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 with DOOM: The Dark Ages’ custom gameplay options? 

ENEMY SHIELDS ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN 

Some preservation-minded demons will raise their shields to try and slow down the DOOM Slayer, but this might just be their own undoing! Glowing blue energy shields are disrupted easily by Plasma rounds from the Cycler or Accelerator weapons, causing them to explode on their user a nifty bonus. 

Metal shields, meanwhile, can be superheated with successive attacks and shattered with a follow-up throw from your Shield Saw.  Be sure to make use of Sentinel Shrines as well, since several upgrades they offer can help turn the foes’ defenses against them. 

WATCH YOUR 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 making sure your Shield is ready when the time is right. Players can also invest in the Shield Saw at Sentinel Shrines, including upgrades to improve enemy stun time, throw distance and even durability limits. 

MASTERING MELEE 

Slamming into a foe with the Slayer’s up-close-and-personal weapons like the Flail can be strung together, creating successive melee strikes for a devastating combo attack!  

Melee attacks don’t just damage and falter enemies – they also serve a crucial function resupplying all your weapons. Pro Tip: Parrying Hell Surge attacks from enemies, indicated by the attack’s telltale glow on windup, refills the charges on your melee attacks faster so you can 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 to breaking superheated armor to stunning priority targets with its gnashing blades. However, you’ll need to recall your Shield Saw before making another toss, block or parry, so it never hurts to aim true. 

Holding down the Shield Toss input will have the Slayer focus, slowing down the game to line up your throw before releasing. Make use of this feature to take in your surroundings, target the next unlucky sap Hell sent your way, and let that puppy fly! 

JOIN THE COMMUNITY 

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

DOOM: The Dark Ages is available May 15 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.