The first time you click that left mouse button or pull the trigger in Doom Eternal, everything changes. You aren't just firing a gun. You’re basically detonating a localized explosion in a demon's chest. Most shooters treat the double-barrel as a backup or a niche "get off me" tool, but id Software decided the Doom Eternal super shotgun should be the literal center of the universe. It’s the sun, and every other weapon is just a planet orbiting it.
It's loud. It’s heavy. Honestly, it’s kinda broken in the best way possible.
If you’ve played for more than five minutes, you know that the "Combat Shotgun" is fine for the early game, but once you find that relic in the Cultist Base, the rhythm of the game shifts. You stop running away. You start hunting. The sheer mechanical depth tucked into two barrels of buckshot is why people are still analyzing this thing years after the game launched. It isn't just a high-damage stick; it’s a mobility tool that rivals the dash mechanic itself.
The Meat Hook is the real star of the show
Let's talk about the chain.
The Meat Hook is the definitive upgrade that separates this version from the 2016 predecessor. In Doom (2016), the Super Shotgun was just a delete button. You walked up, you shot, they died. Simple. In Doom Eternal, the Doom Eternal super shotgun is a grappling hook that pulls you toward the carnage. But here is what most people miss: it’s not just a straight line. By jumping or strafing while hooked, you can slingshot yourself across the arena at speeds that would make a Quake pro sweat.
Think about the physics for a second. You hook a Cacodemon. Instead of just flying into its mouth, you flick your mouse to the left, hit jump, and suddenly you’re soaring over the entire battlefield, raining rockets from above. Hugo Martin, the game's director, often referred to this as "the fun zone." He wasn't lying. The Meat Hook creates a constant flow state where you’re never truly out of the fight because every enemy is a potential anchor point for your next move.
📖 Related: Why Titanfall 2 Pilot Helmets Are Still the Gold Standard for Sci-Fi Design
Why the mastery challenge actually matters
Usually, weapon masteries in games are just "kill 50 guys" and you get a gold skin. Not here. The Mastery for the Doom Eternal super shotgun—getting the Flaming Hook—is arguably the most important upgrade in the entire game.
Once you’ve mastered it, the Meat Hook sets enemies on fire.
This sounds cool, but the tactical implication is massive. In the "resource loop" of Doom Eternal, you need armor. Usually, you get armor by using the Flame Belch. But the Flame Belch has a cooldown. The Flaming Hook? It doesn't. This means every time you zip toward a Prowler or a Revenant to blast their face off, you’re also extracting armor shards. It makes you nearly invincible if you keep moving. If you’re playing on Ultra-Nightmare, this isn't a luxury. It is a survival requirement. You’ve basically turned your primary offensive tool into a defensive powerhouse.
Managing the reload rhythm
You have two shots. Well, technically one "shot" that consumes two shells. Then you wait.
That pause is where the skill gap lives. In that 1.5-second reload animation, you are vulnerable. High-level players don't just stand there like a target. This is where "Quick Swapping" comes in. You fire the Doom Eternal super shotgun, immediately tap the swap key to the Ballista or the Precision Bolt, fire that, and then swap back. The reload happens in the background.
👉 See also: Sex Fallout New Vegas: Why Obsidian’s Writing Still Outshines Modern RPGs
It feels like a glitch. It isn't. It’s a deliberate design choice that turns the Slayer into a literal blender of hot lead and plasma. If you aren't swapping, you aren't playing the game at its full potential.
Breaking down the damage: It’s more than just "high"
The math behind the shells is actually pretty interesting. In most FPS games, shotgun pellets have a wide, random spread. In Doom Eternal, the spread is remarkably consistent, but the damage drop-off is steep. You really do have to be in their "personal space" to get the full effect.
We’re talking about a weapon that can one-shot a Prowler if the pellets hit the head. It can stagger a Mancubus in two hits if you aim for the weak points. But if you're twenty feet away? You might as well be throwing pebbles. This forced proximity is what makes the game so sweaty. You have to be willing to get hit to deliver the killing blow. It’s a high-stakes trade.
- Point Blank: Maximum carnage.
- Mid-Range: Mostly a waste of ammo unless you’re just finishing a staggered enemy.
- Long-Range: Use the Meat Hook to fix this problem immediately.
Common misconceptions about the Super Shotgun
A lot of players think they should use the Doom Eternal super shotgun for everything. That’s a trap. While it's tempting to just "Meat Hook and Blast" your way through the game, certain enemies will punish you for it.
Try hooking a Marauder while he’s got his shield up. Go ahead. He will punish you with his own shotgun before you even land. Or try using it against a Cyber Mancubus without breaking its armor first—you’ll just zip right into a puddle of acid. The gun is a tool, not a magic wand. You have to understand the bestiary. Use the Blood Punch to break the armor, then bring out the double barrels.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Disney Infinity Star Wars Starter Pack Still Matters for Collectors in 2026
Another weird myth is that the Super Shotgun is "easy mode." While it's powerful, it actually demands more precision than the Plasma Rifle or the Heavy Cannon. If you miss that one shot, your DPS (damage per second) drops to zero while you fumble for shells. Missing a Meat Hook can also send you flying off a cliff or straight into a Gladiator’s hammer.
The legacy of the "SSG" in id Software history
To really appreciate the Doom Eternal super shotgun, you have to look back at Doom II (1994). That was the debut. It was a pixelated beast that redefined what a "power fantasy" felt like in 2.5D.
What id Software did in 2020 was take that 30-year-old DNA and evolve it into something tactical. They didn't just give us a nostalgia trip. They looked at the core identity of the weapon—extreme power at extreme risk—and doubled down on it. It’s rare to see a weapon remain this iconic for three decades, yet here we are. It’s the "Old Reliable" of the gaming world.
Honestly, the sound design plays a huge part too. The "clink-clack" of the shells being slammed home is tactile. It’s crunchy. It provides a Pavlovian response where you feel safer just hearing the reload finish.
Maximize your efficiency: Actionable steps for the Slayer
If you want to actually master the Doom Eternal super shotgun, stop treating it like a gun and start treating it like a steering wheel. Use it to navigate the arena, not just to kill.
- Rebind your keys. If you’re on PC, put the Super Shotgun on a key you can hit without thinking (like 'E' or a thumb mouse button). You need to be able to pull it out in a millisecond.
- The "Slingshot" Technique. Hook an enemy, look 45 degrees away from them, and jump right as the chain tightens. You will keep your momentum and fly past them. This is how you escape being cornered.
- Mastery is Priority One. Do not spend your weapon tokens on other stuff until you have the Flaming Hook. It changes the resource economy of the entire game.
- The SSG-Ballista Combo. Practice firing the shotgun and immediately switching to the Ballista. This is the "bread and butter" combo for taking down heavy demons like Barons of Hell or Arch-viles. It bypasses the reload animation and lets you dump massive damage in a short window.
- Don't hook Heavies blindly. Before you hook into a Tyrant or a Hunter, make sure you have a dash charge ready. If you fly in and they're mid-swing, you need to be able to dodge out of the way instantly.
The Doom Eternal super shotgun is a masterpiece of game design because it demands as much from the player as it gives back. It isn't just a weapon; it’s a lifestyle. Go earn that Mastery, keep your finger on the swap key, and never stop moving. The demons are fast, but with a Meat Hook and two barrels of lead, you’re always faster.