How to Manually Increase Difficulty

A guide for those who think Shadow of Mordor is too easy.

Step 1

Step 1 of this guide is to disable combat hints/prompts. Go to Options->Game Settings. Then turn Combat Hints to "None". Then disable "Enemy Outlines" and "Display AI Awareness".
Breakdown:
Display AI Awareness is the triangle icons above the enemy's head that shows their awareness of you. It appears as green, yellow, or red.
Enemy Outlines is when it displays a white outline of an enemy through walls (mainly used when using the "Attract" ability or when in stealth).
Combat Hints are the symbols that pop up when you are about to be attacked.

Step 2

Step 2 focuses on increasing the difficulty in obtaining Branded Captains and Warchiefs. They add a few rules.
Rule 1: Aside from Grûblik the Flogger and other ones specifically required for Story Mode completion, the only way you can get Branded Captains is by having a regular Branded mook be promoted.
Rule 2: Uruk society is the strongest of the fittest. You may not help a Branded Captain or Warchief complete a task you ordered him to do with a Command (Initiation, Riot, Betrayal, or Kill). You may aid him in Power Struggles you did not order him to do. You may help him if you encounter him in the open world.
Rule 3: If you Death Threat a Captain or Warchief, you may not Brand him. You must follow through on your word.

Rule 3 especially is a good one to follow.

Step 3

These steps are optional. I personally do not like them because they restrict playstyles, but for those who do not care they are valid choices.
You can use one, some, or none of these rules as you see fit.

Rule 1: You may not use any Runes.

Rule 2: You may not unlock or use abilities not required for Story Mode.

Rule 3: You may not use over-powered abilities such as Shadow Mount, Blade Master, Vault Stun, Resilient etc.

Rule 4: You may not gather Intel on Captains or Warchiefs beforehand.

[MarylandManson]

Another rule I play by is that adding or changing a rune mandates an advance time as well as completing 3 power struggles. This symbolizes the time blacksmithing a new rune and forces a choice as to which red events you participate in. You can't stop all the orcs from advancing but you can stop some. Choose wisely. If you do that you can then interfere in your branded orcs events because you will advance time balancing it out. I put three coins near my monitor/tv removing one each time I participate in a power struggle or kill a war chief. This sort of mimics part two's system and allows you to do a few things before advancement.

[The Infomaniac]

This just makes me wish that wb gave this game a actual difficulty setting insted of having to RESTRICT YOURSELF FROM PLAYING AT YOUR BEST.

[Breathe.. Calm Down]

I know, that is why I prefer not to use it - it limits some playstyles. However, it does lead to surprises where the Captains and Warchiefs will shock you with a hidden weakness or an amazing strength. Altogether I do not like it very much I decided to include it as most hardcore gamers use this rule. To be honest the game is easy, even after doing all this the game is still easy, but maybe just a bit more challenging and interesting.

[Guinerve]

Rule 4 is complete nonsense. It removes most of the fun of the combat and turns it into entirely boring Arkham style combat. The point of the Intel is to allow the player to approach Captains/Chiefs differently each time.

[Falmingkitter]

In every game I've ever played fast travel has been an issue of repetition more than difficulty

[Breathe.. Calm Down]

Thanks for the suggestion! I will add that into the guide as soon as I get a chance.

[Xlazer123345]

1 more no fast travel

[Bus Plus Control | Sercupa]

Thanks!

[Mutant Overlord]

What is this - Shadow of Mordor: Nuzlocke challenge? :D