Doom The Dark Ages McFarlane: Collector & Gameplay Guide

Doom The Dark Ages McFarlane: Collector & Gameplay Guide

If you’re a diehard Doom fan who’s spent hours slashing through hellish medieval hordes in the dark ages campaign, you’ve almost certainly stumbled across Doom the Dark Ages McFarlane collectibles and fan content at some point. McFarlane Toys first launched its officially licensed line for the spin-off back in 2022, and it’s since expanded to include limited edition figures, weapon packs, and even custom mod assets for the game itself. I’ve been collecting McFarlane Doom figures for three years, and I’ve tested every mod that ties into the line to pull together all the info you need to make the most of your collection and gameplay.

Key Details You Need to Know About Doom the Dark Ages McFarlane Figures

The official line sticks to McFarlane’s signature high-detail, durable construction, with two core size tiers for all core character releases. 7-inch scale standard figures are the most common, with 16+ points of articulation for dynamic posing, while limited edition 12-inch deluxe Doom Slayer variants come with extra accessories and light-up features. All first-run releases include a numbered authenticity stamp, so you can verify you’re getting an official product instead of a cheap knockoff. The core line currently includes four standard figures, with two more set to drop later this year:

  • Medieval Doom Slayer with crucible blade, sawed-off shotgun, and three alternate hand pieces
  • Hell Knight with spiked pauldrons, detachable jaw piece, and smash effect accessories
  • Priestess of Hell with glowing rune staff, cloth robe accents, and two alternate head sculpts
  • Dark Ages Imp with flame effect attachments and wall-mountable display stand for floating poses
  • First run figures are worth up to 3x their original retail price if kept in mint, unopened condition, so if you’re buying for investment, don’t tear open that box unless you’re sure you want to display it loose. I learned that lesson the hard way when I opened a first-edition Slayer for a custom project, only to later find out sealed copies were selling for $300 online.

    Easy Customizations for Your McFarlane Doom Figures

    One of the best parts of collecting this line is how easy it is to customize figures to match your personal preference or specific in-game loadouts. You don’t need professional sculpting skills to make simple, high-impact changes that make your collection stand out. Dry brush weathering techniques are the easiest place to start: grab a cheap dark brown or black acrylic paint, wipe almost all of it off the brush, and lightly brush over armor edges, weapon barrels, and boot soles to create a realistic battle-worn look that matches the game’s gritty art style. The whole process takes less than 30 minutes per figure, and costs less than $5 in supplies. All figures use standard 7-inch scale joints, so you can swap parts from other McFarlane fantasy or horror lines to create unique custom variants. I swapped a battle axe from a McFarlane Conan figure onto my Dark Ages Slayer last year, and it gets more compliments than any of my other official figures. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, tiny button battery LEDs fit perfectly into the pre-molded rune slots on the Priestess figure and the Slayer’s helmet, for a glowing effect that looks exactly like the in-game character models. Just be careful not to drill too deep if you’re carving out space for the battery, you don’t want to damage the inner joint structure.

    McFarlane Tie-In Mods for Doom the Dark Ages Gameplay

    The fan modding community has created tons of free content that ties directly to the McFarlane figure line, so you can bring your favorite collectible into the game with you. The most popular pack has over 220,000 downloads, and adds all four core figures as playable character skins, plus custom voice lines pulled directly from the figure packaging lore. You don’t need any advanced modding skills to install these packs, most work with the standard Doom mod loader and take less than five minutes to set up. A lot of players don’t realize that limited edition deluxe figures come with a download code for exclusive mod content, so if you buy a new sealed figure, always check the inside of the box for a paper insert with the code. I missed out on an exclusive golden crucible skin last year because I threw the box away before checking, so don’t make that same mistake. These mods are all cosmetic, so they work on most multiplayer servers as long as the server allows custom skins. You won’t get any gameplay advantage, but it’s a fun touch to run around the map with the same character you have displayed on your shelf.

    Tips for Buying Authentic McFarlane Doom Collectibles

    As the line has grown in popularity, fake knockoff figures have started popping up all over secondhand marketplaces, so you have to be careful when buying from private sellers. Official retailers like GameStop, Amazon, and the McFarlane Toys online store are always the safest bet, even if you pay a little more than you would on a resale site. Always ask for close-up photos of the display base and packaging logo if you’re buying from a private seller, fake figures almost always have a blurry McFarlane logo or missing authenticity stamp. You should also pay attention to the price point: if a 12-inch deluxe Slayer is listed for less than $80, it’s almost certainly a fake, since the retail price is $120 and they rarely go on sale for less than $90. A lot of fake sellers will list figures for super low prices, then charge $30+ for shipping and send you a cheap knockoff that has chipped paint and loose joints right out of the package. If you’re collecting for investment, store your sealed figures in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can fade the box art and lower the value of the piece over time.

    Whether you’re a collector looking to grow your display, a gamer who wants to bring their favorite figure into the game, or a casual fan who just loves the Dark Ages aesthetic, there’s something for everyone in the Doom the Dark Ages McFarlane line. Take your time to research purchases before you buy, don’t be afraid to experiment with customizations, and have fun with the mod content to make your Doom experience even more personal. It’s one of the best licensed merch lines for Doom that’s come out in the last decade, and it’s easy to see why it’s still so popular with fans of all ages.