Doom 2016 features a variety of runes that enhance your gameplay experience, allowing for better survivability, increased damage output, and improved mobility. While early-game runes serve their purpose, later runes provide significantly better advantages. Here’s a breakdown of the top five best runes and their trials in Doom 2016.
5. In-Flight Mobility
- Effect: Improves your directional control after double jumping.
- Why It’s Good: Enhances maneuverability, allowing quick mid-air adjustments.
- Rune Trial Location: Argent Facility (Destroyed) – Mission 7.
- How to Unlock: Complete an easy orb-collecting challenge within a time limit.
This rune makes aerial combat smoother, letting you change direction even after initiating a jump. Given Doom 2016’sfast-paced movement, this is a must-have for dodging projectiles and avoiding damage.
4. Intimacy is Best
- Effect: Enemies stagger easier, requiring less damage to trigger Glory Kills.
- Why It’s Good: Pairs well with Armor Defensive and Rich Get Richer runes for an unstoppable setup.
- Rune Trial Location: Advanced Research Complex.
- How to Unlock: Use a pistol to stagger enemies efficiently for Glory Kills.
This rune significantly speeds up the stagger process, making Glory Kills more frequent. Since Glory Kills restore health and (with the right perks) armor, this rune increases combat efficiency and survivability.
3. Armor Defensive
- Effect: Enemies drop armor upon a Glory Kill.
- Why It’s Good: Sustains high armor levels, reducing incoming damage.
- Rune Trial Location: Argent Facility (Destroyed) – Mission 7.
- How to Unlock: Perform Glory Kills while managing armor pickups.
Since armor absorbs damage before health, having a steady armor supply means you can withstand more attacks. This rune is especially useful when combined with Glory Kill-enhancing runes, creating a cycle of sustained protection.
2. Saving Throw
- Effect: Survive a lethal hit once per level (twice when upgraded).
- Why It’s Good: Acts as a last-chance mechanic, preventing untimely deaths.
- Rune Trial Location: Lazarus Labs.
- How to Unlock: Survive a one-hit death challenge while eliminating key demons.
This rune is invaluable for high-difficulty playthroughs. Since the upgraded version allows two death saves per level, it provides a much-needed buffer during tough boss fights and intense encounters.
1. Rich Get Richer
- Effect: Grants infinite ammo at 100+ armor (75+ when upgraded).
- Why It’s Best: Effectively removes the need to manage ammo, making combat more efficient.
- Rune Trial Location: Lazarus Labs.
- How to Unlock: Complete a rocket launcher trial, managing explosive damage.
This is the best rune in the game when paired with Armor Defensive and Intimacy is Best. By maintaining a high armor level, players can fire their weapons without ever worrying about ammo consumption, making the game significantly easier at higher difficulties.
Conclusion
A well-chosen rune loadout enhances your combat prowess and survivability in Doom 2016. Prioritize Intimacy is Best, Armor Defensive, and Rich Get Richer for a sustainable health and ammo loop. Meanwhile, Saving Throwensures you survive difficult fights, while In-Flight Mobility enhances evasive maneuvers. Mastering these runes will turn you into an unstoppable force in the game.
Now, take these strategies and rip and tear until it is done!




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