Is there a downside to slaughtering everyone I meet?
I was ambushed by a named enemy not long after jumping off the first tower and being unleashed into the vast world. I defeated him, and the game made a big deal about his death, awarding me Power and crossing off his name like I accomplished something useful.
Are there a finite number of enemies like this? Is there some downside to murdering him? Is there something beneficial I could have done with him had I spared his life somehow?
Best Answer
I've heard Shadow of Mordor compared to a Gardening Simulator. The Nemesis System is your Garden & the Runes are your Fruit. Gardening really kicks in when you move on to the 2nd map (via story missions) & unlock the "Brand" ability.
When a new Orc shows up in the garden:
- Identify him and add one level to his Rune.
- Die to him, giving him and his rune a Level. He also now has the Revenge flag, giving his Rune +1 bonus level.
- Threaten his life. +5 for Orc & Rune and a Bonus +1 for the Rune.
- When you've done the above, Brand him.
- Attend his recitals, erm, I mean "missions" & cheer him on. +1 for Orc & Rune. Repeat until the Orc is a ripe L20 with a L23 Rune.
When a Warlord has nothing but Branded L20 bodyguards (but at least one), it's time to harvest him. He will be replaced by one of his "ripe" bodyguards (+2 for the new Warchief's Rune for the final L25). Repeat as Required.
Don't leave a vacancy at the top. You run the risk of it being filled by an unripe and/or unbranded Orc. (such a waste..)
For completeness sake there is another +1 Rune Level bonus for using a Captain's Fear against him. FWIW, L26 Runes are identical to L25 Runes.
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