In DOOM: The Dark Ages, Shield Runes are a crucial aspect of gameplay. Why? Because they can turn defense into offense quickly. There are several types of Shield Runes available in the game, and in this DOOM: The Dark Ages Shield Runes Tier List, we will rank them from worst to best. Check them out!
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How Do Shield Runes Work in DOOM: The Dark Ages
Shield Runes are a new feature in the DOOM franchise. They activate when you perfectly parry a Hell Surge attack. Hell Surge attack is the green-glowing projectiles that demons throw at you. Time your parry just right, and your equipped rune will kick in with its own special effect.
As battles become more intense later in the game, especially during boss fights, you’ll find yourself parrying frequently, making your choice of rune critically important. Each rune can be upgraded at Sentinel Shrines found throughout the game, enhancing their effects and often adding new benefits to help you survive longer in combat.
DOOM: The Dark Ages Shield Runes Tier List
Here is the list of all Shield Runes, ranked from the weakest to the strongest. Mind you, they are all useful in the game, but some just stand out more than the others:
4. Holy Swarm
- Unlocked in: Chapter 11
- Basic Effect: Releases ethereal daggers that seek out and damage nearby demons.
Holy Swarm is great for dealing with groups of weaker enemies. When you parry, blue magical daggers shoot out and lock onto nearby demons and enemies. While it doesn’t have the stunning effect of Heaven Splitter or give you resources like some other runes, it’s still a solid choice for clearing out crowds. Here’s the Holy Swarm upgrade path:
| Upgrade | Effect |
|---|---|
| Outbreak | Summons more daggers and increases damage |
| Upsurge | Summons even more daggers and increases damage |
| Plague | Maximizes the number of daggers and damage |
Each upgrade simply improves the basic functionality without adding new effects. If you enjoy the base ability, you’ll like the upgraded versions even more.
3. Auto Turret
- Unlocked in: Chapter 12
- Basic Effect: Summons a shoulder-mounted turret that automatically fires at enemies in front of you.
The Auto Turret feels amazing to use. After parrying, a small gun appears on your shoulder and starts blasting whatever demon you are facing. It’s particularly effective against bigger enemies and bosses, as it lets you deal constant damage while you focus on dodging and positioning. of Heaven Splitter or give you resources like some other runes, it’s still a solid choice for clearing out crowds. Here’s the Auto Turret upgrade path:
| Upgrade | Effect |
|---|---|
| Extended Magazine | Increases how long the turret stays active |
| Health Extractor | Enemies damaged by the turret drop health when killed |
| Rapid Fire | Increases fire rate and damage per shot |
The Health Extractor upgrade can be a lifesaver in intense battles.
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2. Ground Fissure
- Unlocked in: Chapter 9
- Basic Effect: Creates a damaging shock wave that falters enemies in its path.
Ground Fissure is the first rune you’ll get, and it remains useful throughout the game. The falter effect briefly stops enemy attacks, giving you a chance to move or hit back. What makes this Shield Rune stand out is that it starts generating armor once it’s upgraded. Here’s the Ground Fissure upgrade path:
| Upgrade | Effect |
|---|---|
| Aftershock | Increases how far the fissure travels |
| Wavefront | Scorches demons and causes them to drop armor pieces |
| Megathrust | Increases the size and damage of the fissure |
The Wavefront upgrade is especially useful because armor is often harder to find than health in most fights. It can be worth going out of your way to parry Hell Surge attacks just to get some extra armor when you’re running low.
1. Heaven Splitter
- Unlocked in: Chapter 14
- Basic Effect: Transforms Hell Surge projectiles into lightning that stuns nearby demons.
Heaven Splitter is hands-down the most powerful rune in the game. The stun effect gives you much-needed breathing room when you’re surrounded and works great with the new melee weapons. Parrying a Hell Surge and freezing nearby demons will let you reposition and take out key targets before things get out of hand. Here’s the Heaven Splitter upgrade path:
| Upgrade | Effect |
|---|---|
| Induction | Extends how long demons stay stunned |
| Megaburst | Increases the area affected by the lightning |
| Gigawatt | Applies Shock status to enemies, making them take more damage from all your attacks |
The Gigawatt upgrade is a game-changer, as shocked enemies take significantly more damage. This means you can stun a group of demons and then quickly eliminate them before they recover.
Shield Runes bring a smart layer of strategy to DOOM: The Dark Ages’ fast-paced combat. If you learn the parry timing and pick the right rune for the moment, you can turn enemy attacks into powerful counterattacks. With the right rune equipped, parrying becomes one of your strongest offensive tools in the game. So when a demon hurls a Hell Surge your way, don’t just dodge. Parry it and hit back hard!
DOOM: The Dark Ages
Shida Aruya
Shida is a gaming writer at TechWiser who loves getting comfy with a good book. When she is not writing, you'll catch her growing crops in Stardew Valley and Fields of Mistria, or exploring Fortnite. For Shida, nothing beats a day split between reading books and playing games.
