock the ability to poison Grog barrels. Once unlocked you will need to find a Feast mission to go to, poison a Grog barrel undetected and stay hidden until the Captain drinks the Grog for the achievement to pop.

The Spirit of Mordor
“Start a Riot by commanding a Warchief to attack another Warchief.”

After Branding a Warchief you just have to grab him, dominate him, and command him to attack another Warchief of your choice. If you’re having trouble finding a Warchief you branded you can locate them by going to any blue skull icon on your map.

The White Rider
“Liberate 30 slaves in 180 seconds while riding a caragor.”

For this achievement I recommend getting to the Sea of Nurnen and unlocking all of the Forge Towers first. Once you’ve done that, get a Caragor and find a decent amount of slaves to free in close proximity to each other. When there are no more slaves in sight, fast travel to another Forge Tower and search for more groups to save time.

Note: You do NOT need to use the same Caragor while liberating the slaves and the timer doesn’t start until you’ve liberated at least 1 slave.

Divide and Conquer
“Eliminate the bodyguards of two Warchiefs, then draw them out and kill them.”

Gain intel on any two Warchiefs that have bodyguards and eliminate the bodyguards prior to engaging battle with the Warchief.

A New Master
“Brand a Captain while in combat.”

Lower a Captains health to about 10% and Combat Brand them while your hit streak is charged.

No Power in Numbers
“Help a Captain survive a Recruitment Power Struggle, and then kill him and all his new recruits.”

Start a Recruitment event for any Captain and eliminate any Uruks who attempt to kill him using your bow to remain undetected. Once the event is over and the Captain levels up, eliminate him and all of his followers.

Rise and Fall
“After an uruk kills you to become a Captain, help him become a Warchief, then kill him.”

Allow a random Uruk to kill you so he gets promoted to a Captain and then Brand him and command him to become a bodyguard for a Warchief (Preferably one with no other bodyguards) and help him survive his initiation. After that, defeat the Warchief so the Captain takes his place and then kill the newly promoted Warchief.

Burning Vengeance
“Perform an Execution on a flaming Berserker.”

Find a Berserker and a group of Uruks near a campfire and fight them until you have a high enough multiplier to perform an execution. Once your multiplier is high enough, throw the Berserker into the fire and quickly execute him.

Note: You may need to remove all epic runes from your weapons while going for this achievement as it can be quite glitchy sometimes.

And it Burns, Burns, Burns
“Use the Detonate ability to burn 50 uruks.”

After unlocking the Detonate ability for your bow, simply shoot at campfires or Grog barrels while Uruks are gathered around them.

Unleashed
“Free 5 caragors from cages.”

This one is pretty straight forward, just shoot your bow at the the gates of the Caragor cages, they can be found in enemy strongholds.

Jaws of Death
“Attract caragors with bait 5 times.”

Similar to the “Unleashed” achievement except you’ll instead be shooting the hanging torsos that can can be located in any stronghold.

Fly you fools!
“Make 20 uruks flee by dropping Morgai Fly nests.”

For this achievement just shoot Morgai Fly nests with the bow. Alternatively, you can climb over top of them to drop them on enemies.

Iron of Death
“Issue a Death Threat, and then successfully kill the target.”

After getting about halfway through the story and proceeding to the Sea of Nurnen you will be able to unlock the Death Threat ability. Once unlocked you will have the option to issue a Death Threat to a Captain or Warchief after Branding any Uruk, eliminate the marked target for the achievement.

A Graug’s Heel
“Capitalize on a Warchief’s Fear.”

The easiest way to get this is to find a Warchief with a fear of Caragors and lure them out with bait or shoot their cages open when the Warchief is nearby.

Power Vacuum
“Kill all 5 Warchiefs before any uruk take their place.”

In order to get this achievement you will need to eliminate any and all of the bodyguards, as well as the 5 Warchiefs, it’s easier to do this in Udun.

Note: You will need to eliminate all bodyguards before the Warchiefs, and do so without dying to ensure no Uruk take their place.

Lord and Master
“Brand all 5 Warchiefs.”

This achievement will be obtained by progressing through the main story after reaching the Sea of Nurnen, making this an unmissable achievement.

A Mighty Doom
“Acquire a level 25 Rune.”

The requirements for a level 25 rune dropping are as follows:

Enemy Level 20
+2 for Warchief
+1 for Vengeance
+1 for Fear/Hatred Exploited
+1 for Knowing Weaknesses

Upgrades

Legend of the Maker
“Complete a Bow Mission and begin growing the legend of Azkâr.”

Legend of Shadow
“Complete a Dagger Mission and begin growing the legend of Acharn.”

Legend of Vengeance
“Complete a Sword Mission and begin growing the legend of Urfael.”

These three achievements can be unlocked early in the game, simply complete one mission for each of your 3 weapons to unlock them.

The Maker’s Bow
“Complete all Azkâr Legend Missions.”

