Every Secret Spire of Nerathul Landing Zone in Doom: The Dark Ages (Full Guide)
The Spire of Nerathul secret landing zones are among the most fascinating and challenging parts of Doom: The Dark Ages. This chapter drops you right into an intense mix of aerial combat and exploration as you command your dragon across the skies of Hell. Unlike the typical corridors and arenas that Doom fans are used to, this stage pushes you into open skies where every hidden corner may hold a landing zone, a collectible, or a deadly ambush.
Why the Spire of Nerathul is unique in Doom: The Dark Ages
Most missions in Doom: The Dark Ages stick to grounded combat and linear progressions, but the Spire of Nerathul feels like an open-world playground. It combines dragon-mounted flight mechanics with hidden maps that can only be reached if you know exactly where to land. Missing these landing zones means missing out on collectibles, lore, and upgrades that enrich the entire Doom experience.
First impressions and starting point on the dragon
You begin Chapter 14 riding your dragon high above the Spire. The first instinct for many players is to chase down visible enemies, but the secret to discovering everything is to ignore distractions. Instead of fighting every target in sight, you need to think strategically, explore the edges of the map, and look for subtle cues that guide you to hidden landing spots.
How Landing Zones Work in Doom: The Dark Ages
Before you start hunting for secrets, it’s important to understand the mechanics of dragon flight and how landing zones function in this chapter.
Mechanics of dragon flight and disembarkation
Your dragon isn’t just a mount—it’s your lifeline in this map. You’ll be constantly shifting between aerial battles and ground exploration. Landing zones act as transition points, letting you disembark to explore hidden maps. Each one works like a mini-level, offering secrets, battles, and rewards before you remount your dragon.
How to identify hidden landing zones on the map
Landing zones are often tucked away in areas that aren’t immediately obvious. Look for tunnels glowing with colored light, strange openings at the bottom of the map, or pathways guarded by powerful enemies. These visual markers are your biggest clues. Once you spot one, fly in carefully, defeat whatever guardian lies in wait, and you’ll unlock the secret map.
Secret Landing Zone One
Flying to the edge of the map
The first hidden landing zone is deceptively close to the start. Instead of engaging enemies head-on, steer your dragon toward the edge of the map. This often feels counterintuitive, but doing so will reveal an isolated spot that most players overlook.
Defeating the guardian monster
On approach, a massive monster will block your path. This fight is unavoidable and serves as the first test of your aerial combat skills. Dodge carefully, deal consistent damage, and once the creature falls, the landing zone becomes available.
Exploring the first hidden map
Once you land, you’ll enter your first hidden map. Though smaller than later zones, it’s filled with collectibles that help prepare you for tougher encounters. Make sure to fully explore before returning to the skies.
Secret Landing Zone Two
Diving to the bottom of the map
After leaving the first map, steer your dragon to the center of the arena and dive downward. At the bottom, you’ll find the second landing zone waiting for you. No special conditions are required—just approach and land.
Collectibles and surprises on the second map
This map is larger than the first and loaded with collectibles, lore tablets, and hidden surprises. It’s worth combing through every corner. Some players report finding rare upgrades here, making it one of the most rewarding zones in the chapter.
Preparing for the Hell Fighter chase
After exploring, you’ll face your first major aerial pursuit. The Hell Fighter makes its appearance here, luring you toward what looks like the next zone. However, this is a trick—and falling for it can cause you to miss critical secrets.
Secret Landing Zone Three
Avoiding the Hell Fighter’s lure
Instead of following the Hell Fighter into its landing zone, double back to the bottom of the map. This counterintuitive move is the only way to unlock the third landing zone.
Finding the tunnel and entering the third map
Here, you’ll discover a hidden tunnel that leads to a brand-new map. The moment you fly inside, you’ll realize you’ve uncovered another major secret.
Using the one-way teleport connection
This third landing zone is unique because it consists of two interconnected maps. They’re linked by a one-way teleport, forcing you to think carefully about your exploration order. Miss something, and you won’t be able to backtrack without restarting.
Secret Landing Zone Four
Following the yellow glowing tunnel
After leaving the third zone, steer your dragon toward the yellow marker. This leads you to a tunnel emitting a bright yellow glow—a telltale sign of the fourth landing zone.
Defeating the tentacle guardian
Inside, you’ll encounter a massive tentacle boss that blocks your progress. The key to winning is timing your dodges perfectly. A flawless dodge rewards you with a reinforced laser weapon, essential for burning down the monster quickly.
