A guide to id Software's 2016 DOOM reboot: the combat loop, every weapon and mod, runes and Praetor Suit upgrades, a mission-by-mission outline with collectibles, difficulty advice (including Ultra-Nightmare), and a word on multiplayer and SnapMap today.
Researched September 2026 — covers the final PC build (Update 6.66 and later, with all DLC free and Vulkan support; last Steam update was a backend stability patch in April 2024). Check the linked sources if something differs.
DOOM is built on a push-forward loop:
The fights take place in arenas. When an arena locks, it won't open until every demon is dead. Use the whole arena, including jump pads, ledges, and power-ups.
| Weapon | Mod 1 | Mod 2 | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pistol | Charge shot built in | None | Infinite-ammo backup |
| Combat Shotgun | Charged Burst | Explosive Shot | Early workhorse, crowd control |
| Heavy Assault Rifle | Tactical Scope | Micro Missiles | Mid-range damage |
| Plasma Rifle | Heat Blast | Stun Bomb | Breaking shields, stunning big demons |
| Rocket Launcher | Remote Detonation | Lock-On Burst | Big burst damage, crowds |
| Super Shotgun | None | None | Close-range king |
| Gauss Cannon | Precision Bolt | Siege Mode | Huge single-target damage |
| Chaingun | Gatling Rotator | Mobile Turret | Sustained damage against bosses |
| BFG 9000 | None | None | Clears a room. Very limited ammo |
| Chainsaw | None | None | Instant kill for ammo, uses fuel |
The strongest classic combo is Precision Bolt into Super Shotgun (or rockets into Super Shotgun): fire the heavy hitter, swap, fire the Super Shotgun, swap back. Weapon swaps are fast, so swapping is often quicker than waiting for a single weapon to cycle.
Collect Praetor Tokens from Elite Guard corpses in each level. Spend them in five categories:
| Category | What it improves |
|---|---|
| Environmental Resistance | Resistance to explosive barrels, hazards, fall damage |
| Area-Scanning Technology | Map and secret detection |
| Equipment System | Equipment cooldowns and power |
| Power-Up Effectiveness | Power-up duration |
| Dexterity | Weapon swap speed, ledge grab speed |
Early priorities: Area-Scanning Technology for secrets and Dexterity for faster weapon swaps.
Complete Rune Trials (short challenge rooms) to unlock Runes. You can equip three at a time. Each rune has an upgrade challenge.
| Rune | Effect |
|---|---|
| Vacuum | Increases pickup radius |
| Dazed and Confused | Staggered enemies stay staggered longer |
| Ammo Boost | More ammo from pickups |
| Equipment Power | Stronger equipment |
| Seek and Destroy | Launch into glory kills from farther away |
| Savagery | Faster glory kills |
| In-Flight Mobility | Better air control |
| Armored Offensive | Glory kills drop armor |
| Blood Fueled | Speed boost after glory kills |
| Intimacy is Best | A close-range rune tied to staggered demons (read its in-game description before relying on it) |
| Rich Get Richer | Infinite ammo while your armor is above a threshold |
| Saving Throw | A one-time save from a lethal hit |
Popular setup: Savagery, Seek and Destroy, and Blood Fueled for an aggressive loop. Saving Throw is essential for Ultra-Nightmare.
Each Argent Cell increases Health, Armor, or Ammo capacity. Most players take Health and Armor first. Ammo helps if you use a lot of heavy weapons.
| # | Mission | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The UAC | Intro. Learn glory kills and the basics |
| 2 | Resource Operations | First field drones and weapon mods |
| 3 | Foundry | Big, open level with lots of secrets |
| 4 | Argent Facility | Bigger arenas and tougher demons |
| 5 | Argent Energy Tower | Vertical tower climb |
| 6 | Kadingir Sanctum | First trip to Hell |
| 7 | Argent Facility (Destroyed) | Back on Mars |
| 8 | Advanced Research Complex | Story heavy, big fights |
| 9 | Lazarus Labs | Leads to Hell again |
| 10 | Titan's Realm | Hell |
| 11 | The Necropolis | Hell |
| 12 | VEGA Central Processing | Late game |
| 13 | Argent D'Nur | Finale |
Boss fights include the Cyberdemon, the Hell Guard (guarding the Crucible in Hell), and the Spider Mastermind as the final boss.
Use Mission Select after finishing a level to go back for missed items. Collectibles stay collected.
| Difficulty | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| I'm Too Young to Die | Story mode |
| Hurt Me Plenty | New to shooters |
| Ultra-Violence | Experienced players |
| Nightmare | Hard, recommended after one playthrough |
| Ultra-Nightmare | Nightmare with permadeath. One death ends the run |
Ultra-Nightmare tips:
| Enemy | Tip |
|---|---|
| Imp | Kill fast, dodge fireballs |
| Possessed Soldier | Weak. Headshots or a quick glory kill |
| Possessed Security | Carries an energy shield. Plasma breaks it fast, or flank it |
| Hell Knight | Keep your distance, use Super Shotgun or rockets |
| Mancubus | Keep moving. Heavy damage from Gauss or rockets |
| Revenant | Dodge homing rockets, shoot them down |
| Pinky | Circle behind it and hit its weak back |
| Cacodemon | Shoot a grenade or explosive into its mouth for an instant stagger |
| Summoner | Focus it quickly. It spawns more enemies |
| Baron of Hell | Big health pool. Gauss plus Super Shotgun |
| Cyber-Mancubus | Tougher Mancubus. Heavy weapons |
Is DOOM 2016 multiplayer still online? It was still running as of an April 2024 backend update, but the population is low.
What's the best weapon in DOOM 2016? The Super Shotgun for close range, Gauss Cannon for big targets.
How do I get more health? Glory kills, health pickups, and Argent Cell upgrades.
Which runes should I use? Savagery, Seek and Destroy, and Blood Fueled for aggression. Saving Throw for Ultra-Nightmare.
Where are the classic maps? Most levels have a hidden lever, usually inside a secret area, that unlocks a classic DOOM map to play from the menu.
What should I play next? DOOM Eternal, then DOOM: The Dark Ages (May 2025).