Middle-earth: Shadow of War will introduce loot chests to the series, Monolith Productions Community Specialist Steven “Jared” Rabago announced in a forum post over the weekend. Players will be able to purchase several types of chests and other rewards and items through the game’s in-game Market using a variety of purchase methods.
Loot chests will come packed with ability-enhancing weapons and armor; war chests will unlock new orc followers and training orders to level up orcs; XP Boosts will, naturally, help player-character Talion level up quicker; and bundles will package the three chest types together “at a great value.”
To buy the various chests, players will have to spend one of two types of in-game currency: Mirian or Gold. You’ll accumulate Mirian by killing treasure orcs, breaking down gear, or by finding stashes of it. As for Gold, Monolith will award it to players who reach specific milestones or take part in community challenges. Finally, players can buy Gold with real-world money, but Rabago promises that none of the game’s content will be gated behind gold purchases. Instead, it will be possible for players to acquire any chest content through organic play.
“By simply engaging with the world and playing through Middle-earth: Shadow of War, you earn items like Gear for Talion and unique orcs for your army,” Rabago explained. “These are the same items that are found in the Market within Loot Chests and War Chests. Gold merely allows you to get your hands on them immediately, cutting down some of the additional time that would have been spent winning more battles, tracking nemeses, completing quests, and assaulting fortresses.”
Seemingly intent on shooting down any pay-to-win assumptions before fans could vocalize them, Rabago continued hammering home the point that “Gold does not give you any advantage over other players. A player who invests enough time can progress the same amount and have access to the same content as a player who purchases Gold. Gold is not required to progress or advance in the game at all.”
Middle-earth: Shadow of War releases October 10 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
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