Updated Title Publisher
Updated Title Publisher
Updated Title
Published Title Score Editor's Choice Publisher
Published Title Publisher

Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor

The Black Captain

By
Nathan Garvin

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”.

Trophy/Achievement Icon

Power Vacuum

Kill all 5 Warchiefs before any Uruk take their place.

Trophy icon
10

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.

Trophy/Achievement Icon

The Hammer Falls

Kill The Hammer.

Trophy icon
30

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
No Comments
No Upvotes
User profile pic

Comment submission error:

The comment must be at least 1 character in length.

Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment
  • Platforms,
    PC, PS3, PS4, XB 360, XB One
  • Genre
    Action Adventure
  • Guide Release
    25 March 2015
  • Last Updated
    10 December 2020
  • Guide Author
    Nathan Garvin

Share this free guide:

Life can be dangerous in Middle-Earth, but for none moreso than the Rangers of The Black Gate, who guard the very border of Mordor. After tragedy strikes, Talion, Captain of The Black Gate rises as the Gravewalker, bound to a mysterious Elven Wraith. Talion will have to fight his way through an army of Uruks to reach the Black Captains as he seeks to find answers, vengeance, and a respite from his cursed afterlife.

The guide offers the following:

  • A walkthrough for all the main story missions.
  • Walkthroughs for every side mission, including Outcast Rescue missions, Legendary Weapon missions etc.
  • Integrated information detailing how to complete all the Hunting and Survival Challenges.
  • A full trophy/achievement guide.
  • Descriptions of the Nemesis System, including Strengths, Weaknesses, the different types of Uruks etc.
  • Information on all the Abilities and Attributes in the game.

Get a Gamer Guides Premium account:

Quick sign up

Already have an account?

Quick log in

Don’t have an account?