- Hidden Dunedain Caches: Look for subtle ranger markings on walls to find secret supply stashes in every region.
- Gold Veins: Smash glowing cracks in cave walls to collect extra gold for gear upgrades.
- Secret Passages: Break weakened walls to uncover hidden routes and bypass heavy enemy defenses.
- Belleram's Eagle Strikes: Save your summon ability for massive waves or when facing reinforced war machines.
- Urgost's Bargain: Striking a deal with the dragon is required to redirect Agandaur's forces and progress the story.
Fornost Ruins: The First Hidden Secrets
The journey through Lord of the Rings War in the North secrets begins in the ancient ruins of Fornost. As Eradan, Andriel, and Farin fight through the goblin-infested streets, players can find several hidden items by interacting with the environment. Breaking weak walls and spotting ranger markings will reveal supply caches that provide essential early-game potions and ammunition.
Video Highlights:
- Full walkthrough of the Fornost citadel approach
- Locating the hidden passage in the inner wall
- Destroying war machines alongside Belleram
- Boss encounter with Agandaur and his magical escape
Always check dead ends and alcoves. If you see glowing blue markings on a wall, interact with them to unlock a hidden Dunedain cache containing free potions, bolts, and crafting materials.
| Secret Type | Location Hint | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Dunedain Cache | Near the first mounted crossbow | Health potion, Ranger bolts |
| Hidden Passage | Left wall before the inner citadel | Bypasses heavy goblin patrol |
| Breakable Wall | Dark pit area after the troll fight | Gold and crafting ore |
Barrow-downs and the Hidden Tombs
When tracking the missing rangers Luin and Kaelen, the trio enters the eerie Barrow-downs. This area is shrouded in unnatural fog and filled with undead enemies. Exploring the side tombs is highly recommended, as they contain hidden treasures and lore-rich items that enrich the War in the North experience.
Ancient Barrow Chests
- Rare equipment
- Skill points
- Hidden behind breakable rocks
Ranger Cache
- Emergency supplies
- Found near fallen rangers
- Contains potent healing herbs
Secret Tomb Exit
- Shortcut
- Break weak stones
- Bypasses wight ambush
The undead in the Barrow-downs can swarm you quickly. Stick together and use Andriel's light-based abilities to shield the party from incoming archer fire while searching for secrets.
Ettenmoors and Mount Gundabad Collectibles
As the path leads north toward the Ettenmoors and eventually Mount Gundabad, the environment becomes increasingly hostile. However, these treacherous areas hold some of the most valuable hidden items in the game. Gold veins become more frequent, and dwarf-made secrets are scattered throughout Gundabad.
Spotting Gold Veins
Look for glittering cracks in dark cave walls. Strike them with melee attacks to extract gold, which can be sold to merchants like Beleram's dwarf allies for premium gear.
Finding the Dwarven Weapon
In Mount Gundabad, locate the fallen dwarf near the entrance. Follow the blood trail and side passages to find Norri and the ancient dwarven mechanism that decimates the orc army.
Securing the Secret Cache
Before activating the dwarven horn, check the upper balconies. A hidden Dunedain cache sits near the collapsed pillar, offering high-tier bolts and a potent shield charm.
During the massive orc defense at Mount Gundabad, do not waste your eagle summon early. Wait until the siege towers and trolls approach the gate simultaneously to maximize the area-of-effect damage.
Nordinbad and Mirkwood Hidden Paths
After saving the dwarven stronghold of Nordinbad, the heroes must track down the wizard Radagast in Mirkwood. This region features dense forests and spider webs that obscure secret pathways. Thorough exploration here yields powerful artifacts needed for the final confrontation with Agandaur.
| Region | Hidden Item | How to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Nordinbad Vaults | Heirloom Weapons | Speak to Goran after defending the hall |
| Mirkwood Entrance | Ranger Cache | Break webbed wall near the warg ambush |
| Spider Lair | Radagast's Staff | Defeat the giant spider Saenathra |
| Mirkwood Marshes | Secret Gold Vein | Hidden behind a breakable rock wall |
You will naturally recover Radagast's staff by progressing through the Mirkwood spider lair. Ensure you keep it equipped on Andriel to maximize her crowd-control potential for the remainder of the game.
Carn Dum and the Dragon's Bargain
The final major area, Carn Dum, is a dark fortress filled with sorcery and heavily armored enemies. Before reaching Agandaur, the party must navigate through the dragon Urgost's territory. Finding the hidden drainage channel is the only way to enter the fortress undetected.
Carn Dum Exploration Checklist:
- Locate the drainage channel entrance to bypass the main gate
- Break the weakened wall near the blood pits for a secret gold vein
- Find the hidden Dunedain cache before the final bridge encounter
- Ensure Belleram is saved for the final boss wave summons
Do not attack Urgost. The dragon is neutral and simply wants Carn Dum. Agreeing to his bargain is the only way to progress the story and secure the location for the final battle against Agandaur.
Combat and Exploration Tips
Finding all the Lord of the Rings War in the North secrets requires a keen eye and smart combat tactics. The game rewards players who break away from the main path and engage with the environment using melee attacks and ranged interactions.
Always keep Andriel's healing sphere ready when exploring new areas. Hidden enemies often ambush you immediately after you open a secret cache or break a gold vein.
Q: Can I return to previous levels to find missed secrets?
Yes, War in the North features a chapter select system. You can replay specific sections like Fornost or the Barrow-downs to collect any hidden caches or gold veins you missed during your first playthrough.
Q: What do the glowing blue markings on walls mean?
These are Dunedain Ranger markings. Interacting with them reveals a hidden cache containing potions, bolts, and occasionally rare crafting materials. They are easily missed if you rush through areas.
Q: Is breaking gold veins worth the time?
Absolutely. Gold veins provide a significant amount of currency that allows you to purchase high-tier weapons and armor from merchants like the dwarf Gloin or the shop in Nordinbad.
Q: Do my choices with the dragon Urgost affect the ending?
Agreeing to Urgost's bargain is mandatory for story progression. While it does not drastically alter the ending cinematic, it does secure the dragon's neutrality and opens the path to the final boss fight with Agandaur.