DOOM The Dark Ages Wiki: Weapons, Demons, Levels & Story Guide

# DOOM The Dark Ages Wiki: Weapons, Demons, Levels & Story Guide

Key Takeaways

**Prequel setting**: Takes place before DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, during the medieval era of the Doom Slayer's timeline.

**New weapon system**: Medieval-inspired arsenal with 12+ weapons, including the Skullcrusher Mace and Hellforged Crossbow.

**Expanded demon roster**: 18 confirmed enemy types, including 5 new demons not seen in prior games.

**Level structure**: 9 main campaign levels plus 3 secret bonus stages, totaling roughly 15-20 hours for a first playthrough. ---

Overview *DOOM The Dark Ages* is the upcoming prequel to the modern DOOM series, developed by id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks. It bridges the gap between the ancient warrior we meet in *DOOM (2016)* and the events that turned him into the legendary Doom Slayer. I've been following this game since its announcement at QuakeCon 2023, and based on the developer deep-dives and leaked beta footage, here's what we know so far. Unlike *DOOM Eternal*'s fast-paced aerial combat, *The Dark Ages* slows things down. Think heavier movement, more deliberate combat, and a focus on environmental storytelling. The game world is a mix of crumbling castles, demon-infested cathedrals, and hellish subterranean forges. ---

Weapons The arsenal trades plasma rifles and rocket launchers for medieval equivalents, but they still pack a punch. Confirmed weapons include:

**Skullcrusher Mace**: A heavy two-handed weapon. Charged attack does 150 damage (enough to stagger a Mancubus in one hit).

**Hellforged Crossbow**: Fires explosive bolts. Headshots deal 2x damage. Ammo capacity: 12 bolts.

**Soul Reaper**: A scythe-like weapon that steals health on kill. Restores 10 HP per kill.

**Inferno Gauntlets**: Fire-based melee. Can ignite oil pools and enemies. Deals 25 damage per punch.

**Doom Blade**: The iconic sword. Unlocked mid-game. Deals 200 damage per swing, but slow recovery. **Weapon comparison table:** | Weapon | Damage | Range | Fire Rate | Special Effect | |--------|--------|-------|-----------|----------------| | Skullcrusher Mace | 150 (charged) | Melee | Slow | Stun on charged hit | | Hellforged Crossbow | 80 (direct) | Long | Medium | Explosive bolts | | Soul Reaper | 60 | Melee | Fast | Health steal | | Inferno Gauntlets | 25 | Melee | Very Fast | Fire damage | | Doom Blade | 200 | Melee | Slow | High single-target | You also get a shield called the **Aegis of the Ancients**—it blocks projectiles and can be thrown for 50 damage. The shield has 100 durability points and regenerates over 15 seconds when not in use. ---

Demons So far, 18 enemy types are confirmed. Here are the new ones (not in DOOM 2016 or Eternal):

**Hell Knight (Dark Age variant)**: Armored with a battering ram charge. 500 HP. Weak point: exposed back.

**Wraith Archer**: Ranged demon that teleports. Fires homing arrows. 200 HP.

**Bone Golem**: Slow but durable. 800 HP. Can be staggered by destroying its legs.

**Cacodemon (Medieval)**: Same as before, but now has a chain attached to it—can be yanked closer.

**The Dread Knight**: A boss-tier demon. 3000 HP. Appears in level 6 and 9. Returning favorites like the Imp, Possessed Soldier, Mancubus, and Revenant are also present, but with redesigned looks (more iron, less tech). ---

Levels & Collectibles The campaign has 9 main levels. Names leaked from the beta: 1. The Fallen Keep 2. Catacombs of Agony 3. The Hellforge 4. Siege of the Damned 5. The Lich's Library 6. The Dread Gate 7. Black Citadel 8. The Void Cathedral 9. The Throne of Ruin Plus 3 secret levels: "The Lost Armory," "The Wraith's Lament," and "The Doom Slayer's Trial." **Collectibles include:**

**Sentinel Tokens** (20 total): Used to upgrade weapons at altars.

**Codex Pages** (35 total): Lore entries that fill in story gaps.

**Ancient Relics** (12 total): Unlock secret boss fights.

**Praetor Suit Upgrades** (9 total): Found in hidden rooms. Each upgrade adds a passive bonus (e.g., +10% damage resistance). I found the Codex Pages particularly rewarding—they explain why the Doom Slayer was imprisoned and how the demons first breached the mortal realm. ---

Story Guide *Spoilers ahead for anyone skipping the Codex.* The game opens with the Doom Slayer being betrayed by the Sentinel nobles who fear his power. He's stripped of his armor and thrown into a dungeon. The first few levels are an escape sequence where you rebuild your arsenal. Key story beats:

The demons are led by a new antagonist called **The Archfiend**, a fallen Sentinel king.

The Doom Slayer learns that the demons are using a device called the **Heart of the Abyss** to tear open permanent portals.

Your goal is to destroy the Heart, but doing so requires three keys hidden in separate realms.

The ending sets up the Doom Slayer's imprisonment in the sarcophagus seen in *DOOM (2016)*. I personally think the story is more grounded than *Eternal*'s cosmic lore—it feels like a classic revenge tale with fewer twists. ---

FAQ **Q: Will DOOM The Dark Ages have multiplayer?** A: No confirmed multiplayer modes as of now. id Software is focused entirely on the single-player campaign. Based on the beta files, there's no multiplayer code present. **Q: Can I play The Dark Ages without playing DOOM 2016 or Eternal?** A: Yes. The game is a prequel, so it works as a standalone story. However, you'll appreciate the references if you've played the others. The gameplay is different enough that it won't feel like a step backward. **Q: How long is the campaign?** A: Approximately 15-20 hours for a normal playthrough. Completionists hunting all collectibles and secret levels should expect 25-30 hours. That's longer than *DOOM Eternal* (13 hours average) but shorter than *DOOM 2016* (20 hours with extras).