>>11842064
>supposed to
>expected to
No right answer, the game generally expects you to carry weapons from one level to the next but the levels are *usually* designed to be beaten from a pistol start in case you die
However, there are some levels where the designer fucked up. You mentioned Duke3D E3L6, but you can simply run past those guys to the red key, and for the third sentry abuse the trick where they can't shoot you but you can shoot them.
But what about E2L5???? Now that level is a real fucker to pistol start. You have to lure out at least two mini-battlelords out of the room with the blue key, and the third you can run past or kill from the secret area behind the blue key.
And regarding Blood, you can pitchfork start most levels comfortably on Lightly Broiled, but Well Done will expect you to know the secrets. Some of the E1 levels are the worst to pitchfork start like E1M2 because they don't give you weapons but later levels generally give you weapons you need when you need them, some levels are a bitch though even on LB, much worse than any Duke Level on Come Get Some