DOOM: The Dark Ages introduces several new mechanics that help make its combat feel distinct from previous games in the franchise. One of the biggest shakeups is the addition of the shield, which can be used to block, parry, or charge enemies. You can also throw your shield as a weapon or as a way to stun larger enemies. As you progress in the game, you will unlock new runes that augment your shield and make it even more powerful.

Runes are a little different from upgrades to the shield in DOOM: The Dark Ages. They only affect what happens when you parry a Hell Surge attack from an enemy. Hell Surges are one of DOOM: The Dark Ages' new slow-moving projectiles which can be parried back at demons who shot them. However, once the battlefield gets more crowded later in the game, you will find yourself frequently parrying Hell Surges, making runes an integral part of your strategy for beating the game.

Ground Fissure Creates A Shock Wave Of Damage

This Rune Does A Little Bit Of Crowd Control, Damage, And Provides You With Resources

The Ground Fissure shield rune creates a shock wave that travels out of your shield as you parry a Hell Surge attack. This fissure damages any enemy it hits along its path and also causes a small stagger effect on them. This is the first shield rune you unlock, so you'll undoubtedly try it for at least a short time to see if it's the right one for you. The full list of upgrades for Ground Fissure can be seen below:

Many of Ground Fissure's upgrades focus on making it larger and more impactful, but I'm especially fond of Wavefront because it gives you extra armor. I found that I was more often running out of armor than health, so extra abilities that focus on refilling armor are always a plus. Of course, the final upgrade for this rune is also a lot of fun. After all, who doesn't want to kill demons with a Megathrust? Ground Fissue was one of the runes I used more often, though it didn't end up being my favorite.

Holy Swarm Hits Nearby Enemies For Extra Damage

This Rune Is Good For Spreading Damage Among Enemies

Holy Swarm gives you the ability to summon ethereal daggers when you parry a Hell Surge attack. These flying blue daggers will autonomously target multiple nearby enemies. It's nice that you don't have to direct them, so you can stay focused on what you're doing, but the trade-off is that your extra damage may not go exactly where it's most needed. Still, there isn't a downside to dealing a little extra damage to enemies in the area, and it can cover a wider range of enemies than some runes. The full list of Holy Swarm upgrades can be seen below:

The upgrades for Holy Swarm are easily the most straightforward rune upgrades in DOOM: The Dark Ages. Each upgrade simply gives you more daggers and increases the damage they do. If you like what this rune does already, then upgrading it just makes it better. If you aren't a fan, then you know you don't have to waste upgrade material on this tree, because it won't add any new effects.

Auto Turret Deals Extra Damage To One Enemy

This Rune Is Good For Extra Focused Damage

The Auto Turret is easily one of my favorite shield runes in DOOM: The Dark Ages. When you parry a Hell Surge attack with this rune-equipped, an automated machine gun turret will pop up on your shoulder and start shooting an enemy in front of you. It turns with you, and you can somewhat direct it. It is a great way to do some extra damage against large enemies, or a quick way to mow down a lot of fodder as you move around the battlefield. A full list of Auto Turret upgrades and abilities can be seen below:

The Auto Turret was the first shield rune I fully upgraded, not just because it's effective, but because it feels satisfying. Killing weak enemies simply by looking at them is a real power trip, and it's a good way to conserve ammo. The health upgrade is also a helpful way to stay alive during the harder fights in the late game.

Heaven Splitter Stuns Enemies For A Short Time

This Rune Is Good For Crowd Control

When you parry a Hell Surge attack with Heaven Splitter equipped, it will cause a bolt of lightning to strike enemies on impact. Enemies nearby will be stunned for a short period of time, which you can increase with upgrades to Heaven Splitter. Crowd control can also give you a chance to get up close and use one of DOOM: The Dark Ages' new melee weapons. A full list of upgrades for the Heaven Splitter rune can be seen below:

Most of the upgrades for Heaven Splitter essentially just make it more effective at what it already does by increasing either the duration of the stun or the area of effect. However, the Gigawatt upgrade adds a nice bonus by applying Shock to the affected enemies. This means they won't just be locked out of combat, but that you'll be able to do some extra damage to them, possibly killing them before they have a chance to recover from the initial stun.

Why You Should Use The Auto Turret Rune

The Auto Turret Deals Damage For A Long Period Of Time

There is going to be a level of subjectivity when it comes to which rune works best for you and your specific build. However, during my playthrough, the rune I found most helpful was the Auto Turret. I like that its damage is more directed than Holy Swarm's, so you can point it where it needs to go most. It also lasts for a good amount of time once you've upgraded it, so it felt like the rune that had the biggest impact beyond its initial activation. Heaven Splitter can last decently long, but I prefer outputting damage over stuns.

One of the beauties of DOOM: The Dark Ages is the ability to work with pretty much any combination of resources and still find success. If you don't love the Auto Turret, it's not impossible, or even difficult, to make the other runes work instead. I encourage you to experiment with all new shield options, especially if the Auto Turret doesn't meet your needs as well as it did for me. That said, if you're struggling to make a decision on one, Auto Turret is my strongest recommendation.