Lord Of The Rings, The: The Return Of The King - Strategy Guide (Page 01)
Below are the cheat codes, hints and help for Lord Of The Rings, The: The Return Of The King - Strategy Guide (Page 01).
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GBA THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING
FAQ/WALKTHROUGH
By Matt Borgard ("zegota")
trancegotenks@hotmail.com
Version 1.1 5/22/04
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
You can easily find your way to a section by searching (ctrl+f) for the number
preceeding it. For instance, to go to the WALKTHROUGH section, search for 5.
To find the section for Legolas's game, search for 5.4
0. VERSION INFO
1. INTRO
2. THE BASICS
2.1 Controls
2.2 Inventory
2.2.1 Backpack
2.2.2 Skill Screen
2.2.3 Stat Screen
2.3 Playing the game
2.3.1 Game Screen
2.3.2 Shopping
3. ITEMS/WEAPONS
3.1 Items
3.2 Weapons
4. CHARACTERS
4.1 Frodo
4.2 Aragorn
4.3 Gimli
4.4 Legolas
4.5 Eowyn
4.6 Gandalf
5. WALKTHROUGH
5.1 Frodo
5.2 Eowyn
5.3 Gandalf
5.4 Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli
6. RUNES
7. ARTIFACTS
8. BOSSES
9. SECRETS
9.1 Bonus Maps
9.2 Secret Characters
10. FAQ
11. CLOSING
12. COPYRIGHT
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0. VERSION INFO
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Version 1.1 5/22/04: Fixed some errors, added suggestions and special thanks.
Version 1.0 2/20/04: The first version of the FAQ.
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1. INTRODUCTION
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So you've just picked up The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King for
Gameboy Advance. Maybe it's because you like the movie, or played the previous
game. Or maybe you bought it just for the GCN-GBA connection perks. In any
case, you won't be disappointed. ROTK is a hack-n-slash RPG, much akin to the
Diablo series. You basically fight your way through hordes of enemies using
various weapons, skills and stats to level up and save Middle-Earth from the
terror of Sauron.
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2. THE BASICS
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2.1 CONTROLS:
These are the default controls for the game.
A BUTTON: Use the currently equipped skill.
B BUTTON: Attack with equipped weapon.
L BUTTON: Switch equipped skill.
R BUTTON: Pick up item/activate shop.
SELECT: Go to save/option screen.
START: Go to character screen
D PAD: Move the character.
2.2 INVENTORY:
The inventory consists of three screens, the backpack, the skill screen and the
stat screen.
2.2.1 BACKPACK:
In the backpack you'll see 8 item slots to the right. These are for carrying
non-equipped weapons and armor. Legolas can use the first slot for his white
knife skill once he learns it. Above these slots you'll see your current
whetstone, ent water, and kingsfoil herbs. To the left you'll see your
characters current equipment. Every character can equip different things, check
their individual character sections for info.
2.2.2 SKILL SCREEN:
This screen lists the various skills for each character. At the bottom you'll
see a description of the selected skill and in the middle you'll see a number
representing how many skill points you have left to use. Each skill can be
upgraded five times except for the character's level 20 skill, which can be
upgraded only once, and the herb skill which cannot be upgraded. The skills on
the left are passive, or "always on", while the skills on the right are active,
or take spirit to use.
2.2.3 STAT SCREEN:
This screen lists your characters various stats. On the right are their basic
upgradable stats, and also the number of orcs they have killed. On the right
is a self-explanatory list of more in-depth stats.
2.3 PLAYING THE GAME:
2.3.1 GAME SCREEN:
When you look at the screen, you'll see something like this:
-----------------------------------------
( 1. ) ( 6. )
{ 2.} ----------------| |-----------
{ } --------3.------| |----4.---( 7)
-------------------------5.---------------
1: Your current equipped skill
2: Your experience gauge
3. Your HP gauge
4. Your MP (Spirit) gauge
5. Item info
6. Corruption. It raises by crebain (birds) and orc drummers. When it maxes
out, a Nazgul (Ringwraith) will attack you.
