Questions about a berserkers main role

[kleptex]

<p>Hey all I'm new to the game and the whole online gaming thing. Out of all the classes a berserker interests me the most. However I'm a little confused about thier main role in the game. I've read some of the posts here and seems like most everyone claims berserkers are supposed to be tanks.</p><p>From what I understand a tanks role is to take all the damage and protect other players. I'm not particularly sure if this is exclusively what I want to do in this game however. All I want to play is a warrior type class, a plate wearer, that can do good damage. Don't have to be the best damage dealer just a good solid damage output.</p><p>It seems when this is brought up most people here say to role a scout class. I don't want to play scout, rogue or whatever type it is. I want to play a plate wearing warrior and at the same time don't want to be the one the entire group relies on to stay alive.</p><p>So is it viable for a berserker to get anywhere without people wanting you to solely play the tanking role? I dont see any other plate wearing class that has what im looking for other than maybe the berserker.</p><p>Any imput on this is appreciated.</p><p>Thanks</p>

[Xita]

<p>you will never do as much damage as a well played scout, but we can put out substantial damage, the problem you will run into if you want to be a dps-only berserker is you will constantly get passed over for higher dps or higher utility classes.</p><p>Well-Played zerkers make good MT's and Great OT's if you play for one of those roles, you will find groups. If you go lfg or lfr as a dps... oh well its gonna suck who wants a 6k berzerker when they can get a 9k assassin.</p>

[kleptex]

<p><span >Well-Played zerkers make good MT's and Great OT's if you play for one of those roles, you will find groups. If you go lfg or lfr as a dps... oh well its gonna suck who wants a 6k berzerker when they can get a 9k assassin.</span></p><p>Not sure what you mean by 6k vs. 9k i take it that means damage output? And are you referring to raids? I doubt I'll get into raiding anytime soon just casual play. Also what is OT? Does this mean other tank? Forgive me I dont know all the lingo being as Im new.</p><p>Basically all I want is a warrior class that goes in and deals damage. Is this not what a beserker is? and you're telling me if i have that outllok on the berserker class I'll never be able to get into groups playing like that?</p><p>Thanks for responding I'm trying my best to learn all this.</p>

[Xita]

<p>yeah 6k vs 9k is damage per second output, generally in a raid setting.</p><p>basically the short end of it, if you are playing a berserker, shadowknight, paladin, or guardian and you are running groups, the group will expect you to get beat on and hold aggro. the best groups are constructed as follows:</p><p>Tank</p><p>Healer</p><p>Utility/Healer</p><p>Utility/DPS</p><p>DPS</p><p>DPS</p><p>So why there are 2-3 Dps roles in the group, you will always lose out to the following classes for those spots: Warlock, Wizard, Ranger, Assassin, Necromancer, Conjuror, Brigand, Swashbucker, Monk and Bruiser (i am sure somebody will argue with me on the monks and brusiers, but i personnaly would take one of those over another zerker, even if i was playing a guard)</p><p>So by being a tank, there may only be one slot, but you only have to beat out Guardians, Shadowknights, and Paladins, all of whom spend way too much time shining their armor instead of getting blood on it.</p>

[kleptex]

<p>So basically if I want a dps role I have to be a rogue type class or a caster? That kinda sucks as I had no real interest in those types of classes. I suppose I just had the wrong idea about the berserker class when I first looked at all the classes in this game and saw berserker I instantly thought "a crazed warrior that deals damage".</p><p>Looked at Shadowknights and read a bit about them on their forums and it appears they're expected to tank as well, at least in a small group setting, raids being different. I'm just a little disappointed I can't make a plate wearing warrior that strictly does damage in this game.</p><p>Also what exactly is the role of an off tank? Do they step in when things get rough or do they protect the weaker classes when the main tank can't control the situation?</p>

[Xalmat]

