- Lord of the Rings War in the North co op supports up to 3 players online or locally
- Three distinct roles: Human Ranger, Dwarf Champion, and Elf Loremaster ensure unique team synergy
- Shared progression: All players gain XP and loot together during cooperative missions
- Revival system: Teammates can revive fallen allies, making coordination essential for survival
- Cross-character combos: Unite abilities across classes to maximize damage against tough bosses
Understanding Lord of the Rings War in the North Co op
Lord of the Rings War in the North co op is the core experience of this 2011 action RPG developed by Snowblind Studios. The game is built from the ground up for three-player cooperative play, where each participant takes on a unique hero to defend the northern regions of Middle-earth from Sauron's forces. Unlike many action games of its era, the campaign is fully playable from start to finish with friends, creating a deeply integrated multiplayer narrative.
Video Highlights:
- Full cooperative gameplay walkthrough featuring the Ettenmoors region
- Demonstrates combat encounters against trolls, orcs, and the stone giant Bargrisar
- Shows Rivendell hub interactions with iconic characters like Bilbo and Glóin
- Highlights the seamless transition between story cutscenes and co op combat
The game does not scale enemies based on player count. Whether you play solo with AI companions or with a full team of three, the enemy density and difficulty remain the same, making a full co op team significantly more effective in combat.
Co op Modes and Platform Availability
| Platform | Online Co op | Local Co op | Max Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 3 | Yes | No (couch) | 3 |
| Xbox 360 | Yes | No (couch) | 3 |
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Yes | No | 3 |
Choosing Your Co op Character
In Lord of the Rings War in the North co op, each of the three available characters fulfills a distinct combat role. Team composition directly impacts how smoothly your group handles large enemy waves and challenging boss encounters. Since each player should ideally control a different hero, understanding these roles before starting is critical.
Eradan (Human Ranger)
- Melee and ranged hybrid
- Uses swords and bows
- Stealth capabilities for ambushes
- High mobility on the battlefield
Farin (Dwarf Champion)
- Heavy melee damage dealer
- Wields axes and crossbows
- High health and armor pool
- Crowd control with area attacks
Andriel (Elf Loremaster)
- Support and ranged magic
- Casts offensive and healing spells
- Staff and sword proficiency
- Creates protective sanctuary zones
Once you commit to a character for a playthrough, you cannot switch mid-mission. Coordinate with your co op partners before launching a new campaign to ensure a balanced party composition.
Character Combat Comparison
| Character | Primary Role | Secondary Role | Best Weapon Type | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eradan | DPS / Scout | Ranged Support | Swords / Bows | Versatility |
| Farin | Tank / Bruuiser | Ranged DPS | Axes / Crossbows | Survivability |
| Andriel | Healer / Caster | Crowd Control | Staffs / Swords | Utility |
Step-by-Step Co op Mission Strategy
To succeed in Lord of the Rings War in the North co op, teams need to move beyond button-mashing and implement actual tactics. The Ettenmoors and Mount Gundabad missions throw dense waves of enemies at your party, requiring tight coordination.
Assign Target Priority
Before engaging, agree on who handles ranged enemies (archers and casters) and who focuses on frontline melee threats. Farin's crossbow is excellent for picking off orc archers, while Eradan can flank isolated targets.
Manage Crowd Control
When facing trolls or heavy units, use Andriel's spells to slow or stun them. Coordinate your heavy attacks to stagger larger foes, opening them up for critical strikes from the entire team.
Utilize Revival Mechanics
Downed players have a limited bleed-out timer. Designate one player (usually Andriel) as the primary reviver, while the other two draw aggro away from the fallen teammate.
Collect and Share Resources
Health potions and Miruvor flasks are scattered across levels. Communicate loot drops and ensure the player with the lowest health pool or the tank always has access to restorative items.
Execute Combo Finishers
Build up your skill meters and unleash team-based critical hits simultaneously. Coordinated burst damage is the fastest way to eliminate bosses like the stone giant Bargrisar.
During the Bargrisar encounter in the Ettenmoors, keep your ranged players on the high ground. Have Farin draw the giant's attention while Eradan and Andriel focus on destroying the supporting orc waves before focusing fire on the boss.
Key Co op Locations and Hub Activities
The campaign takes your co op group through some of the most dangerous territories in northern Middle-earth. Knowing what to expect in each zone helps your team prepare the right gear and skills.
