The Berserker Build
- Thread starter Radu
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rikstaker1
New member
hulla-hop said:hi...how do i calculate my attack speed? does it matter how much weapon ias i have or is it just plain ias? i think ill be using a tomb reaver with shael and two 40ed jwls...since thats what i have. perf ed on it too, so 360ed overall
Plain ias for zerk,check the weapon speed calculator in the sticky.
Razgriz
slick4hire
New member
So, lets assume I were to make a 2 handed zerker.
Helm: Arreats (20% Res All, 35% Res All with Um)
Armor: 60% IAS Armor of the Whale (0% Res)
Belt: Verdungoes (0% Res)
Boots: Gore Riders (0% Res)
Gloves: Laying of Hands (50% Fire Res)
Ring1: Ravenfrost (0% Res/15 Cold Absorb)
Ring2: BK (0% Res)
Weapon: Eth/Upped Ribcracker (0% Res)
Amulet: Highlords (35% Light Res)
Anni: Up to 20% Res
Anya Quests: 30% Res
Natural Res: 44% Res (1 Hard Point + 5 Item Points)
Does anyone else see an overriding theme? This build will net the fastest frame zerk per the weapon speed calculator, but where the heck am I supposed to get my resistances? Charms?
Edit: Also, there were two brief posts concerning mace mastery working with staves. What is the final verdict on this?
Helm: Arreats (20% Res All, 35% Res All with Um)
Armor: 60% IAS Armor of the Whale (0% Res)
Belt: Verdungoes (0% Res)
Boots: Gore Riders (0% Res)
Gloves: Laying of Hands (50% Fire Res)
Ring1: Ravenfrost (0% Res/15 Cold Absorb)
Ring2: BK (0% Res)
Weapon: Eth/Upped Ribcracker (0% Res)
Amulet: Highlords (35% Light Res)
Anni: Up to 20% Res
Anya Quests: 30% Res
Natural Res: 44% Res (1 Hard Point + 5 Item Points)
Does anyone else see an overriding theme? This build will net the fastest frame zerk per the weapon speed calculator, but where the heck am I supposed to get my resistances? Charms?
Edit: Also, there were two brief posts concerning mace mastery working with staves. What is the final verdict on this?
AdunaCCDanimoth
New member
Staves and Wands do work with Mace Mastery, making Archon Staves with Runewords and Ribcracker very good options.
my barb
first of all i love a zerk barb!!!!!
but i se you all talking about ww and not having any def and havind 10k damage???
i use enigma so i dont need to run just tele
i have a litle more then 18k def
and i have 12/19k damage
and about 20k att
i use:
helmit:Arreat's Face (40ed 15ais jewel in there)
plate:enigama
boots:War Traveler
amu:Mara's Kaleidoscope
rings:Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band (2*bk5)
beld:Verdungo's Hearty Cord
glovesracul's Grasp or Laying of Hands(depends on the target group)
charms: 8*1+ warcries whit about 50 life each 9*5 to all res whit 7 mf and 1+all skill charm
i use duel weild i have 2 axe's (botd) the have about 180/520 each
first of all i love a zerk barb!!!!!
but i se you all talking about ww and not having any def and havind 10k damage???
i use enigma so i dont need to run just tele
i have a litle more then 18k def
and i have 12/19k damage
and about 20k att
i use:
helmit:Arreat's Face (40ed 15ais jewel in there)
plate:enigama
boots:War Traveler
amu:Mara's Kaleidoscope
rings:Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band (2*bk5)
beld:Verdungo's Hearty Cord
gloves
racul's Grasp or Laying of Hands(depends on the target group)charms: 8*1+ warcries whit about 50 life each 9*5 to all res whit 7 mf and 1+all skill charm
i use duel weild i have 2 axe's (botd) the have about 180/520 each
Looks like somebody has been shopping... And nice wc skillers w. 50 life!!! Thought 45 was max.
