The Unmaker is an alternate super weapon to the BFG in Doom Eternal, unlocked by completing all six Slayer Gate combat challenges throughout the campaign. Initially, many players found it underwhelming compared to the BFG, as it lacked the immediate devastation and crowd-clearing power that the BFG provided. However, with the release of The Ancient Gods – Part 1 expansion, the Unmaker has found its place in the combat flow, becoming a more tactical and rewarding weapon.

Unmaker vs. BFG: Understanding the Differences

Both the Unmaker and BFG share the same Argent Energy ammo pool, which is refilled by picking up BFG Cells. Each pickup provides 30 cells, with a maximum ammo count of 60.

• The BFG fires a massive energy orb that releases tendrils, stunning and draining enemies in its radius. Each shot costs 30 cells.
• The Unmaker concentrates that energy into rapid automatic fire, capable of melting down enemies with pinpoint accuracy. Each pulse costs 1 cell per wave, making it a more selective and ammo-efficient alternative to the BFG.

While the Unmaker deals more raw damage than the BFG, it is best used for focused eliminations rather than widespread devastation.

Why Players Initially Overlooked the Unmaker

In the base campaign, many players ignored the Unmaker due to:

1. Late-game acquisition – Since it unlocks near the end of the campaign, players often stick to their familiar weapon loadouts.
2. BFG’s emergency utility – The BFG can clear an entire room with one shot, making it a more appealing option for panic situations.
3. Limited heavy enemy density – The main campaign doesn’t throw enough Super Heavy Demons at the player to justify using the Unmaker extensively.

However, The Ancient Gods expansion dramatically shifts the combat landscape, making the Unmaker a far more valuable tool.

The Ancient Gods Changes Everything

In the expansion, the combat encounters are much tougher, with a higher concentration of Super Heavy Demons. For example:

• The Halt Arena spawns three Barons of Hell simultaneously.
• The first level alone features eight Barons and five Tyrants, not even counting Slayer Gate encounters.
• Super Heavy Demons don’t die instantly to a BFG shot, making a sustained damage alternative more useful.
• Arena designs have tighter spaces, making it harder to get clear aerial BFG shots without wasting ammo.

Furthermore, The Ancient Gods removes the Crucible, meaning players need a powerful way to deal with high-health enemies. This makes the Unmaker an ideal choice for tackling tough foes efficiently.

Optimizing the Unmaker in Combat

The Unmaker excels at quickly deleting Super Heavy Demons, especially when paired with combos. Here are some of the most effective techniques:

1. Freeze + Unmaker + Super Shotgun/ Ballista Combo
   • Ice Bomb → 7 Unmaker rounds → Super Shotgun + Ballista → Dead Baron.
2. Rocket + Unmaker + Full Auto (For Extra Style Points!)
   • Ice Bomb → Rocket → Unmaker + Full Auto Shotgun → Instant obliteration.
3. Remote Detonation + Unmaker + Super Shotgun
   • Fire a Remote Detonation Rocket → Unmaker burst → Grenade → Super Shotgun → Blood Punch → Dead enemy.
4. Microwave Beam + Unmaker
   • Use Microwave Beam to hold an enemy in place → Switch to Unmaker and melt them instantly.

These combos not only maximize damage efficiency but also reduce ammo consumption compared to spamming the BFG.

How Efficient is the Unmaker?

A major concern is whether the Unmaker can sustain damage output without running out of BFG ammo. The answer? Yes—if managed properly.

• Ammo Conservation Test: Using only Unmaker combos, a full DLC run was completed without ever running out of ammo.
• Picking up every BFG Cell in the expansion ensures that you never run dry before reaching the final boss.

Unmaker in One-Cycle Marauder Kills

The Unmaker also shines against Marauders, allowing for one-cycle kills. The trick is to interrupt their defensive stance using the Ballista or Arbalest, then chain the Unmaker with grenade explosions to lock them in place. As few as 12 Unmaker rounds can finish off a Marauder extremely fast.

The Bigger Picture: Weapon Balance in Doom Eternal

One of the most fascinating aspects of Doom Eternal is how combat encounters affect weapon balance. The Ancient Gods didn’t buff the Unmaker, but put players in situations where it naturally excels. This dynamic is seen across multiple weapons:

• Destroyer Blade is more viable due to tighter arenas.
• Energy Shield becomes a life-saving tool in chaotic fights.
• Microwave Beam finds a place against Spirit-infused enemies.
• Full Auto Shotgun shines against clusters of heavies.

These changes encourage experimentation, showing that even underused mods and weapons can be devastating when used in the right encounters.

Final Thoughts

The Unmaker has finally found its true purpose in The Ancient Gods expansion. No longer just an alternate BFG, it excels at eliminating Super Heavy Demons quickly, conserving ammo, and delivering devastating combos. If you haven’t given the Unmaker much thought before, now is the time to integrate it into your playstyle.

With Doom Eternal’s flexible combat mechanics, there’s no single way to play. Whether you focus on efficiency, speed, or sheer chaos, the Unmaker is a worthy addition to your arsenal—just be sure your PC can handle the mayhem!

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For more Doom Eternal weapon breakdowns, check out additional guides on underused mods, combat strategies, and weapon synergies. Keep experimenting, keep slaying, and most importantly—stay stylish.