<p>Yeah, Berserkers are one of the Fighter classes. That means your job is to be a tank. What do you think that plate armor is for; to look pretty? You're expected to take a beating in it. And because of the fact that you wear plate armor (high survivability) your damage output is <em>supposed </em>to be lower than a well played scout or mage (who all have lower survivability, and higher damage output).</p><p>There are exceptions of course: Stack a group with mostly single-target DPS classes (Assassin, Ranger, Brigand, Bruiser, Monk), and pull large AoE encounters, and you will probably do the most damage.</p><p>On raids you have what's called a Main Tank and an Off Tank. A typical raid boss often consists of a Named + several of his buddies in the encounter, or Named to start, and then adds will spawn during the fight. The Main Tank usually takes the named himself and takes the brunt of the damage. Meanwhile the Off Tank will usually pick up adds on an as-needed basis, so that the main tank doesn't get overwhelmed by sheer damage. The Main Tank and Off Tanks each usually have their own healers (ie: Main Tank healers heal the Main Tank, other healers heal the Off Tank).</p><p>Off Tanks also mean back-up tanks. If for whatever reason the Main Tank dies, it's usually the Off Tank's job to grab aggro on the Named and stays alive long enough for the Main Tank to get resurrected, buffed, and able to take aggro back.</p><p>Most often the Main Tank is a Guardian (simply because they have the best defense out of all fighters), so in most cases a Berserker is called upon to off-tank. Which also suits us well because we have superior AoE aggro control compared to Guardians, and makes us an excellent tank to pick up multi-mob add spawns on a boss fight. Not to say a Berserker can't main tank (many guilds have used, and <em>do</em> use, Berserkers as main tanks on raids).</p>

[Elanjar]

<p>A well played zerker can dps as high as a rogue, the problem is a zerker putting out that much damage will be generating too much hate and will end up "tanking" even if they were just trying to dps. I think you'll find it is suprisingly fun to tank for groups especially as a zerker since you get to dps at the same time.</p><p>Unfortunately tanking comes with a leadership role. Tanks are kinda expected to know [Removed for Content] they are doing, how the zone works, etc... It can be quite taxing at times especially if you have waht i like to call "troublesome dps classes". If you really dont want to tank for group then I would probably suggest you go with a different class. But if you're looking for a high damage output tank then zerker is the way to go.</p><p>I originally rolled my zerker to dps with (my group of friends already had a guard) cause i love the playstyle. Now I tank for our group (that guard made a templar) and its a ton of fun. I'm usually #1 or #2 on our group dps parse.</p>

[LygerT]

<p>zerks can throw up some pretty decent AE parses but really, if you're not planning on raiding it will be nearly impossible for another tank to hold aggro off you with the exception of a paladin with amends on you in a heroic group. most people look down on plate tanks who don't tank, so yea.. i don't think this really fits into what you were looking for, there really is no plate class that fits your request in this game.</p>

[Destria]

<p>heres the problem with what you want</p><p>A-Fighter/Warrior~~automatically, you are a tank, period, thats the mentality in this game.</p><p>B-DPS~~~~~~~~your a zerker, refer to point A</p><p>C-your a tank, period, what this means is that you are by default, the leader, you must be uber, cannot make mistakes, anything that goes wrong is your fault, and you will be blamed accordingly, possibly even razed, abused, harrassed, and told you suck horribly.  Its not right, but thats the mentality that has saturated its way into groups, the tank must be god, and if they aren't they suck.  its why so many PUG's spend SOOOOO long looking for a tank.</p><p>TBH, if you want to do DPS< you really should roll a scout or mage, because a fighter is not going to cut it, no matter how good you are at putting out the DPS, your a tank, and if you put out really good DPS, everyone wants to nerf you, even if you are an offensive DPS type tank.</p><p>its sad...but.....well....yea, its sad, and pathetic, but we don't get many options in playstyle, both by design, and by expectation.</p>

[CHIMPNOODLE.]

