Doom: The Dark Ages takes the renowned franchise to new heights, merging immersive storytelling with gratifying combat mechanics. Among its exciting array of weapons, the Shield Saw has quickly garnered attention as a game-changer—ideal for both fierce battles and explorative adventures. If you’re eager to unlock the full potential of the Shield Saw, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will equip you with all the tips and tricks you need to master this powerful weapon in Doom: The Dark Ages.
Doom: The Dark Ages – Shield Saw Combat Uses
The Shield Saw is an invaluable asset in combat, offering capabilities for blocking and parrying attacks, disabling ranged enemies, and thwarting projectiles up close. Here’s a breakdown of its functions in battle:
1. Parry and Block
One of the Shield Saw’s standout features is its dual ability to block and parry. By holding the block button and clicking the right mouse button (on PC), you can prevent damage until the shield’s threshold is met. This threshold meter is conveniently displayed on your screen while you block.
Not only does blocking mitigate attacks, but Doom: The Dark Ages also boasts a parry system. Successfully parrying Hell Surge attacks—be they melee or projectile—can completely negate damage while stunning nearby foes or reflecting projectiles. Keep in mind that only attacks marked in green can be parried.
2. Shield Charge
Shield Charge is one of the most potent attacks available to the Slayer at the game’s outset. By holding the block button and pressing the attack button, you can charge at enemies, inflicting hefty damage within a small radius. This move is excellent for closing gaps quickly and stunning foes, often resulting in instant eliminations of weaker demons. For tougher enemies, use this attack to incapacitate them instead of resorting to execution moves.
3. Shield Throw
The Shield Throw becomes increasingly effective as the game progresses. By tossing the Shield Saw at enemies, you can disable multiple foes in a single line. As you upgrade the Shield, this ability amplifies significantly, making it a reliable option in late-game scenarios. Additionally, it can deliver a knockout blow to shielded enemies and temporarily lodge the shield in stronger demons, preventing them from escaping.
4. Shield Runes
Unlocking Shield Runes later in the game further enriches your combat experience. These four Runes activate novel abilities upon a successful projectile parry, enhancing your effectiveness in battles:
- Ground Fissure: Creates a fissure that travels ahead, damaging and faltering demons.
- Holy Swarm: Releases ethereal daggers that seek out and harm nearby enemies.
- Auto Turret: Activates a turret that fires advanced rounds at a target in your sight.
- Heaven Splitter: Converts Hell Surge projectiles into an energy bolt that calls down lightning, stunning enemies in the vicinity.
Doom: The Dark Ages – Shield Saw Exploration Uses
Beyond its combat utility, the Shield Saw is essential for uncovering the game’s hidden secrets. Here’s how you can leverage it for exploration:
1. Environmental Shield Charge
One of the first abilities you acquire, the Environmental Shield Charge allows you to break through specific barriers marked in green. Additionally, this technique helps move designated blocks for climbing and puzzle-solving, reminiscent of the Slayer punch mechanics from previous Doom titles.
2. Shield Recall Jump
This exciting exploration capability lets you project the shield onto Flesh Nodes, using it as a springboard to traverse gaps. Seek out these nodes to access hidden areas you might have missed.
3. Environmental Shield Throw
The Shield can also be a key tool in exploration, allowing you to clear energy nodes near doors to unlock them. Furthermore, it can break objects from afar, opening pathways or revealing secrets, including the elusive Wolf Statues that require a Shield Throw.
How to Upgrade the Shield Saw in Doom: The Dark Ages
The Shield Saw features various upgrades similar to other weapons in Doom: The Dark Ages. To enhance it, locate a Sentinel Shrine within the game world. Within the Shield section of the Shrine, you can choose upgrades that require both gold and strategic choices for optimizing your gameplay.
All Shield Saw Upgrades in Doom: The Dark Ages
Enhancing the Shield Saw involves base and rune upgrades:
All Shield Base Upgrades
- Retaliation: A wider shockwave triggered on parrying that causes nearby demons to falter.
- Power Surge: Shield throws that hit energy shields bounce to additional enemies.
- Extended Edge: Increased throw distance against minor demons.
- Steadfast: The shield recovers faster after damage and breaking.
- Harvester: Killing multiple foes with the Shield Throw boosts upcoming Shield Charge damage.
- Blade Master: Prolongs the stun effect delivered by the Shield Saw.
All Shield Rune Upgrades
- Ground Fissure: Expands impact and damage as well as distance traveled by the fissure.
- Holy Swarm: Increases the number of ethereal daggers summoned with enhanced damage.
- Auto Turret: Enhancements that boost turret spray time and efficiency.
- Heaven Splitter: Amplifies the stunning power and radius of lightning strikes.
By utilizing this guide, you’ll quickly become adept at harnessing the Shield Saw in Doom: The Dark Ages. Its abilities redefine your combat tactics, particularly the rewarding parry system. Have you given the Shield Saw a try yet? Share your experiences below!
Continue exploring strategies to enhance your gameplay at Moyens I/O.