Doom: The Dark Ages: The Slayer's Dragon Has Some…

It is clear that Doom: The Dark Ages takes some very ambitious steps to switch-up the series' core gameplay experience, with the recently released game doing some big things to establish a distinct identity. The prequel setting of The Dark Ages was a great way to introduce fresh mechanics to the franchise, and one feature in particular really stands out: rideable dragons.

Throughout Doom: The Dark Ages, players will have several opportunities to take to the skies of Argent D'Nur on the back of a dragon, with these aerial sequences coming with their own unique combat and exploration capabilities and lending themselves well to more varied level design. Aside from these fresh gameplay qualities, the story of the dragon and its bond to the Doom Slayer is fascinating, belonging to a wider section of lore that really adds some depth to The Dark Ages' narrative.

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Doom: The Dark Ages' Dragon Really Lets the Game's Setting Shine

Alongside things like giant mech fights against colossal Titans, the dragon-flight sequences of Doom: The Dark Ages are some of the game's most memorable, with a lot of pre-release hype for the game being centered around the beast's gameplay potential. While the control that the Doom Slayer has over the beast may seem natural at first glance, the story that the two figures share is one of mutual might and respect.

Dragons play an important role in the warrior society of Argent D'Nur, the planet on which most of Doom: The Dark Ages takes place. Among the Night Sentinel soldiers of Argent D'Nur, only the most decorated and highly-skilled can gain the honor of a dragon mount, with these select few elite Night Sentinels then belonging to a group known as the Order of Aerum. Chosen Night Sentinels have to make an arduous and challenging pilgrimage to the Drakhelm of Cantoth, where they may be accepted by a dragon and form a deeply-tied bond.

The dragon that the Slayer rides into combat throughout The Dark Ages is known as Serrat, being one of the largest and most ferocious dragons in Argent D'Nur's raging war against the demonic invaders of Hell. Doom: The Dark Ages expands the lore of Hell's armies to make aerial combat more engaging, with Hell Ships and Hell Carriers littering the skies of each battlefield, offering a direct threat to airborne Night Sentinels and their loyal dragon mounts.

Other new demon enemies in Doom: The Dark Ages include the likes of Imp Stalkers, Pinky Riders, Cyclops Titans, and the reptilian Komodo.

A Rare Act of Compassion Led to the Doom Slayer and Serrat's Unbreakable Bond

The sheer size and power of Serrat made the dragon unpredictable and stubborn in terms of bonding to a Sentinel, with the dragon facing near-mortal wounds during a battle known as Black Pyres early on in the demonic invasion of Argent D'Nur. Serrat's life was only spared by the timely intervention of the Doom Slayer against the dragon's attackers, with Serrat ultimately deeming the Slayer worthy of alpha status as a result of this.

Like most of the weapons at the Slayer's disposal, Serrat was quickly outfitted with the most advanced Sentinel technological upgrades, making the dragon's capabilities on-par with the Slayer's daring escapades while counteracting the serious wounds that it had suffered prior to the Slayer saving its life. Both Serrat and the Slayer symbiotically boost each other's presence and might on the battlefield, with their bond acting as a testament to the strength of Argent D'Nur in the war against the near-insurmountable forces of Hell.

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