DOOM: The Dark Ages is id Software's medieval prequel, released 15 May 2025, and it swaps Eternal's air dashing for a grounded fight built around a Shield Saw. Twenty two chapters run from Village of Khalim to Reckoning, broken up by Atlan mech brawls and flights on the dragon Serrat. Separate difficulty sliders let you tune projectile speed, enemy aggression and damage independently.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shield Saw | S | Everything, because it is the spine of the entire combat system | A throwable shield with a chainsaw rim that blocks fire, staggers large demons and returns to hand, picked up in Chapter 2, Hebeth. |
| Super Shotgun | A | Punishing a target immediately after a parry | Thirteen round close range monster found in Chapter 5, Holy City of Aratum, and the cleanest answer to a demon you just staggered. |
| Rail Spike Impaler | A | Single target damage on heavy demons at range | Ten spike magazine, slow fire rate and very high damage per shot, found in Chapter 4, Sentinel Barracks. |
| Skullcrusher Ravager | B | Sustained damage on elites once the crowd is thinned | Two hundred shard capacity with a raised fire rate that funnels concentrated damage into one target, found in Chapter 12, Sentinel Command Station. |
| Ballistic Force Crossbow | B | Emergency crowd deletion and opening a boss fight | Three shot capacity, unlocked in Chapter 14, Spire of Nerathul, and capable of clearing an entire group in a single hit. |
S-Tier: Shield Saw
A throwable shield with a chainsaw rim that blocks fire, staggers large demons and returns to hand, picked up in Chapter 2, Hebeth.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Everything, because it is the spine of the entire combat system |
| Key Mechanic | Shield Saw block and throw |
| Recommended Role | Parry counter Slayer |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Shield Saw: Pairs naturally with Parry counter Slayer thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Super Shotgun
Thirteen round close range monster found in Chapter 5, Holy City of Aratum, and the cleanest answer to a demon you just staggered.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Punishing a target immediately after a parry |
| Key Mechanic | Green projectile parries |
| Recommended Role | Shield rush brawler |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Super Shotgun: Pairs naturally with Shield rush brawler thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Rail Spike Impaler
Ten spike magazine, slow fire rate and very high damage per shot, found in Chapter 4, Sentinel Barracks.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Single target damage on heavy demons at range |
| Key Mechanic | Four shield runes |
| Recommended Role | Rail spike marksman |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Rail Spike Impaler: Pairs naturally with Rail spike marksman thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Skullcrusher Ravager
Two hundred shard capacity with a raised fire rate that funnels concentrated damage into one target, found in Chapter 12, Sentinel Command Station.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Sustained damage on elites once the crowd is thinned |
| Key Mechanic | Atlan mech fistfights |
| Recommended Role | Skullcrusher shredder |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Skullcrusher Ravager: Pairs naturally with Skullcrusher shredder thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Ballistic Force Crossbow
Three shot capacity, unlocked in Chapter 14, Spire of Nerathul, and capable of clearing an entire group in a single hit.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Emergency crowd deletion and opening a boss fight |
| Key Mechanic | Serrat dragon flight sections |
| Recommended Role | Plasma shield breaker |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Ballistic Force Crossbow: Pairs naturally with Plasma shield breaker thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Weapons Progression Path
The order you should acquire weapons as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Village of Khalim
- Super Shotgun → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Rail Spike Impaler → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Shield Saw → 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.
- Only green attacks can be parried. Train your eye on the colour before you train the timing, because attempting a parry on a non green projectile is a free hit for the demon.
- Check our tier list for how weapons rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More DOOM: The Dark Ages Guides
- DOOM: The Dark Ages DOOM: The Dark Ages Overview
- DOOM: The Dark Ages Best Builds
- DOOM: The Dark Ages Tier List
- DOOM: The Dark Ages Walkthrough
- DOOM: The Dark Ages Beginner's Guide
- DOOM: The Dark Ages Tips & Tricks
- DOOM: The Dark Ages Combat Guide
- DOOM: The Dark Ages Boss Guide
- DOOM: The Dark Ages Maps & Locations
- DOOM: The Dark Ages Crafting Guide
- DOOM: The Dark Ages Classes & Characters
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