Now that Middle-earth: Shadow of War is launched and its players are busy cutting down orcs by the dozen, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is ready to reveal what comes next. A post-launch Expansion Pass has been known about since Middle-earth: Shadow of War's various retail editions were revealed, but details have remained scant. Today that Expansion Pass has been unveiled via a new trailer, which teases the expansions' gameplay.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War's Expansion Pass will include two new orc tribes followed by two new story expansions. The two tribes will be released in November and December of 2017, while the two story expansions will launch in February and May 2018, respectively. This release schedule mirrors other large game releases' season passes, with smaller gameplay-focused DLC filling in the time between launch and the release of larger, content-rich expansions.
- Slaughter Tribe Nemesis Expansion - November 2017
- Outlaw Tribe Nemesis Expansion - December 2017
- Blade of Galadriel Story Expansion - February 2018
- Desolation of Mordor Story Expansion - May 2018
The Expansion Pass for Middle-earth: Shadow of War is available for purchase now at the price of $39.99. It was also included in the pricey $129.99 Gold Edition of the action game. Each expansion will also be available individually, though with a significant rise in cost. The two Tribe expansions will cost $14.99 individually, while the story expansions are each $19.99. That's around $70 total if bought separately, $30 more than the Expansion Pass alone.
The Slaughter and Outlaw Tribe expansions will both feature a robust selection of content that will seamlessly integrate into the Nemesis System, tying together new missions, tribal showdowns, and new Epic and Legendary Orcs into each player's unique game-state. Both tribes will have their own fortresses, replete with Overlord, throne room, monuments, and outposts. And finally, both expansions will have their own respective Legendary gear set with upgrade challenges.
As for the two story expansions, both Blade of Galadriel and Desolation of Mordor will put the player in the role of new protagonists. Eltariel, an assassin, and Baranor, Captain of Minas Ithil, will front their respective expansions. Each will have their own combat abilities, skills, and gear, as well as their own story campaign. Eltariel takes on the "newest addition to the ranks of the Nazgul" and Baranor will "command the forces of Man against a new Orc threat to the East" in a rogue-like adventure. More information will become available as we near each expansion's launch.
Middle-earth: Shadow of War is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. The Expansion Pass can be bought now, but no content will release until November.