In Middle-earth: Shadow of War, the Nemesis System is the structure that Monolith has built that generates endless possibilities for the enemies you will face, the way they will act, and the stories that will grow as they face you again and again.

Each of the Captains, Warchiefs, and Overlords of Sauron’s army will develop their own personalities, rivalries, traits that may grow over time depending on the battles they take part in.

Video: How to Beat the Toughest Orcs

They are affected by Talion’s actions, and each will react differently to Talion’s incursion into Mordor, be it fight, flight, or some other reaction. By defeating these notable enemies, the player is rewarded with special Gear (and it is even possible that these enemies may Cheat Death and appear once more – remembering previous encounters and developing intense rivalries with Talion himself).

• Each of these enemies can develop Strengths and Weaknesses from almost unlimited combinations of perks and flaws.
• Each Orc, upon becoming a Captain or higher rank, belongs to one of several Tribes that can dictate how they act, and what hidden traits they bring into battle.
• All Orcs train in one of many Enemy Classes that reflect how they fight in battle, and upon reaching the rank of Captain, these Orcs and Ologs attain even more powerfulAdvanced Classes that come with even more fighting abilities.
• Overlords will use the influence of the Nemesis System to alter the appearance, layout, and mechanics of the Fortresses they claim.

Nemeses are defined by many different factors:

• Names – Each Nemesis has their own unique name. Often times any prefixes or suffixes in their name may relate to their class, tribe, or other augment they possess.
• Visuals – They are generated randomly by multiple body types and parts, hairstyles, behaviors, voices, animations, ect. The personality of the Nemesis can sometimes be figured out by his visuals.
• Power Levels – This determines the base strength of the Nemesis, the higher the number, the more powerful the Nemesis in battle – which can reach much higher than they were in Shadow of Mordor.
• Rank – The longer the Nemesis stays in the Nemesis system, the more events he succeeds. Captains can become Warchiefs to defend Fortresses (and take other Captains as Bodyguards), and a Warchief can become an Overlord of one of the many Regions. Some Orcs may attain Epic or Legendary status, and will attain special Epic Traits that set them apart from others.
• Relationships – Some of the Uruk may have some kinds of relations to the other Nemeses. This usually involves a rivalry between the two Uruk, or even partnership. This can play out as Orcs become terrified, or even enraged upon seeing a particular Captain – and some Orcs become Blood Brothers to avenge each others deaths.
• Fighting Styles – All Nemeses have their own particular fighting style based on the various fighting styles of Uruk Grunts which are further enhanced by traits that give them new fighting abilities or buffs.
• Traits – This lists the various Strengths and Weaknesses of the Nemesis itself, which makes each Nemesis very unique and require various tactics to defeat.
• Location – This states the location the Nemesis is in. Some Orcs wander the world, while others hide and ambush at the most inopportune times, while others can be lured out by assaulting outposts or forts.