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A Complete Guide to Equipment Upgrades in DOOM The Dark Ages

A Complete Guide to Equipment Upgrades in DOOM The Dark Ages

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 14, 2025, 19:11 IST

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In DOOM: The Dark Ages, strategic weapon upgrades are vital for survival against hellspawn. Players must prioritize upgrades at Sentinel Shrines, gathering Gold, Rubies, and Wraithstones. Focusing on fully upgrading key weapons like the Combat Shotgun and Shield Saw maximizes effectiveness and unlocks mastery challenges. Tactical shield upgrades and strategic rune choices further enhance combat prowess.

A Complete Guide to Equipment Upgrades in DOOM The Dark Ages

Image via: Bethesda Softworks

In DOOM: The Dark Ages, you can't rely on sheer strength to defeat the hordes of hellspawn. The game's high-octane action centers around a well-crafted progression system where upgrading your gear proves as crucial as honing your accuracy. Although every weapon gets its time to shine, clever players know how to set priorities and plan ahead. Here's a guide to make the most of your weapon upgrades throughout your mission.

Understanding the System: Sentinel Shrines and Materials

You'll find Sentinel Shrines for upgrades starting in Chapter 2. The system works in a straight line: you must unlock each weapon upgrade in sequence, and you'll need more resources as you go, beginning with Gold than Rubies, and the scarce Wraithstone. You can get Gold through gameplay and challenges, while Rubies and Wraithstones are often hidden in hard-to-reach spots or guarded by tough enemies.

ESSENTIAL Beginners Guide To Doom: The Dark Ages - Doom Dark Ages Tips And Tricks

It's worth noting that some weapons offer two different abilities but you can switch between them anytime without extra cost. This flexibility allows you to try out different options without long-lasting drawbacks.

How to upgrade

Some gear, like the Shield Saw, will always remain with you. This weapon practically syncs with all weapons and interrupts enemies, making a mark of importance for both offense and defense. An early upgrade pays dividends throughout the campaign. The Combat Shotgun comes from Chapter 1, and its full upgrade would wreak havoc. It balances well with any loadout, especially in early-game setup, which brings more to any setup.

In DOOM: The Dark Ages, some weapons share ammo pools with others—the most notable examples being the Combat Shotgun and Super Shotgun or Impaler and Shredder. Rather than dividing the upgrades evenly among those weapons, choose one and focus on it until it is fully upgraded in order to avoid spreading your ammo supply too thin and help you get into mastery challenges, which are only available once a weapon is maxed out.
While melee weapons are gradually unlocked over Chapters 1, 6, and 15, they are still relevant through the entirety of the game. The Flail acquired midway through the game gets a massive edge with the Impaler combo, but really not so much just brute swing timing and pairing weapons for combo potential.
Your shield isn't just a protector; it's also a tactical weapon-a weapon, particularly when made more powerful with Runes. Four are available, but it is the Ground Fissure and Heaven Splitter with their crowd-control effects that really shine. They falter and stun enemies, affording windows to finish off demons or reposition.

Holy Swarm and Auto Turret are somewhat specialized-heavy damage or healing support, respectively-but have less broad universality.

TOP 10 Tips for Doom the Dark Ages – Before you Start

Ultimately, there is no wrong upgrade path, but some are definitely better than others efficiency-wise. Gear yourself up with equipment that aligns with your playstyle and leave out weapons that share no ammo types. Consider also investing in your shield early. The demons may not wait, but that doesn't mean you should not plan ahead.Because in DOOM: The Dark Ages, the right upgrade at the right time is often the difference between victory and the infamous death screen.

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TOI Sports Desk

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