<p>Might try a rogue class (Swashbuckler or Brigand). Yes, they are scout/DPS classes...but you're at least in chain-mail, dammage well, have a few extras...and still hold up decently to some hits.</p><p>If you're looking for a dammage dealing/plate-mail type class. Zerker or SK would work...but you will be expected to take the "tanking" responsibilities most of the time as well. Doesn't mean that you can't work to dish out as much dammage as you can while main-tanking the group though....you will just also be expected to keep the monsters (mobs) off of everyone else at the same time <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></p>

[kleptex]

<p>Ok bear with me remember I'm a total newbie to all this. Berserkers have multiple paths they can take with thier achievement points just like all the other classes. The thing I'm confused about is why cant a berserker take a pure dps, damage dealing path and when/if a berserker chooses this route? Why can't he just annouce it when he 1st joins a party? "Hey everyone I'm spec'ed purely for dps". </p><p>I understand somewhat about the fact that even if a berserker does this, there are other classes out there that can still put out more damage. But isnt this a game about having fun? Why would it be so hard for people to understand that hey this guy put all his points in dps and thats the style he likes to play. Sure he might not do as much damage as the scout classes but can do enough to get the job done.</p><p>It seems to me that looking at the berserker class the developers gave them options with different playstyles just like all the other classes. but somewhere along the line the masses got the idea of forcing people to become tanks no matter how they are spec'ed. Forced berserkers to play to thier style of play, regeardless of what the berserker wants to do for himself.</p><p>Not trying to make the a whining, oh not this aint fair type of post I'm just trying to understand why things are the way they are. It just seems odd the if you want to tank as a berserker, you put AP's accordinly. If you want to DPS, you put your AP's accordingly. Otherwise if a berserkers sole role is to tank then why are there different paths for achievment points?</p>

[kleptex]

<p>You know what, I'm just going to make a berserker regardless. I subcribed to this game wanting to be this class. I think its just ridiculous that you'll be forced into a playstyle to fit other peoples needs. This game is about having fun, not scrutinizing every individual and how they choose to play and spend thier time. I can imagine it will go something like this: Group leader says "looking for a dps class for such and such". I respond and say which class I am and get an answer "sorry we're looking for a REAL dps class".</p><p>Oh well if I dont get invited I dont get invited. At least I'll be enjoying the game how I WANT to play. After all it's my $15 a moth just like everyone elses.  And from what I understand there's plenty or solo content to keep one pretty busy regardless of having to bow down to someone elses conceptions about how another person should play thier class.</p><p>Didn't mean for this to turn into a rant, this whole you're a zerker therefore you're a tank end of story bs just upsets me. Now being an offtank and stepping in to pick up additional adds that spawn or whatever the case is I can totally understand and accept that. But if its a non-raid group that only needs 1 tank and I/You/Any other berserker that doesnt want to tank shouldn't be forced to.</p>

[Xalmat]

<p>It's not a matter of fitting other people's needs. It's about fitting the role of the class.</p><p>Even in a pure maximum DPS build with full DPS gear (and ignoring survivability, ie: you wear chain and leather armor), full DPS buffs, full DPS AAs, and ideal situation where you don't pull aggro ever, you will still <em>barely </em>do the kind of damage that pure DPS classes will do in the same situation. And for that reason you will always be passed over in a DPS role except as a last resort or to fill a 6th group slot where they just don't care who they bring.</p><p>Not saying that to discourage you from playing how you want, just letting you know what the reality is.</p><p>Nevermind that the devs intend for Berserkers to be tanks.</p><p>Best of luck to ya.</p>

[kleptex]