7. Compass. This will point the way that you need to go.
2.3.2 SHOPPING:
There are four types of shops in this game, as follows.
Forge- Basic shop. Can sell items and buy whetstones. Can also buy a random
item for a random price.
Rune Forge- Can sell items and buy whetstones. Can also buy runes, but they
only appear two at a time.
Shrine- Can sell items and buy herbs. Can also buy up to 15 skill points and
stat points.
Ranger Hollow- Can store items for other characters and buy ent water for 500
gems
################
3. ITEMS/WEAPONS
################
3.1 ITEMS:
Dry Kingsfoil Herbs- Heals a small amount of HP when using the herb skill.
Fresh Kingsfoil Herbs- Heals a large amount of HP when using the herb skill.
Ent Water- Revives a character when they die.
Whetstone- Adds to damage (The first adds 1 damage, the last adds 8)
Nuts- Used when picked up. Recovers a small amount of HP.
Mushrooms- Used when picked up. Recovers medium amount of HP and SP.
Lembas Bread- Used when picked up. Recovers full HP.
Gems- Used to buy things at shops.
3.2 WEAPONS:
Daggers: Can be used in conjunction with a shield or other
weapon by all characters but Legolas and Gimli.
1H Swords: Can be used in conjunction with a shield or other
weapon by all characters but Legolas and Gimli.
2H Swords: Can be used by Aragorn and Eowyn.
1H Axe/Mace: Can be used by in conjunction with a shield by all characters but
Legolas
2H Axe/Mace: Can be used by Aragorn and Gimli.
Staff: Can be used by Gandalf.
Bows: Can be used in conjunction with arrows by Legolas.
Arrows: Can be used in conjunction with a bow by Legolas.
Helms, Cloaks, Shirts: Can be used by all characters.
Medium Armor: Can be used by all character but Legolas and Frodo.
Heavy Armor: Can be used by Aragorn, Gimli and Eowyn.
Footwear: Can be used by all characters but Frodo.
Amulets: Can be used by all characters.
Shields: Can be used in conjunction with a 1H weapon by all characters but
Legolas or Gandalf.
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4. CHARACTERS:
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4.1 FRODO BAGGINS:
"Frodo is the Ringbearer, a hobbit whose stron will alone keeps him alive deep
inside Mordor...where he must destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mt. Doom"
Everyone's favorite hobbit. You wouldn't think that he'd be good at melee
combat, but you'd be surprised. If you pump his accuracy, defense and strength,
he can be an orc slaying machine. Another interesting thing about him is that
he cannot equip footwear. To make up for this, he gains another slot for
amulet-class equipment. His skills aren't that great, but some of them are
unique:
PASSIVE SKILLS
Fearless (Level 2): +1 Armor and +5% Resist Fear/level
-I never really had a problem with dying from fear. The armor's okay though
Nimble (Level 2): +4% /level chance of dodging attacks
-Kind of dumb. Invest in this if you don't want to invest in the defense stat
Luck (Level 2): +1 /level to all attributes
-A damn good skill, but not one that you'd want to concentrate on maxing
Hardy (Level 4): +15 HP /level
-15 HP per level can definitely help Frodo, but I'd invest in Luck instead
Woodsman (Level 5): +2 damage/level to spiders, wargs and mumakil
-Considering that half Frodo's enemies are spiders, it's all right to put a
point here
Iron Will (Level 8): +10% HP Regen/level when in critical health
-Not too bad, but Frodo doesn't have much time to stand around and wait.
Wise (Level 15): +3% exp from enemies/level
-A must have considering Frodo's low experience game
Battle Scarred (Level 15): +1 armor /level
-Um, all right. You might as well get Fearless instead of this, it's better.
The Precious (Level 20): 10% chance of doing 3x damage when hit
-Was there any question? Get it!
ACTIVE SKILLS
Knife Toss (Level 2): Projectile that hits for +1 damage/ level
-Get at least one point in this, then decide whether you want to max this or
Snare.
Snare (Level 2): Set a trap for 5 + 3 damage/level
-A pretty good active skill, much stronger than knife. Max this or knife.