Well on to my own Berzerker project. I have found an eth windhammer and thought it might be fun with all the twisters and stuff. But regarding the other equip i haven't decided yet. Arreat (ias) and gores are sure, but for the rest... I need 50 ias from equip, some kind of mana regain, max fhr, cbf, res and hopefully some dam reduce. This can be done by using:
Verdungo + Loh + angelic (ring+amu) and twitch (Um) / Duriel (ias) = 50+ ias, 60/40 fhr, Twitch: 95 fire res,45 all res, Duriel: 80 cold res,100 fire res,50 all res
or
Nosferatu + Bloodfist + highlords + raven and duress / lionheart = 55 ias, 100/60 fhr, Duress: 45 cold,50 light,15 all res, Lionheart: 95 light,60 all res
So if i stick to Duriel i need fhr and dam, but have plenty of res. Twitch and duress are similar, but i have dam reduce using verdungo and twitch.
To regain mana i have taken nosferatu which gives 2mana/kill and angelic with the dam to mana, but some blue pots are nessecary. Any comments on the setup? And which should be best??
Comments on my proposed build
Hi everyone, I have been away from D2 since 1.09 was released, so it definitely was a while ago.
I was looking at building a zerker but wanted opinions. I realise this won't be the most damaging zerker in history, but would like to think that he would be able to hold his own
I have NO gear at all - so this will be totally 100% untwinked. Weapon masteries are the problem as I have no idea what I could find - I was thinking having 2 1 handed weapons for frenzy and and a 2 hander to switch for berserk (although from memory I could possibly use a 1 handed weapon as berserk doens't use the off hand - is this correct?) - If that is the case I could go maces and have ribcracker as the 2 hander
Anyway, skills as follows:
Increased Stamina 1
Increased Speed 1
Iron Skin 1
Natural Resistance 1
Combat Mastery in either swords/axes or maces not sure yet 20
Find Potion 1
Find Item 1+
Howl 1
Taunt 1
Battlecry 1
War Cry 20
Battle Orders 20
Battle Command 1
Bash 1
Stun 1
Berserk 17
Double Swing 1
Double Throw 1
Frenzy 20
That (i think) is 110 skills which is max what you get from memory. I know I could do better with synergies etc, I just thought a frenzy/zerk barb could be quite nice as I assume even with PI's I can charge up and still hit them with frenzy to keep frenzy going once charged - even though there is no actual damage being done (unless my weapons are elemental) (thinking if I am encountering both pi and non pi monsters I don't want frenzy to run out and have to restart it)?
Obviously this is a PvM character only as well. Any queries, thoughts, comments, (constructive) flames are welcome.
Hi everyone, I have been away from D2 since 1.09 was released, so it definitely was a while ago.
I was looking at building a zerker but wanted opinions. I realise this won't be the most damaging zerker in history, but would like to think that he would be able to hold his own
I have NO gear at all - so this will be totally 100% untwinked. Weapon masteries are the problem as I have no idea what I could find - I was thinking having 2 1 handed weapons for frenzy and and a 2 hander to switch for berserk (although from memory I could possibly use a 1 handed weapon as berserk doens't use the off hand - is this correct?) - If that is the case I could go maces and have ribcracker as the 2 hander
Anyway, skills as follows:
Increased Stamina 1
Increased Speed 1
Iron Skin 1
Natural Resistance 1
Combat Mastery in either swords/axes or maces not sure yet 20
Find Potion 1
Find Item 1+
Howl 1
Taunt 1
Battlecry 1
War Cry 20
Battle Orders 20
Battle Command 1
Bash 1
Stun 1
Berserk 17
Double Swing 1
Double Throw 1
Frenzy 20
That (i think) is 110 skills which is max what you get from memory. I know I could do better with synergies etc, I just thought a frenzy/zerk barb could be quite nice as I assume even with PI's I can charge up and still hit them with frenzy to keep frenzy going once charged - even though there is no actual damage being done (unless my weapons are elemental) (thinking if I am encountering both pi and non pi monsters I don't want frenzy to run out and have to restart it)?
Obviously this is a PvM character only as well. Any queries, thoughts, comments, (constructive) flames are welcome.
hi everyone, i'm kinda confused after reading the berserker thread & the IK barb thread. in IK barb thread the recommended skill to max is whirlwind but if I'm using IK stuff (i'm currently short on the armour & belt), issit ok to make it as a berserker barb? & faced with a group of monsters is using howl (chase) or war cry (stun) more effective? it's also mentioned maxing howl/shout will give more ounus to zerk as they're the synergies of beserk, then should i max howl or shout since i'll have enough only for one. :lol:
NacRuno
Member
This is a forgotten thread for quite some time i see, but i have some questions about the berserker build and i guess it will be more suitable if i post it here since there is a very nice guide here and its not sticky unfortunately.
