Rip and tear. Again. But this time, it’s medieval. When id Software pulled the curtain back on the prequel to the 2016 reboot, everyone lost it over the shield saw and the dragon riding. But if you’re a completionist, your brain went straight to the hardware. You’re looking for a Doom The Dark Ages trophy guide because, let’s be real, some of these "Nightmare" difficulty runs are basically a digital form of self-flagellation.
It’s different this time. The speed is there, but the rhythm has shifted toward a heavy, crushing projectile-parry system. If you try to play this like Eternal, you’re going to see a lot of "Game Over" screens. To get that Platinum or the full 1,000 Gamerscore, you have to master the Shield Saw early. It’s not just a gimmick; it’s the backbone of the entire trophy list.
The Brutal Reality of the Difficulty Trophies
Most people jump in on Ultra-Violence. That’s a mistake if you want the Platinum fast. Doom games traditionally don't lock you out of difficulty trophies if you start high, so if you’ve got the stomach for it, go straight for Nightmare. Honestly, the jump in enemy aggression is massive.
The trophy "Kneel Before None" requires a full campaign completion on Nightmare. It’s brutal. You’ll find that the hitboxes for the new flail weapon are generous, but the enemy density in the "Argent D'Nur" flashback sequences is higher than anything we saw in the previous games. Watch your flanks. The AI is smarter about surrounding you in this era.
💡 You might also like: Deltarune Chapter 4 Weird Route Guide: What We Actually Know So Far
Interestingly, id Software seems to have moved away from the "Extra Life Mode" trophies that plagued Doom Eternal. Remember those? Where one mistake deleted your save? They aren't here this time. Instead, the focus is on combat mastery and finding every single secret in the world.
Finding Every Secret Without a Map
You’re going to spend half your time staring at walls. The Doom The Dark Ages trophy guide community has already pointed out that the "Chronologer" trophy—awarded for finding all hidden lore entries—is the most missable thing in the game. These aren't just glowing green books anymore. They are etched stone tablets hidden behind breakable environment pieces.
Look for the cracks. Unlike the neon-soaked UAC facilities, the Dark Ages' environments are dusty, gray, and brown. It's easy to walk right past a secret.
- Check behind every waterfall. It’s a trope, but it’s used heavily here.
- The "Mecha-Dragon" flight sections have hidden rings. Fly through all of them in a single run to pop "Sky High."
- Listen for the low hum. Collectibles still emit a slight audio cue.
The map is your best friend, but it doesn't show verticality well. If the map says there is an item right on top of you but you see nothing, look up. Chains and grappling points are everywhere in the castle levels.
Combat Challenges: The Shield and the Flail
There is a specific trophy called "Shield Basher" that requires you to kill 100 enemies by parrying their own projectiles back at them. This is the "Aha!" moment of the game. Once you realize you can deflect almost anything—including the massive fireballs from the Mancubus ancestors—the game opens up.
You should farm this early. The first three levels are packed with low-level projectile fodder. If you wait until the late game to try and get this, the enemies become too chaotic, and trying to time a parry while three Barons of Hell are chasing you is a recipe for a broken controller.
Then there's the Atlan. The giant mech. You get a few missions in this beast, and there’s a trophy called "Colossal Carnage" for killing five Titan-class demons. This is actually unmissable if you finish the story, but there’s a hidden challenge to do it without taking damage. It's not a trophy, but it grants a unique skin that makes the grind more stylish.
✨ Don't miss: Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout and Why It Still Messes With Your Head
The Weapon Mastery Grind
Every weapon has two mods. You have to master all of them for the "Master of Arms" trophy. Some are easy, like the Super Shotgun’s meat hook (yes, it’s back, and it’s glorious). Others, like the "Skull Spitter" secondary fire, require pinpoint accuracy.
Don't ignore the "Cid" challenges. These are small combat arenas found in the hub world. They are the fastest way to grind out weapon mastery points. If you find yourself at the end of the game with an un-mastered Plasma Rifle, just reload the "Coliseum of Souls" mission and farm the respawning imps. It’s boring, but it works.
The Multiplayer Question
Does it have Battlemode? Thankfully, the trophy list for The Dark Ages is heavily weighted toward single-player. There are a few "social" trophies, but they don't require the soul-crushing grind of 200 kills with every demon. You basically just need to play a few matches and win once as the Slayer.
The devs heard the complaints. They know we want to be the Slayer, not a clunky demon. The focus here is on the power fantasy.
Specific Trophies to Watch Out For
- "Not So Ancient History": Find the 2016 Praetor Suit easter egg. It’s hidden in the frozen wastes level, tucked inside a cave that looks like a dead end.
- "Shield-Saw Massacre": Kill 5 enemies with a single throw of the Shield Saw. This is best done in the "Catacombs" level when the small spider-demons swarm you.
- "The Old Ways": Complete a level without using any weapon mods. Do this on the very first level on "I'm Too Young To Die" difficulty to save yourself the headache.
The "Glory Kill" system is also slightly different. In the Dark Ages, you can perform "Area of Effect" glory kills with the flail. Doing this to 10 enemies at once triggers the "Holy Shatter" trophy. It’s all about grouping. Run in circles, get the demons into a tight pack, then unleash the heavy swing.
Navigating the Hub World
The hub in this game is a massive floating fortress. There are trophies hidden even here. "Home Sweet Home" pops when you interact with all the memorial statues of the fallen Sentinels. Take your time between missions. Talk to the NPCs. They actually have some pretty decent lines this time around, and sometimes they give you "Sentinel Batteries" which are required to unlock the suit upgrades for the "Fully Loaded" trophy.
If you miss a battery, don't panic. You can go back via mission select at any time. The game is very forgiving with back-tracking.
Actionable Steps for the Platinum
Stop playing "efficiently" and start playing "destructively." The game rewards aggression, but the trophy list rewards thoroughness. To get this done in one or two sittings, follow this flow:
- Start on Ultra-Violence or Nightmare. If it’s too hard, drop it down, but you’ll have to do a second run for the difficulty trophies.
- Prioritize the Shield Saw. Get those parry kills out of the way in the first hour. It becomes muscle memory.
- Scan every corner. If a wall looks out of place, hit it. If a platform looks too far away, try to reach it.
- Master weapons as you go. Don't wait until the final boss to realize you haven't used the Railgun once. Swap weapons constantly to keep the mastery trackers moving.
- Focus on the Atlan sections. These are scripted but have hidden "kill count" requirements for certain cosmetic unlocks that tie into the "Collector" trophy.
The most important thing to remember is that Doom The Dark Ages is a slower, more deliberate game than its predecessor. The trophies reflect that. They want you to master the mechanics, not just hold down the trigger. Once you get the hang of the parry-and-smash loop, the rest of the list falls into place like a well-aimed skull from the Spitter.
Check your progress in the "Milestones" tab frequently. It gives a more detailed breakdown than the standard console trophy interface. If a tracker isn't moving, you might be doing the move wrong—especially with the flail's "charged" attacks which have a very specific timing window.
Go get that Platinum. The demons aren't going to kill themselves. Again.