If you’re a long-time Doom fan or a diehard action figure collector, you’ve almost certainly stumbled across McFarlane Toys Doom The Dark Ages line at some point. First released when the iconic dark fantasy Doom spinoff was at the height of its popularity, these figures set a new standard for video game merch accuracy, with gritty, weathered details that look pulled straight from the game’s hellish medieval battlefields. I’ve been collecting this line for close to 8 years now, and I’ve learned pretty much every trick there is to finding rare pieces, avoiding fakes, and making your collection stand out on display.
What Makes McFarlane Toys Doom The Dark Ages Figures Stand Out?
Most mass-market video game action figures cut corners to keep costs low, but this line was made with obsessive attention to detail that appeals to both casual fans and serious collectors. McFarlane’s design team collaborated directly with id Software’s art department to ensure every element matched the in-game assets, down to the exact shape of the Doom Slayer’s cracked chest plate and the jagged edges of the Hell Knight’s horns. The core features that make these figures worth the investment include:
You’ll immediately notice the difference between these figures and cheaper alternatives the second you pick one up. The plastic is thick and durable, with no flimsy joints that feel like they’ll snap if you reposition them too often. Hand-painted weathering effects add depth that printed details can’t match, and screen-accurate weapon molds are scaled perfectly to fit each figure’s proportions. I own figures from three other Doom merch lines, and none of them come close to the immersive, high-quality feel of this McFarlane collection.
How to Spot Authentic vs. Counterfeit Pieces
As the line has grown in popularity, cheap counterfeits have flooded secondhand marketplaces, especially for rare variants like the unmasked Marauder and the golden Crucible-wielding Doom Slayer. If you’re buying from a third-party seller, there are a few simple checks you can run to make sure you’re getting a real piece instead of a low-quality knockoff. I got scammed with a fake Doom Slayer figure early in my collecting journey, so I know how frustrating it is to waste money on a piece that falls apart after a month of display.
First, always check for the engraved McFarlane logo on the figure’s left foot—fakes almost always skip this detail, or print it in a blurry, uneven font. Second, look at the armor finish: authentic figures have a matte, textured finish on all armor pieces, while fakes usually have a cheap, glossy plastic coating. Third, if the figure is still in its box, check for the correctly printed id Software logo on the bottom right corner of the packaging. Most fakes have a miscolored or misaligned logo, or leave it off entirely. If a listing is priced under $30 for a standard figure or under $70 for a rare variant, it’s almost certainly a fake—don’t fall for the low price tag.
Easy Customization Tips for Your Collection
One of the best parts of this line is how easy it is to modify figures to make them even more accurate or personal, even if you have no prior custom figure experience. You don’t need expensive professional supplies to make small, impactful changes to your collection, and most mods take less than an hour to complete. I’ve modified 6 of my 11 figures so far, and the upgrades make the whole display feel far more unique than a shelf of unmodified out-of-the-box pieces.
The easiest mod for beginners is dry brushing silver acrylic paint on armor edges to make the worn metal effect pop even more than the factory paint job. All you need is a cheap small paintbrush, silver acrylic paint, and a paper towel—dip the brush in paint, wipe most of it off on the paper towel, then lightly brush it over the raised edges of armor plates to simulate scuffed metal. If you want to go a step further, adding a dark brown or black wash to weapon details makes dirt and blood effects look far more realistic. For rare, high-value figures, always test your mod technique on a cheap common figure first, like the standard Hell Knight, to make sure you’re happy with the result before modifying something rare.
Ideal Display Setups to Show Off Your Line
Even the most impressive collection will look underwhelming if it’s thrown haphazardly on a shelf. There are tons of simple, affordable display options that make these figures look like they’re right back in the hellish battlefields of the game, no fancy custom diorama required. I’ve tested half a dozen different display setups over the years, and I’ve landed on a few go-to options that work for almost any space and budget.
If you’re on a tight budget, floating wall shelves with warm orange LED strip backlighting make the fiery, dark tones of the figures pop immediately. Use clear acrylic risers to arrange figures in tiered rows, so shorter pieces don’t get hidden behind larger ones like the Hell Guard or Cyber Mancubus. If you have a bigger budget, a closed glass display case is the best investment you can make—it keeps dust off your figures and protects them from sun damage that can fade paint over time. Avoid placing your display near a window, even if it gets nice natural light—UV rays will fade the dark paint on figures in as little as 6 months, and can cut the resale value of rare pieces in half. I mounted my glass case on an interior wall with dimmable orange LEDs, and I get compliments on how immersive the setup looks every time a fellow Doom fan comes over.
At the end of the day, McFarlane Toys Doom The Dark Ages is more than just a line of action figures—it’s a love letter to one of the most creative Doom spinoffs ever made, and a tangible way to bring your favorite in-game moments to life on your shelf. Whether you’re just starting your collection or you’re looking to fill in the last few rare gaps, the tips we covered will help you avoid common pitfalls and make your collection feel personal and unique. Don’t be afraid to experiment with customization or display setups—half the fun of collecting these figures is making them feel like your own.