<p>First off, thanks for your insight on this Xal. You say that the devs intended for berserkers to be tanks, and this is the thing that confuses me the most. My point being if that's so then why are there so many different ways to spend your AP's? Why is there ways to max damage at all then? If our sole role is to be a tank then why wouldnt all the Ap's be made to be spent in mostly defense if you're role is to absorb all the damage?</p><p>I'm just not getting it I suppose. I have been looking at that other very popular mmorpg (I'm sure you know which) and have looked at thier warrior (melee) classes and see that every single plate wearing class can take different paths with thier AP's or talents. If you choose to be a tank you take the tank trees if you choose to play a dps then you put your points in dps. Now looking here at the paths you take on EQ2 it seems similar, yet no matter how you spend them here you are a tank no matter what! That's the part thats confusing me, why do you have so many options when in the end no matter what you're a tank?</p><p>I realize EQ2 isnt like other games nor do I expect it to be. That's not what this post is about. And don't get me wrong I'm not trying to complain or want EQ2 to change to fit my styple or ideas. Just trying to nail this down and figure it all out. Appreciate eveyone's replies.</p>

[Hasad]

<p>Don't worry about "not getting it." You'll find out that the paths on the AAs, gear etc. have many options because there are many ways to get the job done. But the primary job of the Zerk is to tank, just like the primary job of the Templar is to heal. Gearing out to have high DPS (for a tank) has the advantage of giving you the ability to hold aggro more easily. The downside of course is that you'll need a decent healer. You could spec more defensively and not worry about having noobish healing, but the mobs will die more slowly and you'll have to on top of the taunts to stop the more enthusiastic DPS toons from ripping the mob aggro away from you. All toons play with their set-ups, tweaking and massaging their specs to get their primary job done. Its part of the fun.</p><p>It may take you a while to actually get to the point where you find out whether you enjoy the role of tank, since you'll probably have to grind out quite a few levels before you can get into groups regularly. Try to ge into a supportive guild that will invest time in bringing you along. Don't be the tank that grinds out 80 levels only to find the PUGs he gets into don't have much patience for mastercrafted/treasure gear, <100 AA and tentative mob pulls. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Besual]

<p>In pickup groups (PUG) it will be hard to find a DPS spot as a beserker (as already posted). But if you run with a guild / friends group it can work. But (as already mentioned too) a beserker has no tools to reduce the hate he generates beside few items. He will make it for the tank much, much harder to hold agro. As Xalmat pointed out to go full DPS you will wear mostly chain / leather armor, not plate because the effects to increase your damage output are much more common on chain / leather armor. And if your are already wearing chain / leather armor you could play a brigant / swashy as well. Both make decent light tanks if needed. If you really want to play a DPS beserker we won't stop you. All we want to do is to warn you that it won't be easy.</p>

[LygerT]

<p>every group needs a tank and if you're not tanking then you are the fat kid in a dodgeball tournament, no one will pick you.</p>

[Destria]

<p>Not to be the one to beat a dead horse, but its true, everything thats been posted.  My best recommendation, if you do play berserker as it sounds like you are, take your time leveling, get help from other zerkers on your server, and here on the forums, tips tricks etc.  Be prepared to be a tank, LEARN how to tank, and how to tank RIGHT, because even if you do succeeed as a DPS zerker<its very realistically possible>you will still need to know how to tank.</p><p>With that said, when you tank, be prepared to be hazed, cussed, blamed for everything and told how much you suck, I really hope you are lucky enough to not ever have to run into this, but its a very real possibility.  Also, when you are being a DPS zerker, be prepared for the same thing, people are rude, and cruel, and you have a number of elitists that will tell you how stupid you are and what a [Removed for Content] you are for trying to be a DPS class and to go roll a "true" dps class.</p><p>Its not necesarily right, but it happens, I know that I for one see it happen all the time, and have been the victim of such hazings and cussings.  Best thing to do-write em off as morons, and keep on truckin.</p><p>The moral of the story, YOU ARE THE ONE PAYING TO PLAY THIS GAME EVERY MONTH, PLAY IT TO HAVE FUN YOUR WAY!!!!!</p><p>and</p><p>IGNORE THE ELITIST MORONS, they think they are gods, and know everything, but they show their stupidity every time they open their mouths.</p>

[Xita]

<p>the problem with zerkers compared to other classes is even with all those build options, there really are about 2 builds that actually work...</p><p>we basically are all cookie cutters of each other...</p>