Galadriel's Cloak (Level 2): Invisible and immobile for 2 + 2 seconds/level
-Like the One Ring, but crappier as you cannot move. Don't bother
The One Ring (Level 1): Turn invisible for 5 + 2 seconds/level but adds to
Corrupt.
-You start with a point in this, and it's an awesome skill. Put another if
you wish.
Ring's Persuasion (Level 12): 10% chance /level to turn foes to allies for 10
+ 5sec/level
-A perfectly valid skill. Quite expensive SP-wise though.
4.2 ARAGORN SON OF ARATHORN:
"Aragorn is the rightful King of Gondor. He must use his strength and skill to
unite Middle-Earth against the hordes of Sauron."
My favorite character! Aragorn has the incredible ability to equip two 1H
weapons at the same time, and any armor in the game! And dual-wield is nothing
to shake a stick at! It's done differently than in most games. Instead of
doing one swords damage and then another, Aragorn does their COMBINED damage
with EVERY hit! Actually, I have no proof of this, but due to the fact that a
level 15 Aragorn with dual wield can just stroll through normal mode, I'd say
that it's at least close. If you want a useful King of Men, try pumping
Accuracy and Defense and putting some points into Strength and Health. He has
some pretty useful skills too:
PASSIVE SKILLS
Fearless (Level 2): +1 Armor and +5% Resist Fear/level
-The + to fear resist isn't that great, but armor is always great. A few
points.
Death Strike (Level 2): +3% /level Critical hit chance
-I personally love any skill that increases damage. I maxed this after KG and
BM
Blademaster (Level 2): +1 damage /level with swords
-Duh! Max it!
Herb Lore (Level 2): Herbs heal +10 HP/level
-Meh. If it's maxed, it can be useful, but it's not that great
Hardy (Level 6): +15 HP/level
-Pretty useful. Put some points here when you have some extra ones
Iron Will (Level 8): +10% HP Regen/level at Critical Health.
-Not bad, but I tend to either be at full/almost full HP, or dead
Fighter's Resolve (Level 8): When at critical health you do +3 damage/level
-Again, it's all right, but not great
Arrow Parry (Level 15): 6% / level chance of blocking arrows
-A pretty good skill against those annoying archers. Put a few here
Rage of the North (Level 20): 10% chance of instant death and double experience
-AWESOME! Get it at level 20!
ACTIVE SKILLS
Sweep (Level 2): Attack all nearby enemies for +2 damage/level
-A pretty good skill, but not the best
King's Command (Level 2): Stuns all nearby foes for 3 seconds + .5 /level
-This is probably Aragorn's best skill! Max it immediately!
Sword Throw (Level 2): Projectile attack for 10 + 2 damage/level
-Every character needs a projectile attack. Get it, but it gets fairly weak
later on
Numenorean Will (Level 5): +1 armor and +3 damage/level for 5 seconds/level.
-Not a bad skill at all, but it's a bit expenisve. Get it for dire situations.
Call of the Dead (Level 14): Summon one dead warrior/level.
-Just leave this alone. The warriors die instantly, and are pretty much
useless.
4.3 GIMLI SON OF GLOIN:
"Gimli, son of Gloin, is a sturdy Dwarf. His toughness and mastery of the axe
is well-known. He travels with Aragorn and Legolas in the wilds of
Middle-Earth."
Gimli is a tank of a dwarf. He uses axes as his main weapons and can equip some
of the strongest stuff in the game. Many people use him as a treasure hunter
because his skills work very nicely for finding unique items. Statwise you
should probably focus on Strength, Accuracy, and Defense. Courage and Health
can be nice if you have a spare point or two, but they shouldn't come before
the other three. His skills are as follows:
PASSIVE SKILLS
Death Strike (Level 2): +3% / level critical hit chance
-Not bad if you have some extra points later on
Axemaster (Level 2): +1 damage / level with axes
-Awesome. Max ASAP
Keen Eyes (Level 2): +5% more gems and better items / level
-Max for a treasure hunter Gimli. Otherwise, one or two points
Hardy (Level 4): +15 HP / level
-A total of 75 HP when maxed, not bad if you have some spare points
Orcslayer (Level 8): +1 damage / level to orcs
-I previously said that this was a valid skill choice. After a suggestion
from Brandon Jones, I checked on the damage, and it seems like this skill
is a whole lot crappier than I previously thought, as it only adds to
maximum damage. Skip this until you have nowhere else to put points.
