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There are few things more satisfying in video games than purchasing upgrades; you get to take your favorite skills or equipment and make them even better, furthering your power fantasy. In games likeDoom: The Dark Ages, your weapons can become ludicrously strong, making the demon hordes a breeze to battle through.
Upgrades won’t come cheap, though; you’ll need to be on the lookout for various resources as you make your way through the campaign. Discovering secret areas and completing challenges will reward you handsomely, letting you enhance your arsenal to be even more effective.
Upgrades, Explained
The Dark Ages hasthree currenciesyou should be on the lookout for:gold, rubies, and Wraithstone. Gold is the easiest one to find; it will bescattered around most levelsin plain sight, and you canpick it up with ease.
Rubies and Wraithstone are a bit more difficult. They will behidden in secret areas throughout the game, and some maychallenge you to a combat encounter or an environmental puzzle. These are worth completing, as both currencies are essential for powerful equipment upgrades.
Gun Upgrades
During the course of the Dark Ages' campaign, you’llgain access to 11 unique firearms. Each has its own upgrade paths, and you’llneed a lot of materialsin order to bring all of them to their full potential.
Some guns have dual upgrade tiers, meaning you’ll have two upgrade options for the price of one. You’ll be able to switch between the two at any time.
Combat Shotgun
You’ll begin the game with the Combat Shotgun. It offersdecent damage, and canset enemies ablazeso they drop health pickups.
Cost
Incendiary
Shooting demons will set them ablaze and make them drop armor.
50 gold
125 gold
1 ruby
Burn is applied immediately to fodder enemies.
Eat This!
The Combat Shotgun fires an increased number of projectiles per shot.
1 Wraithstone
Super Shotgun
The Super Shotgun is the Combat Shotgun’smore powerful cousin. It candecimate even the strongest enemiesin a few shots, and can be found inThe Holy City of Aratum.
250 gold
3 rubies
The Super Shotgun fires an increased number of projectiles per shot.
Shredder
The Shredder is the Dark Ages' equivalent ofthe traditional assault rifle. You’ll get it inthe Village of Khalim.
Pincushion
Shooting a demon with enough rounds will make them glow. Parrying an attack or throwing your shield at them will then cause them to explode, damaging enemies over a wide radius.
75 gold
Ricochet
Shooting an enemy after you’ve thrown your shield at them will cause shots to hit others.
Barbed
Detonated/ricocheted projectiles do more damage, and executing a shield charge will now set off Pincushion.
Impaler
The Impaler functions similarly to a sniper rifle, dishing outhigh damage in single shots. It’ll be added to your arsenal inthe Sentinel Barracks.
Shield throws, parries, or charges will drop Impaler ammo.
150 gold
2 rubies
Chronospike
Holding the shoot button will slow time. Any shots fired during this time will be buffed.
Accelerator
If you’re searching fora submachine gun, look no further than the Accelerator, offering ahigh rate of firewhilesacrificing accuracy. It’s locatedin Hebeth.
The rate of fire is increased at maximum charge.
Heatblast
Releasing the fire button at maximum charge unleashes a large blast.
The time it takes to lose charge is increased.
Overload
Shooting at maximum charge will cause the Accelerator to become supercharged, further increasing damage.
Cycler
The Cycler offers a slower rate of fire, but canchain lightning between enemies, causing them toexplode. You can get your hands on it when youvisit The Holy City of Aratum.
Shock
Shooting demons applies shock, making them take increased damage. Killing shocked enemies causes the shock to spread to other nearby enemies.
100 gold
200 gold
Fulmination
The duration of shock is increased, and enemies now spread more lightning to others when killed.
Pulverizer
The Pulverizer differentiates itself from other weapons throughits wide bullet spray, perfect forcrowd control. You’ll get it in theSentinel Barracks.
Runic Skull
Killing demons with Pulverizer or melee builds charge, increasing your movement speed and rate of fire.
