Doom Eternal is the most aggressive FPS ever designed. The combat loop forces constant movement and resource management: chainsaw fodder enemies for ammo, glory kill staggered enemies for health, flame belch for armor pickups. Standing still means death. The weapon switching system rewards rapid swapping between the Super Shotgun and Ballista for maximum DPS, creating a rhythm-action feel to combat encounters. Every demon has a specific counter-strategy and exploitable weak point. The Slayer Gates offer optional ultra-hard encounters, and the two DLC campaigns (Ancient Gods 1 & 2) are considered even better than the base game.
Your choice of weapons defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Shotgun | S | Super Shotgun Main | The iconic double-barrel with the Meathook grapple attachment. |
| Ballista | A | Ballista Swapper | A precision energy weapon dealing massive single-target damage. |
| Rocket Launcher | A | Rocket Spam | Fires explosive rockets with splash damage. |
| BFG 9000 | B | BFG Saver | The ultimate weapon firing a green orb that damages everything in line of sight. |
| Chaingun | B | Ballista Swapper | A rapid-fire heavy weapon with the Energy Shield mod (deployable frontal shield while firing). |
S-Tier: Super Shotgun
The iconic double-barrel with the Meathook grapple attachment. Meathook closes distance to any enemy instantly, and the point-blank blast deals the highest burst damage in the game. The SSG is the center of high-level play due to its versatility and damage output.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Super Shotgun Main |
| Key Mechanic | glory kills |
| Recommended Role | Super Shotgun Main |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Super Shotgun: Pairs naturally with Super Shotgun Main thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Ballista
A precision energy weapon dealing massive single-target damage. The Arbalest mod fires a charged explosive bolt for even more burst. Quick-swapping between SSG and Ballista eliminates the reload delay of both weapons, maximizing DPS.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Ballista Swapper |
| Key Mechanic | chainsaw ammo |
| Recommended Role | Ballista Swapper |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Ballista: Pairs naturally with Ballista Swapper thanks to stat scaling synergies.
A-Tier: Rocket Launcher
Fires explosive rockets with splash damage. The Lock-On mod fires 3 homing rockets at a targeted enemy, dealing massive damage without requiring aim precision. Essential for airborne enemies that are hard to hit with projectile weapons.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Rocket Spam |
| Key Mechanic | weapon switching |
| Recommended Role | Rocket Spam |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Rocket Launcher: Pairs naturally with Rocket Spam thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: BFG 9000
The ultimate weapon firing a green orb that damages everything in line of sight. Each shot uses 30 BFG ammo (total capacity ~60). The BFG clears rooms of all non-boss enemies instantly. Extremely limited ammo makes each shot a strategic decision.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | BFG Saver |
| Key Mechanic | dash mechanic |
| Recommended Role | BFG Saver |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using BFG 9000: Pairs naturally with BFG Saver thanks to stat scaling synergies.
B-Tier: Chaingun
A rapid-fire heavy weapon with the Energy Shield mod (deployable frontal shield while firing). The Chaingun deals sustained DPS against Tyrants and other high-HP enemies. The Energy Shield lets you face-tank attacks while maintaining fire — useful against Marauders.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Ballista Swapper |
| Key Mechanic | Slayer Gates |
| Recommended Role | Micro Missiles |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Chaingun: Pairs naturally with Micro Missiles thanks to stat scaling synergies.
Weapons Progression Path
The order you should acquire weapons as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Hell on Earth
- Ballista → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Rocket Launcher → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Super Shotgun → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Weapons Tips
- Always upgrade your primary weapon before diversifying — one strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your weapons to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- The resource loop is: Chainsaw for AMMO, Glory Kill for HEALTH, Flame Belch for ARMOR. Never neglect any of the three — they keep you alive. Memorize this triangle.
- Check our tier list for how weapons rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Doom Eternal Guides
- Doom Eternal Doom Eternal Overview
- Doom Eternal Best Builds
- Doom Eternal Tier List
- Doom Eternal Walkthrough
- Doom Eternal Beginner's Guide
- Doom Eternal Tips & Tricks
- Doom Eternal Combat Guide
- Doom Eternal Boss Guide
- Doom Eternal Maps & Locations
- Doom Eternal Crafting Guide
- Doom Eternal Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Doom Eternal, check out these related guides:
- Counter-Strike 2 Weapons Guide — fps game with similar mechanics
- Apex Legends Weapons Guide — fps game with similar mechanics
- Rainbow Six Siege Weapons Guide — fps game with similar mechanics
