What to Expect from Sauron in Rings of Power Season 3

Rings have been crafted, and there is only one left to go. In The Rings of Power Season 2, Sauron, alongside his unknowing accomplice Celebrimbor, forged the Dwarven and human Rings of Power. After sacking Eregion in Episode 7, it seems that Middle-earth is in grave peril.

Heading into Season 3, Sauron appears to have his sights set not only on the rest of Middle-earth but also on consolidating his power and creating a weapon capable of conquering all life. This article explores what Season 3 of The Rings of Power may have in store for the Dark Lord.

Advancing through Eriador

After sacking Eregion in Episode 7 of Season 2, Sauron now has his sights set on the rest of Middle-earth. According to The Lord of the Rings‘ Appendices, this includes establishing strongholds along the river Gwathló before eventually being driven back. His campaign also extends further west toward Lindon and even the Grey Havens. During this time, Imladris (Rivendell) is also besieged and becomes one of Sauron’s targets.

In Season 3, it would make sense for his next points of attack to include Gil-galad’s kingdom and other settlements throughout Eriador. With his disguises as Halbrand and Annatar now exposed, Sauron could take a more direct role in leading his armies, fully embracing his transformation into the Dark Lord.

However, knowing that Sauron is always scheming and that the season has eight episodes to fill, it’s unlikely that leading his armies will be his only focus. There may be even more at play behind the scenes.

Creating the One Ring

One of the most iconic moments in literature and pop culture is the creation of the One Ring to rule them all, as seen in the prologue of Jackson’s The Fellowship of the Ring. Sauron’s relentless drive and ambition for control could fuel his desire to forge the ultimate weapon: the One Ring.

With a five-year time jump between Season 2 and Season 3, it is conceivable that the construction of Barad-dûr is nearing completion, or perhaps already finished. We also know from Season 1 that Orodruin (Mount Doom) is already active. Therefore, it’s possible that Sauron will once again be seen deep within the fiery depths of Mount Doom or within his chambers in Barad-dûr, attempting to forge the One Ring.

His desire for absolute power might also lead him to travel across Middle-earth in search of lost knowledge or individuals who can aid him in completing the Ring, especially now that Celebrimbor, his key collaborator, is gone. Splitting his focus between forging the Ring and advancing his armies through Eriador could allow the story to balance both his strategic and personal pursuits. After all, the creation of the One Ring was not the only achievement Sauron brought forth during the Second Age.

Forming the Ringwraiths (Nazgûl)

Another key element of the Second Age is the creation of the Ringwraiths and Sauron’s efforts to corrupt the Kings of Men. While Tolkien said that three of the Nazgûl come from Númenor, that still leaves six to be found within Middle-earth. Alongside forging the One Ring and leading his armies into Eriador, seeking out and converting these future Ringwraiths could be another major task on Sauron’s agenda.

Since it is likely that much of Season 4 will focus on Sauron’s capture in Númenor and his manipulation of Ar-Pharazôn, Season 3 may be the only real opportunity to explore the origins of the Nazgûl in depth.

It’s possible that Sauron begins establishing some of the Ringwraiths early in the season so they can assist in leading his forces, allowing him to focus on the creation of the One Ring. This approach would also give the show time to develop the Ringwraiths as individual characters and expand Sauron’s inner circle. Potential candidates might include Theo, whose storyline has long explored his inner conflict between light and darkness, particularly given his upbringing in a town once punished for siding with Sauron. If Amazon chooses to include a female Ringwraith, Estrid could be a compelling option, along with other townsfolk from Pelargir.

As Season 3 of The Rings of Power slowly approaches, the foundations are firmly set for Sauron’s rise into the Dark Lord we recognise from the original trilogy. With Eregion fallen, Middle-earth fractured, and the One Ring still to be forged, the stage is primed for a darker, more ambitious story. Sauron’s campaign through Eriador, the forging of the One Ring, and the creation of the Nazgûl are likely to be central threads that intertwine strategy, mysticism, and terror. As he sheds all former disguises and fully embraces his dark identity, viewers may witness the terrifying culmination of his long-laid plans. If Season 2 was about deception and manipulation, Season 3 could be about domination and power, thus setting the tone for the eventual Last Alliance of Elves and Men.