What Year is Shadow of War Set?
Middle-earth: Shadow of War is an action role-playing game set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium. The game is a sequel to Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and continues the story of Talion, a Ranger of the Black Gate, and his quest to vanquish the darkness in Mordor.
Setting
The game takes place in the 60-year gap between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. This time period is often referred to as the "Third Age" of Middle-earth, a dark and tumultuous era where the forces of darkness seek to conquer and dominate the land.
Before the Lord of the Rings
Shadow of War occurs before the events of The Lord of the Rings, specifically 60 years before the start of the novel. During this time, Sauron is regrouping his forces and preparing to launch a new assault on Middle-earth. The game’s story revolves around Talion’s mission to gather information about Sauron’s plans and prevent his return to power.
Timeline
Here is a brief timeline of the game’s setting:
| Event | Time Period | Important Details |
|---|---|---|
| The Battle of Azanulbizar | 2799 Third Age | The dwarves defeat the orcs in this battle, marking a major turning point in the history of Middle-earth. |
| The Quest for Erebor | 2941 Third Age | The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, joins a group of dwarves and a wizard on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. |
| Shadow of War | 2941-2980 Third Age | The game’s story takes place during this time period, with Talion fighting against Sauron’s forces to prevent his return to power. |
| The Fellowship of the Ring | 3001 Third Age | Frodo Baggins begins his journey to destroy the One Ring, marking the start of the events of The Lord of the Rings. |
Conclusion
Middle-earth: Shadow of War is set in the 60-year gap between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, a tumultuous time period where the forces of darkness seek to conquer and dominate Middle-earth. The game’s story revolves around Talion’s mission to prevent Sauron’s return to power and features a unique timeline that explores the events of this pivotal era in Middle-earth’s history.