Doom: The Dark Ages isn't just a prequel; it’s a total shift in how id Software wants us to play. If you’ve spent any time with Eternal, you know the rhythm—dash, jump, flame belch, repeat. But this time? We're going medieval. The Slayer is slower, heavier, and carries a shield that doubles as a chainsaw. Naturally, Doom The Dark Ages trophies are going to reflect this shift toward "projectile brawling."
Forget the aerial gymnastics of 2020.
Everything about the achievement list is looking to reward staying in the pocket. You’re expected to parry. You’re expected to crush skulls with that massive flail. Based on everything shown at the Xbox Games Showcase and the subsequent technical breakdowns from Hugo Martin, the trophy list is likely split between "I survived this crazy set piece" and "I used the Shield Saw to decapitate 500 demons."
Why Doom The Dark Ages Trophies Won't Be a Walk in the Park
id Software has a history of making you earn your Platinum. Think back to Doom (2016) and its "The Circle is Complete" trophy. It required every single Rune to be fully upgraded. It was a grind. Doom The Dark Ages trophies are almost certainly leaning back into that completionist mindset, but with a focus on the new "Atlan" mechs and Dragon riding.
Expect a trophy for every major boss. That’s a given. But the real "run-killers" will be the combat challenges associated with the Shield Saw.
Let's talk about the shield. It's not just a defensive tool. It's a weapon. In the gameplay trailers, we see the Slayer blocking incoming fire and then revving the shield to shred enemies in close quarters. There's almost certainly a trophy for "Perfect Parries" or something similar.
Usually, FPS games struggle with melee-focused trophies. They feel clunky. But Doom isn't a normal FPS.
The Atlan and Dragon Trophies
One of the coolest reveals was the giant mech—the Atlan. It’s a massive, pilotable suit designed to fight skyscraper-sized demons. You can bet your bottom dollar there’s a trophy for a specific kill-count while piloting the Atlan. Same goes for the Mecha-Dragon.
"Death from Above" might be too cliché for a name, but "Aerial Superiority" fits the vibe.
The dragon gameplay looks more open than the corridor shooting we’re used to. This suggests that some Doom The Dark Ages trophies might be tied to exploration or finding secrets while in flight. id Software loves their collectibles. Remember the Doomguy dolls? They’re probably coming back, maybe as medieval relics or tapestries this time around.
The Nightmare Run: A Trophy Staple
You can't have a Doom game without a difficulty-related trophy. If the developers stay true to form, there will be a trophy for completing the game on Ultra-Nightmare. This is the "permadeath" mode. One mistake and you're back to the title screen.
For many players, this is the final boss of the trophy list.
Is it fair? Not really. Is it Doom? Absolutely.
Historically, about 1% of players actually get the Ultra-Nightmare trophy. It’s a badge of honor. With the new "Dark Ages" mechanics, this might actually be harder than Eternal. Why? Because you can’t just dash away from every problem anymore. You have to stand your ground. You have to use that shield.
The lack of a dash—or at least a significantly different movement system—means your positioning has to be perfect. One mistimed parry in Ultra-Nightmare and your save file is toast.
Multi-Player and Online Trophies
This is where things get controversial. Fans generally hate online trophies in single-player focused games. Doom (2016) had them. Eternal had them.
Will Doom The Dark Ages trophies force us back into a 2v1 "Battlemode"?
Hopefully, id Software has listened to the feedback. While Battlemode had its fans, the trophies tied to it were a chore for the average trophy hunter. "Kill 200 opponents" is fine if the game is Call of Duty, but in a niche mode like Battlemode, it feels like a hostage situation.
There's a rumor—and keep in mind, it's just a rumor—that The Dark Ages might feature a co-op horde mode. If that's the case, expect a slew of "Survive 30 Waves" or "Revive a Teammate" trophies. Honestly, that sounds a lot more fun than the asymmetrical 2v1 grind.
Secret Trophies and Easter Eggs
id Software are the kings of secrets. They practically invented the "hidden room" trope.
You should expect several hidden Doom The Dark Ages trophies that trigger when you find classic 1993 maps or interact with a specific piece of lore. The Dark Ages is leaning heavily into the lore of the Night Sentinels. Finding all the lore entries is almost certainly going to be a requirement for the Platinum.
- Finding the "Classic" sound pack? (Likely a trophy).
- Interacting with a hidden Daisy the Rabbit reference? (Highly likely).
