The recently releasedDoom: The Dark Agesgives players a wide range of avenues to approach combat and exploration, going as far as to feature things like mech battles and even the ability to fly on the back of a dragon. To match the game’s unique setting, id Software has introduced some big changes to things like combat and how enemies offer threats on the battlefield, leading to a pretty big shake-up in terms of what combat looks like.
Alongside a deeply important parry mechanic, it seemed obvious that the weapons ofDoom: The Dark Agesneeded to make a pretty big impact, and the game features a wide range of fresh tools of destruction alongside some classic weapons that have earned their spot in theDoomhall of fame. Thanks to a broad variety of ranged and melee weapons,The Dark Agesoffers one of the most comprehensive weapon arsenals that the franchise has ever seen, with plenty of weapons making their debut in the longstanding series.
Doom: The Dark Ages' New Weapons Pack Plenty of Punch
One of the most important and frequently used weapons that players will quickly become accustomed to inDoom: The Dark Agesis the Shield Saw. This off-hand weapon acts as a constant tool that can be used simultaneously alongside the rest of the title’s weapons. As well as being able to absorb incoming attack damage, the Shield Saw can be used to deflect certain attacks to stun enemies, cut through armor with a throw, and even burst into close-quarters with a devastating explosion of energy. While also providing a way to travel across certain gaps and open up new areas, the Shield Saw possesses an untold amount of utility.
In terms of design, another ofThe Dark Ages' new weapons is quickly rising to become a fan favorite; the Pulverizer uses curse-marked skulls as ammunition which are churned up and spat out as devastating debris.The Pulverizer really leans intoThe Dark Ages' more ancient setting, with its design moving away from the sci-fi themes that define a lot ofDoom’s traditional weaponry.
Other returning weapons inDoom: The Dark Agesinclude the Combat Shotgun, Super Shotgun, and versions of the Heavy Cannon and Plasma Rifle.
The Dark Ages' Shredder weapon is essentially a re-skinned version ofDoom Eternal’s Heavy Cannon assault rifle, although its alternate Impaler form is another way that the game leans into its Medieval inspirations. The Impaler fires individual bolts that are extremely powerful in terms of their armor-shattering and headshot-multiplying capabilities, making it stand out for how it necessitates precision and a clear factor of risk versus reward.
Melee and Ranged Weapons Get Equal Love in Doom: The Dark Ages
The Cycler is another weapon that similarly builds off of a pre-existing weapon, belonging to the same class as the Accelerator, which itself is another name for the franchise’s iconic Plasma Rifle. Essentially, the Cycler acts as a double-barrelled version of the Accelerator, expanding upon the usual feel ofDoom’s plasma weapons by going above and beyond what players usually have at their disposal.
Doom: The Dark Ages' melee combatis also bolstered by the introduction of the Flail. This optional melee weapon has a larger range and sweeping impact than the usual Power Gauntlet, which is further proof of how well the title has leaned into its Medieval warfare themes.
The Chainshot is one of the last and most unique new weapons that players see inThe Dark Ages; it’s a rail-gun-like rifle that fires a chaotic metal sphere tied to the weapon by a chain, so the sphere returns to the Chainshot after being fired.Doom: The Dark Agesdoes well to offer something for all ranges of combat as well as how many enemies a player might be facing at once, with the many new arsenal additions holding a worthy spot in the storied history ofDoom’s demon-slaying armaments.
