How to Beat All DOOM The Dark Ages Enemies

DOOM The Dark Ages throws everything it has at you: frenzied hordes, towering brutes, and cunning ranged foes. Across more than 30 distinct enemy types, each one has a specific counterstrategy that can make your run much smoother, especially if you’re pushing into Nightmare or Ultra Nightmare difficulty.

After clocking over 50 hours in the game, achieving 100 percent completion, and diving deep into higher difficulty replays, this guide breaks down the best ways to defeat every enemy you’ll face. If you’re struggling with combat flow or just want to maximise efficiency, this walkthrough of DOOM The Dark Ages enemies is for you.

Fodder Foes: The First to Fall

Zombies, Soldiers, and Imps
The most common DOOM The Dark Ages enemies are just there to keep your health and ammo stocked.

Use the Shield Throw or basic Shotgun to clear them quickly
Dodge rather than block to preserve shield durability
Pulverizer kills build your runic ability faster

Stone Imps and Nightmare Stalkers
These glow green and reflect your shield unless stunned.

Use a Shield Charge or melee to bypass their defence

Impaler headshots are highly effective
Shield Saw works well once unlocked

Mid-Tier Monsters and Combat Challenges

Pinky Rider
A bulky mini boss with a deadly bite.

Shield Saw to stun, then Shotgun blast
Be ready to block after a glory kill to avoid his quick retaliation
Parry the rider’s Hell Surge for a big damage window

Mancubus
One of the tougher DOOM The Dark Ages enemies early on.

Super Shotgun drops unarmoured versions in one blast
Break their armour first using fire or explosives
Chain Shot with a parry-charge upgrade is ideal
Grenade Launcher cluster bombs are useful for splash damage

Tentacles and Giant Tentacles
Unpredictable and brutal if ignored.

Watch for ground cracks that signal tentacle spawn points
Parry early, or fire a quick shotgun blast before they retreat underground
Giant variants require two well-timed shots

Advanced Threats: Shields and Cloaks

Standard Shielded Enemies

Early on, dodge or flank
Once you unlock the Shield Throw upgrade, you can break glowing orange shields

Pair it with the Impaler for best results

Energy Shields (Blue)

Use the Accelerator or Cycler to break them
A fully upgraded shield allows bouncing throws between shielded enemies
Plasma-based weapons are especially effective

Lost Souls
Quick, fiery, and airborne.

Shield Throw or Shotgun blasts will take them out
Keep distance and strike early when they appear

Precision Targets: The Strategic Kill List

Revenant and Acolyte
Long-range enemies that harass from a distance.

Parry green skull projectiles, dodge the blue ones
Use Shield Saw to interrupt them
Some Acolytes generate purple shields linked to clones—take out the clone to remove protection

Brain Walkers and Mermaid Medusas
Both are fragile once stunned.

Use heavy weapons to break through armour
Shield Saw followed by a Shotgun or Impaler shot clears them quickly

Cacodemon Hybrids
Floating threats that combine electricity and aggression.

Stay on the unelectrified side when approaching
Shield Saw or Charge, followed by a Shotgun burst

Brutes and Heavy Hitters

Hell Knight
Jumps, slams, and charges you.

Use a parry and Shotgun combo
Break their limbs to reduce their effectiveness

Cosmic Baron
A faster, meaner version of the Hell Knight.

Prioritise Impaler and Super Shotgun
Parry their lunges and capitalise with close-range firepower

Cyber Demon
One of the most resilient DOOM The Dark Ages enemies.

Master the parry-shotgun rhythm
Use the Impaler for consistent headshot damage
Reloads occur while blocking, allowing near-continuous fire

Aerial Foes and Vehicle Fights

Dragon Enemies
Mobility-focused fights with dodge mechanics.

Parry green Hell Surge beams while targeting weak points
Destroy turrets before striking the core
Maintain pressure with constant fire

Hell Ships and Carriers
Aerial tanks that must be dismantled piece by piece.

Shoot shielded turrets on both sides
Use dodges in the direction opposite the electrical arcs
After disabling the shields, destroy the ship’s eye to finish the fight

Mech Combat: Big Bots, Bigger Hits

Mech battles are simple but satisfying.

Use ranged and melee attacks to build up the special meter
Dodging raises the meter faster than attacking
Shielded enemies can drain your meter if struck too soon, so play safe

Recurring Mini Bosses

Agaddon Hunter
Feels like a rhythm game with shotgun blasts.

Charge in close to disable his shield
Parry and fire in quick succession
Never let him reset by keeping pressure on

Komodo Mini Boss
Erratic and agile, this one is all about adapting.

Wait for the green flash and parry
Chain Shot and Impaler work at all ranges
Follow up with Shotgun when grounded

Vagary (Spider Demon)
A damage sponge that shines in long-range engagements.

Parry its predictable green orb attacks
Use Chain Shot or Impaler for sustained pressure
Target weak legs and chest once armour breaks

Universal Tips for DOOM The Dark Ages Enemies

Parry over blocking whenever possible
Shield Saw should be your go-to opener for mid-sized enemies

Use Impaler headshots on anything not fully armoured
Blue eyes on enemies mean someone nearby is boosting them, eliminate the booster first
Bronze-bar bosses require morale drops. kill their minions first
Once you unlock the BFC and Dread Mace, most fights become dramatically easier

Wrapping Up

No matter how tough DOOM The Dark Ages enemies may seem at first, every one of them has a weakness. Once you learn their patterns and pair them with the right upgrades, the game becomes a violent ballet of perfect timing and explosive carnage.

Keep moving and always hit harder than the last time.

Want more? Click here for Oblivion Remastered Hand to Hand: Full Guide – Tech Drive Play

Zachary Skinner

Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.