Doom: The Dark Ages - Best Weapon Upgrades

Summary

Creative upgrades in Doom: The Dark Ages enhance weapons like Rocket Launcher & Impaler
New combat mechanics focus on parrying, combining weapon upgrades for optimal playstyle
Weapons like Shredder, Cycler, Shieldsaw, Ravager have unique upgrades for effective demon battles

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve just dived into “Doom: The Dark Ages,” the latest addition to the legendary first-person shooter series that’s been causing a stir on Xbox Game Pass. Despite some less-than-stellar sales due to its hefty price tag and Denuvo protection, this game stays true to the core values of the franchise while injecting fresh ideas into the gameplay compared to “Doom: Eternal.”

One of the most significant modifications in “Doom: The Dark Ages” revolves around the combat system and weaponry.

In the game “Doomslayer,” there’s a wide variety of weapons at your disposal, but unlike in “Doom: Eternal” where combat relied heavily on swapping weapons frequently, it’s more about mastering the parry mechanic, using the shield saw effectively, and strategically combining weapon enhancements to suit your preferred playstyle. Both “Doom (2016)” and “Doom: Eternal” had weapon upgrades, but in “Doom: The Dark Ages,” these upgrades are significantly more intricate, with each gun providing multiple playstyles and upgrade possibilities. However, according to the player community of “Doom: The Dark Ages,” some of these upgrades are considered more effective than others.

8. Rocket Launcher: Cannibalism

An Efficient Way to Use the Rocket Launcher’s Self-Damage

In the annals of Doom, few weapons hold as much historical significance and unwavering presence as the Rocket Launcher. While other game weapons have undergone transformations over time, the Rocket Launcher has managed to maintain its core function across the series – obliterating demons. A standout feature of this weapon is its splash damage and self-damage capabilities. When deployed, its projectiles inflict harm within a designated area, including the Doomslayer if he happens to be in that affected zone. In the new installment, Doom: The Dark Ages, an upgrade becomes available for players to exploit this self-damage aspect effectively.

In this game upgrade, any harm caused by the Rocket Launcher’s shots is instead restored to the Doomslayer. This unique feature becomes even more effective when players progress through the Rocket Launcher’s advancement path, making it a useful choice for close combat situations as well.

7. Impaler: Lobotomy

A Hilariously Named Upgrade Gives the Impaler a Lethal Combo

In the game “Doom: The Dark Ages,” the Impaler is similar to the Precision Bolt upgrade for the heavy machine gun in “Doom: Eternal.” However, unlike before, this time it’s a standalone weapon with its distinct upgrade system. It delivers significant damage per bolt, but its effectiveness relies on accurate aiming. The ultimate upgrade for the Impaler is called Lobotomy, which needs a wraithstone to activate.

With this enhancement, the Impaler transforms into a potent tool, capable of dishing out both close-quarter and long-range damage against formidable foes such as the Agaddon Hunter or Tyrant. The Lobotomy Upgrade accelerates the charging speed of melee attacks each time players score headshots with the Impaler. This strategy allows players to initiate combat with a melee strike against heavy opponents, then fall back to a safer distance while firing headshots and subsequently returning for another melee attack. Equipped with weapons like the Dreadmace or Flail, encounters with tougher adversaries become significantly less challenging.

6. Shredder: Ricochet

Clears Out Swarms of Fodder Demons with Ease

A key feature of the game Doom: The Dark Ages lies in its expansive, open maps teeming with demons for the Doomslayer to battle. Notably, major enemies such as super-heavies and heavies tend to appear near points of interest, but many areas are dominated by groups of common demons, often accompanied by a few larger, heavier demons. The Shredder weapon stands out as an excellent choice for managing these situations due to its high rate of fire and strong damage output.

In the thrilling world of Doom: The Dark Ages, one of the initial enhancements the Shredder provides is the choice between Pincushion and Ricochet. While both have their merits, it’s the Ricochet that seems to be the crowd favorite. Its unique ability to swiftly eliminate hordes of demons makes it a must-have for many players. When paired with the Autotorret mod for the shieldsaw, you can clear out waves of lesser demons in a flash. Here’s how it works: after deflecting a Hell Surge attack with a well-timed parry, fling the shieldsaw at a heavy demon and unleash the Shredder. As the title suggests, the Ricochet upgrade allows the bullets to bounce off your shield, dealing additional damage. This tactic can turn the tide of even the most intense battles!

