Chapter 1: Proving Grounds is the first mission in the DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations DLC. In this level, you’ll return to the Dark Realm as the Doom Slayer to search for the Oracle, the only one who can help you reach the High Council’s chamber. Along the way, you’ll battle powerful demons while exploring the area for hidden Secret Areas, Codex entries, and Life Sigils. This guide will show you where to find every collectable and secret in the chapter.
Chapter 1: Proving Grounds – All Secrets & Collectables
Proving Grounds is the first level in the DLC pack titled Revelations of Doom: The Dark Ages. In this scenario, the Doom Slayer finds himself back in the Dark Realm, trying to find the Oracle. The Oracle is the only one who can help you get to the High Council chambers, so you have to defeat your enemies on the way and explore the surroundings along with completing the mission. Here are all the secrets and collectables in this chapter.
1. Secret Area
To find this hidden Soulsphere and Ammo Essence, go to the large castle door marked with a blue skull and look to the left side. Drop down from the nearby ledge to reach a secret area where the Ammo Essence is waiting for you. You will find it during the “Open the Door’ objective where you need to open the door with the Blue Skull Key.
Codex: Marok Letters I
From the large castle door marked with a blue skull, take the path on the left. Use the Shield Recall Jump to reach the higher platform, then keep following the path ahead. When you come to the ledge, drop down to the area below, and you’ll find the Codex waiting near the stairs. You will find it during the “Open the Door’ objective in the Proving Grounds level.
2. Secret Area + Life Sigil
You’ll find the Blue Key inside the castle ruins after defeating a group of enemies. Once they’re taken care of, simply continue forward and pick up the key before moving on. You will find it afer completing the “Open the Door’ objective with the help of the Blue Skull Key.
To reach the first hidden Life Sigil, use the Blue Key to open the Blue Skull gate. As the elevator starts moving down, jump off into the corridor directly below. Follow the hallway until you reach a lever at the end, then pull it to unlock the path to the Life Sigil. Be prepared to fight a few enemies along the way before you can safely collect it.
Codex: The High Council
This Codex is very easy to find. After opening the large castle door marked with a blue skull, head up the staircase just beyond it. You’ll see the Codex sitting on the stairs, making it hard to miss. When you are going towards the Council Chamber, you will find the Codex.
3. Secret Area
To get this hidden Soulsphere, continue forward from the staircase until you reach a blue Energy Node. Hit it to activate the nearby machine, which will open the gate on your left. Go through the gate, climb up the ledge, and jump across to the platform on the other side. The Soulsphere will be waiting for you in this secret area. When you are going towards the Council Chamber, you will find the secret area.
4. Secret Area + Life Sigil
When you are entering the Council Chamber, you’ll find this Life Sigil in the large arena where you fight the Agaddon Brute Champion. After defeating the enemy, head to the castle window on the opposite side of the area from where you entered. Use the Shield Recall Jump to reach it. From there, look for a small gap in the wall and throw your shield through it to hit the blue Energy Node. This will activate the nearby machine and open the gate, allowing you to collect the Life Sigil.
Codex: Council’s Chamber
After entering the Council’s Chamber, this Codex is located along the main path leading to the boss fight at the end of the chapter. Simply follow the story, and you’ll come across it before reaching the boss arena.