First of all i don't like melee builds ovarally, my last avanger pala attemt was a failure. However i just love my berserker
I am using two handed weapons and maxed war cry (its current slvl 16 but will be maxed evantually). I read some debate over this but i think it is totally personal choice so please if you wish to suggest i should be using shields, please do it politely at least
Now to my questions, i will be maxing battle orders, war cry and berserk as soon as possible, and i will be able to max only one more skill. Do you think working on howl (or shout) would be better as a snergy to berserk; or should i max a mastery instead (they are all zero for now at clvl=48)
My other question is about an item, many have suggested suitable weapons but i didn't see anyone suggesting 'beast' runeword, which i think is the far most best weapon for a zerker. It has good ias, ed and crushing (open wounds is relatively useless for a zerker i guess as you will most likely crush opponents before giving chance to bleed). But the best of beast comes from its fanatism aura and werebear form both increasing base damage of the character thus each extra damage is multiplied by berserk ed thus giving almost 6 times more of its damage. Moreover as life is increased by werebear form its increase is also doubled due to battle orders. What more can a zerker wish from a weapon?
That didn't seem like a question i know but the question is am i thinking correctly. I never used a zerker or a beast weapon before so i might be mistaking calculating its effect. Do their combined ed and life add to each other or multiply eachother like i suggested? No body sugesting the weopen made me doubt myself so i am waiting for replies...
(btw special thanks to nightfish, that guy's guides are just very good that i started this build just because he wrote a guide about it, i already have a fishymancer and i am eager to start my assasin regarding his guide as soon as possible)
First of all i don't like melee builds ovarally, my last avanger pala attemt was a failure. However i just love my berserker
I am using two handed weapons and maxed war cry (its current slvl 16 but will be maxed evantually). I read some debate over this but i think it is totally personal choice so please if you wish to suggest i should be using shields, please do it politely at least
Now to my questions, i will be maxing battle orders, war cry and berserk as soon as possible, and i will be able to max only one more skill. Do you think working on howl (or shout) would be better as a snergy to berserk; or should i max a mastery instead (they are all zero for now at clvl=48)
My other question is about an item, many have suggested suitable weapons but i didn't see anyone suggesting 'beast' runeword, which i think is the far most best weapon for a zerker. It has good ias, ed and crushing (open wounds is relatively useless for a zerker i guess as you will most likely crush opponents before giving chance to bleed). But the best of beast comes from its fanatism aura and werebear form both increasing base damage of the character thus each extra damage is multiplied by berserk ed thus giving almost 6 times more of its damage. Moreover as life is increased by werebear form its increase is also doubled due to battle orders. What more can a zerker wish from a weapon?
That didn't seem like a question i know but the question is am i thinking correctly. I never used a zerker or a beast weapon before so i might be mistaking calculating its effect. Do their combined ed and life add to each other or multiply eachother like i suggested? No body sugesting the weopen made me doubt myself so i am waiting for replies...
(btw special thanks to nightfish, that guy's guides are just very good that i started this build just because he wrote a guide about it
, i already have a fishymancer and i am eager to start my assasin regarding his guide as soon as possible)franzjosef
New member
Right now my Zerker is proving very popular in NM Baal runs, since my BO gets up to lvl 29 after BC. But I'm having problems with survivability.
Clvl: 76
Skills: max Zerk, max BO, max Shout, 2 in Concentrate, >1 in Howl (forget how many, less than 7), one point each in BCo, BC, WC, Iron Skin, Resist, Increased Speed and Increased Stamina (no points yet in WM because undecided on endgame weapon)
Helm: IK Helm, clean
Armor: Shaftstop, un-up'd and unsocketed
Primary: IK Maul, clean
Switch: +3WC axe and +2WC sword (need to get another +3)
Belt: M'avinnas (10%DtM!)