Mission Zone Breakdown
| Location | Enemy Types | Environmental Hazards | Recommended Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fornost | Orcs, Goblins, Wargs | Falling debris | 1-5 |
| Ettenmoors | Trolls, Stone Giant, Orc Archers | Boulder throws, Cave traps | 6-10 |
| Rivendell (Hub) | None (Safe Zone) | None | Any |
| Mount Gundabad | Heavy Orcs, Goblins, Trolls | Narrow corridors, Ambushes | 11-15 |
Rivendell serves as the primary safe haven between missions. Use this area to interact with iconic characters like Bilbo Baggins, Glóin, and Lady Arwen. Completing side errands here, such as helping Arwen gather Miruvor ingredients, rewards your team with powerful consumables.
Side Quests to Prioritize
Not all missions are purely combat-focused. Some involve gathering rare materials that significantly boost your party's effectiveness:
- Miruvor Ingredients: Found in the Ettenmoors; return them to Arwen for potent healing flasks
- Mithril Collection: Rare metal dropped by elite enemies; used for high-tier gear upgrades
- Bilbo's Poem: A quick interaction quest that provides lore and minor experience
Always explore off the beaten path. Hidden Dunedain caches contain powerful gear, extra potions, and lore entries that give your team a crucial edge in the upcoming dungeon crawls.
Co op Progression and Gear Management
Progression in Lord of the Rings War in the North co op is shared across all party members. As you defeat enemies and complete objectives, experience points are distributed evenly. However, loot management requires active communication.
Gear Rarity and Stats
| Rarity Tier | Color Code | Stat Bonuses | Drop Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | White | Base stats | Standard enemies |
| Uncommon | Green | Minor boosts | Elite enemies |
| Rare | Blue | Significant boosts | Mini-bosses |
| Epic | Purple | Major boosts + Set bonuses | Boss drops |
Gear drops are instanced per player, meaning each person sees their own loot. However, if you find a weapon that better suits a teammate's build, you can trade it through the inventory menu while in a hub area.
Co op Session Preparation:
- Verify all players have compatible character classes selected
- Stock up on health potions and Miruvor before leaving Rivendell
- Equip gear that matches your current level and combat role
- Assign skill points to unlock team-synergy abilities
- Communicate microphone availability for tactical callouts
Advanced Co op Combat Tactics
Once your team has mastered the basics, you can employ advanced tactics to clear content faster and tackle higher-difficulty encounters with confidence.
Skill Synergy Matrix
| Player 1 Action | Player 2 Follow-Up | Player 3 Finisher | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farin Taunts | Eradan Flanks | Andriel Nukes | Massive AoE Damage |
| Andriel Shields | Farin Charges | Eradan Rapid Fire | Safe Burst Window |
| Eradan Stuns | Andriel Slows | Farin Heavy Smash | Sustained Control |
Focus on unlocking your character's unique team buff early in the skill tree. Abilities that enhance nearby allies—such as Andriel's healing aura or Farin's defensive shout—provide more value in co op than pure selfish damage upgrades.
Managing Tough Encounters
In the later stages of the game, particularly in Mount Gundabad, enemies hit significantly harder and appear in tighter corridors. Your group must adapt:
- Narrow hallways: Keep Farin at the front to block choke points while ranged characters attack from behind
- Open arenas: Spread out to avoid overlapping area-of-effect attacks from enemy casters
- Ambushes: Always assume additional waves will spawn when you enter a large room; never rush forward blindly
During specific story beats, the Great Eagles led by Beleram will assist your team. Use these moments to push aggressive offense, as the eagles draw enemy attention away from your squishier party members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I play Lord of the Rings War in the North co op with 2 players?
Yes, the game supports 2-player co op. If you play with fewer than 3 players, the remaining character will be controlled by AI. The AI companion is competent but cannot match the tactical decision-making of a human player.
Q: Is there local split-screen co op in Lord of the Rings War in the North?
No, the game does not feature local split-screen multiplayer. All cooperative play requires an online connection through PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or a PC platform equivalent.
Q: Do all players need to be the same level for co op?
No, players can join a session regardless of level differences. However, lower-level players may struggle significantly in higher-level zones. It is recommended to keep your party within a few levels of each other for balanced gameplay.
Q: What happens if a player leaves mid-mission in co op?
If a player disconnects during a mission, their character is immediately taken over by the AI. The game continues without interruption, and the player can rejoin the session once they reconnect, provided the host has not advanced to a new area.