Rocket launcher (Doom: The Dark Ages)

This stub article makes use of facts and/or references about ongoing events and may need to be updated frequently. Information here may become outdated quickly. Please help the Doom Wiki by keeping it up to date.

Wielding the rocket launcher.

This article is about the weapon in Doom: The Dark Ages. For other versions of this weapon, see:

• Rocket launcher
• Rocket launcher (Doom 3)
• Rocket launcher (Doom 2016)
• Rocket launcher (Doom Eternal)

The rocket launcher returns as a weapon and is part of the launcher class in Doom: The Dark Ages, alongside the grenade launcher. It is introduced in The Forsaken Plains.

Tactical analysis

Given its relatively slow-moving projectiles, not to mention the lack of a lock-on feature, the rocket launcher is ideally used against large and ponderous monsters such as cacodemon hybrids or mancubi. However, in a twist on the best practice normally associated with explosive weaponry, its Cannibalism upgrade makes firing the rocket launcher at point-blank range viable or even preferable—many of the game's toughest enemies like the cyberdemon and the cosmic baron can be counted on to make Hell surge melee attacks continually, ensuring an uninterrupted uptime on the Cannibalism effect and allowing the Slayer to heal himself by firing rockets right in the demon's face. Barring outside interference, it is quite possible to finish such a duel with more health than one had going into it.

Upgrades

The second upgrade tier comprises two upgrades. The tier is purchased as a whole, but only one upgrade from this tier may be equipped at a time. Purchased upgrades can be freely swapped between via the Arsenal section in the Codex.

Cannibalism Parrying a Hell surge attack temporarily causes self-damage to heal you.
Cooked Parrying a Hell Surge projectile empowers your next shot.	Blood Sacrifice Rocket Launcher projectiles deal increased splash damage at the cost of more self-damage.
Bloodlust Cannibalism lasts significantly longer.

Mastery

Purchasing all upgrade tiers for the rocket launcher will unlock its mastery challenge. Completing the challenge will unlock the gold "Conqueror" skin for this weapon.

Engorge

Heal yourself with the Cannibalism upgrade from close range blasts of the rocket launcher 50 times.

Lore

Born from the design for the grenade launcher, the rocket launcher originated as an anti-air weapon in the wake of the Xyvoran Conflict. Early models were powered by Wintherin fire and reinforced with their scales, but later versions adopted conventional propulsion after the Wintherins were declared sacred. The Doom Slayer's launcher is the last to wield the dragon-forged technology.

Gallery

• 

  The codex entry image.

Concept art

All concept art by Ethan Evans.

• 

  Final design.

• 

  Visual comparison between default and upgraded rocket launcher.

Skins

All skins for the rocket launcher.

• 

  Default.

• 

  Reverent.

• 

  Conqueror.

• 

  Nightmare.