When Do You Unlock the Dragon in DOOM The Dark Ages?

In the second part of the Ancient Gods DLC, DOOM Eternal has a cutscene in which the Slayer rides a dragon. DOOM: The Dark Ages takes things one step further, allowing players to mount and ride a dragon at various points throughout the story. Understandably, a lot of players are keen to learn how exactly this works.

DOOM The Dark Ages Tips and Tricks

With these DOOM: The Dark Ages tips and tricks, beginners can ensure that they're getting the most out of their first playthrough.

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By Tom Bowen

Unfortunately, there are only a handful of dragon-riding sections in DOOM: The Dark Ages, although that doesn't make them any less fun. In fact, it could perhaps be argued that there's just the right amount of them, with the game's Atlan sections serving as a reminder of how there can sometimes be too much of a good thing.

When Do You Unlock the Dragon in DOOM: The Dark Ages?

The first chance that players get to ride the Slayer's dragon comes in Chapter 5, the start of which serves as an extended tutorial, of sorts. Sadly, save for a few short cameo appearances here and there, this is one of only three DOOM: The Dark Ages chapters that include prolonged dragon-riding sections, with the other two being chapters 13 and 14.

How to Control the Dragon in DOOM: The Dark Ages

Controlling the dragon is relatively straightforward and is explained quite thoroughly to players at the start of Chapter 5. For those who skipped over the tutorial, though, pressing R1/RB or L1/LB will cause the dragon to ascend or descend, respectively. R2/RT fires the Autocannon, and holding L2/LT triggers Assault Mode, which allows players to dodge by pressing the Circle/B button together with a directional input. Players can refill the dragon's health by flying through blue rings and, on rare occasions, perform brutal finishers with R3/RS. Last but not least, L3/LS activates a speed boost, and R3/RS can be used to land, although only at designated landing sites.

DOOM: The Dark Ages Dragon Controls

Action	PlayStation Input	Xbox Input
Ascend	R1	RB
Descend	L1	LB
Fire Autocannon	R2	RT
Assault Mode (Hold)	L2	LT
Dodge	Circle + Direction	B + Direction
Boost	L3	LS
Land / Finisher	R3	RS

The only thing that players may need a bit of practice with is dodging enemy Hell Surge blasts, which, if done successfully, will empower their Autocannon so that it can destroy enemy shields. The key here is to focus on the shape of the blast and dodge accordingly. If the blast is horizontal, they should dodge up or down. If it's vertical, they'll need to dodge left or right. In some later DOOM: The Dark Ages chapters, blasts will sometimes extend outward in three directions, meaning there'll only be one direction that players can dodge without taking any damage.

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