Table of Contents

Which Difficulty Should I Play Doom On? A Slayer’s Guide

Quick answer

This page answers Which difficulty should I play Doom? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

The simple answer is: play Doom on the difficulty that provides the most fun and engaging experience for you. There’s no shame in playing on any difficulty, and the beauty of most Doom games, especially the modern installments, is that you can adjust the difficulty mid-campaign. Experiment, find what suits your skill level and enjoyment threshold, and rip and tear! Now, let’s dive deeper into what each difficulty entails and how to choose the best one for your first (or subsequent) playthrough.

Understanding Doom’s Difficulty Settings

Doom games, both classic and modern, offer a range of difficulty options catering to players of all skill levels. These settings aren’t just about making enemies deal more damage; they fundamentally alter the gameplay experience. Understanding these differences is crucial in choosing the right difficulty for you.

Classic Doom Difficulties

I’m Too Young To Die: The easiest setting. Enemies are less aggressive, deal less damage, and you receive more health, armor, and ammo pickups. Perfect for newcomers or those wanting a more relaxed experience.
Hey, Not Too Rough: A step up from the previous setting, offering a slight increase in enemy aggression and damage. A good starting point for players with some FPS experience.
Hurt Me Plenty: Considered the “normal” difficulty. A balanced experience that provides a challenge without being overwhelming. This is often recommended for first-time players.
Ultra-Violence: A significant jump in difficulty. Enemies are much more aggressive, deal more damage, and resources are scarcer. For players seeking a serious challenge.
Nightmare!: The hardest difficulty in classic Doom. Enemies are incredibly aggressive, deal maximum damage, and even respawn quickly after being killed. Requires mastery of the game’s mechanics and level layouts.

Modern Doom (2016 & Eternal) Difficulties

I’m Too Young To Die: Similar to the classic setting, providing a very forgiving experience. Perfect for learning the game’s mechanics.
Hurt Me Plenty: Again, considered the “normal” difficulty. A balanced challenge that encourages strategic resource management and combat awareness.
Ultra-Violence: The default hard mode, demanding aggressive play and efficient resource management. Mastery of movement and weapon switching is crucial.
Nightmare!: Enemies are extremely aggressive and numerous, requiring flawless execution of the combat loop. Expect to die frequently.
Ultra-Nightmare: Reserved for the most skilled and dedicated players. Nightmare difficulty with permadeath – one death and your save file is erased.
Extra Life Mode (Eternal): This option provides a more forgiving approach by allowing you to respawn at the location where you died using the “Extra Life” pickups.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Difficulty

Several factors should influence your decision when selecting a difficulty level:

Your Experience with FPS Games: If you’re new to the genre, starting on an easier difficulty like “I’m Too Young To Die” or “Hey, Not Too Rough” is highly recommended. This allows you to learn the controls, mechanics, and level layouts without constant frustration.
Your Preference for Challenge: Some players thrive on overcoming difficult challenges, while others prefer a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. Be honest with yourself about what you find fun.
Your Tolerance for Frustration: Doom games can be challenging, especially on higher difficulties. If you get easily frustrated by dying repeatedly, stick to a lower difficulty.
Your Desire for Story Immersion: Higher difficulties can sometimes detract from the story experience, as you’ll be more focused on survival than the narrative. Lower difficulties allow you to appreciate the story and atmosphere more fully.
Game Mechanics Proficiency: Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal emphasize resource management, aggressive combat, and quick decision-making. Choose a difficulty that matches your current proficiency with these mechanics.

The Importance of Adjusting Difficulty

Don’t be afraid to adjust the difficulty as you play. If you start on “Hurt Me Plenty” and find it too easy, bump it up to “Ultra-Violence.” Conversely, if you’re struggling on “Ultra-Violence,” there’s no shame in dropping down to “Hurt Me Plenty” or even lower. The goal is to have fun and enjoy the game. Doom Eternal specifically allows seamless difficulty adjustments at any time, making it easy to find the perfect balance.