Exploring the fourth secret map
Once the tentacle falls, you’ll access the fourth hidden map. This area offers not just collectibles but also intense combat challenges, rewarding skilled players with powerful upgrades.
Secret Landing Zone Five
Entering the blue glowing tunnel
With the yellow tunnel explored, it’s time to follow the right-hand marker. This leads to an identical tunnel, but this one glows with a deep blue light. Entering it transports you to the fifth secret landing zone.
The second encounter with the tentacle
Here, you’ll face another tentacle guardian. The fight plays out much like before—dodge perfectly, unlock your reinforced laser, and rain destruction until the path is clear.
Discovering the fifth hidden map
This zone opens into another sprawling map. Packed with combat challenges and lore, it’s one of the most atmospheric maps in the Spire of Nerathul.
Final Secret Landing Zone Six
The largest and most complex map
The sixth and final secret landing zone is the grand finale of the chapter. Once you land, you’ll enter a sprawling map that dwarfs all previous ones in size and complexity.
How the two map sections are connected
This zone is divided into two interconnected sections. You’ll need to carefully explore both to uncover all collectibles and secrets. Missing one section means missing out on significant rewards.
Preparing for the chapter finale
Be cautious—once you pass through the yellow door, there’s no turning back. This door marks the end of Chapter 14 and the conclusion of your dragon-riding sequence. Make sure you’ve completed all six landing zones before stepping inside.
Tips for Mastering the Spire of Nerathul
Managing dragon combat during exploration
Staying alive in the air is just as important as landing. Keep moving, circle around enemies, and use your dragon’s mobility to your advantage. Stalling in mid-air is a quick way to get blasted out of the skies.
Best times to explore landing zones
The safest time to approach a landing zone is right after clearing nearby enemies. This gives you space to focus on exploration without being interrupted by aerial attacks.
Avoiding missed collectibles
Many players miss items because they rush through zones. Take your time, explore every nook, and don’t leave a landing zone until you’re certain you’ve collected everything.
Common Mistakes Players Make
Rushing into the finale too early
The biggest mistake is entering the yellow door before completing all six landing zones. Once you pass through, there’s no way to return without replaying the entire chapter.
Ignoring Hell Fighter encounters
The Hell Fighter isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a guide. Even though it sometimes leads you astray, defeating it unlocks valuable rewards. Don’t skip these fights.
Overlooking tunnels with colored light
The glowing tunnels are the clearest sign of hidden zones, but in the chaos of combat, many players fly past without noticing. Stay alert and look for these visual cues.
Rewards from Discovering All Secret Landing Zones
Unlockable weapons and upgrades
Several hidden zones reward you with upgrades, reinforced weapons, and rare items that make later chapters easier. Skipping them means you’ll miss out on serious firepower.
Bonus lore and story content
Each landing zone also hides fragments of lore. These collectibles flesh out the backstory of the Doom universe, giving you more insight into the Dark Ages timeline.
Extra challenge fights
Beyond collectibles, landing zones often contain combat arenas with bonus enemies. Defeating them earns bragging rights and rewards that standard players will never see.
Conclusion
The Spire of Nerathul secret landing zones aren’t just optional detours—they’re the heart of Chapter 14. From aerial battles against tentacles to hidden maps filled with lore and upgrades, these zones transform the level into a massive exploration playground. By following the steps above and resisting the urge to rush straight to the finale, you’ll unlock everything this chapter has to offer and set yourself up for success in the battles to come.
FAQs
How many secret landing zones are in Spire of Nerathul?
There are six in total, each unlocking a hidden map with collectibles and challenges.
Do you need to defeat Hell Fighter every time?
Yes, Hell Fighter appears multiple times and defeating it unlocks key rewards. However, sometimes it won’t spawn, but you can still progress without it.
What happens if you miss a landing zone?
You can’t return once you finish the chapter. The only option is to replay the level.
Can you return after finishing Chapter 14?
No. Once you pass through the yellow door, the dragon sequence ends, and you can’t revisit the Spire of Nerathul without replaying.
Are the collectibles tied to achievements or trophies?
Yes, many collectibles in the secret landing zones are tied to achievements, making them crucial for completionists.
What’s the hardest landing zone in Spire of Nerathul?
The fourth and fifth zones, guarded by tentacle bosses, are considered the toughest due to their punishing attacks and timing-based dodges.
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