Commando/Doom 3

"There is no death for you."

- Malcolm Betruger, after transforming a Marine into a Commando

The Commando from Doom 3 is vastly different from its Classic Doom counterpart. Instead of being a bulky, demonically possessed human soldier, this variant appears as a humanoid demon that wears no shirt or armor, but instead a futuristic helmet of a style reminiscent of German Stahlhelme and a pair of camouflage army pants. They also have a origin unique from other Zombies, as they are technically demons rather than demonically possessed human beings. A brief cutscene depicts Dr. Betruger casting a spell on a marine, who slowly transforms into a Commando as Betruger continues his incantation. This can suggest that Commandos were former humans like the Zombies, but underwent a more complex means of demonic transformation, rather than a simple demonic possession.

There are two types of Commando in Doom 3: one who carries no firearm but has its right arm demonically modified into a muscular, whip-like tentacle, while the other one has both its human arms intact and carries a Chain Gun. Interestingly, the Tentacle Commando stands a full head taller than a normal human, while the Chaingun Commando is the same size as a human marine or Z-Sec soldier. This could most likely be based on the the game mechanics as the player is able to avoid a Tentacle Commando's strike by crouching during its attack. They are both dangerous foes due to their intelligence and high offensive capabilities, and are among the most elite of Doom 3's monsters, posing a similar threat level as the Revenant, and exceeded only by the likes of the Arch-vile, Mancubus, and Hell Knight.

Combat characteristics


Commandos typically appear individually or in small groups of two or three, although they often appear alongside other enemies such as Z-Sec soldiers or Imps. Upon death, a Commando's body will burn up like those of other demons.

Tentacle Commando
This monster runs at lightning speed and can sprint a lot quicker than the player, making it the fastest enemy in the game. It will quickly close in to lash out its tentacle arm, using it as a sort of whip. Occasionally, it will perform a short range leap attack with its knee which is nearly impossible to dodge. When it gets close enough not to rely solely on his tentacle "whip", it will attack the player with a rapid series of punches and kicks, causing the player to be thrown back from several feet, although there is a lag duration for them to initiate this. Tentacle Commandos are also known for their intelligence, as they rely on tactics not seen from other enemies, such as leaping down from overhead balconies or platforms while using their tentacles as grappling ropes, or even unlocking locked doors.

Chaingun Commando
Arguably the most dangerous of the game's mid-level demons, this Commando is more accurate than a Machinegunner Z-Sec. It carries a Chain Gun, and will engage in continuous fire in a single prolonged burst, before it momentarily pauses, immediately taking cover by sidestepping to a corner. Often times, if it notices the player retreating while it is firing, it will chase after the player and re-engage fire once the player is in its line of sight. Unlike it's Tentacle brethren, it does not rely on melee combat to attack the player.

Tactical analysis
In general, both types of Commandos are considerably tougher than their classic counterparts, with the Chaingun Commando being capable of surviving a direct rocket hit and the Tentacle Commando outrunning the player. Players are expected to take these types of enemies very seriously by relying on sufficient tactics to take them down.

Tentacle Commando
Unlike most other monsters in the game which can allow struggling players to retreat by outrunning them, the only recommended strategy to desperately deal with a Tentacle Commando is to immediately kill it whatever means necessary once they spot you. As they can move a lot quicker than the player, there is no opportunity given for a safe retreat.

The Chaingun or Plasma Gun are the most efficient weapons to take them out at range. The Machine Gun can also work well, but since it does less damage than the other two weapons, it will give the Commando more opportunity to move in towards you to strike.

Given that it moves at very high speed, it is inevitable to occasionally engage in close combat against these brutes. The Chainsaw is the most effective weapon in close range, although two point-blank Shotgun blasts (or one on the head) can also take it out instantly. Regardless of whatever weapon you use, it is necessary to immediately crouch once the Commando closes in and performs a leap attack, as you can avoid the hassle of suffering damage by its tentacle attack in this manner.

If worst case, you dodge their whip attack and the Commando still survives from your counterattack, keep firing away until it falls, as it will resort to kicking and striking the player non-stop. Since there is a slight lag duration, this will give you more than enough opportunity to land a finishing blow before it initiates its second attack.

The Lost Mission and Resurrection of Evil features the double-barreled shotgun, which works wonders than the standard Shotgun, as one blast at point blank range can instantly kill a Tentacle Commando.

If your aim is reliable and you can maintain your timing very well, you can also use the Rocket Launcher and Grenades to instantly kill them before it closes in on you. Be very cautious, however, not to caught in the explosions of these weapons and otherwise hurting yourself.

Chaingun Commando
In general, the best way to take out this Commando is from long range as their accuracy is somewhat reduced from a distance. The Rocket Launcher is probably the best weapon for the player to use. It take two rockets to bring them down, although one rocket to the head will immediately neutralize them.

When fighting at long range, try to maintain cover as occasionally as you can, as the Chaingun Commando will engage in continuous fire, which will damage you overtime. While it is taking cover in a corner, it will occasionally have its head briefly exposed. You can take this opportunity to aim for the exposed head to do damage to it.

Under extreme circumstances should players be forced to fight the Chaingun Commando at close range, the Chaingun and Plasma Gun can work well. The Shotgun, while effective, is probably not the best bet as it takes 2-3 blasts to take them out. Be very quick, however, to take out this Commando from close range, as continuous fire from its Chaingun up close can build up massive damage overtime.

You can also feign retreat to lure it into a corner where it last saw you, in which case, you can use the Rocket Launcher or a Grenade to finally take them out once it reaches its position where you previously were. Just be careful not to end up trapping yourself in this process if it still survives.

Trivia

 * The Chaingun Commando is similar to the Zombie Soldier from Serious Sam 2 in that they are both zombies that wield miniguns (chainguns in the Commando's case) and wear German World War II-styled helmets. They may also be a homage to id Software's Wolfenstein series.
 * The Commandos in the Alpha version of Doom 3 had slightly different voices; their voices sound more robotic and maintain fragments of their human language, as they can be heard shouting taunting phrases like "You will not escape!" or "I smell fear!" (the latter quote eventually spoken by Sergeant Kelly in the final game).