Dwarf Sense (Level 8): +10% / level chance of finding better items
-Max for TH Gimli. It's a good skill to have even if you aren't going to TH
Berserker (Level 15): +4 HP and SP / level recovered for each slain foe.
-*Drool* Awesome! Max it!
Battle Scarred (Level 15): +1 armor / level
-Eh...I'm not much of a defensive player, but it's not bad.
Gloin's Double Axes (Level 20): Adds a second axe to axe throw
-D'oh...well, it's nice if you use axe throw a lot. Otherwise, a crappy skill
ACTIVE SKILLS
Axe Throw (Level 2): Projectile that does 12 + 2/level damage. Tracks at lvl3
-It's pretty slow, but powerful. This and his level 20 skill can be awesome
Whirling Attack (Level 2): Attacks all nearby enemies. +2/level damage.
-Not bad, but there are better active skills
Dwarven Rage (Level 2): 100% Critical hit rate for 3 + 2 seconds / level.
-Freaking awesome! Use it lots!
Stoicism (Level 4): 15% + 10% less damage /level for 3 + 2 seconds/level
-Great skill! I'm not too much of a defensive player, so I tend to use DR
more.
Earth Shatter (Level 12): Knocks and damages all enemies. +10% radius / level
-Not bad, but it costs a lot of spirit. If you've pumped courage, use it.
4.4 LEGOLAS MIRKWOOD:
"Legolas is a noble Elven Prince, deadly accurate with his bow, and trained in
wilderness lore. He has sword his friendship and loyalty to Aragorn and Gimli."
Ah, the elf. I didn't like him at all in this game, but others would disagree
with me. He starts a bit slow, but his abilities can make him godly later on.
You'd ideally want to go Acc > Str > Cou > Hea > Def, but if you find yourself
getting into the fray to often, put points into Def. BTW, if you didn't figure
it out, Leggy is the only character who can equip bows and arrows.
PASSIVE SKILLS
Accuracy (Level 2): +1 accuracy, +3 critical damage/level
-Awesome. Max it ASAP
Herb Lore (Level 2): Herbs heal +10 HP /level
-Naw, there are better skills than this.
Rangemaster (Level 2): +1 damage/ level with bows
-Same as Accuracy, this skill r0x0rz
Woodsman (Level 5): +2 damage/level to wargs, spiders and mumakil
-Well, you'll never really fight spiders or mumakil, so if you wanna kill
wargs...
Orcslayer (Level 8): +1 damage/level to orcs
-I previously said that this was a valid skill choice. After a suggestion
from Brandon Jones, I checked on the damage, and it seems like this skill
is a whole lot crappier than I previously thought, as it only adds to
maximum damage. Skip this until you have nowhere else to put points.
Fleet of Foot (Level 8): +5% speed/level
-Eh, I don't really care about speed, and you can get footware to easily
simulate it
Arrow Parry (Level 15): +6% /level chance of blocking arrows
-Pretty good skill for dealing with those annoying archers
Galadriel's Blessing (Level 15): Arrows shoot 10% faster/level, +3%/level crit.
hit.
-Who wouldn't want to shoot arrows 50% faster? Max it!
Archer of Mirkwood (Level 20): Legolas shoots an extra arrow
-Who wouldn't want to shoot another arrow? Max it!
ACTIVE SKILLS
White Knives (Level 2): Attacks with a knife in inventory for +1 damage/level
-Legolas isn't a melee character. It was cool in the movie, but skip it here
Spread Fire (Level 2): +1 arrow/level
-Leggy's best active skill, max it. That's 7 arrows in one shot with his 20
skill!
