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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFor 100% completion in Chapter 9, Ancestral Forge, collect the chapter’s secrets, Codex entries, toy, skin, Rubies, Wraithstone, and Demonic Essences, and finish all three mission challenges. PowerPyx’s 2025 checklist reports 18 collectible locations and 230 Gold; use the game’s Chapter Select and results counters to confirm what you have left, because guide categories do not always count items the same way. PowerPyx’s Chapter 9 checklist and PC Gamer’s route guide provide the route details below.
Chapter 9 checklist at a glance
PowerPyx lists the following Chapter 9 totals in its 2025 guide:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
DOOM: The Dark Ages – PlayStation 5 | $69.47 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
DOOM: The Dark Ages – Xbox Series X | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
PlayStation 5 – DOOM: The Dark Ages – Standard Edition | $89.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
DOOM: The Dark Ages - Premium Edition - PlayStation 5 | $94.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The Art of DOOM: The Dark Ages | $45.41 | Buy on Amazon |
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- 9 Secrets
- 2 Codex Entries
- 1 Collectible Toy
- 1 Skin
- 2 Rubies
- 1 Wraithstone
- 1 Health Demonic Essence
- 1 Ammo Demonic Essence
- 230 Gold and 3 mission challenges
PC Gamer summarizes the mission as having nine secrets and two collectibles, using different category labels. Do not treat that shorter summary as a replacement for the full checklist: check the game’s chapter counters for your own completion status.
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Follow the route and collect items as you go
The landmarks below follow PC Gamer’s route. The purple secret key is an early priority: it opens multiple later secret routes.
#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.
Start area and first route
- In the opening area, find the purple secret key near the Ancestral Heart route. Keep it for locked routes later in the chapter.
- Use the purple-key gate on the early route and break the first wolf statue.
- For the Life Sigil, go to the crane on the lower-left side of the map. Reach the switch above it and release the claw holding the sigil.
- Look for a side drop into a glowing blue tunnel to find a Gold chest.
First Sentinel Shrine and Ancestral Heart routes
- After the combat encounter to the left of the first Sentinel Shrine, find and break the second wolf statue.
- At the tower route near the upper-left Ancestral Heart area, use the purple key to reach a Ruby and the Vagary toy beside it.
- In the yellow-gas area, look down over the cliff edge for a wooden platform and the Ancestral Forge Codex entry.
- Use the purple-key gate connecting the right-side Ancestral Heart route with the initial open-zone path to reach another Gold secret.
- Near the upper-right Ancestral Heart, find the wolf shrine. Break all three wolf statues to lower the barrier protecting the Wraithstone.
After activating the three Ancestral Hearts
- At the gated Ruby, break the nearby wall and use the exposed chain to open the gate.
- For the later Gold chest, drop onto the lift, hit its switch with the Shield, raise the lift, then jump across. Check the nearby gated area for another Gold pickup.
- Before activating the blue switch, break the chain holding the small platform. Take the raised-platform route to King Novik’s Codex and the Nightmare Super Shotgun skin.
Complete all three mission challenges
| Challenge | Requirement | Reward | Practical approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing But Nade | Land 10 direct hits with the Grenade Launcher | 50 Gold | Aim for direct hits; splash damage alone does not satisfy the stated requirement. |
| Sawed Off | Lock down demons with the Shield Saw for 20 seconds total | 50 Gold | Use the Shield Saw’s lockdown on enemies across encounters until the cumulative time reaches 20 seconds. |
| Seven Secrets | Find 7 secret areas | Reverent Accelerator skin | Work through the chapter’s secret routes, using the purple key where required. |
Chapter completion is not the same as campaign achievement completion
PowerPyx’s campaign guide reports 142 collectibles, 163 Secrets, 48 Mission Challenges, and 6,557 Gold in total. Its Gold breakdown is 4,427 collected in levels, 1,800 from mission challenges, and 330 from destroying Hell Fighter jets. These are the guide’s published campaign figures, not independently tested totals. PowerPyx’s campaign collectibles guide says missed items can be recovered through Chapter Select.
The same guide says Weapon Skins and Secrets are not required for the campaign’s platinum/1,000 Gamerscore requirements, and lists 5,925 of 6,557 Gold and 33 of 38 Rubies as sufficient for its stated campaign upgrades and trophies. That achievement threshold does not mean the chapter’s own full checklist is complete; use Chapter Select results when pursuing 100% for Ancestral Forge.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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.
Rank #3
- Brand Name:Xbox
- Video game region: region free
- Display Platform: PS5
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.
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