Doom Strategy Guide Volume 1 This short guide is intended for the few remaining novice players of Doom. It provides strategies and hints for the various enemies of the game as well as direct cheat codes. To begin, let's discuss some basics, beginning with the most effective way to control your character. CONTROLS-- The most important button in Doom is your fire button. If you can't shoot, you can't kill;if you can't kill, you can't play a game like Doom. The second most important button (excluding the cursor keys) is the strafing button. I find this to be the only way to dodge fireballs and other ranged attacks: hold the strafe key and move to either side. Once you master the use of this maneuver, you'll be able to dodge nearly anything. You may also notice that there is a key for running. This is sometimes useful but certainly not a requirement. I tend to use it only in tight situations when I'm running from a Baron of Hell or Cyberdemon. It is help- ful in dodging things quicker, but your marine is tough to control while running. One other good use is if your moving down halls you've already been to and don't need to see again. As a result, I find the best setup is to use both the mouse and the keyboard. As in Wolfenstein, use the cursor keys for movement and the mouse for fine tuning when aiming your weapon. I have both the fire button and the strafe button located on my mouse and I use the keyboard for moving, running, and opening doors/activating switches. WEAPONS-- In total, there are eight possible weapons you have control of in Doom. They are the pistol, shotgun, chaingun, rocket launcher, plasma rifle, BFG-9000, the chainsaw, and your fists. As you'll notice, each weapon is very different and useful in unique situations. Below is a discussion of the weapons, when it's best to use them, etc. Pistol-- Usually, I stay away from using the pistol. In the first few levels of Episode I, it's useable. After that, though, the pistol becomes grossly obsolete. I save my bullets for the much more effective chaingun. However, in many situations where ammo is critical or new guns are scarce, the pistol is a neccesary evil. Thus, it is important to be familiar with this weapon. If you have the registered version of Doom, you'll find yourself falling back on the pistol very often in the first levels of Episode III. Shotgun-- I find this to be the all around most useful weapon in the game. At long range, it can wipe out two or more Demon Soldiers, and at close range it can kill an Imp in one hit. The only real drawback is that the shotgun isn't a very quick weapon. You fire, pump it and fire again. This takes a few seconds but it seems like minutes when your surrounded by five pink Demons. Nevertheless, I use the shotgun far more often than any other weapon and believe me, if you learn it, love it, and never lose it, the shotgun can take you anywhere (and get you out!) Chaingun-- Oddly, I don't find this weapon as useful as I probably should. Against Demon Soldiers and Imps, it seems to be very ineffective. Why waste 15 bullets on three Imps when 3-4 well placed shotgun fires will do the trick? Well, there I go again on that shotgun, it really is the best weapon, but we heard that in the last section. A strong point of the chaingun is that ammo is reletively easy to find. Also, it is a very rapid fire weapon. In the end though, these benefits cancel out because if ammo is easy to find and the gun uses it up real fast, you end up with nothing all that special. Still I find that the chaingun is absolutely the best weapon for Caecodemons(the big red beholder-like floating guys.) If you don't have the registered version, you don't know what I'm talking about and should definately send in your 40 bucks and get it now. Rocket Launcher-- Here we have an excellent weapon with a few minor flaws. First, if you use it at close range, you're either very desperate or very stupid. Believe me, it hurts when you fire a rocket at a wall or enemy that is close to you. Second, if you fire the rocket launcher when far away you risk the chance of missing and wasting ammo that is all to scarce in the first place. In the long run though, the rocket launcher is perhaps the second most important weapon. Against Barons of Hell it is the only way to go and if you have several Caecodemons on your butt, you can quickly cut them down with a few rockets. Finally, if you're really in a bad mood, the rocket launcher is great if there's a large amount of Imps and Demon Soldiers in a confined area above or below you(or on the other side of a radiation river.) A few shots will result in a truly impressive display of flying demon bodies and red drippy messes. Plasma Rifle-- This is only in the registered version on the second two Episodes. On these levels, it is a godsend. The Plasma Rifle (PR) is very useful because of both its power and its incredible speed. Against the usual enemies (Imps, Soldiers, and Demons) the PR can clear a path in no time. Against Caecodemons and Lost Souls, it's also quite efficient. Like the chaingun, the rapid fire of the PR makes it another perfect weapon for the Caecodemons. Ammo and the gun itself is hard to find but when you get some, you're ready to rock. BFG-9000-- Here is a weapon that I like to reserve for special occasions. Against lone enemies, even Barons of Hell, this weapon is a waste (unless it's all you've got.) However, when there's a room full of pink Demons or Imps, the BFG