Please note that new user registrations disabled at this time.

Barbarian vs. Berserker

This forum is to be used for all discussions pertaining to BioWare's Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn.
Post Reply
User avatar
krunchyfrogg
Posts: 542
Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2004 12:19 am
Location: NY
Contact:

Barbarian vs. Berserker

Post by krunchyfrogg »

Which do you prefer and why?

Edited to add class/kit descriptions
Barbarian(Class)

Strengths

Immune to Backstab
1-12 HP per level rather than 1-10
+2 Movement Bonus
Rage once/day for every 4 levels (while raged, +4 Constitution and Strength for 5 rounds, +2 AC penalty, +2 Save vs. Magic, Immune to Charm, Hold, Fear, Maze, Confusion, Level Drain)
At level 11, 10% resistance to Slashing, Piercing, Crushing, and Missile Weapons (+5% for every 4 levels thereafter)

Weaknesses

Cannot wear full plate or plate mail armor
Cannot go beyond normal weapon specialization (++)

Berserker(Fighter kit)

Strengths

Can use Berserker Rage once per day for every 4 levels (While raged: +2 bonus to hit and damage, -2 AC bonus, Immune to: Level Drain, Charm, Hold, Fear, Maze, Imprisonment, Stun, and Sleep, temporary 15 HP increase [taken away at end of rage - could cause death])
Advanced Weapon Specialization (+++++)
Can use any weapon
Can use any armor

Weaknesses

Winded after Rage (suffers -2 penalty to hit and damage, and a +2 AC penalty)
Cannot specialize in ranged weapons (+ only)
A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.
- Jackie Robinson
User avatar
Faust
Posts: 1271
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:37 pm
Location: Elsewhere
Contact:

Post by Faust »

Personally, I think Berserkers are more powerful than Barbarians. The ability to wear full plate and platemail armor, combined with the advanced specialization, is more potent than the few extra hit points and bonuses that barbarians get.
User avatar
greg28j
Posts: 70
Joined: Wed Jun 23, 2004 8:00 pm
Contact:

Post by greg28j »

I, personally have never played a barbarian, but unless you install the baldurdash grandmastery fix, there is no incentive at all , to ever put any more than ** in any weapon.

So i guess it comes down to ..... Do you like full plate or chain?
I think the barbarian has potential to rock --at level 19 there is 20%resistance to everything but arcane and divine. Combine that with the easthaven flail for a 40% resistance. that makes up for lack of armor.

Their rages are similar but the berserker's is twice as long.(in duration, I mean).
Jaheira's mouth is an open wound in her head...........I would plug it had i the power!
User avatar
masteralef
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 6:58 pm
Contact:

Post by masteralef »

Berserker. I'll take the imprisonment defense and full plate over hit points and resistances most of the time. Too, I always play with the grandmastery patch, which helps the berserker out a bit.
User avatar
Cuchulain82
Posts: 1229
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2005 3:44 pm
Location: Law School library, Vermont, USA
Contact:

Post by Cuchulain82 »

I think that the difference comes down to preference personally, but only if you discount the fact that...

Berzerkers can dual-class!

Bezerker-Theives, Berzerker-Mages, Berzerker-Clerics... for me this ends any debate.
Custodia legis
User avatar
Pertan
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2005 8:10 am
Contact:

Post by Pertan »

[QUOTE=Cuchulain82]I think that the difference comes down to preference personally, but only if you discount the fact that...

Berzerkers can dual-class!

Bezerker-Theives, Berzerker-Mages, Berzerker-Clerics... for me this ends any debate.[/QUOTE]
Was about to post the same thing.
Berserker can at higher levels be a much more powerfull char than a Barbarian if you dual-classed your Berserker.
User avatar
WolfHeart
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:02 pm
Contact:

Post by WolfHeart »

Brezerker is just better then barbarian no question about it. GM in all melle weapons, and full plate alone put him up above the barbarian. As for the defender of easthaven the weapon itself is mediocre at best compared to others that a breserker can use without having to use the defender just so he can be up to par with a guy that can wear plate. This also limits him to dual wield or using a weapon and shield.

Also (hilight to read minor spoiler below)
In TOB a brezerker/thief can use the carsomyr, a barbarian can NEVER do that.
User avatar
NiteWulf
Posts: 188
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2002 8:33 am
Location: HOLLAND!!
Contact:

Post by NiteWulf »

Berzerker is better indeed. However, I will never forget the moments I spent with my cute half-orc barbarian with 3 Int. on my first play though BG... And the moving rate came in handy when I chickened out of a battle :D
There's no knowledge that's not POWER!!!!

"Power is the ability to control the actions of others, regardless of their wishes" et al, Cohen

-and right you were, mate!
User avatar
Thrifalas
Posts: 822
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2005 5:59 am
Contact:

Post by Thrifalas »

As I'm a speedfreak, I'd have to go with the Barbarian. I'm not saying he's better, I'm saying I'd prefer him over a berserker. Extra HP is always usefull and his rage isn't so much worse than the berserkers. Grand Mastery don't do didly squat (aaahahaha. Can't help but use that line, I found it hillarious :D ) unless you have the Grandmaster fix (in which case the berserker clearly out-rages the Barbarian.).

But well. It was who you'd prefer, and I <3 speed, as simple as that.
Post Reply