Top Shield Rune Choices in DOOM: The Dark Ages

DOOM: The Dark Ages brings in a range of new mechanics that set its combat apart from earlier games in the series. One major change is the introduction of the shield, which players can use to block, parry, or charge at enemies. The shield can also be thrown to serve as a weapon or to stun larger foes. As you advance in the game, you’ll unlock various runes that enhance your shield’s abilities, making it even more formidable.

Runes work differently than shield upgrades in DOOM: The Dark Ages. These runes specifically alter the effects of parrying a Hell Surge attack from an enemy. Hell Surges are new slow-moving projectiles introduced in the game that can be deflected back at the demons that fired them. As battles grow more chaotic later on, you will often find yourself parrying Hell Surges, turning runes into a crucial part of your gameplay strategy.

Ground Fissure Creates a Shock Wave of Damage

This Rune Provides Crowd Control, Damage, and Resources

The Ground Fissure shield rune creates a shock wave that emanates from your shield when you parry a Hell Surge attack. This shock wave damages any enemies in its path and inflicts a slight stagger effect. Being the first shield rune you unlock, you’re likely to experiment with it to see if it suits your playstyle. Below is a summary of Ground Fissure’s upgrades:

Many upgrades for Ground Fissure emphasize increasing its size and impact. Personally, I appreciate the Wavefront upgrade because it provides extra armor. I found that I tended to run low on armor more often than health, so any additional means of replenishing armor is a definite plus. Plus, the final upgrade is just plain fun. Who wouldn’t enjoy taking out demons with a Megathrust? Ground Fissure became one of my frequently used runes, although it didn’t end up being my personal favorite.

This Rune Is Great for Spreading Damage Among Enemies

The Holy Swarm rune lets you summon ethereal daggers when you parry a Hell Surge attack. These blue daggers automatically target multiple nearby enemies. The advantage is that you don’t have to aim them directly, allowing you to remain focused on other foes, but the downside is that the added damage might not always hit the most critical targets. Nevertheless, dealing extra damage to enemies in the vicinity is beneficial, and the ability to hit a larger group of enemies is a definite advantage. Here’s the list of Holy Swarm upgrades:

The upgrades for Holy Swarm are the most straightforward in DOOM: The Dark Ages. Each upgrade simply adds more daggers and enhances their damage. If you enjoy this rune’s current effects, upgrading it makes it even better. However, if this playstyle does not appeal to you, there’s no need to invest resources into this upgrade path, as it won’t introduce new effects.

The Auto Turret is among my favorite shield runes in DOOM: The Dark Ages. When you parry a Hell Surge attack with this rune, an automated turret appears on your shoulder, targeting an enemy ahead. It tracks your movements, and you have some control over where it targets. This makes it an excellent choice for dealing extra damage to larger foes, or quickly dispatching multiple weaker enemies while you keep moving in combat. Here’s a complete list of upgrades for the Auto Turret:

The Auto Turret was the first shield rune I completely upgraded, not only because it’s effective but also because it feels rewarding. It’s a real rush to take down weak enemies just by aiming at them, plus it helps conserve your ammunition. The health upgrade it provides is a fantastic way to help you survive tougher battles late in the game.

Heaven Splitter Stuns Enemies Briefly

This Rune is Ideal for Crowd Control

When you parry a Hell Surge attack with the Heaven Splitter equipped, a lightning bolt strikes enemies, causing a brief stun. You can enhance the stun duration with upgrades to Heaven Splitter. This crowd control feature allows you to get in close and use one of the new melee weapons in DOOM: The Dark Ages. Here’s a look at the upgrades available for the Heaven Splitter rune:

Most of the upgrades for Heaven Splitter make it more effective at its intended function by either extending the stun duration or expanding its area of effect. However, the Gigawatt upgrade offers an added benefit by applying shock to affected enemies. This means that they won’t just be incapacitated; you’ll be able to inflict extra damage on them, potentially eliminating them before they recover from the initial stun.

Why You Should Choose the Auto Turret Rune

The Auto Turret Delivers Extended Damage

Choosing the right rune can come down to personal preference based on your playstyle. However, during my gameplay, I found the Auto Turret to be the most beneficial. I liked that its damage was more targeted compared to Holy Swarm’s, allowing you to aim it where it’s most needed. Plus, after upgrading, it lasts a significant time, making it feel impactful beyond its initial deployment. While Heaven Splitter has decent duration as well, I prefer dealing damage to stunning enemies.

One of the great things about DOOM: The Dark Ages is its flexibility. You can succeed with various combinations of resources. If the Auto Turret isn’t your style, you can easily make other runes work for you. I encourage you to try out all the new shield options and find what suits you best. That said, if you’re unsure, I highly recommend the Auto Turret.