I think I made a bad choice of berserker

[Justinfate]

<DIV>I am lvl 27 now and I don't get this class of fighter at all, I see guardians, SK's and all sorts of tanks soloing stuff I can't even think about killing even with a healer.</DIV> <DIV>My best friend is an assasin and I'm not kidding, he can tank mobs better than me.</DIV> <DIV>I just don't get it, I have pretty decent gear, I use my abilities to the best of my knowledge, but I feel I should have picked a better class for a tank.</DIV> <DIV>To me it just seems I do crap for damage, cant tank as well as a scout, I hate when our group pulls linked mobs because most likely even taunting my butt off I will loose agro and most likely not get it back.</DIV> <DIV>Any insights into what I am doing wrong?  or was choosing zerker where I made my mistake?</DIV>

[FamilyManFir]

Do you know about the buff-as-taunt trick? You can use group buffs to build up lots of hate. Buff before combat when solo, buff after pull when grouped. My only exception to this is Uthros' Defiant Cry which I use before pull when facing spellcasters (to get the spell resistance when the caster try to zap me right after pull).As I understand it (I'm low level yet) our DPS stands out with multiple mobs. One-on-one our damage is average but get 3 or more mobs on us and our procs and such start adding up. You'll have to ask a more experienced 'Zerker out there for details on that, though.

[CherobylJ]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Justinfate wrote:<BR> <DIV>I am lvl 27 now and I don't get this class of fighter at all, I see guardians, SK's and all sorts of tanks soloing stuff I can't even think about killing even with a healer.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>To me it just seems I do crap for damage, cant tank as well as a scout, I hate when our group pulls linked mobs because most likely even taunting my butt off I will loose agro and most likely not get it back.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>1) What mobs/where and what level are the Guards/SKs?  I can tell you that I can tank (and could tank in EL at your level) pretty much any mob they could and then some with levels being equal.  Have you tried pulling with a DOT (I think wound at your level) then backing up as you pull?  Do you use Fury religiously?  Do you use a sword/board when tanking yellows and above?  Do you buff your atk (Blood Lust etc) when fighting whites and above)?  Do you click Blood Rage before you enage, wait 5 secs to get the non combat health tick back then get 20 secs of extra attacks?</P> <P>2) What level is the scout?  On linked mobs are you actually the one to pull when tanking (EQ2 is HUGE about initial agro)?  Do you utlize group buffs when pulling (after initial contact but while mob is moving to group)?  Do pull (initial contact) using a "green" ae such as shout?  Do you pepper in green AEs (or blues if circumstances allow) as you tank the mobs?  Are all your group members actually assisting you on the same mob?<BR></P> <P>Message Edited by CherobylJoe on <SPAN class=date_text>02-18-2005</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>11:02 AM</SPAN></P><p>Message Edited by CherobylJoe on <span class=date_text>02-18-2005</span> <span class=time_text>11:02 AM</span>

[Too]

<DIV>I remember the mid 20's as being a hard time for zerkers for whatever reason.    It will get better after you get level 30.</DIV> <DIV>Make sure you keep your stance active and use your buffs every single fight.   </DIV>

[eqtaka]

<DIV>I solo in Zek and Enchanted Lands all the time.  Some of those mobs I do solo are yellow to me.  It seems to work even better when I duel wield and weaponshield coupled with HO's now and then.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>In terms of tanking in groups I have no troubles.  I tank and all the time, almost everytime.  My beserker is level 32.  I've tanked level 39 red con group linked mobs in Runnyeye with minimal damage to me.  Named mobs are not a problem either, at this stage.  If I'm grouped with a few key players namely Alaibaba, Connie, and Colindo we find and kill named mobs all the time sometimes 4 or 5 times a night.  My first trip to Runnyeye was at level 28 and obviously no level 30 to 40 equipment.  I recall tanking a red con level 37 ^^ MoB and yeah we won.  Zerkers are tanks and tank well. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>In terms of holding agro the Zerker is probably the best at it.  Some mobs, like artificial intelligence based mobs like Owl Bears in the Nek, ignore taunt once the first MoB dies.  That's not the Tanks fault but the games strat for defeating Players, and you have to work that much harder.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Mithru]

I finished my AQs at 24 and have managed to solo yellow mobs all the way up to level 30 with the same armor. Really I don't know why you need a healer. This class solos very well.

