Doom The Dark Ages: Doom The Dark Ages ‘Holy City of Aratum’ mission walkthrough (Chapter 5)

Mastering Cyber Dragon combat and Hell Carrier takedowns in Doom The Dark Ages Chapter 5 with expert strategies

Cyber Dragon Introduction and Basic Controls

Doom The Dark Ages
Doom The Dark Ages ‘Holy City of Aratum’ – Chapter 5 (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Bethesda Softworks)

Doom The Dark Ages
Doom The Dark Ages ‘Holy City of Aratum’ – Chapter 5 (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Bethesda Softworks)

Doom The Dark Ages ‘Holy City of Aratum’ continues the Slayer’s journey immediately following his victory over the Vagary Champion in Chapter 4’s Sentinel Barracks. Within the Aviary, players discover the Cyber Dragon – a formidable cybernetically enhanced companion that revolutionizes both combat and navigation. This chapter functions as an extensive tutorial for mastering aerial warfare while progressing toward the Heart of Argent defense mission.

When gameplay commences, immediately familiarize yourself with the Cyber Dragon’s directional controls. This introductory segment provides on-screen guidance displaying essential commands on the right-hand interface. Pay close attention to these prompts as they reveal advanced techniques beyond basic movement that significantly enhance combat effectiveness.

Navigate through the cavern systems utilizing Dragon Boost for rapid acceleration, Ascend/Descend for vertical positioning, and Autocannon for preliminary attacks. Upon encountering the energy barrier protected by a Titan demon, approach to activate assault mode and receive updated objectives for the Holy City of Aratum incursion.

This segment thoroughly demonstrates Assault mode mechanics, where sustained keybinding enables target acquisition while directional inputs facilitate evasive maneuvers. Successfully avoiding Hell Surge projectiles charges your autocannon with enhanced destructive capability against heavily armored adversaries.

Also read: Doom The Dark Ages will have the biggest campaign in the franchise’s history, id Software confirms

Advanced Dragon Combat Mechanics

The subsequent training phase introduces Perfect Dodge mechanics – precisely timed evasions that imbue autocannon rounds with plasma properties capable of penetrating shielded targets. Execute these maneuvers within Assault mode to systematically eliminate all five armored tanks in this practice area.

Following tank destruction, the Autocannon boost feature unlocks, enabling simultaneous Dragon boost activation with autocannon fire to dramatically increase projectile velocity and rate of fire. This synergistic ability proves invaluable when pursuing agile Hell Ships, which disperse valuable gold resources upon destruction.

The tutorial concludes with landing zone procedures, demonstrating designated areas where the Cyber Dragon can disembark its rider. After dismounting, proceed toward your objective marker while inspecting the left side to locate a destructible metal chain. Severing this obstruction raises the primary gate, permitting your dragon companion passage to subsequent areas.

A cinematic sequence then transitions the narrative to the next critical objective within the Holy City of Aratum’s airspace.

Pro Tip: Chain Dragon Boost with autocannon fire during Hell Ship pursuits – the combined speed and firepower creates an unstoppable assault platform that can eliminate targets before they retaliate.

Hell Carrier Assault Strategy

Arriving aboard your Cyber Dragon above the floating City of Aratum, you’ll confront four hovering Hell Carriers requiring destruction through a two-phase approach: first dismantle external defenses, then infiltrate to destroy internal power sources.

Select targets in any sequence, approaching each Hell Carrier to eliminate assault batteries and primary cannons. Employ Assault mode for evasive action while charging your autocannon through successful dodges – this empowered state proves essential for breaching shielded turrets. Upon neutralizing all exterior weaponry, a Landing Zone materializes, granting access to the Carrier’s interior.

Once deployed onto a Hell Carrier, prepare for intensive demon combat while advancing toward the vessel’s core. The ship layout remains relatively straightforward – consult your tactical map and objective markers for navigation. However, remain vigilant for concealed secrets and hidden compartments throughout these floating fortresses.

Before reaching the core, you’ll likely encounter resistance from demon patrols. After dispatching these foes, utilize your shield to rupture the core mechanism, triggering an explosive decompression that propels you back to your Cyber Dragon while offering spectacular views of the Holy City of Aratum.

Common Mistake: Many players waste ammunition on shielded turrets before empowering their autocannon – always execute perfect dodges first to activate plasma rounds for efficient shield penetration.

Repeat this systematic destruction for a second Hell Carrier, then navigate toward the distant waypoint where a massive floral alien entity with a central ocular weapon awaits. Destroy the eye using Assault mode tactics, then penetrate the structure to track a Hell Ship leading beneath the floating city where the third Carrier resides.

Apply the established protocol: eliminate external defenses from your dragon, then infiltrate to locate the core. During this incursion, you’ll discover the Plasma Cycler – an innovative energy weapon that rapidly overloads and demolishes plasma shields with explosive results. After core destruction and dragon remounting, proceed through the metallic conduit returning you above the city.

Optional Content and Final Objectives

Before engaging the final Hell Carrier, an optional encounter emerges nearby, identifiable by a Titan Demon positioned atop a colossal structure firing upon you. Neutralize this threat to access a landing zone where demon hordes await, including a distinctive Pinky demon with Rider that grants maximum health augmentation upon defeat. Conclude this engagement before returning to aerial operations.

Progressing toward your primary objective, another floral guardian protects the ultimate Hell Carrier. After its elimination, apply the standard destruction protocol: eradicate external batteries, land at the designated zone, navigate to the core, and eliminate all opposition during your approach. This concludes your Hell Carrier elimination duties in the Holy City of Aratum.

Also read: Do you need to play Doom Eternal before Doom The Dark Ages?

With all Hell Carriers destroyed, soar across Aratum’s skies toward the Heart Chamber waypoint. Ascend the extensive staircase to discover a fortified stronghold containing the Heart of Argent. At the landing zone, temporarily part ways with your Cyber Dragon and descend to fulfill your final primary objective.

This terminal area features overwhelming demon concentrations attempting to overwhelm your position. Eliminate every hellspawn in an extended engagement to complete this objective, then advance toward the stronghold’s entrance marker to initiate Chapter 5’s concluding cinematic sequence.

Optimization Tip: Complete all optional encounters before the final demon wave – the health upgrades and additional resources significantly improve survivability during the extended combat sequence.

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