The Last Shadow
“Complete all Acharn Legend Missions.”

Fire of Justice
“Complete all Urfael Legend Missions.”

To unlock these three achievements you will have to complete all 10 missions for the bow, the dagger, and the sword. Some missions won’t be available until you’ve unlocked certain skills.

Strike True
“Unlock 2 Bow Rune slots.”

Paid in Blood
“Unlock 4 Dagger Rune slots.”

The Cold Light
“Unlock 3 Sword Rune slots.”

These three achievements can also be obtained early in the game as long as you have enough Mirian to unlock them. You can earn Mirian by completing side missions.

Collectibles

Memories of Eregion
“Activate all Forge Towers.”

This achievement is unlocked by activating all 12 Forge Towers, 6 of them are in Udun, the other 6 are located in the Sea of Nurnen.
Note: Each tower you activate displays more Artifacts, Ithildin, and missions on the map.

Paths of the Dead
“Collect 25% of the Artifacts.”

Shadows of the Ancient Past
“Collect 100% of the Artifacts and listen to their memories.”

The first achievement is unlocked simply by collecting 25% of the artifacts in the game, the second achievement requires you to collect AND listen to the memories of all of the artifacts. I recommend listening to the memories as you collect each artifact.
Note: You don’t need to fully listen to the memory for it to count, just play it and exit afterwards.

Crowned with Living Light
“Collect 50% of the Ithildin.”

Bearer of the Shining Lamp
“Collect 100% of the Ithildin.”

The first achievement is unlocked by finding 16 of the 32 Ithildin throughout the game, this can be done before leaving Udun. The second one is obtained upon collecting all 32 Ithildin which requires you to unlock the Sea of Nurnen.
Note: Ithildin can be only be located on walls so you will have to climb to obtain some, use Wraith Vision to locate them.

Hunting Challenges

Thrill of the Hunt
“Successfully complete 4 Hunting Challenges.”

Master of the Wilds
“Complete all Hunting Challenges.”

Challenge 01: Kill 3 Ungol Spiders – Located in caves and strongholds.
Challenge 02: Kill 5 Flying Creatures – Found flying around pretty much everywhere.
Challenge 03: Kill 3 Caragors – Shoot hanging bait or Caragor cages in strongholds, they can also be found roaming the wilds.
Challenge 04: Kill 4 Mordor Rats – Found in strongholds and encampments.
Challenge 05: Kill 8 Ghûls – Found while roaming around at night time.
Challenge 06: Kill 3 Bats – Located inside of caves.
Challenge 07: Kill a Graug – Located in and around caves, this can also be done during the quest “Hunting Partners.”
Challenge 08: Kill a Dire Caragor – Located in the wilds of the Sea of Nurnen.
Challenge 09: Kill a Ghûl Matron – Lured out by killing multiple waves of Ghûls. (Let them keep summoning reinforcements by leaving a couple of them alive each wave)
Challenge 10: Kill a Horned Graug – Located near a cave in the Sea of Nurnen. (Picture below)

Survivalist Challenges

Scout of the Morannon
“Successfully complete a Survivalist Challenge.”

Ranger of Ithilien
“Complete all Survivalist Challenges.”

Challenge 01: Gather 2 niphredil.
Challenge 02: Gather 3 pipeweed and 3 lothrond.
Challenge 03: Gather 2 remmenthond and 2 azuradan.
Challenge 04: Gather 2 niphredil, 2 lothrond, and 1 azuradan.
Challenge 05: Gather 4 blue milk and 2 mallos.
Challenge 06: Gather 3 elgaran and 3 earthbread.
Challenge 07: Gather 3 gwinuial and 3 alfirin.
Challenge 08: Gather 2 naugrimbas, 3 carandol, and 2 orchamarth.
Challenge 09: Gather 7 athelas.
Challenge 10: Gather 3 blue milk, 3 elgaran, and 2 gwinuial.

Challenges 1-4 need to be completed in Udun, I recommend completing them before traveling to the Sea of Nurnen.

Challenges 5-10 need to be completed in the Sea of Nurnen, therefore locking them until you progress far enough into the main story missions to arrive there.

Lord of the Hunt

A Short Introduction
“Begin a new hunt with Torvin.”

Complete the first mission.

Jaws of Shadow
“Complete 25 Caragath Stealth Kills.”

While riding a Caragath, perform 25 stealth finishers on enemies.

I Had To Put Him Down
“Kill a Caragath with an Execution.”

Simply kill a Caragath with a Combat Finisher, this can be done on a branded Caragath.

Rattle the Hive
“Bait 10 Ghûl mounds.”

Ignite 10 Ghûl mounds by shooting them with your bow, you get progress towards this achievement during the mission “Matrons Rising”.

Hot Flashes
“Catch a Ghûl Matron on fire during the Lord of the Hunt campaign.”

