Summary

  • In Doom: The Dark Ages, get ready to upgrade your equipment with Gold, Rubies, and Wraithstones.
  • Sentinel Shrines in Chapter 2 is your place to access the weapon upgrades system from weapons, shields, and melees. 
  • Plan your order of weapon upgrades to get the most out of the gameplay experience.

You would want to start learning how to upgrade equipment in Doom: The Dark Ages with this guide. Easily take down the challenges once you enhance your arsenal and upgrade the weapons in your current loadout. So, here’s everything you need to unlock full upgrades for your combat weapons.

Where Do You Find Resources

There are three different kinds of resources you’ll find and encounter when exploring. Here are the items you need to upgrade your gear in the game:

  • Gold – The most widespread upgrade material, scattered around levels and received as a reward for challenges starting in Chapter 4.
  • Rubies – An uncommon currency that can be located near statues in the game world or awarded from certain challenges. 
  • Wraithstones – The rarest of upgrade materials, mainly used for final-tier upgrades.

The number of materials found in each chapter varies. Chapter 6 is particularly generous, with 513 Gold and 4 Rubies. Meanwhile, Chapter 14 gives 359 Gold, 3 Rubies, and 2 Wraithstones. Every chapter has at least some upgrade materials available except for Chapters 1, 3, 13, and 21.

How Can You Do Upgrades

Upgrades are only done at Sentinel Shrines in Doom: The Dark Ages. It is easy to spot while exploring its distinctive structure highlighted in bright green. Also, the game alerts you once you’re near one. 

This Shrine only becomes available in Chapter 2 to start enhancing your equipment. There are separate upgrade paths you can go for once you have access to Sentinel Shrine such as:

  • Weapons
  • Shield
  • Melee capabilities

It follows a simple process by selecting the equipment you will upgrade, pressing Space Bar, and then confirming your purchase. These upgrades are irreversible once you’ve purchased them so make sure you like the selection. 

What To Upgrade First

Some equipment in Doom: The Dark Ages is better upgraded earlier or in the latter half of the gameplay. This can significantly affect how you play your game. Here’s a recommended priority list by a Doom expert:

  • Shield Saw (Chapter 2) – It’s never bad to have The Shield on your loadout for the duration of the game. This is actually easy to use and gives you an incredible headstart. Early upgrades such as improving your Saw Throw ability to slice through squads of shielded enemies offer instant tactical advantages. 
  • Combat Shotgun (Default weapon) – The shotgun is your very first weapon and upgrading it early rewards your way to the end of the game. It becomes one of the game’s best weapons when fully upgraded. 
  • Flail (Chapter 6) – The melee grants you massive damage output when used alongside weapons like Impaler. 
  • Ground Fissure Shield Rune (Chapter 9) – Great use when dealing against your enemies with its falter and stun mechanic. This is one of the most versatile Shield Ruin options in the game.
  • Ravager (Chapter 12) – Probably the strongest weapon to exist in the game when fully upgraded. So, prioritize Ravager enhancement as soon as you obtain it.

Shield Runes Worth Investing In

Doom: The Dark Ages also allows players to enhance other equipment including the players’ shield runes. This increases their defensive capabilities, making them less vulnerable to attacks. Here are the four Shield Runes to consider:

  • Ground Fissure – Falters and stuns enemies while dealing damage
  • Heaven Splitter – Another excellent choice for crowd control and damage
  • Holy Swarm – Purely damage-focused
  • Auto Turret – Can generate health pickups with the Health Extractor upgrade

How You Can Upgrade Efficiently

Well, it is simple to learn how to upgrade equipment in Doom: The Dark Ages. These tips will also help you make these improvements work efficiently:

  • Focus on fully upgrading one weapon before moving to another one especially if it uses the same ammo type.
  • A mastery challenge unlocks after fully upgrading a weapon, earning you a gold skin. 
  • Shield Saw is a great early investment for benefits regardless of your weapon loadout.
  • Collect all available upgrade materials in each chapter to maximize upgrade potential.
  • Finishing all the upgrades will leave you 602 Gold and 5 Rubies to use for future DLC content.

Final Thoughts

You should now hopefully know how to upgrade equipment in Doom: The Dark Ages thanks to this guide. Utilize the upgrade system to get the most out of the game. Be sure to explore and collect all upgrade materials you’ll need to build a demon-slaying arsenal.