- Primary bug: The Chain Spear launches with unbound controls showing a ?? icon.
- Easiest fix: Reset controller presets or manually map the 5 new spear actions.
- Key mechanic: The Chain Spear replaces your shield, shifting combat toward high-speed traversal.
- Best layout: Bind high-frequency actions like parries and high-speed pulls to easily accessible mouse buttons.
- Pro tip: Leave Revelations Tutorials turned on to verify your custom inputs work in real-time.
Fixing the Unbound Chain Spear ?? Control Bug
When you first acquire the Chain Spear in Chapter 2: Purgatory, you will likely encounter a frustrating issue. Instead of showing proper button prompts for your new moves, the user interface displays ??. This occurs because the Doom The Dark Ages Revelations spear controls do not automatically map to your existing layout if you played the base campaign before installing the DLC. Without assigning these inputs, the weapon will not function, effectively softlocking you in the tutorial.
Do not attempt to push past the first platforming section in Purgatory without fixing this bug. The game requires you to perform a Chain Spear pull to cross the initial gap, which is impossible while the input is unbound.
To resolve this issue immediately, you can use one of two verified methods to restore functionality:
| Fix Method | Target Platform | Step-by-Step Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Preset Reset | Console / Controller | Open Settings, go to Inputs, toggle Slayer Controller Presets to Southpaw, then toggle it back to Default. |
| Manual Mapping | PC Keyboard & Mouse | Open Settings, navigate to Keybinds, scroll down to the new Chain Spear section, and assign free keys. |
| Full Input Reset | PC & Console | Select Reset Slayer Controls to Default from the main Inputs menu to force-load all DLC bindings. |
Step-by-Step Chain Spear Rebinding Process
If you are playing on PC with a keyboard and mouse, manual rebinding is highly recommended. The expansion adds several complex melee actions that require comfortable placement to keep up with the fast-paced combat loop. Follow these steps to set up your layout:
Open the Input Settings Menu
Pause the game, navigate to Settings, select Inputs, and scroll down past the standard movement and weapon wheel settings to locate the dedicated Chain Spear subsection.
Identify the Five New Spear Actions
Locate the five newly added actions that currently display empty fields or ?? prompts: Ranged Throw, High-Speed Pull, Precision Throw, Timed Parry, and Ground Slam.
Assign Non-Conflicting Keybinds
Map each action to a key that does not conflict with your core movement keys (WASD). Utilize side mouse buttons (Mouse 4 and Mouse 5) or keys close to your resting fingers like Q, E, or Left Alt.
Apply Changes and Test in Purgatory
Save your settings and return to the game. The ?? prompts should now be replaced by your newly assigned keys, allowing you to successfully hook across the chasm and advance the campaign.
To maintain high mobility, try binding Parry/Slash to Right Click, Ready Spear to Mouse Button 5, and Ground Slam to Left Alt. This configuration mimics the hammer mechanics from the base game and keeps your left hand free for movement.
Chain Spear Input Styles and Combat Mechanics
The Chain Spear completely alters your combat flow. Unlike the defensive nature of the Shield Saw, the spear is built for aggressive arena control, vertical traversal, and high-speed momentum. Understanding how each input translates to battlefield dominance is essential for surviving higher difficulties like Nightmare.
Ranged Spear Throw
- Primary Input: Custom Bind (e.g., Left Click while readied)
- Effect: Strikes enemies from a distance
- Tactical Use: Softens up heavy targets and triggers hit reactions before you close the gap
High-Speed Pull
- Primary Input: Custom Bind (e.g., Mouse 4 / LB)
- Effect: Reels the Slayer directly to a target
- Tactical Use: Instantly crosses gaps, repositions vertically, and maintains high-speed momentum
Timed Parry
- Primary Input: Custom Bind (e.g., Right Click / LT)
- Effect: Repels incoming melee and projectile attacks
- Tactical Use: Punishes aggressive chargers and keeps you safely on the offensive
Update 4 introduces a dedicated slider in the gameplay settings to adjust the Perfect Dodge Window while dashing with the Chain Spear. If you struggle to time your dodges, increase this window to make the combat feel smoother during your first run.
To optimize your combat efficiency, familiarize yourself with the full suite of spear abilities:
| Spear Ability | Input Action | Combat Purpose | Tactical Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Throw | Ready + Custom Bind | Pierces heavy physical defenses | Forces shielded demons into a vulnerable state |
| Ground Slam | Jump + Custom Bind | Shatters the ground on impact | Deals heavy area-of-effect damage to clustered mobs |
| Air Trajectory Control | Hold Direction during Pull | Curves your movement mid-air | Lets you arc around hazards and dodge flanking projectiles |
Customizing Spear HUD and Accessibility Settings
Because the Chain Spear has multiple complex mechanics, id Software has included several accessibility and HUD customization tools in the Revelations DLC. These options help reduce visual clutter and ensure you can easily track your weapon's charge level during chaotic encounters.
- Spear Empowerment Display: Enables a circular meter directly beneath your reticle. This tracking tool shows when your spear is fully charged for a Precision Throw, eliminating the need to look down at your standard HUD.
- Input Style Toggles: Allows you to choose between Hold to Ready or Toggle to Ready for the spear aiming stance. Toggle mode is highly recommended for players who experience finger fatigue during long combat sessions.
- Parry Flash Recolor: Changes the visual indicator flash on attacking enemies. You can set this to high-contrast colors like neon blue or bright yellow to make parry windows significantly easier to read.
- Slayer Controls Reset: If your custom layout ever gets corrupted or stops registering inputs, use this master switch in the settings menu to clean out conflicting binds and start fresh.
Once you master these controls and complete the Master Arenas, your fully upgraded Chain Spear loadout and custom bindings will automatically carry over into Ripatorium 3.0. You can then test your custom layouts in endless, player-curated combat trials.
Mastery Checklist for Chain Spear Controls
Use this checklist to ensure your input configuration is fully optimized and that you have mastered the core traversal and combat techniques required to conquer the six new campaign levels.
Chain Spear Control Goals:
- Configure comfortable, non-conflicting keybinds for all 5 spear actions
- Perform 10 high-speed pulls to cross platforming gaps in Purgatory
- Execute 5 consecutive timed parries against aggressive melee demons
- Incorporate mid-air trajectory control to dodge a projectile while pulling
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does the game show ?? for my Doom The Dark Ages Revelations spear controls?
This is a known launch bug that occurs if you have existing save data from the base game. The DLC fails to automatically assign default keys to the new spear actions, leaving them completely blank.
Q: How do I quickly fix the unbound spear controls on PS5 or Xbox Series X|S?
Go to Settings > Inputs, change your 'Slayer Controller Presets' from Default to Southpaw, and then switch it immediately back to Default. This forces the game to load the correct default layout.
Q: Can I use the Shield Saw and the Chain Spear at the same time?
No. The Chain Spear is a hybrid weapon that completely replaces your Shield Saw when equipped, meaning you must rely on timed parries and high-speed pulls for defense instead of passive blocking.
Q: What is the best key to bind for the Chain Spear parry on PC?
Binding parry to Right Click (or a dedicated side mouse button like Mouse 4) is highly recommended. This keeps your defensive options resting right under your fingers for instant reaction times.