Baron of Hell/Doom (2016)

"The Baron of Hell is the highest demon among the order of the Hell Knights."

- Codex

The Baron of Hell is a returning monster in Doom (2016).

In-Game Description
UAC REPORT FILE: I2CN5KMB

''The Baron of Hell is the highest demon among the order of the Hell Knights. They rarely leave Hell, and no Baron of Hell has yet been captured by any of the Tethering Operations. Details regarding their behavior and physiology are therefore limited.''

''It is clear that Barons are ferocious fighters with a bloodlust unparalleled by any other demon. Barons, larger and faster than their lesser brothers, also possess the ability to generate Hell-energy fireballs which can be hurled at a target. In the doomed Project Lazarus Manned Expedition (MTC 2145/128) it is believed that most of the explorers were set upon by Barons of Hell, though the details are unclear.''

''Tablets, retrieved from the Great Steppe in the UAC Automated Survey of 2143, suggest that the Barons of Hell are the current Royal Guard of the unknown dark lord of the fourth age. While the nature of this entity is unknown, it must be presumed that as the Royal Guard's power has significantly increased, so too has the power of their master.''

Appearance
As in the first Doom, a Baron takes the appearance of a muscular, biped goat-like demon with pinkish head and a torso and build similar to that of the Hell Knight from Doom 3, with slightly tan legs with dark brown hooves. They're now bigger and stronger and look more alien than their predecessors from the first Doom.

Combat Characteristics
They cannot be melee attacked (Other than with the use of the Chainsaw or the Berserk power-up) and are now slightly faster and will make a great leap towards the player if they're a considerable distance away. They throw green fire balls at the player, like in the original Doom. When close, they will crush the player with their hands. If the player is killed by a baron, it will rip off the player's legs and then crush their head with its hand.



Tactical analysis
They can instantly be taken down through the use of the chainsaw, as long as the player has five fuel cells or more, or a single shot from the BFG, regardless of if the projectile directly comes in contact with the baron or if it just damages it with the energy stream. Shooting at its head deals extra damage. Like the Hell Knight walking backwards while firing is highly effective as the Baron takes no effort to dodge attacks, preferring to run through them instead. Up close running a circle around them and continue to back up is also effective

Multiplayer
The Baron of Hell is also a playable demon in Multiplayer. Their role focuses on close-ranged combat, meaning they no longer have the ability to throw Argent energy balls at the player, but they are significantly faster, can kill players in a single swipe, and gain the ability to make a ground pound which makes lava and rocks ascend in a straight line through their line of sight.