The connection between the Doom Slayer and the Dark Lord Davoth is one of the most fascinating and debated aspects of the modern Doom saga. Delving into the codex entries and in-game dialogues reveals a startling truth: the Doom Slayer’s very appearance mirrors that of the Dark Lord. This isn’t mere coincidence; the lore suggests a profound link rooted in their origins as Primevals from their respective home worlds.
Codex entries explicitly state that gods, upon resurrection with their spheres of influence, revert to their original forms. Further reinforcing this, historical depictions of Davoth show an undeniable likeness to the Slayer. Therefore, it’s not that the Dark Lord resembles the Slayer, but rather the Slayer is the one who bears the Dark Lord’s image. Both are Primevals, but a critical difference lies in their origins. The Slayer hails from a world designed for mortal hardship, a realm where life is valued precisely because of its fragility. Jekkad, Davoth’s world, is starkly different. This contrast may explain why the Slayer was initially “born without his power” – his home world’s inherent nature suppressed it.
The possibility arises that the Slayer is a form of counterpart to the Dark Lord within the Earth realm – perhaps a clone, a reincarnation, or a parallel being. VEGA’s cryptic statement, “He is you, in their world,” takes on a literal meaning when viewed through this lens. This connection highlights a duality, a mirrored existence across different dimensions.
Further evidence lies in the Divinity Machine, bearing the same distinctive mark found on both Davoth and the Slayer. Samur Maykr, upon the Doom Marine’s arrival in Sentinel Prime, immediately recognized the Slayer’s appearance and understood the implications of placing him within the Divinity Machine. He foresaw the Slayer gaining power equivalent to his Dark Lord counterpart in Hell. Samur’s words, “I knew who you were the moment you set foot into our world, and who you could become to us,” are laden with this pre-existing knowledge. Notably, Samur is uniquely positioned as the only Maykr who could have known the Dark Lord’s true form, allowing him to connect the “crazy PTSD marine” raving about demons to this powerful figure, a connection that eluded even the Khan Maykr.
Considering these points, the Doom Marine’s existence appears to be more than just a series of random events. It suggests a predetermined path unfolding, potentially orchestrated even before the events of the original Doom games. Figures like Samur Maykr or even the Father could be architects in this grand design, possibly responsible for events leading to Doom Eternal. This could involve reincarnating the Dark Lord in a way that produced an Earthly counterpart – one capable of empathy and a mortal’s concern for their people. Alternatively, sending the Slayer back in time to interact with the Argenta could have been a calculated move. While still theory crafting, the narrative strongly hints at a planned sequence of events, reminiscent of stories where gods select a champion to fulfill a higher purpose. This overarching plan culminates in the Slayer’s weariness by the end of the DLC, hinting at the burden of such predetermined roles.
This deep dive into the lore opens up intriguing possibilities and interpretations, highlighting the intricate and layered narrative woven into the Doom universe. The visual mirroring of the Doom Slayer and the Dark Lord is not just an aesthetic choice; it’s a crucial piece of the puzzle in understanding their intertwined destinies and the grander cosmic forces at play.