Boots: Goblin Toe (need to upgrade or switch)
Ammy: +1 Barb (desperately need to upgrade)
Rings: Carrion Wind and nice rare with +110AR and 8LL
Gloves: Venomgrip
Merc: Might with eth. Duriels, Husovald and eth. Peasant Crown
Available goodies to wield: Tiamats + Baranars; Windhammer; Bonehew (which I dislike b/c of AS issues)
[yes, mock me, for I am poor]
The problem is that I'm sucking up too much damage before I can switch to Concentrate to leech. Solo this can be managed, but in a Baal run I'm sometimes expected to be front-line (esp. if there aren't big hammers present) and I get barked at if I scatter the group using Howl. Is this an equipment issue, or should I just sit back and let the sorcies and hammerdins do all the work?
Mana doesn't seem to be an issue. Getting hit does allow me to soak up enough mana to keep going, plus I've got some minor mana leech somewhere in this set-up, I just can't remember how (also have a Manald available if necessary)
Clvl: 76
Skills: max Zerk, max BO, max Shout, 2 in Concentrate, >1 in Howl (forget how many, less than 7), one point each in BCo, BC, WC, Iron Skin, Resist, Increased Speed and Increased Stamina (no points yet in WM because undecided on endgame weapon)
Helm: IK Helm, clean
Armor: Shaftstop, un-up'd and unsocketed
Primary: IK Maul, clean
Switch: +3WC axe and +2WC sword (need to get another +3)
Belt: M'avinnas (10%DtM!)
Boots: Goblin Toe (need to upgrade or switch)
Ammy: +1 Barb (desperately need to upgrade)
Rings: Carrion Wind and nice rare with +110AR and 8LL
Gloves: Venomgrip
Merc: Might with eth. Duriels, Husovald and eth. Peasant Crown
Available goodies to wield: Tiamats + Baranars; Windhammer; Bonehew (which I dislike b/c of AS issues)
[yes, mock me, for I am poor]
The problem is that I'm sucking up too much damage before I can switch to Concentrate to leech. Solo this can be managed, but in a Baal run I'm sometimes expected to be front-line (esp. if there aren't big hammers present) and I get barked at if I scatter the group using Howl. Is this an equipment issue, or should I just sit back and let the sorcies and hammerdins do all the work?
Mana doesn't seem to be an issue. Getting hit does allow me to soak up enough mana to keep going, plus I've got some minor mana leech somewhere in this set-up, I just can't remember how (also have a Manald available if necessary)
blissfullslayer
New member
First off thank you for posting this build, ive always wanted to have a good barb but usually after norm everything goes to chit and i have to delete him. Im in love with this zerker build and at lvl 37 am already doing 850-1400k damage. One hit killz rock . As i said though ive had big troubles with barbs before and im very hesitent to go any furthur with him mainly because im usuing mauls, and there isnt a hole lot of information about using a maul on a zerker, so is there anyone our there that has done this with mauls. I really could use some tips on equipment, skill tree, and any helpfull tips would be much appreciated. send me a pm
. As i said though ive had big troubles with barbs before and im very hesitent to go any furthur with him mainly because im usuing mauls, and there isnt a hole lot of information about using a maul on a zerker, so is there anyone our there that has done this with mauls. I really could use some tips on equipment, skill tree, and any helpfull tips would be much appreciated. send me a pm BOTD Question
Hey I have always been a fan of the ww sword barb but even with my lvl 92 barb he is not cutting it agains the ubers. I use a 396%ED BOTD Coll. Blade and was wondering if that weapon would be acceptable to use if i built a berzerker. It took forever to make so I am very hesistant about parting with it, plus in pvp he is unstoppable. Would you suggest trying to get a grief or a phase to use with the zerk instead of the botd cblade? Any input would be great.
Hey I have always been a fan of the ww sword barb but even with my lvl 92 barb he is not cutting it agains the ubers. I use a 396%ED BOTD Coll. Blade and was wondering if that weapon would be acceptable to use if i built a berzerker. It took forever to make so I am very hesistant about parting with it, plus in pvp he is unstoppable. Would you suggest trying to get a grief or a phase to use with the zerk instead of the botd cblade? Any input would be great.
It's listed as 1 of the 2 best swords for the build in one of the guides. I have a lvl 91 zerker that uses it and does fine in hell but for ubers he switches to LW PB for the Life Tap and the CB.
Re: The Berserker Build
To the conversation:
I am actually going to build a zerk barb: I may use polearms because all around with damage and speed they work best, and if I want the giant thresher breaks 2.0 frames with 40% ias on the wep and 20% gloves. However, my question was this, and I saw somebody else do the same: should I put 20 points into a Mastery, or skip and put 20 into one of the two synergies of Berserk? Does mastery help add to the % berserk damage does, or does it just add to physical damage on your wep?
