Plasma rifle (Doom Eternal)

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Revision as of 09:59, 26 May 2020 by Newlydoomed (talk | contribs) (Heat Blast)


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The plasma rifle in use against zombies.
Concept art.
This article is about the weapon in Doom Eternal. For other versions of this weapon, see:

The plasma rifle returns as a weapon in Doom Eternal, with a new design that draws heavily from the original plasma gun. The overall function of the weapon appears to be unchanged from the previous game, firing small bright blue compact orbs of plasma at a rapid rate.

"Deals bonus damage to Energy Shields. Maximize damage potential by using at medium to close range."
― Doom Eternal dossier protip

Tactical analysis

The plasma rifle now features a new effect where enemies that are hit by several plasma orbs within a short time will explode in a burst of energy, like the needler of the Halo series. While helpful against clustered enemies, this effect can be inconvenient if trying to go for a glory kill.

Energy shields like the ones used by the shield soldier and carcass will overload and explode if hit by plasma rifle fire, severely damaging the shield's user and damaging other enemies nearby. It can also disable the Doomhunter's body shield, exposing it to damage. However, it cannot affect the magical shields used by the Arch-vile and the Marauder.

Modifications

Heat Blast
The same as Heat Blast from Doom (2016), but now firing in a cone ahead of the gun rather than in a circle centered on the player; as before, it must be charged up by using the plasma rifle's standard fire. It has three levels of charge, designated by the color of the coolant sheath. At least one level of charge must be built up to fire the Heat Blast, with higher levels enhancing the damage of the Heat Blast.
Microwave Beam
Following a short spin-up time, fires a concentrated, short-ranged beam of plasma energy that locks onto and immobilizes an enemy as long as the beam is maintained; sufficient exposure to the beam will kill the enemy, causing it to explode and deal damage to others nearby. The explosion size is dependent on how large the slain enemy was. A health bar will appear below a monster that is currently being affected by the beam, giving an approximate sense as to how much time is needed to cause a death explosion.

Upgrades

Heat Blast

Quick Fire
Firing delay after using the Heat Blast is reduced by 25%
Cost: 3 weapon points
Super Heated Rounds
Heat Blast charge per shot is increased by 25%
Cost: 6 weapon points.
Power Surge
After triggering a fully charged Heat Blast, the plasma gun's projectiles will receive a damage boost for a short time

Microwave Beam

Faster Beam Charge
Microwave Beam charge time is reduced by 66%
Cost: 3 weapon points.
Increased Range
Microwave Beam targeting range is increased by 50%
Cost: 6 weapon points.
Concussive Blast
Demons that are detonated by the Microwave Beam will trigger a concussive blast that falters nearby enemies.