Beserker or Barbarian

SlimJim · Post by **SlimJim** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 3:02 am

Hi everyone,

im looking to create a solo fighter class, but i am undecided about whether it will be a barb or a beserker.

I know that beserkers can dual and get grand mastery. I was hoping for some of the more experienced players opinion.

BTW i will probably dual weild war hammers and axes.

Thanks

wise grimwald · Post by **wise grimwald** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 6:08 am

I am hardly experienced in SOA but you may find this of help. There is a very nice throwing axe+3 out there that can only be used by dwarves. It means that you don't need to put any of your points on bows until you get to the point where you need them for arrows of dispelling or suchlike.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 6:25 am

I'd definitely take the berserker over the barbarian any day, in fact I see no non-roleplaying - reason to take the barbarian, save the faster movement rate or stuff like that which is negligible anyway.
The berserker is the better of the two, least of all not due to being fighter-specialization with weapons proficiencies.

Jordoo · Post by **Jordoo** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:16 am

Barbarian if you are continuing on to TOB as they will eventually gain 80% resistance to all physical damage at higher levels they can also put *** in two weapon style but can only specialize in weapons. They have more hit points and fast movement but can not wear any type of plate armor. Berzerkers are also great and the big advantages are Any Armor and Advanced Grand Mastery.

There is a throwing axe that magically retuenes to you but Ibelieve the one only usable by Dwarfs is a throwing hammer +3 with some other special stuff as well.

Rav · Post by **Rav** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:23 am

The damage reduction, and increased hit points, and a better rage combine to make the barbarian way better. Sure the berserker is immune to one more spell, but you hardly ever encounter that spell. +4 str & con is really far more powerful than +2 to hit and damage. In fact, it is usually better than +2 to hit and damage and weapon mastery.

Klorox · Post by **Klorox** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:29 pm

But when you encounter that one spell Rav, it's a doozy!

I am up in the air about this one. In a regular game, I'd probably lean towards Barbarian, and weild the Defender of Easthaven (it'll be nearly impossible to damage this character at high levels!). If you enjoy the Grandmastery "fix" (it's not really a fix because the BG2 designers wanted to nerf it), then Berserkers get the edge.

Pellinore · Post by **Pellinore** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:54 pm

Never played a Barbarian but I have played a berserker....they are pretty sick! I love a berserker ....lots of chunks!...............They would have done better with making Minsc a Berserker rather than a ranger but, oh well.......

Jedi_Sauraus · Post by **Jedi_Sauraus** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 6:26 pm

Berserker should be an obvious choice.............. more proficiencies, better armour, better rage, you'll be using boots of speed anyway so barbarian's base movement hardly makes a diffrence oh and the barbarian's rage lasts only 30 seconds not enough for most fights. and best off the berserker can multi or dual class if thats your cup of tea.

oh and can somebody explain the 80% DR please ?? the manual says it is capped at level 20 and even assuming your barbarian gets to level 40, it starts at 10% @level 11. it will go up by 5% 7 times, 7 x 4 = 28 (28+ 11 = 39 = max level) so in 28 levels it will increase 7 times by 5% thats a grand total of 35 + the 10 you get at level 11 = 45% total. with hardiness it will go to 85 but any fighter can get hardiness where are you people getting the extra 35% needed for 80% DR

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:36 pm

If we're talking about a vanilla Berzerker or a Barbarian, than the latter is my choice. If you know the right item combination, you can beast everyone with over 100% of physical resistance.

However, despite that, a Berzerker/Cleric is pretty beastly. The advantages of a fighter, combined with some cleric spells produce one destructive character.

Klorox · Post by **Klorox** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:24 pm

Re Jedi:

The more proficiencies of a Berserker don't matter in a vanilla game, the effect is miniscule. The Barbarian has a shorter Rage, but he's not fatigued after and can go right back into that Rage if he wants to. When a Berserkers Rage wears out there are some heavy penalties.

BTW, can somebody please paste what each Rage does EXACTLY here?

TIA

Crenshinibon · Post by **Crenshinibon** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:17 pm

Berzerker Rage:+2 bonus to hit and damage, -2 AC bonus, Immune to: Charm, Hold, Fear, Maze, Imprisonment, Stun, and Sleep, temporary 15 HP increase (taken away at end of rage - could cause death)

Barbarian Rage: +4 Constitution and Strength for 5 rounds, +2 AC penalty, +2Save vs. Magic, Immune to Charm, Hold, Fear, Maze, Confusion, Level Drain

Both were taken from GB's class section.

For a Demilich killer, the Berzerker certainly beats the Barbarian. The Barbarian Rage seems like a powered down version of the Berzerker rage.

The fact that the Barbarian doesn't get wound up while raging is also an important advantage.

Nimiety · Post by **Nimiety** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:09 pm

Crenshinibon wrote:Berzerker Rage:+2 bonus to hit and damage, -2 AC bonus, Immune to: Charm, Hold, Fear, Maze, Imprisonment, Stun, and Sleep, temporary 15 HP increase (taken away at end of rage - could cause death)

Barbarian Rage: +4 Constitution and Strength for 5 rounds, +2 AC penalty, +2Save vs. Magic, Immune to Charm, Hold, Fear, Maze, Confusion, Level Drain

Both were taken from GB's class section.

For a Demilich killer, the Berzerker certainly beats the Barbarian. The Barbarian Rage seems like a powered down version of the Berzerker rage.

The fact that the Barbarian doesn't get wound up while raging is also an important advantage.

Unfortunately, an undocumented coding error means that *both* classes are actually immune to level drain during their rages. I've tested this out and confirmed it. Basically, that error makes the Berzerker rage one of the best effects for any class, since it's immune to just about anything really deadly for a solo power gamer. Plus, you can duel it to any other common class, for thieving, clerical, or mage skills.

Cheers,
N.

Jedi_Sauraus · Post by **Jedi_Sauraus** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:20 am

Yep I agree berzerker rage > Barbarian.

Barbarian can go right back into rage true......... losing a round while doing it.
60 seconds is enough 99.99% of the time and what happens after the fight I don't really care, well before the next fight he is ready to rock again

+4 to STR vs + 2 to dmg well your going to be wielding Crom anyway for a max of 25 so +4 is useless dmg on the otherhand.....

+2 AC ??!! the rage is suppossed to help you

the only real benefit is +4 constitution which doesn't give you a huge amount more than 15 HP

both make you immune to the same nasty effects. lich killing is so rare that it is'nt that much of a + for the berzerker more like ........ Icing