DOOM’s levels are great; they’re visually and thematically a treat for the senses, but weapons are paramount. I want to eviscerate demon scum spectacularly, with viscera flying everywhere. The best guns in DOOM history go a long way to achieving this.
I would argue that not only does DOOM have unreal guns, but it also has some of the best weapons across any FPS series. The sadistic minds at id Software have concocted a sumptuous buffet of engineering hell fit to fill the bellies of any gluttonous shooter fan. From basic Pistols to weapons that can wipe out armies of demons, there’s something for everyone.
With that said, I’ve gone through every DOOM game and handpicked the 9 best weapons, and then ranked them.
Best DOOM Weapons of All Time, Ranked
9. Chaingun
One of the fun aspects of DOOM Chainguns is that they don’t need reloading. A mystical force allows us to have an infinitely restocking ammo belt that can’t run out. This makes the Chaingun an automatic beast that chews through ammo. It sounds great, and while it lacks power, it’s great for clearing crowds.
8. Soul Cube
The Soul Cube can only be used in DOOM 3, but does appear as an Easter Egg in DOOM (2016) and DOOM: Eternal. This makes it rather unique, and it’s very powerful in DOOM 3. It takes five kills to power it up, and once Doomguy unleashes it, the weapon whisks off ahead to sap the life and soul from enemies within the vicinity. It becomes a vital tool if you try to complete the game on DOOM 3’s Nightmare setting. It’s not the most flashy weapon, but it’s one of the most interesting and seldom-seen tools.
7. Fists (Berserk)
Right from the word go in DOOM 1, you have your fists. It’s quite comical to think that, as powerful as Doomguy is, he’s running up to Imps and Hell Knights and challenging them to a common bar-room brawl fistfight. On its own, ‘Fists’ is useless, but find a Berserk power-up, and you can quite literally beat lumps out of demons to death. It’s hilarious, and part of DOOM’s never-ending charm.
6. Chainsaw
What else needs to be said about a Chainsaw? Its grindy, shard-ridden blades whirring away like there’s no tomorrow sound ominous, and it’s guaranteed to have you chopping up Cacodemons like spaghetti meatballs. Later DOOM games incorporate the Chainsaw as a secondary tool in the Doom Slayer’s arsenal, rewarding you with armor and pickups. It’s probably my favorite DOOM melee weapon in the series.
5. Unmakyr
The Unmakyr (from either DOOM 64 or DOOM: Eternal) uses the same ammo as the BFG. This means it’s very powerful and is a big deal. Yet, it’s lacking the punch of its ammo-sharing buddy. I still love it nevertheless, and its automatic nature and wider-projectile spread mean it can clean house and give large hordes of demons a much-needed permanent sleep.
4. Rocket Launcher
The Rocket Launcher gets bigger, meaner, and madder in later games. But the reason I’m ranking it so highly is because of my niche love for its DOOM 1 and DOOM 2 variations. From behind, it looks like a tin tube, but when you fire it, there’s something therapeutic about sending this explosive missile toward an enemy at range. The almost puffy-sounding exertion of the missile is ASMR-worthy, and the blast is just as satisfying. Plus, the OG DOOM games basically let you use it as a machine gun. An automatic Rocket Launcher? Yes please.
3. Pulverizer / Ravager
This is a case of either or. One of DOOM: The Dark Age’s standout weapons—probably the best one, let’s be honest—is the Pulverizer and Ravager. The differences are subtle, with the weapon’s spread and speed being the notable changes, but the visual is nothing short of award-winning. Demon skulls are forcibly fed into the weapon’s mechanism and recycled as fierce bone shards ready to rip and tear enemies standing in its way. I’m leaning on aesthetic and design over physical impact, but my word, does id Software know how to paint a picture.
2. BFG / BFC
I bet you thought this was a lock for the top spot. The BFG (you know what it stands for) and BFC are staples of every DOOM game. Their ability to harness unbelievably concentrated energy and send out a sizable blast of lethal force that can literally wipe out a vast army of demons is unrivaled. The BFC is a newer addition to DOOM: The Dark Age, and follows in the footsteps of the more seasoned BFG. Each one does what it says on the tin: It’s a big gun, with even bigger consequences for demons and bosses.
1. Super Shotgun
I think it’s might favorite weapon in any FPS—and I’ll die on that hill. It’s quite unbelievable how many shooters I’ve played down the years that understate the effectiveness and ferocity of a Shotgun. Whereas DOOM’s Combat Shotgun feels and sounds punchy, but the Super Shotgun takes the mick (not Gordon, the former DOOM composer). It hits so hard it’s unfair, and so what if it takes a bit longer to reload? It’s worth it for its stopping power and potential upgrades—depending on which game you play.
A fully upgraded Super Shotgun in DOOM: The Dark Ages, for example, makes practically all other weapons superfluous; it becomes a case of what to pair it with. The SSG is dreamy, it’s super in every sense of the word, and it gets my vote as the best DOOM weapon.
If you dispute my decisions, take it to the Insider Gaming forum. Fire up your own conversation on the subject. Or discuss anything else DOOM or gaming related!
For more DOOM content at IG, check out all collectibles in DOOM: The Dark Ages Chapter 1, how to find all Secret Landing Spots, how to earn Twitch Drops, and which difficulty setting you should pick in The Dark Ages.
