id Software's 2016 reboot launched on 13 May 2016 and rebuilt the series by removing every reason to stop moving. Glory Kills drop health, the chainsaw drops ammunition, and cover does nothing at all, so the 13 campaign missions from The UAC through Kadingir Sanctum to Argent D'Nur reward forward pressure over caution. This is the reboot rather than DOOM Eternal or the 1993 original, and its pace still outruns most shooters released since.
Combat in DOOM rewards knowledge over reflexes. Understanding how each mechanic works (and how they interact) is what turns a struggling player into a dominant one. New here? Start with our beginner's guide for the basics.
Core Combat Mechanics
1. Glory Kills
Damaged demons stagger and flash, and a melee press executes them for a burst of health. That is the entire health economy, because medkits are scarce and finite, so the correct answer to a low health bar is to push into the nearest stunned demon rather than retreat behind geometry.
Why it matters: This is the foundation of all combat. Everything else builds on this.
2. Chainsaw ammunition economy
The chainsaw runs on fuel, costing between one and three cans depending on the size of the demon, and a chainsaw kill sprays enough ammunition pickups to refill most of the arsenal. Keeping one can in reserve at all times is the difference between a full loadout and a pistol.
Why it matters: The most underrated mechanic. Players who master this early have a massive advantage.
3. Weapon mods and Field Drones
Field Drones hidden in the levels grant weapon mods, and each gun holds two. The Combat Shotgun takes Explosive Shot or Charged Burst, the Gauss Cannon takes Precision Bolt or Siege Mode, and the Super Shotgun and BFG 9000 take no mods at all. Mastery challenges then upgrade whichever mod you keep equipped.
Why it matters: Unlocks a new layer of gameplay depth once understood.
4. Rune Trials
Rune Trials are timed challenges hidden inside missions, and completing one grants a passive rune. Only three can be equipped at once out of twelve, so the choice is real: Savagery for faster Glory Kills and In-Flight Mobility for air control are the two most builds refuse to drop.
Why it matters: The tactical edge that separates average players from advanced ones.
5. Praetor Suit and Argent Cells
Praetor Tokens taken from dead Elite Guard corpses buy suit perks such as Area-Scanning Technology, which puts secrets on the automap. Argent Cells are a separate currency that upgrades only Health, Armour or Ammo capacity, and those choices stay locked in for that playthrough.
Why it matters: The endgame optimization mechanic. Small improvements here compound into massive gains.
How These Mechanics Combine
Understanding how mechanics interact is where real optimization happens:
Glory Kills + Chainsaw ammunition economy
Damaged demons stagger and flash, and a melee press executes them for a burst of health. When combined with Chainsaw ammunition economy, the chainsaw runs on fuel, costing between one and three cans depending on the size of the demon, and a chainsaw kill sprays enough ammunition pickups to refill most of the arsenal. This combination is the core of every effective build.
Weapon mods and Field Drones + Rune Trials
Field Drones hidden in the levels grant weapon mods, and each gun holds two. Paired with Rune Trials, rune trials are timed challenges hidden inside missions, and completing one grants a passive rune. This is why the tier list favors builds that leverage both.
Praetor Suit and Argent Cells as a Multiplier
Praetor Tokens taken from dead Elite Guard corpses buy suit perks such as Area-Scanning Technology, which puts secrets on the automap. Argent Cells are a separate currency that upgrades only Health, Armour or Ammo capacity, and those choices stay locked in for that playthrough. This system amplifies everything else. The better your Praetor Suit and Argent Cells optimization, the more your other mechanics pay off.
Combat by Role
Each role approaches combat differently:
Glory Kill Rusher (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key weapons: Super Shotgun Primary mechanic: Glory Kills
Glory Kill Rusher offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Super Shotgun Brawler (S-Tier)
Combat approach: Get inside Hell Knight and Pinky range where they cannot use their charges properly, fire, dash sideways during the reload, and use the chainsaw when shells run dry. Key weapons: Combat Shotgun Primary mechanic: Chainsaw ammunition economy
The Super Shotgun does more damage per shell than anything short of the BFG, and it has no mods to complicate it. Full setup in our builds guide.
Gauss Cannon Marksman (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Charge Siege Mode only when the nearest demon is far enough away to matter, drop heavy targets first, and swap to Precision Bolt in the missions with tight corridors. Key weapons: Gauss Cannon Primary mechanic: Weapon mods and Field Drones
Siege Mode turns the Gauss Cannon into the game's heaviest single hit, capable of killing a Baron of Hell outright. Full setup in our builds guide.
Rocket Crowd Controller (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key weapons: Rocket Launcher Primary mechanic: Rune Trials
Rocket Crowd Controller offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Chainsaw Economy Runner (B-Tier)
Combat approach: Saw a Possessed the moment ammunition dips, since small demons cost one fuel can, and keep the BFG for the moment an arena spawns a Baron and a Mancubus together. Key weapons: BFG 9000 Primary mechanic: Praetor Suit and Argent Cells
A discipline more than a loadout, built for Nightmare and Ultra-Nightmare runs. Full setup in our builds guide.
Advanced Combat Techniques
Damage Optimization
- Match your weapons to your role's stat priorities
- Exploit Glory Kills for maximum damage windows
- Chain Chainsaw ammunition economy and Weapon mods and Field Drones for combo damage
- Use Rune Trials to create openings
Survivability
- Learn enemy patterns before committing to attacks
- Movement is the defence system. There is no cover mechanic, no regenerating health and no reload button, so standing still in an arena is the single most common cause of death on Ultra-Violence.
- Position using Glory Kills to control spacing
- Save defensive options for guaranteed survival, not comfort
Boss Combat
Bosses test your understanding of every mechanic. See our boss guide for fight-specific strategies.
- Phase awareness: Most bosses change behavior at health thresholds
- Patience over aggression: One extra hit per opening beats dying to greed
- Build preparation: Swap gear and weapons for specific fights when needed
Common Combat Mistakes
- Button mashing: Committed attacks have recovery frames. Mashing locks you into animations.
- Ignoring Chainsaw ammunition economy: This mechanic exists for a reason. Players who use it take significantly less damage.
- Wrong weapons for the situation: Check our weapons guide for situational picks.
- Not learning from deaths: Every death teaches something. If you don't know why you died, you'll die the same way again.
- Overcommitting: Trading hits works in Resource Operations but will get you killed in Argent D'Nur.
More DOOM Guides
- DOOM DOOM Overview
- DOOM Best Builds
- DOOM Tier List
- DOOM Walkthrough
- DOOM Beginner's Guide
- DOOM Tips & Tricks
- DOOM Weapons Guide
- DOOM Boss Guide
- DOOM Maps & Locations
- DOOM Crafting Guide
- DOOM Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy DOOM, check out these related guides:
- Counter-Strike 2 Combat Guide: fps game with similar mechanics
- Apex Legends Combat Guide: fps game with similar mechanics
- Rainbow Six Siege Combat Guide: fps game with similar mechanics
