Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe Shield Saw is more than a way to block: use it to parry certain glowing attacks, charge through danger, or throw it to stun demons and break heated metal defenses. The key is to match your response to the enemy in front of you instead of holding block or firing the same weapon at everything.
This guide draws on Bethesda’s beginner and combat guidance for DOOM: The Dark Ages, published in May 2025, plus its accessibility and Update 2 materials. The game is listed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5 on Bethesda’s official game page.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages – PlayStation 5 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 2 |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages – Xbox Series X | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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PlayStation 5 – DOOM: The Dark Ages – Standard Edition | $89.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages - Premium Edition - PlayStation 5 | $94.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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The Art of DOOM: The Dark Ages | $45.41 | Buy on Amazon |
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What the Shield Saw does
Bethesda describes the Shield Saw as a tool for blocking, parrying, deflecting, charging, and throwing. Its contextual input supports different actions, so choose based on the immediate threat:
- Block when an attack is incoming and you need immediate protection.
- Parry by blocking at the right moment against an eligible attack.
- Charge to close distance quickly or get out of danger.
- Throw to hit a target at range, stun a larger demon, or exploit a vulnerable defense.
A Shield Saw throw can cut through lesser demons or lodge into larger ones and stun them. It also has uses beyond fighting: Bethesda says designated environmental nodes can activate mechanisms or trigger a Recall Jump when struck by a throw. Bethesda’s Shield Saw guide outlines these uses.
#1 Best Overall
- Developed by id Software, DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage.
- In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
- A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it’s the perfect entry point whether you’re new to the franchise or a long time fan.
- As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw.
- Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this epic, cinematic, and action-packed story.
How to parry Hell Surge attacks
Watch for the telltale glow on a Hell Surge attack. When you see it, block with the Shield Saw at the right moment to send the attack back. A successful parry can also help crack the demon’s defenses. This applies to certain attacks, not every hit an enemy can make.
Parrying has a resource benefit as well: Bethesda’s advanced tips say that parrying Hell Surge attacks helps replenish melee charges. Learning the glow and timing a block can therefore protect you, create an opening, and help keep melee options available. Bethesda’s advanced tips explain the interaction.
Rank #2
- Developed by id Software, DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage.
- In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
- A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it’s the perfect entry point whether you’re new to the franchise or a long time fan.
- As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw.
- Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this epic, cinematic, and action-packed story.
Choose the answer that fits the enemy’s defense
| What you see | What to do | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Blue energy shield | Fire plasma rounds from the Cycler or Accelerator. | Plasma disrupts blue shields and causes an explosion. |
| Metal shield or armor | Hit it repeatedly until the metal flashes, then throw the Shield Saw. | Successive attacks heat the metal; the throw shatters it once it flashes. |
| Glowing Hell Surge attack | Time a Shield Saw block to parry. | The returned attack can open the demon’s defenses and help replenish melee charges. |
The metal-defense sequence matters: build heat with successive attacks, then throw when the metal flashes. A Shield Saw throw is not the same answer as plasma against a blue energy shield. Bethesda’s combat tips distinguish the two responses.
Keep the shield from overloading
The Shield Saw can absorb damage, but blocking too much can overload it and temporarily disable it. Watch its condition meter rather than treating block as protection you can hold indefinitely. Strafing helps you avoid relying on the shield for every incoming attack, while a well-timed parry is preferable when an eligible Hell Surge cue appears.
Rank #3
- Brand Name:Xbox
- Video game region: region free
- Display Platform: PS5
Use melee to manage ammunition and charges
The Flail and other melee weapons can be chained into combos, but their charges are limited. Melee strikes replenish ammunition across weapons, while parrying Hell Surge attacks helps replenish melee charges. That makes close-range attacks part of managing your supplies, not just a way to finish an enemy. Bethesda’s advanced tips describe these resource interactions.
Explore and spend upgrade resources deliberately
Secret areas can reward Codex Entries, weapon-skin cosmetics, and resources such as Gold Chests, Rubies, and Wraithstones; rewards vary by secret. Check the Automap for secrets and Sentinel Shrines. Shrines let you spend collected treasures on upgrades for guns, melee attacks, and Shield Saw traits. Bethesda’s beginner tips describe the exploration and upgrade loop.
Rank #4
- Get a head start on slaying demons with the Premium Edition, including up to 2-Days Early Access and the campaign DLC. You’ll also receive the Digital Artbook and Soundtrack, and the Divinity Skin Pack, which includes matching skins for the DOOM Slayer, dragon, and Atlan.
- Developed by id Software, DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage.
- In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
- A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it’s the perfect entry point whether you’re new to the franchise or a long time fan.
- Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this epic, cinematic, and action-packed story. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond.
Some groups include a tougher Leader Demon. Defeating one grants Essence that permanently increases one of your maximum reserves: Health, Armor, or ammunition. The reward is a permanent increase to one of those categories, not all three at once.
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If parries feel too demanding or attacks are hard to read, inspect the in-game Gameplay and Accessibility menus. Bethesda’s accessibility materials describe options to tune the parry window, projectile speed, and overall game speed, along with parry recoloring and Shield Throw Seek to assist with targeting enemies or interactable objects. Menu labels can vary by platform or update, so look for the relevant controls in those menus. See the beginner tips and Shield Saw guide for the underlying mechanics and the accessibility guide for adjustment details.
Best Value
Bethesda’s Update 2 release notes state: “Added ability to interrupt weapon bring-up and Shield Charge recovery animations sooner to perform a block or parry”. That is a patch-note description of the update, not a guarantee of identical timing in every current build. Check the Update 2 release notes and your game’s current menus for version-specific behavior.
Quick Recap
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