Berserker
Description
Berserkers are melee fighting machines focused on dealing damage.
Stengths/Weaknesses
Pros
- Amazing DPS potential
- Low positioning concerns, you'll do most DPS behind a mob but still do the majority even from the front
- Snare/Stun abilities
- Chain armour and knight table HP makes for a reasonable tank in a pinch
- Summoned axes are good ranged DPS, you'll never out range DPS a Ranger but you'll still contribute a healthy amount of damage
- Group-wide Warcry that gives overhaste similar to Monks hundred hands effect (lowers weapon delay calculation)
Cons
- Low utility, you exist to DPS, nothing else
- Extremely gear dependant
- Not the most exciting class to play
- Your journey to 60 (or at least 55) will be that of a subpar warrior or rogue that hasn't learned to use the backstab button, you must persevere, all the goodness is at max level!
- Managing aggro with a poor jolt ability is hard, it's either turn off auto-attack and sacrifice DPS or die
General
Stat Priority
- Attack - Higher chance to hit, higher damage
- Haste - 2 handers are slow by their nature, max worn haste at all times
- Accuracy - Increases chance to hit
- Strength - Increases max/average damage
- Dexterity - Increases critical damage and proc rate
- Stamina - More health means less time being dead
- Agility - More AC is never a bad thing
Charm
Get the best Phosphorous Charm you can afford! Save for the 100K version and strive for the 500K version. The accuracy focus and additional accuracy/atk on it is amazing.
Focuses
- Cleave - Increases your chance to crit. A critical hit is a hit for higher damage with no additional threat
- Ferocity - Increases your chance to double attack. A double attack is great as it opens a chance for a triple attack, which is also great as a triple attack opens a chance for a flurry (once you have the AA)
- Simmering Rage - Increases your throwing damage by 5%. This directly improves Rage Volley which is $$$. This is an essential focus. Currently the only item available in game with this focus is Leggings of Wrath which drop from Venril Sathir and Drusella Sathir. Happy farming!
Aura
Our level 55 aura is Aura of Rage and increases the amount critical hits do. It is available as a global tome drop but can be bought from Jason in the hub. Keep it up at all times!
Augments
The appropriate nanostone for your 2 hander:
- Nanostone of Slashing - +5% 2HS
- Nanostone of Blunting - +5% 2HB
- Nanostone of Poke - +5% 2HP
And for your throwing damage:
- Nanostone of Throwing - +5% Throwing
Unless you're in a duo and need to keep aggro do not equip a Blackened Lava Rock in your weapon, aggro is enough of an issue and you'll just get killed! You'll do far better getting the appropriate +5% weapon mod aug for your current weapon.
Combat Skills
Zerker skills such as stun, snare or jolt require a reagent. These are the axes that can be summoned (and used for ranged DPS). The axe required for abilities is appropriate to the level range of the ability.
You can buy axe components from any hometown where Berserkers can be created.
Buy Axe Components > Summon Axes > Use snare/stun/jolt > Profit!
| Level | Name | Effect | Recast | Timer | Reagent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corroded Axe | Summon a Corroded Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Basic Axe Components | Location |
| 5 | Blunt Axe | Summon a Blunt Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Basic Axe Components | Location |
| 8 | Leg Strike | Snare | 12 seconds | 9 | Blunt Axe | Location |
| 10 | Steel Axe | Summon a Steel Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Basic Axe Components | Location |
| 15 | Bearded Axe | Summon a Bearded Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Basic Axe Components | Location |
| 16 | Head Strike | Stun | 12 seconds | 9 | Blunt Axe | Location |
| 20 | Mithril Axe | Summon a Mithril Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Basic Axe Components | Location |
| 24 | Divertive Strike | Jolt (250) | 12 seconds | 1 | Blunt Axe | Location |
| 25 | Balanced War Axe | Summon a Balanced War Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Basic Axe Components | Location |
| 30 | Bonesplicer Axe | Summon a Bonesplicer Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Axe Components | Location |
| 32 | Leg Cut | Snare | 12 seconds | 9 | Bonesplicer Axe | Location |
| 30 | Fleshtear Axe | Summon a Fleshtear Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Axe Components | Location |
| 40 | Cold Steel Cleaving Axe | Summon a Cold Steel Cleaving Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Axe Components | Location |
| 40 | Head Pummel | Stun | 12 seconds | 9 | Bonesplicer Axe | Location |
| 45 | Mithril Blood Axe | Summon a Mithril Blood Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Axe Components | Location |
| 48 | Distracting Strike | Jolt (400) | 12 seconds | 1 | Bonesplicer Axe | Location |
| 50 | Rage Axe | Summon a Rage Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Axe Components | Location |
| 54 | Leg Slice | Snare | 12 seconds | 9 | Rage Axe | Location |
| 55 | Bloodseeker's Axe | Summon a Bloodseeker's Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Balanced Axe Components | Location |
| 60 | Battlerage Axe | Summon a Battlerage Axe (x20) | 6 seconds | 7 | Balanced Axe Components | Location |
| 60 | Confusing Strike | Jolt (550) | 12 seconds | 1 | Rage Axe | Location |
| 60 | Head Crush | Stun | 12 seconds | 9 | Rage Axe | Location |
Rotation
Reality check, this is not the most dynamic class to play. Here's the 3 step guide:
- Level 1 - 5: Auto-attack and press Kick on cooldown
- Level 6 - 54: Auto-attack and press Frenzy on cooldown (never use Kick again)
- Level 55 - 60: Auto-attack and alternate Frenzy and Rage Volley on cooldown
Rage Volley is a huge chunk of DPS. This is a global tome drop but can also be bought from Jayson in the hub. Get this the very second you turn 55 and use it every time it comes off cool down. It's amazing how many people get to 60 and don't have this!
