More Tips for DOOM: The Dark Ages

Anyone can unleash their inner Slayer in DOOM: The Dark Ages, but it never hurts to have extra intel before marching into the frontlines of Hell. If you’re an intermediate ready for more tips after our beginner’s article, check these out – perhaps as you take on a new run using DOOM: The Dark Ages’ custom gameplay modifiers? 

ENEMY SHIELDS ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN 

Some demons will raise their shields to try and slow down the DOOM Slayer, but such preservation-minded thinking will be their undoing! Glowing blue energy shields are disrupted easily by Plasma rounds from the Cycler or Accelerator weapons, causing an explosion as a deadly bonus!

Metal shields, meanwhile, are superheated by successive attacks and shattered with a follow-up throw from your Shield Saw. Visit Sentinel Shrines to upgrade your arsenal and unlock even more ways to turn your foes’ defenses against them.

WATCH YOUR OWN SHIELD'S DURABILITY 

Meanwhile, the DOOM Slayer’s own Shield may not explode, but it can still be overloaded. Mind the meter tracking your Shield’s condition – blocking too much damage will temporarily disable your Shield, leaving the Slayer open to attack! 

Smart strafing and parrying Hell Surge attacks are essential for keeping ahead of the enemy’s offense while keeping your Shield ready when the time is right. Investing in the Shield Saw at Sentinel Shrines can improve its effects, including enemy stun time, throw distance and even durability limits.

MASTERING MELEE 

Strikes with the Slayer’s up-close-and-personal weapons like the Flail can be strung together into successive blows, ending in a devastating combo attack. Just be mindful of your remaining charges!

Melee strikes don’t just crush enemies, as they also serve resupply ammo for all your weapons. Speaking of refills, parrying Hell Surge attacks from enemies also helps replenish your melee attack charges, so go and repay them in kind.

USE THE SLOW-MO' SHIELD-THRO’ 

A well-placed toss of the Shield Saw can turn the tide of battle, from chopping up fodder or breaking superheated armor to stunning priority targets with its gnashing blades. However, you’ll need an instant to recall your Shield Saw before making another toss, block or parry.

When you need to aim your Shield true, hold down the Shield Toss input to have the Slayer focus, slowing down the game to help line up your throw. Make use of this feature to observe the battlefield, target the next unlucky sap Hell sent your way and let that puppy fly!

JOIN THE COMMUNITY 

DOOM is for everyone and be it cosplay, fanart, mods and more, the DOOM community never fails to impress. Join the official Discord, follow DOOM on Bluesky & X, and check out DOOM creators on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. From new strategies and speedruns to fan-created events, there's nothing quite like joining this incredible community of fellow Slayers.

DOOM: The Dark Ages is available for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5 – play it day one with Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass. Play it on both Series X|S and Xbox PC at no additional cost with Xbox Play Anywhere. For more information, visit DOOM.com.