Friend of Mirkwood (Level 2): Summons a hawk who stuns and does 3 damage/level
-Meh, a bit expensive for the tiny help it provides
Foraging (Level 4): Create herbs from carcassas that heal 15 HP and 10 SP/level
-Not a bad skill, but a bit expensive. Put a point or two here
Silent Stride (Level 12): Become invisible for 2.5 + .5 seconds/level
-By the time you can get it, you don't need it. Pass it up unless you
REALLY need it
4.5 EOWYN EADING:
"Eowyn, niece of King Theoden of Rohan, is a strong, independent, and beautiful
woman. She travels in disguise to the White City - Minas Tirith."
Probably my second favorite character, Eowyn can be extremely strong. She
doesn't have any special abilities, but her cool skills and raw strength can
make up for it. Like most melee character you want to go Acc > Def > Str > Hea
> Cou. The main decision for Eowyn players is the decision to use a shield or
not to use a shield. She has two skills, one of them a fairly useful passive
skill, that depend on a shield, but that shouldn't stop you from using a
powerful 2H sword if you find one. Brandon Jones had this to say about a Shield
Eowyn:
"A shield Eowyn, when Dodge-maxed and Shield-maxed with Shieldmaiden of Rohan
on, can have a total 120% to avoid attacks. Cheapest-ass thing ever."
So yes, Eowyn has a MUCH better reason to use a shield than other characters.
PASSIVE SKILLS
Nimble (Level 2): +4% chance /level to dodge attacks.
-Not bad, but it's only a 20% chance when maxed
Herb Lore (Level 2): Herbs heal +10 HP /level
-Damn this skill! Everyone has it, but no one wants it! Just skip it!
Keen Eyes (Level 2): +5% more gems and better items/level
-Do you like money? Yes? Invest points here!
Fighter's Resolve (Level 8): +3 damage/level when at critical health
-Eh, if you are in critical health you are probably screwed anyway
Shield Offense (Level 8): Shields give +1 damage/level and +3% shield
block/level
-Great skill, but it requires a shield, so TH Eowyn's are outta luck
Fleet of Foot (Level 8): +5% speed/level
-Not that great. Shoes do the same thing
Wraithslayer (Level 10): +4 damage to Nazgul/level
-Definitely helps for fighting Nazgul and the Witch King. 1-2 points here is
fine.
Wise (Level 15): +3% exp /level
-I love extra experience, put some points here.
Defender's Fury (Level 20): 10% chance of becoming invincible for 3secs when
hit
-Great skill. Get it at level 20
ACTIVE SKILLS
Double Strike (Level 2): Attack twice in succession, each with +2 damage/level
-Incredible skill! And it's really SP cheap! Max it!
Shieldmaiden of Rohan (Level 2): 15+3% chance of blocking attack for 10 +
2secs/level
-Pretty good skill, but like I said, I'm not a defensive player
Rohan Sprint (Level 5): 50+10% speed /level and +1 defense/level for 10 seconds
-I know I said speed wasn't useful, but I lied. This skill is awesome for
escaping.
Shield Bash (Level 2): Stunning attack for 12 + 1damage/level. Stuns for
1sec/level
-Not a bad investment if you use a shield, the stunning can be very useful
Forth Eorlingas! (Level 12): Foes have 30%+10% chance of fleeing and taking
2x damage
-The 2x damage is very nice, but fleeing is just annoying. If you disagree,
max this.
4.6 GANDALF THE WHITE:
"Gandalf the White is well-known as a master of arcane magic. He must defend
the last stronghold of Middle-Earth against the armies of darkness."
Gandalf is the mage of ROTK. He can be incredibly hard to play as the first
time through, but can completely pwn later on. He has the ability to equip a 1H
sword in one hand and a staff in another. If you want him to be a caster, you
should definitely pump Courage, Health and Defense. If you are going for a
fighter, pump Accuracy and Defense as normal. The only bad thing is that he
has a lot of good passive skills, so it's hard to choose where to put your
points. Brandon Jones (gobrando@cox.net) said the following about Melee
Gandalf:
"I wouldn't ever make a melee Gandalf. With all the stuff with a Wisdom bonus,
it seems like a waste. Look for the "Wyrd" prefix for +4 to wisdom and look
for the "black bone" prefix for +6 wisdom but cursed."
