Middle-Earth: Shadow of War - All The Skills And Upgrades

Power of the Gravewalker

Like its predecessor, Middle-earth: Shadow of War allows you to upgrade Talion's skills and abilities in a variety of ways. Aside from a handful of skills from the first game, the sequel features plenty of new ones to experiment with, such as Freeze Pin, which allows you to shoot a frosty projectile that can temporarily hinder a foe's movement. In addition, there are a variety of upgrades you can unlock for each skill that enhance your abilities even further. Click ahead for a closer look at all the skills you can obtain in Shadow of War.

Be sure to check back often as we update this gallery further with more information on each skill's various upgrades.

Shadow of War was originally slated to launch in August, only for it to be pushed back. It's now scheduled for release on October 10. Those who have played Shadow of Mordor will be able to import certain data from that game, including their top nemesis. When we tried the game out at E3, we found it to be much more challenging than Shadow of Mordor.

Execution

When your Might is full, aim at an enemy with the control stick and press Y + B to Execute him.

Upgrades

Grim Resolve: Gain Might each time you are damaged in combat.
Secret Might: Gain Might for each kill while remaining undetected.
Fatal Might: Successful sword strikes gain much more Might. Might will reset after taking damage, missing an attack or exiting combat.

Skill Tree Category -- Combat

Perfect Counter

Well-timed Counters knock down enemies. (Press Y when the prompt flashes blue.)

Upgrades

Rain of Arrows: A well-timed counter will replenish one Elf-shot.
Mighty Reversal: Gain Might from each Counter.
Fatal Counter: Well-timed Counters instantly kill enemy grunts (but not Captains and Beasts).

Skill Tree Category -- Combat

Critical Strike

Melee attacks have a chance of causing Critical hits for additional damage.

Upgrades

Reprisal: Melee attacks have a chance of causing Critical Hits for additional damage.
Unstoppable: Your Critical Strike chance increases significantly as long as your Hitstreak is above 30.
Elven Precision: Perform another Strike as a Strike is about to land to greatly increases your chance of a Critical Strike.

Skill Tree Category -- Combat

Ground Finisher

Decrease the amount of time it takes to perform Ground Executions on downed enemies using RT + X.

Upgrades

Fury: Decrease the amount of time it takes to perform a Ground Execution on downed enemies.
Wraith Shield: The Wraith can counter enemies while you complete a Ground Execution.
Ground Drain: Press the indicated buttons to drain enemies who have been knocked down.

Skill Tree Category -- Combat

Brutal Aggression

Might can be double-charged, enabling Brutal Executions (performed by Y + B) which cause nearby enemies to flee in terror.

Upgrades

Wraith Execution: Might can be double-charged, enabling Brutal Executions which cause nearby enemies to flee in terror.
Ceaseless Might: Skills that require Might no longer fully deplete Might.

Skill Tree Category -- Combat

Retaliation

Time your Last Chance success perfectly to instantly kill the enemy targeting you.

Does not apply to Captains, graugs, or drakes.

Upgrades

Adamant: Time your Last Chance success perfectly to instantly kill the enemy targeting you.
Vengeful Drain: Retaliation drains the attacker.
Burst of Might: Gain full Might on a perfect Last Chance.

Skill Tree Category -- Combat

Elven Agility

Hold A for a burst of speed when leaping over objects, landing, or climbing.

Press A at the top of a climb to vault up over the ledge.

Upgrades

Silent Runner: TBA
Spectral Dash: Press A while in stealth to cross short distances or reach nearby enemies instantaneously. Consumes Focus.