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- Image from Doom: The Dark Ages. Courtesy of Bethesda Softworks.

Doom: The Dark Ages Holy City of Aratum All Secret Dragon Landing Zones

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Andrew Linde | Last updated May 20, 2025 9:30 AM ET

Doom: The Dark Ages’ Chapter 5’s hidden “Layover” challenge has two hidden landing sites await discovery: one on top of a lone tower to the left of the first hellcarrier, and the other at the bottom of a massive well beneath the same carrion-covered vessel. Before diving onto your dragon and tearing through the Infernal skies of the Holy City of Aratum, it’s a good idea to know where to land and what treasures await below.

Opening both of these areas not only completes the side quest but also nets you a treasure trove of goodies, ranging from a Demonic Essence and gold chest in Zone #1, to a rare “Nightmare” skin for the Pulverizer in Zone #2, as well as an extra 50 gold for taking both positions. If you’d like to take a gander at some more secrets in the Holy City of Aratum, be my guest and check out this guide! Trust me, it’ll make your onslaught in Doom: The Dark Ages easier.

Understanding the Layover Challenge

Doom: The Dark Ages shifts the series’ focus towards big set-pieces and strategic vehicle segments, like a cyber-dragon mount you pilot in specific chapters. In Chapter 5, “The Holy City of Aratum,” this dragon flight is not just a show, it’s the means of accessing the optional “Layover” side quest, which tasks players with locating and landing on two concealed platforms secreted around the cityscape.

These hidden zones have nothing to do with the main objective, but they repay exploration-driven Doom Slayers with valuable treasure and cosmetic upgrades. Anything to make your adventure through Doom: The Dark Ages, no?

Why It Matters

Resource Collection: On higher difficulty levels, resources such as rubies, Demonic Essences, and gold are scarce.
Cosmetic Rewards: The “Nightmare” weapon skins, being purely cosmetic, are elite completionist trophies.
Challenge Completion: Finishing side quests like “Layover” aids your overall completion rate and can reward further upgrades at Sentinel Shrines.

Secret Dragon Landing Zone #1

Location & Activation

From the first moment you have control after the initial cutscene in Aratum’s expansive courtyard, look to your left at the enormous hellcarrier hovering overhead. Directly beneath it is a single tower, atop which patrols a lone Titan.

Spot the Titan: Target the beast to help it stand out from the grey rock.
Take It Down: Eliminate this Titan; the first landing zone is automatically unlocked, marked by a bright green beacon in-world and on your minimap.

Rewards

Demonic Essence: Instantly raises your maximum health, giving you an edge for upcoming encounters.
Gold Chest: Contains a generous sum of gold currency invested in Shrine upgrades.

Pro Tips

Employ long-range attacks (e.g., Saw Shield, Accelerator) to safely kill the Titan from a distance.
Following the landing, anticipate small demon waves; dispose of them swiftly to access the chest.

Secret Dragon Landing Zone #2

Location & Activation

After having enjoyed Zone #1’s wealth, look directly under the same hellcarrier. On the ground is a large well, dive your dragon straight down into its mouth.

Descend Deep: Fall below the obvious platform; you will not have reached the bottom until you are level with three stone pillars.
Titan Guardians: Two Titans are concealed on pedestals. Eliminate both to enable the second landing, which is designated by a second green marker at the well bottom.

Rewards

“Nightmare” Pulverizer Skin: A rare cosmetic mod for your Pulverizer, dripping with demonic flair.
Extra Loot: Rubies or small gold stashes occasionally spawn with the skin pedestal.

Pro Tips

Use the Shield Recall Jump upgrade from Sentinel Shrines to deal with thin spaces more easily.
Clear the top platform first to avoid being flanked from above during the fight with the Titans below.

Complete the Challenge & Rewards

Landing on both secret locations triggers complete fulfillment of the “Layover” challenge and offers an additional 50 gold reward, a small but noteworthy bonus for thorough adventurers. Doom: The Dark Ages rewards players for exploring and finding secrets, so it’s worth it!

Beyond plain currency, the locations yield a change of pace: brief, frenetic battles with giant foes, enhancing both seasoned players seeking variety and completionists searching for 100% chapter rewards.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the secret dragon landing zones in The Holy City of Aratum is as much about map awareness as it is about combat prowess. By leveraging long-range firepower and mobility upgrades, you’ll swiftly unlock both zones, reap their rewards, and pad your gold reserves, ensuring you’re well-equipped for the demonic onslaught ahead.

Keep your dragon at the ready, lock onto Titans with precision, and dive deep. You’ll emerge richer, stronger, and ever more ready to carve a path through Doom: The Dark Ages’ hellish armies.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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