I definitely agree with him. A melee Gandalf should probably only be attempted
if you want a challenge, or are bored. His skills are as follows:
PASSIVE SKILLS
Blademaster (Level 2): +1 damage with swords /level
-Horrible skill for a caster, great for a fighter
Keen Eyes (Level 2): +5% more gems and better items/level
-It never hurts to have more money and better equipment!
Herb Lore (Level 2): Herbs heal +10 HP /level
-Eh, not that great. There are much better places to put your points
Luck (Level 2): +1 to all attributes/level
-If you have some extra points, put them here. It helps!
Spirit of Middle-Earth (Level 8): +20% SP Regen
-If you are a caster, MAX THIS IMMEDIATELY!
Wise (Level 15): +3% exp /level
-Awesomeness, get it ASAP
Last Stand (Level 15): +8% chance/level to return to life with 50% health
-Even if you don't want to max this right away, put a point into it at level
15
Wisdom of the Ages (Level 15): Offensive spells do +2 damage/level
-Definitely a great skill to complement a caster.
Servant of the Secret Fire (Level 20): All of Gandalf's spells are a level
higher
-Casters, fighters, get this IMMEDIATELY!
ACTIVE SKILLS
Sword of Power (Level 2): Attacks do +3 damage/level for 8 seconds/level
-Main spell for fighters, casters should ignore it
Lightstrike (Level 2): Projectile attack that does 10 damage/level, splash at 5
-Caster's main spell, a fighter should at least put 1-2 points in it
Shield (Level 2): Creates a shield that has 30 + 20 HP/level
-Awesome spell for any Gandalf, but it's effectiveness wears off in the later
levels
Blinding Aura (Level 5): 10 damage + 2/level to nearby foes; stun for 3+2secs/
level
-1-2 points for a fighter, none for casters
Summon Gwaihir (Level 12): Eagle does 3 + 1 sweeps/level and 6 damage/level
-It seems alright, but it doesn't work too well for me. Pump passives instead.
##############
5. WALKTHROUGH
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###############################################################################
5.1 THE PATH OF THE RINGBEARER: Frodo Baggins
###############################################################################
Morgul - Vale of Morgul:
After the cutscene, Gollum will run off. Chase after him, and remember that a
large part of Frodo's quest consists of letting Sam take the damage while you
attack, throw knives or set trpas. Beware of using the One Ring, because that,
plus the crebain, can easily summon a Nazgul. Follow the path around, killing
Uruk-hai, until you enter that cave. You'll see a forge in the next area, use
it. You probably wont have enough money to buy anything, so just continue down
and to the right.
Morgul - Crossroads:
Continue on until you see stairs. There are archers below. If you invested in
the knife skill, this would be a prime place to use it. Otherwise, just rush
them. Let Sam do most of the work if you are hurt, and continue. If you pass
the second set of stairs you'll find a shrine. Buy some herbs if you wish.
There are more archers down the stairs, heal if necessary. If you chose the
trap skill, a good strategy is to use the One Ring and sneak down to lay traps.
Continue across the bridge (careful of the crebain).
Morgul - Minas Morgul:
Careful of the crate here, it contains more crebain. Down the stairs and to the
left you'll find a Ranger Hollow. Head down a bit and to the right to encounter
a stair full of archers (use the Ring). If you follow this path you'll find
several treasure chests, enemies and health pools. Back down the stairs, head
up and follow the river right, to more archers. Head right and down some more,
letting Sam take on some ofthe tougher enemies. You'll see some more stairs,
head up them and west to find Gollum. After the scene, go left and then up to
exit.
Morgul - Gate:
Head all the way north and then a bit west for a forge. You should be able to
purchase the first whetstone. Continue left through the orcs, following the
wall. You'll see train tracks (were there trains in Middle-Earth?) Follow the
tracks in the next area all the way to the exit.
