Arachnotron (Doom: The Dark Ages)

This article is about the monster in Doom: The Dark Ages. For other games, see:

• Arachnotron
• Arachnotron (Doom Eternal)

Arachnotron

An armored arachnotron

The arachnotron is a returning monster in Doom: The Dark Ages. Compared to chronologically later versions of the monster, these arachnotrons have organic legs, and their only cybernetic augmentation is a mechanical scorpion-like tail with a mounted chaingun turret.

The arachnotron has an armored variant, a.k.a. ballistatron, that replaces the chaingun with a heavy ballista.

Tactical analysis

The arachnotron's chaingun has considerable range and pours out a constant stream of hitscan rounds, which can be blocked with the shield saw but cannot be evaded. If left to its own devices, the arachnotron will chip away relentlessly at the Doom Slayer's armor and health while he remains within its line of sight. If the arachnotron cannot be killed from afar, then the player should either find cover or close the distance as quickly as possible to engage the arachnotron up close; a shield throw will lock the arachnotron down and prevent it from attacking. The arachnotron can swipe its front legs for a melee attack at close range, but it will usually leap away from the Slayer when he gets too close. Arachnotrons are not very durable and a few shots from most weapons will destroy them.

Armored arachnotron

The armored arachnotron is somewhat less immediately dangerous by comparison as its slower projectiles are easier to avoid. It attacks with either a succession of single, homing ballista shots or a pattern of energy waves to box the Slayer in a makeshift corridor while releasing shots that fly forwards in a zigzag pattern. At the end of the latter attack it fires a single, small Hell surge round, which is the only projectile in its arsenal that can be parried. Armored arachnotrons can hunker down, hiding their vulnerable faces behind their reinforced legs. Once the armor is removed, the monster is no more durable than a regular arachnotron.

Lore

The arachnotrons are grotesque arachnid war beasts from the shadowy abyssal pits of Hell. These arachnotrons are blind and sense movement using psionic pulses generated by their cortex. Ahzrak's war priests have fitted the arachnotrons with great firepower, contrasting with the demons' relative fragility.

Pre-release

The arachnotron was first seen alongside two floating cacodemons in the reveal trailer released on June 9, 2024.

Gallery

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  The arachnotron's collectible toy.

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  The codex entry image.

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  The size comparison of the Slayer and armored arachnotron in the Ripatorium's encounter manager.

Concept art

All concept art by Emerson Tung.

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  Ideation sketches, the upper right is close to the final design of the armored variant.

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  Arachnotron final design.

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  Armored arachnotron final design.

Trivia

• With its mounted chaingun, the arachnotron is similar to the mindweaver from Legacy of Rust, whose appearance was based on early sprites of its classic counterpart.
• The arachnotron's Codex entry did not appear consistently when the game was first released. This was corrected in Update 1.