Also, with my merc, depending on the answer above, a Might merc may not be so handy (does might boost phys. or magic?) or a Holy Freeze merc to slow the monsters down.
It may have been covered in the original guide, but it was not quite so clear.
Thank you.
-A
To the conversation:
I am actually going to build a zerk barb: I may use polearms because all around with damage and speed they work best, and if I want the giant thresher breaks 2.0 frames with 40% ias on the wep and 20% gloves. However, my question was this, and I saw somebody else do the same: should I put 20 points into a Mastery, or skip and put 20 into one of the two synergies of Berserk? Does mastery help add to the % berserk damage does, or does it just add to physical damage on your wep?
Also, with my merc, depending on the answer above, a Might merc may not be so handy (does might boost phys. or magic?) or a Holy Freeze merc to slow the monsters down.
It may have been covered in the original guide, but it was not quite so clear.
Thank you.
-A
Re: The Berserker Build
Any gear that brings your resists up to a decent level. Also crushing blow and open wounds helps out alot if you dont have a high-end weapon yet. Also make sure your merc has a good weapon and armor, hes a big help!
I'm running hell atm with:
Helm: Vampire gaze
Armor: myth in a cuirass (not that hot i admit ;-) )
Gloves: venomgrip
Belt: string of ears
boots: gore riders
shield: Stormshield (only really high-end item my barb has)
some unique rings and amulet.
I use swordguard as a weapon atm, which isnt all that great but does the job in act1 and 2. still looking for a better weapon.
So not extremely good gear but takes on hell easy.
Any gear that brings your resists up to a decent level. Also crushing blow and open wounds helps out alot if you dont have a high-end weapon yet. Also make sure your merc has a good weapon and armor, hes a big help!
I'm running hell atm with:
Helm: Vampire gaze
Armor: myth in a cuirass (not that hot i admit ;-) )
Gloves: venomgrip
Belt: string of ears
boots: gore riders
shield: Stormshield (only really high-end item my barb has)
some unique rings and amulet.
I use swordguard as a weapon atm, which isnt all that great but does the job in act1 and 2. still looking for a better weapon.
So not extremely good gear but takes on hell easy.
Re: The Berserker Build
i have ik set now. but dont using maul. bloodmoon + storm i use.. Looking for a better one handed sword.. have manald heal + ravens .. stocking my end game gear until i have all..Not bad now but will be good after i get all godly gear items.
my stocked items for ends are:
helms: arreat + demonhorns
armor : guardian angel
gloves venomgrip laying off hands and draculs grasp
belt : string of ears
boots: goblin toe and gore riders and marrowwalks
amy: cats eye.
but cant find good things in hell. i never found a rune( higher runes or at least pul).
i have ik set now. but dont using maul. bloodmoon + storm i use.. Looking for a better one handed sword.. have manald heal + ravens .. stocking my end game gear until i have all..Not bad now but will be good after i get all godly gear items.
my stocked items for ends are:
helms: arreat + demonhorns
armor : guardian angel
gloves venomgrip laying off hands and draculs grasp
belt : string of ears
boots: goblin toe and gore riders and marrowwalks
amy: cats eye.
but cant find good things in hell. i never found a rune( higher runes or at least pul).
Androgynous
New member
Re: The Berserker Build
Hey, nice guide :thumbup:
Currently my barb has this setup;
Helm: Arreats
Neck: Highlord's
Weapon: Eth CB with BotD
Gloves: Steelrends
Belt: Verdungo's
Boots: Gores
Rings: 2xBk
Chest: AP with Enigma
Charms: Anni, torch, few skillers with +life and some fhr+life ones.
I'm level 75, what items should I be aiming for now? Thinking i need a shield setup as well.
Hey, nice guide :thumbup:
Currently my barb has this setup;
Helm: Arreats
Neck: Highlord's
Weapon: Eth CB with BotD
Gloves: Steelrends
Belt: Verdungo's
Boots: Gores
Rings: 2xBk
Chest: AP with Enigma
Charms: Anni, torch, few skillers with +life and some fhr+life ones.
I'm level 75, what items should I be aiming for now? Thinking i need a shield setup as well.