Morgul - Bridge:
Follow the tracks until they turn south, then go north for a shrine. Follow the
tracks back south for a cutscene. This battle is easy if you let Sam do the
work, but that's no fun, so feel free to get in there. Head across the bridge
to another horde of Uruk. Go southwest, then take the path east.
Morgul - Valley:
Down another set of archer stairs, then another, and another, then go west.
There is a Ranger Hollow on the south coast. Follow the linear path to the exit.
Morgul - Campsite:
One of many campsites. There is a Ranger Hollow below you and a Rune Forge and
the exit to the east.
Cirith Ungol - Stairs:
Ignore the first est of stairs and head into the cave. Head up the stairs here
until Gollum speaks. Follow the path to the exit.
Cirith Ungol - Ledge:
Ascend the stairs, follow the path and go up the stairs again for a cutscene.
There is a health pool above the tree, and as you head right there is another
cutscene. Exit.
Cirith Ungol - Pass:
As you enter there will be a cutscene and Sam will leave. Gonna be harder now.
Head right, hugging the south coast. Head almost all the way right to a pool
and go NW to some stairs. Cutscene. Into the cave, Precious.
Shelob's Lair - Tunnel Mouth:
The path here is straightforward (albeit filled with spiders) until you get to
a large room. If you head right, there is a shrine. Head left, then southwest,
then south through the eggs, then southeast, south, and exit southwest! Phew,
that was a lot! But it's really not that hard if you follow your compass!
Shelob's Lair - Caves:
Follow the path to a fork and go right. Head north when you see the tree-like
structure until you get to water. Go head in a northeasterly direction to find
the exit.
Shelob's Lair - Lair:
Follow the path to a pond, then go around northeast and continue north. Go left
then north. Continue north to water, go around it to the right, and keep north
until you see a cutscene. Time to retrace your steps, back to the exit.
Shelob's Lair - Caves (Revisited):
Go left for a shrine, then south to a tree. Head left to activate the quake
then take shelter under the tree. Go right, then south. When the quake starts,
RUN north. After it's over, go south then southwest to exit.
Shelob's Lair - Tunnel Mouth (Revisited):
Cutscene. Go north, killing spiders, then northwest. A quake will start, wait
it out. Go east until a path open up to the south. Follow it to the east and
exit.
Cirith Ungol - Pass (Revisited):
Go left, then turn around and head up the stairs. Go northeast to exit.
Cirith Ungol - Summit:
This board sucks. There are two paths, both hard. Head east to some archers
and an orc. One Ring + Trap is almost required here, and make sure to recharge
your mana and corruption afterwards. After the eye is gone, head east to some
stairs. Use the Ring and kill the archers on the stairs with traps or your
weapon. There is another orc and some goblins up here, try to kill them or run
past them, down some more stairs. Head down the stairs to more orcs and archers
(use the One Ring AGAIN, if you've had time to charge it). Hug the north
wall and go right, then up the steps and continue right
Cirith Ungol - Ambush:
Ignore the caves and go all the way right. Shelob will attack you, and control
will yield to Sam. He's basically the same as Frodo, but he has a crappy pot
smash skill instead of the One Ring.
*************
BOSS-Shelob:
*************
Shelob is one tough mother. I was able to beat her at level 8, but it took a
lot of work. Traps are good to deal some extra damage, but you can't depend
on them to single-handedly kill the stupid spider, so you'll need a strong
weapon. I was using a 7-15 damage axe, and it seemed to do the trick. If you
don't have one, you might want to fight in the previous area or a bonus map to
find one. Either way, the strategy is basically to stand to the side of Shelob
and whack away at her. If you are too far back, she will turn around a hit you
with a poison attack. If you are too far forward, her attacks will be too
accurate to dodge. LOTRboy16 (LOTRboy16@aol.com) submitted this strategy:
"When fighting Shelob, there is a certain place you can stand if you [go] all
the way to the very bottom of the pit, then all the way to the right. You can
attack Shelob easily, and only get hit maybe once or twice. I beat Shelob with
this strategy as level 8 Sam without using traps or knife throw."
Once you kill her, check around Frodo's body for an artifact
(Shelob's Stinger). Then exit to the right.
