Arch-vile (Doom Eternal)



The arch-vile returns as a monster in Doom Eternal, its first proper reappearance since Doom 3. Judging from its appearance, which closely matches its Doom II incarnation's slim, mutilated body, long arms, and gold-glowing, fire-wreathed hands, it will likely attack in a manner similar to the original monster, utilizing fire-elemental spells. Also it was shown to cast lightning spells in the Battlemode demonstration from QuakeCon 2019. It is presently unknown if the summoner will also be retained alongside the arch-vile as a separate monster, and whether or not the arch-vile will be able to resurrect other demons.

Appearance
Through a statue of the arch-vile which has been featured at, it is known that the arch-vile now has yellowish or off-white bone-like plates under which gore and muscle tissue can be seen. Like the original, it has a partially torn-open rib cage and open abdomen, though a significant difference is that its abdomen is filled with gore rather than being completely empty. The arch-vile's hands can be seen to have a network of red-glowing cracks or veins, and when preparing its Hellfire attack they burst into flames along with most of the ground upon which the arch-vile stands.

Lore
The Arch-viles claim descent from the eldest race of demons, and many of them are counted within the ranks of the highest demon lords. In addition to their innate mastery of hellfire and superior intelligence, Arch-viles possess psychomantic powers that allow them to command lesser demons with ease.

E3 2018 contest
A statue of the arch-vile was the subject of a contest held by Bethesda and id Software during E3 2018 - tweets of photographs taken with the statue using the hashtag #DOOMEternalE3 would enter the posting user in a drawing for free tickets to the 2018 convention, where further information about the game is slated to be released. The same statue later appeared at QuakeCon.

QuakeCon 2018
An arch-vile appears at the end of the gameplay reveal of Doom Eternal, where it seems to channel its Hellfire attack toward the Doom Slayer, as the Doom Slayer brings out a sword that is strikingly similar to the Crucible.