can help you out real fast. Unfortunately, the weapon is very slow. Keep this in mind whenever you use it. I only fire when far away from the enemies, otherwise a guy works his way in front of me while the gun is releasing its charge and the shot gets wasted on one wimpy enemy while all the others are now right in my face. So use the BFG, but use it ever so wisely. Chainsaw-- Here is a truly exciting weapon. How often do you get to chase down demons and shove a chainsaw through their chests? Not enough would have to be the best answer. The chainsaw is effective agains Imps and Soldiers if there's not too many of them nearby. It works great on Caecodemons if you get the drop on them and are able to stick with them until they're dead. It's the pink Demons, however, that are most susceptable to the chainsaw. If you get in a position where only one can come at you at a time, use the chainsaw and it will be all to easy. Fists-- You have got to be completely suicidal if you use your fists every chance you get. Although it's fun, the fun doesn't last long. Use your fists only when you have a serious ammo shortage. If you're lucky enough to get a berserker power-up however, the story is completely different. Know that two well placed berserker punches are equivalent to one head-on hit by a rocket. If you keep this in mind, your fists will be one of the best weapons you've got. Also keep in mind that once you pick up a berserker pack, it's with you the entire level, not just while the screen is red. Now a final word on some alternative weapons: Barrels-- If you have the chance should the barrels when the enemies are near them. If you learn this, you can quickly resolve what could have been a hairy situation. Like the rockets, though, don't hit a barrel at close range, it can easily ruin your day. Wars-- Yes, you can make enemies fight each other. The manual says like species won't attack each other but that doesn't mean that they won't "accidently" hit one antoher. Use this to your advantage. If multiple enemies are coming at you from one direction, try to keep them in line so that when one in the back row fires, he hits one of his buds. Also, in large rooms and courtyards sticking your head out for a second often makes the enemies jumpy enough to fire at each other and start a full scale battle. ENEMIES-- For now I'll give a quick overview on each of the enemies. Maybe in a later volume I'll give more strategies and detail. Demon Soldiers-- There are two types: the pistoliers and the shotgunners. They are identical except that shotgunners of course hurt you worse. One shot with the shotgun is the best way to eliminate each one. Imps-- These guys are with you through the whole game and boy can they get troublesome if not dealt with quick. Once again, one good shot from close range with the shotgun is sufficient. Anymore is a waste of shells. Just keep calm and aim well. Demons-- Like I said above, use the chainsaw. They don't stand a chance. If one gets on your side or back I suggest getting out of there real quick. Two shots from the shotgun will do it if you're lucky. Caecodemons-- These guys are real tough if your use of the strafe button isn't up to par. I usually stick to the shotgun if there's just one. If there's more, use the PR or chaingun. 8 or 9 hits with the shotgun is the ideal goal if you choose that weapon. Barons of Hell-- These guys will not go down easy. I use the rocket launcher when possible (5 hits will stop them). If you don't have it, or don't have enough rockets, use whatever you can and use it well because you'll suffer some serious damage if forced to use your fists or the chainsaw. Lost Souls-- These flying skulls can be real pests. If you are ammo conscious like me, wait until one gets close and then hit him dead center with the shotgun. Like this, two shots should kill each one. The chaingun or PR is also a useful choice. Cyberdemon-- You won't see this guy much. When you do happen to find one, you'll first be well stocked with rockets. This is realy the only weapon to use. Be careful though because he's got a rocket launcer also and rockets seem to travel much faster if you're on the wrong end. Shoot, dodge, and run is the best tactic. CHEATING-- Finally the section you've been waiting for! Doom has a large number of cheat codes and all are fairly useful if you're after maximum carnage. Here's a few: God-mode (invincible)-----IDDQD (just type it in) Full map------------------Hit Tab and type IDDT. Do it again for all the items and enemies. Happy ammo (max. ammo and guns)----IDKFA FYI-the KFA stands for Killer F**king Arsenal-no joke! Warp----------IDCLEV then hit epsode # (1-3) and mission # The Chainsaw----------IDCHOPPERS fitting, I think. Now, pay close attention to this next one. IDBEHOLD------add one of the following letters: A--computer automap I--Invisibility L--no more darkness! Same as getting light amp. R--radiation suit S--berserker rage, very useful This next one let's you run through walls---IDSPISPOPD Well, I'm done for now. Gotta go play Doom (again.) I hope this helped if you had trouble with the game. Next time I'll discuss the enemies in more detail, give more cheat codes and tricks, and maybe even offer a few pointers on the tougher levels. See you then! If you have any comments, questions, or gripes, write Joe Bizek at the Software Creations BBS. I would sincerely like to hear from anyone who has anything to say about Doom and this guide.