Cirith Ungol - Parapet:
Head up the path, ignoring the first set of stairs. Ascend the second set,
using the knife throw to kill the archers. Follow the path, ignoring any of the
stairs you see until you see a doorway. Enter it.
Orc Tower - Tower:
There are a bunch of Uruk-Hai here, kill them for easy experience. Head all the
way north until you see a switch and hit it. Go all the way south to where you
started, then right through the gate. Head north past the warrior pool to some
stairs, ascend them.
Orc Tower - Top Room:
This is a fairly big area, so use it to your advantage. Try to kill off all of
the enemies before you approach the blue boss orc captain, who is more like a
sub-boss. There's a shrine in the NE corner to help you. Once you kill him,
Frodo will awaken. Leave the way you came in
Cirith Ungol - Cirith Campsite:
There is a rune forge to your left. Use it and head down the stairs. There is a
ranger hollow near the bottom of the stairs. Continue left to the exit.
Gorgoroth - Orc Road:
Follow the wall east until there is a gap, and then head northwest. When you
get to a cliff, go east again. Use your traps to take out the shielded enemies.
There is another forge here, use it and continue. When you get to the end, head
SE to the exit.
Gorgoroth - Plains:
Careful of the crebain in the crates. You'll find a Ranger Hollow near the
entrance. Head south when you're done. When you find the southern border, head
east to the exit.
Gorgoroth - Hills:
Watch for crebain as you head east. You'll find a shrine, eventually. As you
continue east you'll find another orc captain. Kill him, or just run east.
Gorgoroth - Campsite:
There is a health pool here, as well as a ranger hollow and rune forge. Take
what you need and exit NE.
Mt. Doom - Foot of Mt Doom:
Head NE until you see stairs, then head NW to a forge. Continue NW (use the
ring) and kill the archers. Exit.
Mt. Doom - Slopes of Mt Doom:
There is an artifact here, so listen up. Head up the stairs to see a banner orc
up on the hill. Go up there and kill him and make sure NOT to break any of the
barrels on the way. Go all the way south to where you started and head right.
You should see Gollum. Open the chest near him for Deagol's Skull. Go back to
the start, head up the first set of stairs and then go right to the exit.
Mt. Doom - Sammath Naur:
Head right a bit and then north, up the bridge. Go right to the exit.
Mt. Doom - Campsite:
Go down the stairs, careful of the troll. There's a hollow and a rune forge
before the exit.
Crack of Doom - Tunnel:
Careful of the quake as you head north. You'll see many crebain and a forge.
Continue NE past some flames to the exit.
Crack of Doom - Crack of Doom:
Watch out for crebain as you head north. You don't want to end up facing a
Nazgul. Keep walking north, up the steps, to the exit.
Crack of Doom - Edge of Volcano:
You'll meet some hard enemies right away. Kill them or run and continue SE.
You'll see a cutscene.
**************
BOSS - Gollum:
**************
Gollum is incredibly strong, agile and accurate so using traps is reccomended.
If you haven't put any points into traps, just use knives and your weapon and
hope for the best. After Gollum dies, hit him again toward the lava. It helps
to have high defense, but just keep trying and you'll get it. He's not near
as hard as Shelob ;-).
Good job, you completed the Ringbearer's quest and saved Middle Earth! Enjoy
the ending and start another quest, try Helm's Deep, or play Frodo's journey
again on Hard or Grueling mode for better items and more experience!
###############################################################################
5.2 THE QUEST OF THE SHIELDMAIDEN: Eowyn Eading
###############################################################################
Rohan - Edoras Fields:
This place is infested with crebain which will raise your Corruption, so be
careful. If you head to the far north, there is a shrine you can use. Exit
east.
Rohan - Gap:
Fight your way east and kill the Uruks attacking (dead) horse. Further east
there is a cave from which a bunch of enemies will emerge, use it to soak up
exp. Continue east, then NE, to a forge. Go up a bit, then head back west.
Past the warrior's pool there will be a quake, take shelter near the tree.
Exit west, don't bother going south.
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