All Melee Weapons | Doom: The Dark Ages Guide
Image Credits: id Software, DOOM: Dark Ages
Doom: The Dark Ages may have plenty of guns, but sometimes you just want to smash something’s skull in with a metal fist. That’s where melee weapons come in. There are only three of them, but each one has its own style, strengths, and devastating upgrades. These aren’t just backup tools either… They’re core to your survival, especially when your ammo’s low and a Hell Knight is charging.
Here’s every melee weapon in the game, how they work, and what makes them worth upgrading.
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Power Gauntlet
Unlocked early (Chapter 1)
This is your default melee weapon, built for fast, focused hits. The Power Gauntlet chains attacks together, dealing more damage with each strike in a combo. Its upgrade path adds Shock damage, letting you stun enemies and deal extra pain with every punch.
Best for: Staggering tough enemies and stacking single-target damage
Bonus: Shock upgrades turn this into a DPS machine against elites
Flail
Unlocked in Chapter 6
The Flail is a crowd-control beast. Every time it hits, it triggers a blast that damages multiple enemies. It can also scorch enemies over time with fire-based upgrades, and later lets you tear through shields and armor with ease.
Best for: Groups of demons, shielded units, and messy brawls
Bonus: Area damage makes it great for keeping Gore Nests under control
Dreadmace
Unlocked in Chapter 15
The Dreadmace is the final melee weapon and easily the most powerful. It hits like a truck, dealing massive damage to your target and splash damage to anything nearby. It only has one charge, and the cooldown is long, but landing a successful strike fully refills all your ammo.
Best for: Emergency strikes, big bosses, and clearing rooms instantly
Bonus: Recharges all ammo if you connect the hit, huge for sustain
Final Blurb
Each melee weapon in Doom: The Dark Ages has its place, and the game rewards you for using them often. Whether you’re comboing with the Gauntlet, blasting with the Flail, or saving the Dreadmace for a last-hit nuke, these tools can carry you through even the nastiest fights, no bullets required.
FAQ
Q: Are melee weapons limited by charges?
Yes, but parrying Hell Surge attacks helps recharge them faster.
Q: Do melee attacks drop ammo?
Yes. Successful hits usually cause enemies to drop ammo, keeping your guns loaded.
Q: Can you upgrade all three melee weapons fully in one playthrough?
Yes. If you collect enough resources, you can fully upgrade all three by the end of the campaign.
Q: Which melee weapon is best overall?
The Dreadmace hits hardest, but the Flail’s crowd control is often more useful in big fights. The Gauntlet is the best all-rounder.
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