If you’re a long-time Doom fan, you know the series never sticks to the same formula for long. After the high-octane hellscapes of Eternal, the shift to a gritty, medieval dark age setting felt like a wild swing no one asked for but everyone is now obsessed with. If you’re already counting down the days until you can slash through demon hordes with a battle axe instead of a BFG (don’t worry, there’s still plenty of over-the-top weapons), you’ve probably started looking into Doom the Dark Ages preorder options to lock in your copy early. Preordering isn’t always worth it for every player, though, so this guide breaks down exactly what you get, where to find the best deals, and if putting down cash early makes sense for your playstyle.
What Do You Get With a Doom The Dark Ages Preorder?
The preorder perks vary depending on which edition you pick, but all preorders come with a base set of bonuses you won’t get if you buy the game after launch. For the standard edition, every preorder includes three core perks right now. First, the Iron Slayer skin pack, which gives your character a forged steel armor set etched with ancient runes that glows when you build up glory kill charge. Second, 72-hour early access to the Demon Siege multiplayer mode, a 4v4 objective-based mode where teams fight to control hell rifts spread across dark age village maps. Third, a digital copy of the official prequel comic that explains how the Slayer ended up trapped in the dark ages timeline after the events of Doom Eternal.
If you spring for the deluxe edition preorder, you’ll get all the standard preorder perks plus a bunch of extra content. That includes the full season pass with four post-launch campaign expansions, 12 exclusive weapon skins and charms, a digital art book and original soundtrack, and 3 days of early access to the entire single-player campaign before the official launch date. The limited collector’s edition preorder adds physical goods on top of the deluxe digital content: a 12-inch Slayer statue, steel book case, vinyl record of the soundtrack, and a replica of the Slayer’s medieval axe keychain.
You don’t have to pay the full price upfront for most preorders, either. Most retailers only charge a $5 deposit to lock in your preorder, with the remaining balance due when the game ships. That makes it easy to reserve your copy even if you don’t have the full cost saved right now.
Is Preordering Doom The Dark Ages Worth It for Casual Players?
You don’t have to be a diehard Doom completionist to wonder if dropping cash early on the game is a smart call. I’ve preordered plenty of games that ended up being duds, so I always weigh the pros and cons before putting down money months before launch. To help you decide, here are the biggest factors to consider before you reserve your copy:
If the first three points describe you, preordering probably isn’t necessary. You’ll be able to pick up the standard edition after launch for the same price (or cheaper) without missing out on any core gameplay content. The only exclusive perk you’ll lose access to is the prequel comic, which will likely be posted online for free a few months after launch anyway.
But if you’re already planning to play the game the second it comes out, or you want the collector’s edition, preordering is absolutely worth it. Most retailers offer fully refundable preorders right up until launch day, so you can lock in your bonuses now and cancel later if reviews are bad or you change your mind. There’s almost no risk to preordering if you stick to official, approved retailers.
Where to Find the Best Doom The Dark Ages Preorder Deals
Not all preorder listings are created equal, and some retailers throw in extra exclusive bonuses you won’t get anywhere else. I’ve compared listings across all major platforms to break down the best options right now, depending on what device you play on.
For console players on PlayStation or Xbox, preordering through the first-party store comes with an extra exclusive avatar pack and 10% off your next purchase of any Bethesda title. If you prefer physical copies, major game retailers are offering a free metal Slayer keychain with all preorders of physical standard or deluxe editions, while supplies last. For PC players, Steam preorders come with a free Doom Eternal profile skin set, while the Bethesda.net store throws in an extra in-game crucible weapon charm that’s not available anywhere else.
Avoid third-party key resellers for preorders, even if they offer lower prices. There’s no guarantee the key will work on launch day, and you won’t be eligible for any of the official preorder bonuses if you buy from an unapproved seller. A lot of these resellers use stolen credit cards to buy keys, so your key could get revoked weeks after you start playing, with no way to get a refund.
If you have a subscription to a gaming service like Game Pass, it’s worth waiting for official announcements before you preorder. There’s a small chance the game will be added to the service within a few months of launch, which would make preordering unnecessary for subscribers. As of now, Bethesda hasn’t announced any plans to add the game to subscription services at launch, but that could change as the release date gets closer.
Common Preorder Mistakes to Avoid
Even if you’re 100% sure you want to preorder the game, there are a few easy mistakes that can cost you money or make you miss out on the bonuses you wanted. I’ve seen dozens of players run into these issues with recent big releases, so it’s worth keeping them in mind before you check out.
First, don’t preorder the wrong edition by accident. I’ve seen players preorder the standard edition thinking it comes with the season pass, only to realize they have to pay $30 extra for post-launch content later. Double check the listing details before you pay, especially if you’re buying from a third-party retailer that might have confusing labeling for different editions.
Second, don’t forget to check your platform’s refund policy before you pay. All major platforms offer full refunds for preorders before launch, but some smaller, independent retailers have stricter policies that only offer store credit if you cancel. Make sure you know the rules before you hand over your cash, so you don’t get stuck if you change your mind later.
Third, don’t wait until the last minute if you want the collector’s edition. These usually sell out 2 to 3 months before launch, and you won’t be able to find one for retail price after that. If you’re on the fence, you can preorder it now and cancel later if you decide you don’t want it, with no penalty. It’s better to reserve a copy and cancel than to miss out entirely if you decide you want it later.
Finally, don’t fall for fake preorder listings on social media or auction sites. Any listing that claims to offer early access a week before the official launch or exclusive skins that aren’t mentioned on the official Bethesda site is a scam. Stick to well-known, approved retailers to make sure you get a legitimate copy and all the preorder bonuses you paid for.
At the end of the day, whether you pull the trigger on a Doom the Dark Ages preorder comes down to how excited you are for the game and what content you care about. If you’re already hyped to dive into the medieval hellscape and play as soon as possible, the preorder bonuses are solid, and the flexible refund policies mean you don’t have to worry about being stuck with a bad game if reviews are underwhelming. If you’re more casual, you can wait until launch to buy, and you won’t miss out on any core gameplay content. No matter what you choose, this new Doom entry looks like it’s going to be one of the most fun FPS releases of the year, with a perfect mix of classic Doom combat and fresh, dark age-inspired mechanics that feel totally new but still true to the series’ roots.
