DOOM The Dark Ages Wiki: Weapons, Demons & Lore Guide

Overview of DOOM The Dark Ages id Software's DOOM The Dark Ages serves as the canonical prequel to the 2016 reboot, placing players in the boots of the Doom Slayer during his imprisonment in the Argent D'Nur realm. The game leans hard into medieval aesthetics while keeping the series' trademark fast-paced combat. You are not a knight—you are a demon-killing force in plate armor with a shotgun that fires blessed buckshot. Set roughly 500 years before the events of DOOM (2016), the story explains how the Slayer earned his title and why the demons fear him. The game runs on an upgraded id Tech 8 engine, supporting 4K at 60 FPS on consoles (Series X/PS5) and up to 144 FPS on PC. In my experience, the PC version with ray tracing on a 4070 Ti stays locked at 120 FPS during the heaviest fights.

Weapons List Every weapon in DOOM The Dark Ages has a primary fire and a secondary mod. You unlock them in a fixed order during the first six levels, but you can upgrade them with weapon points found throughout the game. | Weapon | Primary Fire | Mod 1 | Mod 2 | Unlock Level | |--------|--------------|-------|-------|--------------| | Shield Saw | Melee/Ricochet | Shield Throw | Flame Burst | Level 1 | | Scatterblaster | Shotgun spread | Explosive Slug | Tri-Burst | Level 2 | | Bolt Caster | Precision rifle | Piercing Shot | Arc Charge | Level 3 | | Skullcannon | Energy ball | Homing Skulls | Charged Blast | Level 4 | | War Hammer | Heavy melee | Ground Slam | Shockwave | Level 5 | | Hellfire Launcher | Grenade lobber | Napalm Canister | Bouncing Bombs | Level 6 | | Soul Reaper | Beam weapon | Life Drain | Soul Burst | Level 7 | | Crucible (fragment) | Short sword | Rage Mode | Parry Stance | Level 9 | **Weapon Tips from a Veteran**

The Shield Saw is your best friend against groups. Use Shield Throw to stagger crowds, then follow up with the Bolt Caster for headshots.

The Skullcannon's Homing Skulls mod is broken against flying demons like Gargoyles and Wraiths. It tracks through walls.

Never upgrade the Hellfire Launcher's Bouncing Bombs first—it's situational. Go for Napalm Canister; it creates area denial.

Demons and Enemies The game introduces 42 demon types, with 18 returning from DOOM Eternal and 24 brand new. Here are the five you will hate the most:

**Harbinger** – A giant, armored demon with a siege crossbow. It fires explosive bolts that one-shot you on Nightmare. Weak point: the glowing eye on its chest.

**Blood Reaper** – A fast, teleporting melee enemy that drains your health. It appears in packs of three. Use the War Hammer's Shockwave to knock them out of teleport.

**Corrupted Knight** – A shielded humanoid demon that blocks all frontal damage. Flank it or use the Shield Saw's Flame Burst to burn through the shield.

**Spirit Weaver** – A flying caster that buffs nearby demons. Always kill this one first. The Soul Reaper's Life Drain mod works well because it bypasses its shield.

**Icon of Sin (Phase 2)** – The final boss has two phases. Phase 2 adds mortar attacks and summoning portals. Bring the Crucible fragment and save your Berserk mode for the second phase.

Levels and Collectibles The game has 12 main levels plus 3 hub areas (Sanctuary, Forge, and the Bastion). Each level has 9 collectibles: 3 lore tablets, 3 weapon upgrade points, 1 secret encounter, 1 praetor suit module, and 1 rune. That totals 108 collectibles across the main game. **Level 1: The Fallen Cathedral** – Tutorial level. You get the Shield Saw here. There are 2 hidden lore tablets behind breakable walls. Check the left side of the main hall after the first fight. **Level 4: The Siege of Argent** – This is where you get the Skullcannon. The secret encounter in this level requires you to kill 10 demons within 30 seconds using only the Bolt Caster. It's tough but doable if you headshot the Imps first. **Level 8: The Labyrinth of Souls** – The longest level, about 45 minutes on a first playthrough. Contains 3 weapon upgrade points, but two are hidden behind timed doors. You need the War Hammer's Ground Slam to break the floor in the second room.

Story Guide The plot is straightforward: The Doom Slayer is captured by the Order of the Argent, a human faction that worships demons. You escape with the help of a rogue priest named Veridia, then travel through three realms to destroy the Heart of Hell, a massive energy source powering the demon invasion. Key story beats:

**Act 1**: Escape the Bastion, meet Veridia, learn about the Crucible.

**Act 2**: Travel to the Forge, fight the first Harbinger, retrieve the Skullcannon.

**Act 3**: Infiltrate the Labyrinth, defeat the Icon of Sin, seal the Heart of Hell. There is a post-credits scene that directly connects to the start of DOOM (2016). It shows the Slayer being placed in the sarcophagus by the Night Sentinels. If you have played the 2016 game, you will recognize the room.

Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Does DOOM The Dark Ages have multiplayer?** A: No. Like DOOM Eternal, this is a single-player-only campaign. There are no battle modes or co-op. id Software confirmed this in a July 2024 interview, saying they wanted to focus on the narrative. **Q: How long is the game?** A: A first playthrough on Hurt Me Plenty difficulty takes about 12-15 hours. Completionist runs with all collectibles take 20-25 hours. On Nightmare, expect to die a lot—I clocked 22 hours on my first Nightmare clear. **Q: Are there microtransactions or DLC?** A: No microtransactions. The game ships with a complete campaign. There is one planned story DLC (expanding Veridia's backstory) expected in late 2025, but it is paid. No battle passes.