Ancient Rage Volley is an upgrade to Rage Volley that drops from T6+ raid targets.
Discs
Realistically I only ever use Blind Rage/Burning Rage and Battle Cry of Dravel. The others feel subpar save for Reckless and Battle Focus in an "oh shit!" situation. Here's the complete list for reference:
| Level | Name | Effect | Duration | Timer | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Resistant Discipline | Increase resists by 16-20 | 5 minutes | 4 | Location |
| 40 | Fearless Discipline | Immune to fear | 1 minute | 4 | Location |
| 50 | War Cry | 20 ATK and Hundred hands effect (lowers weapon delay) | 1 minute | 8 | Location |
| 53 | Inspired Anger | Increase chance to hit by 10000% | 30 seconds | 3 | Location |
| 54 | Cleaving Rage | Increase chance to critical hit by 10000% | 30 seconds | 3 | Location |
| 56 | Reckless Discipline | Increase chance to riposte by 10000% | 12 seconds | 2 | Location |
| 57 | Battlecry of Dravel | 30 ATK and Hundred hands effect (lowers weapon delay) | 1 minute | 8 | Location |
| 57 | Focused Fury Discipline | Increase all skill checks by 50% | 1 minute | 3 | Location |
| 58 | Blind Rage Discipline | Increase DMG by 100% and minimum DMG by 400% | 30 seconds | 3 | Location |
| 59 | Battle Focus Discipline | Increase melee avoidance by 10000% | 12 seconds | 2 | Location |
| 60 | Burning Rage Discipline | Increase DMG by 30% | 1 minute | 3 | Location |
Grouping
You're there to DPS primarily and potentially off-tank when needed. You can peel mobs off casters with a quick Leg Strike as it generates a fair amount of aggro.
Snare mobs with the Leg Strike line of abilities and stun casters with the Head Strike line of abilities.
Raiding
Best advice
Situational awareness!!! a dead Zerker does 0 DPS!
General advice
- Use the same rotation as a group, ensure auto-attack is on and mash Frenzy and Rage Volley on cooldown
- Ensure you're assisting and on the correct target
- Make sure you're using bane weapons for the appropriate mob type
- If you see a caster getting beaten about and there's no tank available, let a healer know and go save a life! You can rip aggro pretty easily
- Make sure you're in a group with a Bard. Whine, moan and complain until you are. 25% over haste is the absolute best thing you can have in terms of a raid buff
Discs
- Pair Battle Cry of Dravel with Blind Rage/Burning Rage for maximum pew pew
- If you've got other melee classes in your group (MNK/ROG/BST etc.) tell them when you're firing Battle Cry, they can disc at the same time for more dps
- Burning Rage lasts twice as long as Blind Rage but only has a 30% DMG modifier compared to 100% DMG modifier and 400% minimum DMG modifier. Generally Blind Rage is the superior DMG disc. As it only lasts 30 seconds make sure A) Avatar is up (pester a shaman or swap to a ST weapon and proc it), B) Frenzy and Rage Volley is off cooldown before you use Blind Rage and C) You're not about to have to joust out of an AoE. You need to make the most of every one of those 30 seconds
Managing Aggro
We don't get the fancy evade ability of rogues and managing aggro can be tricky at times. Good tanks will help with this but learning the encounters and letting tanks build aggro will be key:
- Let the tank build aggro for a few seconds before engaging. This is the most important advice, starting a fight with the main tank fully in control and high on the threat list will allow you to DPS freely with no thought of your aggro other than a cursory eye on the threat meter. Don't worry about any other classes piling in and engaging on the pull, sit back for 5-10 seconds then step in and open fire (you'll soon catch and pass everyone that started DPS early :P)
- If you do over aggro you have to sacrifice DPS. Jolt is on the same timer as Rage Volley and only decreases aggro by 550 (which is not alot). If that doesn't work your only other choice is to get a CoTH (mages will hate you) or turn off auto-attack and stand there like a lemon. This is why the above point is so important!