Doom’s Difficulty: More Than Just Enemy Health

It’s vital to realize that difficulty levels impact more than just enemy health pools. They affect:

Enemy Aggression: How frequently and aggressively enemies attack.
Enemy Damage: The amount of damage enemies inflict.
Resource Availability: The amount of health, armor, and ammo you find.
Enemy Count: The number of enemies present in each encounter.
Enemy Types: Some difficulties may introduce more challenging enemy types earlier in the game.
AI Behaviors: On higher settings, enemies demonstrate smarter tactics and target prioritization.

Is There a “Right” Difficulty?

Absolutely not. The “right” difficulty is the one that maximizes your enjoyment. Don’t let anyone pressure you into playing on a difficulty that isn’t fun for you. Gaming should be an enjoyable experience, and choosing the appropriate difficulty is key to achieving that. The research provided by organizations like Games Learning Society and accessible on GamesLearningSociety.org, demonstrate how games can adapt to player skill and improve the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it okay to play Doom Eternal on easy mode if I’m new?

Yes! Absolutely. Starting on the lowest difficulty (I’m Too Young To Die) is perfectly acceptable and often recommended for new players. Focus on learning the controls, weapons, and combat loop without feeling overwhelmed. You can always increase the difficulty later.

2. Does difficulty matter in Doom Eternal?

Yes, drastically! Difficulty affects enemy aggression, damage output, resource availability, and even the number of enemies you face.

3. What is DOOM’s hardest difficulty?

In classic Doom, it’s Nightmare! In modern Doom games, it’s usually Ultra-Nightmare, which adds permadeath to the already challenging Nightmare difficulty.

4. What DOOM game should I start with if I’m new to the franchise?

Doom (2016) is an excellent entry point. It provides a modern Doom experience while being more accessible than Doom Eternal. Alternatively, you can start with the original Doom (1993) to experience the roots of the franchise.

5. Is Doom Eternal harder than Doom 2016?

Generally, yes. Doom Eternal is faster-paced and more aggressive than Doom 2016, requiring a greater mastery of the game’s mechanics. Doom 2016 is generally considered a more forgiving and accessible experience.

6. Which is harder, DOOM or Dark Souls?

This depends on the player and difficulty. For a brand new player, Doom Eternal’s fast-paced combat and resource management may seem harder than Dark Souls. However, once you master Doom Eternal’s mechanics, it can become much more manageable than a Dark Souls game.

7. What difficulty should I play Doom 2016 on for my first playthrough?

Most players recommend Hurt Me Plenty for a first playthrough of Doom 2016. It provides a good balance of challenge and enjoyment.

8. How does DOOM’s difficulty change enemy behavior?

On higher difficulties, enemies become more aggressive, attack more frequently, deal more damage, and exhibit smarter AI behaviors. They may also use their strongest attacks more often.

9. Should I let my child play Doom Eternal?

Doom Eternal contains graphic violence and gore. Consider your child’s maturity level and tolerance for violent content before allowing them to play. Most retailers rate the game for Mature audiences (17+).

10. How hard is Doom Eternal on Ultra Nightmare?

Doom Eternal on Ultra Nightmare is notoriously difficult. It requires flawless execution, perfect resource management, and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. Expect to die many times (and lose your save file!).

11. Do I need Doom Eternal to play The Ancient Gods DLC?

No! The Ancient Gods DLC for Doom Eternal is a standalone expansion.

12. Why is Doom 2016 considered better than Eternal by some?

Some players prefer Doom (2016) for its tighter focus, atmosphere, and less complex combat mechanics. They feel it delivers a more streamlined and intense Doom experience.

13. Why is DOOM so easy to run on older computers?

Doom, particularly the original games, has low system requirements due to its age and relatively simple graphics.

14. Why is Dark Souls considered so hard?

Dark Souls is challenging due to its deliberate design, unforgiving combat, complex level layouts, and challenging boss encounters. It rewards patience, learning from mistakes, and strategic planning.

15. Is Skyrim harder than Dark Souls?

No, Dark Souls is significantly harder than Skyrim. The difficulty gap is substantial.