Runes are a staple of Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor. If players are to seek strength and take on the full force of Mordor, then they need to invest in the best runes possible. The best runes in Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor are those that reward players for their playstyle, and their demand for vengeance and Orc blood.
With the best runes in Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor, players will realize their potential to be one of the greatest warriors in Tolkien's world These runes can be used in swords, bows, and daggers to enhance the skills of the player.
8 Elven Grace
The elves are a true divinity, and in Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor, they further prove that with this rune for the sword. This rune grants players a 50% chance to reduce melee damage by 50%, basically ensuring every second hit will only affect Talion for half of the expected damage.
Elven Grace is a great rune for players that are anticipating being overrun or being hit. Not everyone can dodge swords and strikes; but thanks to Elven Grace, they won’t have to. Reducing damage by half can and will save Talion’s life, even if he is cursed to not die.
7 Knight Of Eregion
Knight of Eregion is a bow rune that will enable players to recover a single Elf-Shot arrow upon a Shadow Strike kill. The disadvantage of this rune comes from the necessity of stealth thanks to Shadow Strike and the fact that the player is only given one Elf-Shot. However, this is a great rune for the player who enjoys stealth and quick-thinking tactics through Mordor.
Elf-Shot can be a powerful weapon and can kill an enemy orc with one well-placed precise shot. It’s also a great weapon to use on unsuspecting and lone enemies that are too far away to kill with a sword. Knight of Eregion means that players can stealth kill whoever is in front, and use said shot on a target above or far away.
6 Blade Of Gondolin
With the Blade of Gondolin, players that utilize this rune will certainly be known for their power. Gore and execution are bound to those that use Blade of Gondolin, for it will recharge the Storm of Urfael ability at double the normal rate if Talion pulls off a successful finisher move on an orc.
What makes the Blade of Gondolin so powerful is how it will directly affect the speed at which players can earn Storm of Urfael. This ability is intensely powerful, and enables near-infinite death to those Talion strikes down, bringing fear to the evils of Middle-Earth.
5 Ascendant
Ascendant is a bow rune that will reduce the Focus depletion rate by 50%. Focus is a great feature in Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor. It grants the player the powers of Celebrimbor, and the talented precision of the elves. With Ascendant, Focus becomes an even greater attribute than it already was, as Focus can slow time during use.
With Ascendant, the fact that the depletion rate is reduced means that players will have more time to react. They can choose which target they are going to strike with their elven bow, and which orc will be next after it. It’s very useful to those that focus on stealth, or just want to pick off enemies quickly.
4 Oathbreaker
Through this powerful rune for the dagger, Oathbreaker will enable players to gain a faster recharge rate of Shadow of Acharn through a stealth kill. Considering that stealth is an important mechanic and one of many reasons as to what makes Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor so great, Shadow of Acharn and Oathbreaker can be a greatly beneficial allies to Talion’s expanding arsenal.
With Shadow of Acharn activated, players will go invisible and can stealth kill to their sneakiest desires. It’s a decent rune that benefits those that want to utilize stealth and should be used for daggers. Stealth is no joke in Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor, and is worth investing in.
3 Ruination
An unrelenting fury of murder awaits the orc hordes, and any who stand in Talion’s way, after he activates the Storm of Urfael. This ability will grant mastery with the blade, and an intense degree of violent deaths for those who meet the sharp end of the sword. Ruination makes this ability far greater, as it increases the duration of Storm of Urfael by 10 seconds.
Storm of Urfael is one of Talion’s best abilities, and Ruination will prove just that. Talion will have a nearing endless amount of Storm of Urfael, in which he can spend his time executing and chopping down enemies. Sauron’s armies will truly fear Talion after this best rune in Middle-earth: Shadow Of Mordor.
2 Bow Master
The bow is a great weapon for Talion and is further enhanced by the supernatural abilities of Celebrimbor. Bow Master is a rune that can be equipped to the bow, which increases the damage of a bow by 50%. Hitting a target has never felt so powerful thanks to this rune.
The bow may not be to everyone’s taste, but it is certainly a stealthy treat to those who enjoy that style of play. With an increase of 50% to the damage from the bow, it would be foolish not to use it, especially when it means easier stealth kills, or assistance in crowd control.
1 Storm Of Battles
The sword will be Talion's primary weapon throughout the game. Any combat situation or 1v1 encounter will be with the trusty sword. Every hit counts, and every slash matters. With Storm of Battles equipped as a sword rune, players will receive a whopping 50% increase for sword damage. This increase will be felt with every successful strike upon enemy flesh.
Considering that the sword is the main weapon in Talion’s arsenal, it’s wise to invest in the runes for the sword. Combat situations can be fun with a bow and dagger, but there are some enemies in the Nemesis system too tough to handle without the sword.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is available now for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.