Best Combat Shotgun Upgrades In DOOM The Dark Ages

The first weapon that players can use in DOOM The Dark Ages is the Combat Shotgun. This trusty weapon has been featured throughout most of the DOOM games in the early game, and in DOOM The Dark Ages, Combat Shotgun upgrades turn it from a basic blaster to something that can clear waves of enemies at close and medium range.

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Though you will be able to access every tier of the Combat Shotgun upgrade tree by the end, DOOM The Dark Ages players must choose between two options at Tier 2 and Tier 3. Not every upgrade to the Combat Shotgun is worth equipping, though – this guide to the best Combat Shotgun ugprades ranks all six mods for the Combat Shotgun based on their power and synergies for players who prioritize upgrading the Shotgun first.

Flare Up

Tier 3, Option 2

The Combat Shotgun instantly applies Burn to fodder demons.

Upgrade Cost: 1x Ruby

The third tier of Combat Shotgun upgrades DOOM The Dark Ages players have access to contains both the Flare Up and the Tune Up upgrades. Once you unlock the third Combat Shotgun upgrade tier, you will be able to swap between these mods at will, though only one can be active at a time.

Though it can be helpful to instantly apply Burn to an enemy, it only applies to fodder demons, which typically die in a single shot from the Combat Shotgun anyway. Avoid using Flare Up and opt for Tune Up instead, which offers a much more powerful upgrade.

Smelt

Tier 2, Option 1

Demons affected by Burn applied by the Combat Shotgun drop more armor pickups.

Upgrade Cost: 125 Gold

The second tier of Combat Shotgun upgrades in DOOM The Dark Ages contains both the Smelt and Blast mods. The Smelt upgrade will make enemies that have been Burned by the Combat Shotgun drop more Armor pickups than normal.

As an upgrade in the second tier, players must have unlocked Incendiary first to access Smelt. You can only choose one of the two effects available at choice tiers, and because Blast offers a new gameplay mechanic rather than a better version of something you already have access to with the Incendiary mod, Blast is the better option for this weapon.

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Blast

Tier 2, Option 2

Burn applied by the Combat Shotgun causes demons to explode on death.

Upgrade Cost: 125 Gold

Blast is the second choice in the Combat Shotgun upgrade tree's second tier. While Smelt is essentially an improved version of Incendiary, Blast makes enemies explode on death if they are affected by Burn when they die.

This explosion deals significant damage to demons in the immediate area, and is great for clearing large waves of enemies around larger demons. Unless you are hurting to get more Armor pickups, choose Blast to clear enemies faster and gain a new reason to take advantage of the Combat Shotgun's Burn status effect.

Incendiary

Tier 1 (First Upgrade)

Dealing enough damage to a demon with the Combat Shotgun applies Burn.

Demons affected by Burn drop armor pickups.

Upgrade Cost: 50 Gold

The first Combat Shotgun upgrade DOOM The Dark Ages players can get is Incendiary. For a meager 50 Gold, you can acquire this upgrade as early as Chapter 2, and this simple upgrade is a pretty significant boost to the Combat Shotgun's potential.

Aside from unlocking access to the Tier 2 Combat Shotgun mods, DOOM The Dark Ages players should try to get Incendiary quickly because it's a great way to boost your Armor pickups. Just shoot an enemy with your Shotgun then swap to something else (if desired) after it applies Burn to get significantly more Armor pickups when they die.

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Tune Up

Tier 3, Option 1

The Combat Shotgun fires in rapid, three-round bursts.

Upgrade Cost: 1x Ruby

Aside from the final upgrade in the Combat Shotgun upgrade tree, DOOM The Dark Ages players will see the largest improvement in the Combat Shotgun's power with the Tune Up mod. This is the first choice of Tier 3 mods, and while Flare Up can be situationally useful for players who struggle with Armor, Tune Up offers sheer strength.

With Tune Up active, you will fire three shots rapidly with a Combat Shotgun instead of a single shot. Each of these three shots has the same strength as a single shot and will inflict Burn all the same. Essentially, Tune Up makes you fire faster and fire more bullets, which is a huge upgrade for the traditionally slow Combat Shotgun.

Eat This!

Tier 4 (Final Upgrade)

The Combat Shotgun fires an increased number of projectiles per shot.

Upgrade Cost: 1x Wraithstone

The final upgrade in the Combat Shotgun tree is worth the amount of currency you will have to spend to get it. After unlocking all three previous tiers, you will have access to Eat This!, which simply increases the number of projectiles the Combat Shotgun will fire with each pull of the trigger.

When paired with the Tune Up mod and the initial Incendiary perk, Eat This! Turns the Combat Shotgun into a ripping-and-tearing machine that Burns enemies with all three of its wide-range, rapidly-fired shots. With this capstone upgrade unlocked, the Combat Shotgun goes from a backup weapon to a main part of your rotation, especially if you also choose the Blast upgrade.

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