5. Cycler: Shock

Shock Damage That Clears Out The Battlefield

At first, players felt the Cycler weapon was less impressive than others available. However, the alternative, the Accelerator, offers a faster rate of fire and is equally effective against plasma shields and common enemies. Interestingly, the Cycler receives an upgrade that transforms it into one of the most valuable weapons in large-scale battles. It dishes out more focused plasma damage than the Accelerator, making it ideal for taking down super-heavies with precision headshots. The Shock upgrade significantly enhances this ability.

After the upgrade, when the Cycler inflicts enough damage on a demon, it will experience Shock. While in this state, the demon will sustain heightened damage from the Slayer’s attacks. If a Shocked demon is defeated, it discharges lightning towards the closest adversary, also causing Shock to them. This chain reaction makes it easier for players to swiftly eliminate groups of demons.

4. Shieldsaw: Auto Turret

Parrying Projectiles Has Never Been More Fun

In the intense battles of Doom: The Dark Ages, a standout feature is the versatile tool known as the shieldsaw. This device not only acts as a defensive barrier against incoming attacks and projectiles, but it also functions independently as a weapon. Its upgrade options make it even more formidable, with these upgrades being found throughout the game instead of relying on rare resources like guns do. Each upgrade for the Shield Saw provides it with a distinct offensive capability, and one of the most effective is the Auto Turret.

Here’s how it works: When the Doomslayer successfully deflects an incoming projectile attack, the Auto Turret automatically activates, firing bullets at the closest enemy.

With the Auto Turret completely enhanced, it delivers substantial damage. Typically, tough enemies such as Imp Stalkers and Arachnotrons become like common foes or “fodder.” Frequently, it even facilitates a few glory kills, which in turn help the Slayer regenerate some health.

3. Ravager: Supplier

Infinite Ammo Glitch With a Simple Upgrade

In the game “Doom: The Dark Ages,” The Ravager is a gun that’s particularly suitable for beginners. However, you won’t get your hands on it until deeper into the game. It can be thought of as an advanced version of the Pulverizer, dishing out a continuous barrage of damage while maintaining manageable recoil. This weapon has the ability to reduce most demons in your path to nothing more than smoldering remains. When you pull the trigger, it begins firing at a relatively gentle pace that gradually speeds up until reaching a certain point.

Upgrading the Supplier transforms the Ravager into an absolute beast of a weapon, continually wreaking havoc until the Slayer releases the trigger. With this enhancement, any demon struck by the Ravager yields Skullcrusher ammo, effectively converting it into a potent, self-reloading firearm. Capable of effortlessly defeating even the strongest demons such as armored Mancubi, Hell Knights, and Barons.

2. Shieldsaw: Heaven Split

A Shockingly Powerful Upgrade for the Shield

This enhancement harmonizes perfectly with the Cycler. When Doomslayer blocks a projectile using his shield, he summons a bolt of lightning that inflicts Shock on the demon who launched the projectile. Additionally, this blast momentarily stuns them, enabling Doomslayer to deliver substantial damage before they can respond, making it almost certain death for most heavy demons upon successful parry. Even with super-heavy demons, it presents players a chance to deplete their health bars substantially.

Applying the Heaven Split enhancement provides a shock akin to the shock enhancement on the Cycler, causing an electric bolt when the slayer slays a stunned demon. Consequently, this upgrade works particularly well with the Cycler, transforming it into a beast that swiftly eliminates demons.

1. Chainshot: Eldritch Blessing

Makes The Chainshot The Best Weapon In The Game

Among all weapons in “Doom: The Dark Ages”, the Chainshot stands out as the favorite among players due to its exceptional performance. It offers a good supply of ammo, inflicts significant damage on demons, and even staggers them. Its power is such that just a few shots from the Chainshot can eliminate a Hell Knight or Mancubus. When fully charged, it becomes even more potent, making it an ideal weapon for swiftly eliminating heavy-duty opponents like Agaddon Hunters, Tyrants, and Komodos.

In the game “Doom: The Dark Ages,” the Eldritch Blessing upgrade for the Chainshot makes it so that after a slayer successfully dodges or parries an attack from a Demon, the next Chainshot attack will be immediately powered up. Given the frequency of parrying attacks in this game, this essentially means that the Chainshot is almost always ready to fire.

2025-06-01 00:34

Doom: The Dark Ages – Best Weapon Upgrades