In order to find a Ghûl Matron you will need to alert Ghûls and allow them to summon reinforcements by running back to their nest, once enough Ghûls show up the Ghûl Matron will appear. Once it appears ignite the Ghûl Matron with a fire arrow, grog barrel, campfire, etc.

O Mother, Where Art Thou?
“Have 20 Branded Ghûls at one time.”

This is earned during the story mission “Hypocritical Oath” using Wraith Burn.

Ghûls Gone Wild
“Kill a Graug by dispatching your Ghûls on him.”

You will have your first opportunity to earn this achievement during the story mission “Hypocritical Oath.” Shortly after branding 45 Ghûls you will encounter a Wretched Graug, stun him by shooting him in the head with 2 fully charged shots, after that the Ghûls will jump on him. Wait until the Graug is at 50% health, then make the Ghûls explode.

Nom Nom Nom!
“Eat a captain with a Wretched Graug.”

Simply eat any captain while riding a Wretched Graug. This does not have to be done on Captains vulnerable to Mounted Beast Finishers.

Wretched Retch
“Use a Wretched Graug’s Projectile Vomit on an Uruk Captain or Warchief.”

Shadow Mount a Wretched Graug and fire Projectile Vomit at any Captain or Warchief. You do not need to kill them with the Projectile Vomit for the achievement to unlock.

The Collector
“Have a dominated Caragath, Wretched Graug and Spitter Ghûl simultaneously.”

First locate and Shadow Mount a Caragath and a Wretched Graug. After that, find and ignite a Ghûl mound and wait for a group of Spitter Ghûls to appear, then use Wraith Burn to dominate them.

The Flames Make It Go Faster
“Activate the Blazing Steed.”

This achievement will be unlocked simply by activating the Blazing Steed power during the final Beast Master side quest.

The Most Dangerous Game
“Defeat all the Beastmaster Warchiefs.”

This achievement will unlock upon completing the final mission in this DLC.

The Bright Lord

The Scouring of Mordor
“Challenge the Dark Lord in Mordor.”

Complete the prologue mission.

Dominion
“Wraith Flash Dominate 50 Uruks.”

While in combat, dominate 50 Uruks using Wraith Flash. Progress towards this achievement accumulates over time.

The Silver Fist
“Brand 20 Uruks in 60 seconds.”

The easiest way to get this achievement is to cause enemies to raise the alarm in a fortress and wait for a large group of reinforcements to arrive. Once they gather around you, activate the One Ring Power and Wraith Flash Dominate Uruks until the achievement pops.

Burning Shadow
“Shadow Brand 20 Uruks.”

Dominate 20 Uruks by using Shadow Brand while aiming the bow at them.

From Shadow to Shadow
“Stealth Brand a Captain.”

To get this achievement you’ll need to Stealth Brand a Captain that is vulnerable to Stealth Finishers.

Eregion Reforged
“Build all the Forge Towers in Udun.”

Activate all 4 of the Forge Towers in Udun.

Battle Forged
“Maximize the power of the Ring by completing all of the One Ring missions.”

Complete all 4 of the One Ring side missions.

Betrayed
“The One Ring has returned to it’s Maker.“

Complete the final mission in The Bright Lord.

Trials of War

Test of the Ring

Beyond Epic
“Get a Level 30 Rune in Test of the Ring.”

In order to obtain this achievement you will need to gather Intel on Warchiefs until you find either “Skak Raid Leader” or “Rûg the Crafty”. Once you locate one of them, fight them and allow them to kill you 1 time to make them a Revenge Target. After you do that, fight them once more, but exploit their Hatred (Skak hates Caragors and Rûg hates Morgai Flies) and kill them after they become enraged.

Enemy Level: 25
+2 for Warchief
+1 for Vengeance
+1 for Fear/Hatred Exploited
+1 for Knowing Weaknesses

Lord of the Ring
“Complete all objectives in the Test of The Ring.”

This achievement requires you to complete the following objectives:

Kill 5 Warchiefs and 12 Captains
Brand 8 Captains or Warchiefs
Brand 50 Grunts
Finish within 60 minutes

Tips:

Eliminate all 5 Warchiefs as early as possible, prioritize getting Intel on the Warchiefs first as they might have Captains as body guards, as a result you may have less Captains to track down later on.
Use Wraith Flash to dominate 50 grunts while fighting Warchiefs, this will also make it easier to kill the Warchiefs as they’ll be fighting their own followers.
Use Stealth Brand on Captains that are vulnerable to Stealth Finishers or use Combat Brand on Captains at low health. Make sure that you only have 8 Captains branded and that all of them survive before killing the final Captain.
Avoid combat with lesser Uruks as much as possible, if you initiate combat while there are no Captains or Warchiefs nearby, flee from the battlefield.
Use Caragors and Forge Towers to get around the map quickly and always pause the game when you need to stop the timer for awhile.

Test of the Wild

The Hunt is my Mistress
“Complete all objectives in the Test of the Wild.”