- Clearing every Slayer Gate equivalent? (Guaranteed).
The "Slayer Gates" were the peak of Eternal’s challenge. In The Dark Ages, these might take the form of "Ancient Trials" or "Arena Rituals." Completing all of them will likely grant a gold trophy and maybe a unique skin for the Slayer.
Weapons and Upgrades
The "Flail" is the new hotness. It’s used to gather resources from enemies.
In Eternal, we used the chainsaw for ammo and the glory kills for health. In The Dark Ages, the flail seems to interact with the "soul" or "energy" of the demons. Expect a trophy for fully upgrading every weapon. This usually involves completing "Mastery Challenges" for each gun.
For the Super Shotgun, it might be "Kill 2 enemies with one blast 50 times."
For the Shield Saw, it could be "Reflect 100 projectiles."
These aren't hard, but they require you to step out of your comfort zone. You can't just rely on one gun for the whole game if you want that Platinum. You have to be a master of the entire arsenal.
The Impact of "World-Building" on Achievement Design
Doom: The Dark Ages looks gorgeous. The Gothic-industrial aesthetic is a far cry from the neon-soaked streets of Doom Eternal’s Earth levels. This shift in tone often leads to more "environmental" trophies.
For instance, there might be a trophy for using the environment to kill demons—like knocking them into pits or triggering medieval traps.
The scale of the maps is also reportedly much larger. If id Software is moving toward a more "semi-open" world in certain sections, "Map Completion" trophies will become a major part of the experience. You'll need to uncover every fog-of-war area and find every hidden chest.
Comparing The Dark Ages to Previous Lists
If we look at the trophy list for Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal, we see a pattern.
2016 was all about the collectibles and the runes.
Eternal was all about the combat challenges and the milestones.
Doom The Dark Ages trophies will likely be a hybrid. It will take the "Milestone" system from Eternal—where you get in-game rewards for completing tasks—and tie them directly to the PlayStation or Xbox achievement system. This is a smart move. It gives players a reason to keep playing even after the credits roll.
However, one thing many fans are hoping for is the removal of "Level Up Your Account" trophies. In Eternal, you had to reach a certain "Doom Level" which was mostly just a measure of how much time you spent in the game. It wasn't a measure of skill. It was a measure of patience.
Let's hope The Dark Ages focuses more on "did you do something cool?" rather than "did you play for 100 hours?"
Managing Your Trophy Expectations
Look, the game isn't out yet. We're working with trailers, developer interviews, and the historical DNA of the studio. But the "Doom Formula" is predictable in the best way possible.
You're going to kill thousands of demons.
You're going to die a lot.
You're going to search for hidden stuff behind fake walls.
The trophy list will reflect that. If you're a trophy hunter, start practicing your parry timing now. If the Shield Saw is as central to the gameplay as it looks, your ability to time those blocks will be the difference between a Platinum and a broken controller.
Actionable Steps for Trophy Hunters
When Doom: The Dark Ages finally drops, don't just rush through the campaign. If you want the Platinum efficiently, you need a plan.
First, play on a difficulty that challenges you but doesn't frustrate you. "Hurt Me Plenty" is usually the sweet spot for a first run. It allows you to learn the enemy patterns without being punished too harshly for missing a parry.
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Second, keep an eye on the "Weapon Mastery" challenges. Start working on these early. There is nothing worse than finishing the game and realizing you need to grind 200 kills with a weapon you hate. Use the early, easier levels to knock out the simple requirements.
Third, explore. Don't leave a room until you've checked every corner. Doom levels are designed with a "point of no return" logic. If you miss a collectible, you'll often have to restart the whole mission to get back to it. Use the map—it’s your best friend.
Finally, don't fear the Ultra-Nightmare run. Yes, it’s intimidating. But by the time you've finished the game once and cleaned up the other trophies, you'll know the maps like the back of your hand. You'll know exactly where the Ambush encounters are. You'll know which demons to prioritize.
The Doom The Dark Ages trophies are meant to be a journey through the history of the Slayer. Embrace the grind, master the shield, and get ready to Rip and Tear through the history books. This list looks to be a celebration of everything that makes Doom great: speed, violence, and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Keep your eyes on the official id Software social channels as we get closer to launch. They often reveal the full achievement list a few weeks before the game goes live. That's when the real strategizing begins. For now, just mentally prepare for the most metal trophy hunt of 2025.