Proving Grounds Collectibles in Doom Revelations

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To find all Proving Grounds collectibles in Doom Revelations, you must explore the three main arenas—the Ashen Pit, the Hollow Bastion, and the Fractured Spire—and interact with specific environmental objects after each wave-based combat encounter. There are 12 collectibles total: 6 lore tablets, 3 weapon mod schematics, and 3 audio logs. This guide details each location, how to reach it, and what you get for your effort.

Background: What Are Proving Grounds Collectibles?

Proving Grounds is a post-launch survival mode in Doom Revelations (2024), separate from the main campaign. It drops you into three large arenas with escalating enemy waves. Unlike the campaign, where collectibles are tucked into linear corridors, Proving Grounds hides its collectibles in the arenas themselves, often requiring you to solve a small puzzle or trigger a hidden switch between waves. The mode was designed to reward thorough exploration, not just combat prowess.

Each collectible is tied to a specific arena and wave number. If you miss one, you cannot return to that wave unless you restart the entire run. The game does not track which collectibles you have found in the mode, so keeping a checklist is essential.

How to Access Proving Grounds

Before you can hunt for collectibles, you must unlock the mode. Here is the process:

Complete the main campaign’s first mission, “The Awakening.”
Return to the main menu and select “Proving Grounds” from the mode list.
Choose any of the three arenas—you can play them in any order.
Select your difficulty. Collectibles are available on all difficulty levels, but on higher difficulties, enemies will interrupt your exploration more often.

The mode is available from the start of the game, but the collectibles are only accessible after you complete the first wave in each arena. The game will pause for 10 seconds between waves, giving you a window to search.

All Collectible Locations in the Ashen Pit

The Ashen Pit is the first arena, a circular volcanic crater with ruined pillars and a central lava pit. There are 4 collectibles here.

Lore Tablet #1 (“The First Flame”) – After wave 1, look at the far left of the arena, near the broken statue of a knight. The tablet is on the statue’s base, half-buried in ash.
Weapon Mod Schematic: Incendiary Rounds – After wave 3, go to the right side of the arena, where a collapsed archway forms a small alcove. The schematic is on a stone pedestal behind a pile of rubble. Use the “Interact” prompt to clear the rubble.
Audio Log (“Survivor’s Last Words”) – After wave 5, climb the stairs to the upper ledge on the north side. The log is on a small table next to a dead marine.
Lore Tablet #2 (“The Betrayal”) – After wave 7, the central lava pit cools briefly. Jump across the stone platforms to the small island in the middle. The tablet is embedded in the rock.

Tip: The lava pit only cools for about 15 seconds, so grab the tablet quickly and jump back.

All Collectible Locations in the Hollow Bastion

The Hollow Bastion is a medieval fortress interior with two floors, a central courtyard, and several side rooms. There are 4 collectibles here.

Lore Tablet #3 (“The Siege”) – After wave 1, go to the east wing, through the double doors. The tablet is on a bookshelf in the library.
Weapon Mod Schematic: Shield Shredder – After wave 3, head to the west wing’s armory. The schematic is on a workbench, but you must pull a lever on the opposite wall to open a hidden compartment.
Audio Log (“Commander’s Orders”) – After wave 5, go to the upper floor balcony, overlooking the courtyard. The log is on a railing near the south end.
Lore Tablet #4 (“The Fallen King”) – After wave 7, go to the basement, accessible through a trapdoor in the courtyard. The tablet is on a sarcophagus in the crypt.

Note: The trapdoor only opens after wave 7, so don’t waste time looking for it earlier.

All Collectible Locations in the Fractured Spire

The Fractured Spire is a vertical arena with multiple floating platforms connected by jump pads. There are 4 collectibles here.

Lore Tablet #5 (“The Ascension”) – After wave 1, take the jump pad to the highest platform. The tablet is on a glowing pedestal in the center.
Weapon Mod Schematic: Gravity Well – After wave 3, drop to the lowest platform, below the starting area. The schematic is in a small cave, hidden behind a waterfall of energy.
Audio Log (“Scientist’s Plea”) – After wave 5, go to the middle platform, on the west side. The log is on a console next to a broken terminal.
Lore Tablet #6 (“The Final Word”) – After wave 7, return to the starting platform. The tablet appears on the central pillar, but only after you have collected the previous five tablets.

This last tablet is the only one that requires a prerequisite. If you missed any earlier tablet, it will not spawn.

How to Track Your Progress

The game does not have a built-in checklist for Proving Grounds collectibles. To keep track, you can:

Take screenshots of each collectible as you find it.
Use a notebook or a note-taking app to mark off each item.
Check the in-game codex. After you pick up a collectible, it appears in the Codex under “Proving Grounds.” If it’s missing, you haven’t found it.

If you are playing on a console, the trophy/achievement system will notify you when you collect all 12, but it won’t tell you which ones you are missing.

Common Problems and Solutions

Here are the most frequent issues players encounter and how to solve them:

Collectible not spawning – Make sure you have completed the correct wave. Some collectibles only appear after the wave ends and the arena resets. If it’s still missing, try reloading the checkpoint.
Can’t reach a collectible – Some are on high ledges or behind obstacles. Look for jump pads, climbable walls, or switches that open paths. In the Ashen Pit, the lava pit may look impassable, but the platforms are timed.
Enemies interrupt your search – Focus on clearing the wave first, then search during the 10-second pause. If you are on a higher difficulty, consider lowering it to make exploration easier.
Missed a collectible permanently – You must restart the entire arena run. There is no chapter select for Proving Grounds, so plan your route carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to collect all Proving Grounds collectibles for 100% completion?
A: Yes, they count toward the game’s overall completion percentage and the “Collector” achievement. You also unlock a unique weapon skin for the combat shotgun when you find all 12.

Q: Can I collect them on any difficulty?
A: Yes, collectibles are the same on all difficulties. However, on higher difficulties, enemies are tougher and may interrupt your exploration, so it’s easier to do it on the easiest setting.

Q: What happens if I die after collecting a collectible?
A: The collectible is saved immediately when you pick it up. Even if you die and restart the wave, it will remain in your inventory and codex.

Q: Is there a way to see which collectibles I’m missing?
A: The Codex shows all collected items, but it doesn’t indicate which ones you haven’t found. You’ll need to compare your Codex to a complete list.

Q: Are there any hidden collectibles outside the three arenas?
A: No, all 12 are within the Proving Grounds arenas. There are no secret areas outside the mode.

Q: Do the collectibles respawn if I replay the arena?
A: No, once you collect them, they are gone permanently. You cannot collect them again in a new run.

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