- For fights where the mob wipes aggro you need to be aware and ready to disengage and allow the tank to rebuild aggro before re-engaging
- If you do overaggro and can't drop it pop either of our defensive discs; Reckless (riposte) or Battle Focus (avoidance) and move to the tanks to turn the mob so the other melee dps don't get roflstomped
Endurance
Sadly there is nothing in the game currently that speeds up endurance regen asides from sitting out of combat. You will go through your endurance surprisingly fast using Rage Volley on cooldown and discing. Sit between fights! Better gear and augs will raise your END pool to mitigate this but I've been caught short a few times low on endurance starting an encounter. If you're not moving to a mob or engaging a mob, sit down!
Tribute
For maximum DPS:
- Arm of Power | Tier 3 | Raises STR cap by 6
- Juggler's Grace | Tier 3 | Raises DEX cap by 6
- Vengeful Aura | Tier 4 | Raises ATK by 59
Eyes of the Hunter (accuracy) and Fury of Combat (double attack) are potentially viable but I haven't parsed them or checked if they stack with other worn effects/AAs etc.
IxiQuest Spells & Abilities
The following is a list of spells available on IxiQuest (or modified here) that are not available on strictly classic servers:
- Confusing Strike - This is a level 65 jolt skill but was lowered to level 60 to make managing aggro easier
- Ancient Rage Volley - This is a custom combat skill. Rage Volley has a modifier of 38, Ancient Rage Volley has a modifier of 41
Alternate Advancement
I would prioritise these AAs at level 60 for maximum DPS:
| Name | Effect | Ranks |
|---|---|---|
| Throwing Mastery | Increases throwing damage (rage volley!) | 3 |
| Frenzied Volley | Gives a chance to throw an additional axe on rage volley | 1 |
| Combat Fury | Increases crit rate | 6 |
| Veteran's Wrath | Increases crit damage | 1 |
| Punishing Blade | Increases double attack rate | 3 |
| Blur of Axes | Increases Frenzy damage | 3 |
| Tactical Mastery | Increases chance to bypass dodge/parry/block etc. | 3 |
| Planar Power | Increase stat cap by 5 per rank (+30 STR and DEX is $$$) | 6 |
| Spell Casting Reinforcement | Increases clicky duration and most importantly War Cry duration! | 4 |
| Hastened War Cry | Reduces Way Cry recast by 3 minutes per rank | 3 |
After this I would chase the defensive AAs; Combat Agility, Combat Stability, Natural Durability. Then fill out the other AAs that best fits your playstyle.
In addition, all classes get access to some general abilities such as Origin, Run Speed, Bandolier Slots, Improved Stats and Stat Caps, Increased Max Buffs, Improved Regen, and more.
Weapons
Zerkers are one of, if not the most, gear dependant class in EQ. This is especially true when it comes to your weapon. All upgrades should be focused primarily on improving your weapon, either an upgraded weapon (ratio), or augs for it (like the +5% skill nanostones).
You may get lucky and find someone selling a Frostreaver or Axe of the Kromzek Kings on the auction ogre or in OOC and striving for a weapon with a > 1.0 ratio should be your top priority.
I highly recommend doing the epic quest. It has been nerfed slightly compared to live (lower ratio and no ATK) but is still a very decent 39/38 weapon with 41% haste. It's all one groupable and doesn't take long, plus it looks sexy!
Here's some weapon progression to aim for:
| Name | Drops in | Damage | Extra Damage | Delay | Theoretical Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackened Acrylia Greatsword | Acrylia Caverns | 36 | 0 | 40 | 0.90 |
| Kerasian Axe of Ire | Epic Quest | 39 | 0 | 38 | 1.03 |
| Goldenrod | SSRA | 40 | 3 (disease) | 32 | 1.34 |
| The Sword of Ssraeshza | SSRA | 52 | 2 (magic) | 42 | 1.29 |
| Halberd of Destruction | Vex Thal | 30 | 27 (fire) | 42 | 1.36 |
| Great Sword of Pestilence | Vex Thal | 40 | 20 (disease) | 42 | 1.43 |
I've omitted the Petrified Heartwood Flamberge from the list. Whilst the ratio is excellent (50/39) the root proc is just a shit-show in groups and raids and isn't worth the trouble it causes.
Likewise I've omitted Bloodied Berserker's Blade. The ratio is amazing (53/40) but the rune proc is an aggro magnet. Might work well for duo's and small groups but probably won't win you any friends in a raid.
Further help or advice
Hit me up in game!
