If you’ve ever booted up the retro-inspired Doom total conversion mod, you know how much of a chaotic, monster-slaying blast it is. But before you dive headfirst into hordes of possessed knights and demonic abominations, you’ll need to make one critical first choice: picking between the available doom the dark ages difficulty levels. I’ve spent over 40 hours playing through every setting, testing everything from casual runs where I just want to blow up enemies without stress, to masochistic runs where every hit feels like a death sentence. This guide breaks down exactly what each setting changes, who it’s for, and what you can expect if you pick it.
Core Differences Across Doom The Dark Ages Difficulty Levels
A lot of new players assume difficulty only changes how much damage enemies take, but that’s far from the case here. The mod’s devs intentionally tied progression and enemy variety to difficulty settings to make each playthrough feel distinct. Every setting tweaks four core areas of gameplay, and even small shifts can completely change how you approach each level. The key changes you’ll notice across settings include:
I was surprised the first time I switched from casual to mid-tier, because the entire first level felt like a completely different map. The extra imp spawns near the starting area forced me to use my pistol more carefully instead of just rushing for the shotgun, and the reduced health pickups meant I had to backtrack to a secret I found earlier to grab a medkit halfway through the level. That level of intentional design is part of what makes this mod stand out from other custom Doom campaigns, where difficulty often just feels like a lazy stat bump with no thought put into how it changes the player’s experience. You won’t encounter the mod’s custom cursed knight enemy at all on the two lowest settings, so you’ll miss out on a big chunk of the mod’s unique content if you stick to casual mode permanently.
Who Should Pick the Lowest Two Difficulty Settings?
If you’re here for the mod’s stunning medieval-horror atmosphere and don’t care about a steep challenge, the lowest two settings are perfect for you. I usually pick the second-lowest setting when I’m playing through a new custom map for the first time, just so I can explore every secret without worrying about getting jumped by a hidden Arch-vile every five minutes. You won’t get any special rewards for playing on harder settings outside of personal bragging rights, so don’t let anyone pressure you into picking a difficulty you’re not comfortable with.
I’ve recommended this setting to a few of my friends who don’t play retro FPS games often, and all of them had a great time with it. One of my friends who only plays cozy farming sims even beat the full campaign on the lowest difficulty, which says a lot about how accessible the mod is for new players when you pick the right setting. The only thing to keep in mind is that enemy AI is also slightly slower on the two lowest settings, so you’ll have more time to react to incoming attacks and line up your shots. You also won’t have to deal with the mod’s custom permadeath toggle, which is automatically enabled on the highest difficulty but stays off for lower settings. The only downside to lower settings is missing out on some unique enemy spawns, but you can always do a second harder playthrough later if you want to experience that content.
What to Expect From Mid-Tier Difficulty
Mid-tier difficulty is the dev-recommended setting for most players who have at least a few hours of Doom experience under their belt. It balances challenge and fun perfectly, with enough ammo and healing items to keep you going, but enough enemy pressure to keep you on your toes. I played my first full playthrough of the mod on this setting, and I only died about 12 times across 18 levels, which felt fair for my skill level. You’ll get all the custom enemy spawns and full map content on this setting, so you won’t miss out on any of the mod’s carefully crafted gameplay loops.
The devs have stated that they balanced the entire mod around this mid-tier setting, so all enemy placements, item drops, and boss fights are designed to feel fair and rewarding at this level. I noticed that I was finding exactly enough ammo to get through each level without running out, but I still had to make smart choices about which weapon to use for each encounter. For example, I saved my shotgun for groups of zombies and used my pistol for single imps, so I never ran out of shells when I needed them for larger fights. The boss fights on this setting also feel perfectly tuned—they’re hard enough that you’ll have to learn their attack patterns to win, but not so hard that you’ll be stuck on them for hours at a time. If you’re not sure which difficulty to pick, start here and adjust up or down after the first level if it feels too easy or too hard.
Tips for Playing on the Highest Two Difficulty Settings
If you’re a veteran Doom player looking for a real challenge, the highest two difficulty settings will deliver exactly what you’re looking for. I tried the top difficulty for a full weekend and only made it through three levels, so I can confirm it’s not for the faint of heart. First off, you’ll want to prioritize picking up the mod’s custom steel longsword as early as possible, as ammo is so scarce that you’ll need to use melee for 40% of your kills to conserve bullets for high-tier enemies. You also should never rush through rooms, as there are extra hidden enemy spawns on these settings that will ambush you if you run ahead without checking corners.
Save your rockets and BFG ammo exclusively for boss fights and large hordes of enemies, because you won’t find enough of it to waste on basic imps or zombies. It’s also a good idea to learn all the secret locations on each level, as many of the only healing and ammo pickups available on these settings are hidden in unmarked areas. I also recommend turning on the mod’s optional hit marker setting if you’re playing on the highest difficulties, because it can be hard to tell if you’re actually landing shots on fast-moving enemies when you’re panicking. A lot of veteran players turn hit markers off for immersion, but they’re a huge help when you’re trying to conserve ammo and make every shot count. You should also get used to using the mod’s custom dodge roll mechanic, which lets you avoid incoming projectile attacks if you time it right. I didn’t use the dodge roll at all on lower difficulties, but it was absolutely essential for surviving boss fights on the highest setting, where a single hit from a boss can kill you instantly. If you can beat the full campaign on the highest difficulty, you’ve definitely earned the right to brag about it to other Doom mod fans.
At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong choice when it comes to picking between doom the dark ages difficulty levels. The best setting is the one that lets you have the most fun, whether that’s a casual playthrough where you can blow up enemies without stress, or a brutal challenge that pushes your FPS skills to the limit. Don’t be afraid to switch difficulty mid-playthrough if you find yourself getting frustrated or bored, either—there’s no penalty for adjusting it to match your mood. No matter which setting you pick, you’re in for one of the most creative and polished Doom total conversion mods released in years.
