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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteFor a broadly useful early-game plan, upgrade the Shield Saw, then work toward the Combat Shotgun’s Incendiary path for armor sustain. Shredder Pincushion is a strong next choice for crowd damage. After that, spend on the weapons and mechanics you use most: there is no official universal ranking, and Bethesda recommends experimenting with different weapon classes and upgrades.
What to upgrade first
- Shield Saw: Prioritize upgrades that strengthen its combat utility, such as Retaliation and Extended Edge on the route toward Blade Master. It blocks, parries, charges and can be thrown, so investment can support more than one kind of encounter. GamesRadar recommends early Shield Saw upgrades, but this is an editorial priority rather than an official ranking.
- Combat Shotgun Incendiary: Choose this path if you value armor sustain. The Incendiary upgrade gives the Combat Shotgun a burn effect; GamesRadar recommends it because Burn can create armor pickups, and highlights Flare-Up as a later choice.
- Shredder Pincushion: A useful crowd-damage option. GamesRadar and IGN both include it among their early recommendations. It can also pair with the Shield Saw: Shredder shots can ricochet from enemies with a saw embedded in them.
- Flail and Super Shotgun: Consider these as they become available and fit your approach, not as first-shrine purchases. GamesRadar recommends Super Shotgun upgrades and Flail upgrades for armor generation and breaking enemy armor; IGN includes Flail Conditioning in its early recommendations.
These priorities synthesize recommendations from GamesRadar and IGN. Neither source establishes a measured ranking of every upgrade.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages – PlayStation 5 | $65.45 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages - Premium Edition - PlayStation 5 | $94.88 | 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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The Art of DOOM: The Dark Ages | $45.41 | Buy on Amazon |
Why the Shield Saw is a flexible investment
The Shield Saw is more than a defensive tool. It can block and parry, charge into enemies, and be thrown; its combat and traversal roles make it useful across different situations. The official Xbox guide also explains that attacks can superheat enemy armor, after which the Shield Saw can help break it.
Its value grows when combined with other tools. A Shredder can ricochet shots off an enemy with a saw embedded in it, while successful parries can recharge the Shield Saw through Power Gauntlet upgrades. These interactions make Shield Saw investment especially appealing if you frequently parry or throw it, rather than an automatic best choice for every playstyle.
#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 choose upgrades for your playstyle
Before spending, consider what a particular upgrade changes in your fights and how often you use the weapon. An armor-generating effect helps sustain you; an explosive effect can pressure groups; armor-breaking and direct-damage upgrades serve different needs; shield synergies reward players who lean on parries and throws. If you rarely use a weapon, a highly regarded upgrade for it may be less useful to you than a practical improvement elsewhere.
- Want more armor sustain? Favor the Combat Shotgun Incendiary route and consider Flail upgrades when available.
- Often facing groups? Shredder Pincushion is a recommended explosive-damage option.
- Use parries and throws frequently? Put more weight on Shield Saw upgrades and related synergies.
- Unsure what suits you? Try different weapon classes. Bethesda says weapons in the same class share ammunition but have distinct upgrades, and advises players to experiment.
Some weapon upgrades are alternatives rather than simultaneous choices. GamesRadar says unlocked options can be changed in the weapons menu, so check that menu before treating a selection as permanent.
Rank #2
- 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.
Where upgrades and resources come from
Spend Gold at Sentinel Shrines to upgrade guns, melee attacks and the Shield Saw. Higher-tier unlocks use Rubies and Wraithstones. The official Bethesda beginner guide explains the upgrade system and resource pickups.
Exploration helps keep more upgrade choices open: secret areas and pickups can contain Gold, Rubies or Wraithstones. Use the Automap to locate shrines, Ruby statues and Gold pickups. Leader Demons award Demonic Essence, which permanently increases one of three capacities: Health, Armor or ammunition.
Rank #3
- Brand Name:Xbox
- Video game region: region free
- Display Platform: PS5
Combat mechanics that make these upgrades work
Parry green attacks
A well-timed block against a green projectile or a green-energy melee cue can parry the attack, sending projectiles back or breaking an enemy’s stance. The parry window is adjustable in settings, so change it if the timing does not suit you.
Use the Shield Charge for combat and traversal
Shield Charge closes distance and damages enemies around its target. It can also help you reach elevated ground or break marked weak walls.
Rank #4
Throw the Shield Saw with a purpose
A Shield Throw can kill weaker enemies, stun stronger ones and strip heated armor. It also has traversal and puzzle uses, so look for opportunities beyond dealing direct damage.
These mechanics are covered in the official Xbox guide and Bethesda beginner guide.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsCheck patch notes if an upgrade behaves unexpectedly
Bethesda’s Update 2.1 Hotfix 1, dated September 4, 2025, fixed issues affecting Steadfast, Harvester, Blade Master, Retaliation, Accelerator and Shredder. It also made equipped guns, upgrades, melee weapon and Shield Rune persist through campaign checkpoint reloads and mission transitions. Consult Bethesda’s hotfix notes for those changes, and check for newer patch notes before relying on old balance or bug information.
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