Cacodemon

Lore & Background

The Cacodemon is a staple enemy in the Doom series, first appearing in the original 1993 game. It is a floating, cyclopean demon with a large mouth and horns, known for its distinctive laugh and fireball attack. Despite common confusion, it does not appear in any Duke Nukem game. The word 'cacodemon' itself has historical roots in Greek mythology and demonology, referring to an evil spirit.

In Their Own Story

The corridor reeks of ozone and scorched concrete. Duke racks his shotgun, boots crunching over shattered tile, when the ceiling lights flicker and a wet, gurgling sound echoes from above. A Cacodemon drifts into view—its bulbous red body pulsing like a diseased heart, tentacles slapping the air below. It opens what might be a mouth and spits a glob of searing energy that hisses against the wall inches from Duke's head. He grins, spits, and fires. The Cacodemon shrieks, tumbles, and detonates in a shower of black ichor that splatters across the ceiling. Two more drop from the shadows. Duke cracks his neck. 'Alright, boys. Round two.'

Reader's Guide

There is a painting by Paul Klee called Cacodaemonic (1916). In William Shakespeare's Richard III Act 1 Scene 3, Queen Margaret calls Richard a 'cacodemon' for his foul deeds and manipulations. In John Fletcher's The Knight of Malta, Norandine calls Mountferrat, the play's villain, a 'cacodemon' in the final scene. A cacodemon enemy appears in the Doom video game series, starting with the first game in 1993. In the Rick Riordan novels The Sun and the Star and The Court of the Dead, a dozen cacodemons are created by the primordial goddess Nyx out of Nico di Angelo's emotions. Affectionately dubbed the Cocoa Puffs, the cacodemons act as embodiments of Nico's various emotions and help him and Will Solace out on their quests.

Did You Know?

• The Cacodemon first appeared in Doom (1993), not Duke Nukem 3D (1996).
• Despite fan myths, the Cacodemon is not a character in any Duke Nukem game.
• The word 'cacodemon' dates back to 1593 and comes from the Greek for 'evil spirit'.