Melee attacks will build and maintain charge.
Ravager
The Ravager functions similarly to the Pulverizer, but it has afocused spreadand becomesmore powerful the longer you fire it. You can find it in theSentinel Command Station.
Vampirism
At maximum fire rate, demons killed by the Ravager will drop more health.
Ignition
It takes the Ravager less time to reach max fire rate, and you can move faster while firing.
Slow Burn
The max fire rate is increased, but it takes longer to achieve, and your movement is nerfed further.
Chainshot
The Chainshot is unique in that itdoesn’t function like a typical firearm; instead, it shootsout a cannonballbefore pulling it back in. It joins your arsenal duringSiege - Part 1.
Grenade Launcher
Thefirst of two explosive weapons, the grenade launcher helps you turn demons into bloody chunks. You’ll find it inthe Abyssal Forest.
Rupture
Enemies hit with your shield and shot with grenades drop clusters of smaller grenades.
Rocket Launcher
Finally, the rocket launcher allows you toshoot explosive projectiles, destroying even the sturdiest demons. It will be given to you inThe Forsaken Plains.
Cannibalism
Parrying an attack temporarily causes any self-damage done by rockets to heal you.
Shots deal more splash damage but also more self-damage.
Melee Upgrades
The Dark Ages placesmuch more of a focus on melee combatthan any previous Doom game, giving youthree different optionsto dismantle enemies with.
Power Gauntlet
You’re given the Power Gauntlet whilein the Village of Khalim. It lets youdeliver meaty punchesto the hordes, some so powerful thattheir bodies fall apart.
Jolt
The first hit of your melee combo will shock demons and cause them to take more damage.
Encore
Add a fourth hit to your melee combo, but it is only possible to earn this fourth hit by executing parries.
Flail
The Flail is anexcellent choice if you’re worried about armored enemies, as it cantear through a demon’s protectionwith ease. You’ll acquire it duringthe Siege - Part 1.
Hitting demons sets them on fire and drops armor.
Resonant
Strikes do extra damage to shields and demon armor, while also dropping armor for you.
Dreadmace
The Dreadmace is by farthe most powerful melee weapon, but also takes thelongest time to recharge. It’s found inthe City of Ry’uul.
Riposte
Parrying an attack when the Dreadmace is already charged will give you an additional swing.
Shield Upgrades
Doom: The Dark Ages' biggest combat innovation isthe introduction of a shield. Not only can it beused to parry attacks, but you can alsothrow itandcharge through demons. It comes with its own upgrade tree, as well asupgrades for Shield Runes,which allow it to perform special abilities.
Power Surge
Hitting energy shields with your shield will cause it to bounce off and hit other enemies.
Your shield will recover faster from taking damage and breaking.
Harvester
Killing enemies with a shield throw will buff your next shield charge.
Ground Fissure
Ground Fissure creates anearthquake-like effect, causing demons tostumble after a parry. You’ll gain access to this runein the Ancestral Forge.
Wavefront
Enemies affected by Ground Fissure are set on fire and drop armor.
175 gold
Ground Fissure’s size and damage are further increased.
300 gold
Holy Swarm
A swarm of daggers is shot into nearby enemiesafter a successful parry. This one will beunlocked during Chapter 11: Hellbreaker.
Outbreak
There are more daggers included in the swarm, and they deal more damage.
The number of daggers and damage increases again.
The number of daggers and damage increases to the max.
Auto Turret
After executing a parry,a turret will sprout from your shoulder, aiding in an immediate counterattack. You’ll find the Auto Turret inthe Sentinel Command Station.
The turret’s damage and rate of fire are increased.
Heaven Splitter
If you parry a projectile,a bolt of lightning will stun nearby demons, letting you attack freely. This is the final Shield Rune, given to youin the Spire of Nerathul.
Gigawatt
Enemies hit by Heaven Splitter are shocked and take more damage.