[Tuna]

<DIV>I am totally miffed at posts like this... just can't understand how your play experience can be so poor.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I duo with a druid and from the moment that I dinged 20 we have both been in awe of what I can do.  In fact for all of levels 20 and 21 we felt we were earning exp so fast that there might be a bug.  We continue to constant pull blue grouped mobs for exp.  I almost never lose aggro, do insane damage against groups and am almost never in trouble health wise... in fact the druid only occaisionally has to heal.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I will say that choosing the aoe taunt ability at lvl 20 with the added effect of sending you into a beserker rage seems to be key to my success.  I am nearly always in a rage... and mow thru opponents.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I do realize that not everyone has such a consistant method of fighting and that critical to many players, regardless of class, is the need for some flexibility and adaptability to different situations, but I am having such an incredible experience that it is hard for me to imagine the problems you are describing.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Am I alone?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>** have an old Sig attached to this... am lvl 22 Berzerker and lvl 38 Dirge</DIV><p>Message Edited by Tuna99 on <span class=date_text>02-18-2005</span> <span class=time_text>12:23 PM</span>

[Tearsa]

<DIV>Same deal with me, I was playing in FP and once I hit 20, I could duo or solo  green and blue group mobs with 1 up arrow and just bring in the exp, I'd duo with a friend and we'd take on Valmaar ourselves, the sub level 20 mobs just get owned by your level 20 char, once you hit tougher places you'll need groups again or more down time if you just solo or duo.  Just look at the increase in your weapon when you ding 20 with a berseker, IF your using the axe they give it just destroys all those weak mobs.</DIV>

[Dalensbane]

<DIV>Strange im level 31 and can't really solo anything. I struggle to even solo a yellow con orc with now arrows on zek! Is it because i have bad equipment?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Could someone give me some tips on how to play well with it?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Total AC is 3267 and with shield it is 3682, but if i use shield i tend to get beaten worse because im doing less damage. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Feyiron Platemail helm - 123</DIV> <DIV>Ebon Eye breastplate - 359</DIV> <DIV>Pristine Forged feyiron vanguard spaulders - 195</DIV> <DIV>Feyiron platemail vembraces - 185</DIV> <DIV>Feyiron platemail gauntlets - 123<BR>Black tainted leggings - 209</DIV> <DIV>Feyiron platemail tonlets - 123</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Augurs necklace of knowledge - 35</DIV> <DIV>Gold Hoop - 30</DIV> <DIV>Ruined Ancient ring - 34</DIV> <DIV>The ring of necrolos - 37 </DIV> <DIV>Gold bangle - 30</DIV> <DIV>Ruined Ancient Bangle - 34</DIV> <DIV>Augurs Sash of sagacity - 35</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Weapons</DIV> <DIV>Either Feysteel double headed axe - 36-107 damage</DIV> <DIV>or</DIV> <DIV>Shiny Metallic Shield - 437 AC and Pristine  forged feyiron longsword 18-54 damage</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I know my equipment isn't the best..is that why i can't solo? Believe i can't solo anything very well, i see lots of other people solo better than me. ANy suggestions would be welcome please!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Davish_Darkwolf]

<DIV>Strange, i have no difficulty soloing oranges in Zek or EL. I always try to be in good armor / weapon shape and always have my   Focus Rage and Stance up (Soldiers or Reckless).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If a mob is really difficult (orange) i usually use my sword and board.  If they are yellow and below i usually use my 2 hander or dual wield.  If im fighting green group mobs,  again sword and board.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Before fights i usually buff myself with   Uthros superior tactics, Battle chant, Weapon Shield and Uthros Defiant Cry,  then in the middle of the fight toss  my  Screaming Fury buff  (or before the fight to add up with tactics).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>During the fight i always start with a dot, then proceed to peel my adversary using Maul, Barrage, Taunting Blow, Knee Break and so on.   If the fight is rough, i use my HOs  they seem to help a lot.  Whirlwind works wonders too and use it often to get the group on their knees.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If im grouped and im fighting group mobs and if my HP permits, i use Bloodrage quite often, it hugely increases my DPS hitting several adversaries at the same time.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When im not the Main Tank i never use my shield, always 2 hander or Dual Wield and i can say that my DPS is usually very good, many times im the best DPS in the group.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I never had problems soloing since the beginning and im 35 now.   Tanking is not a problem either, on the contrary, many times im the main tank in groups and get a lot of tells inviting me to be so.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Experiment with your skills and always remember a Warrior  needs good armor and weapons, always try to keep them par to your level (or better if possible).</DIV> <P>Message Edited by Davish_Darkwolf on <SPAN class=date_text>02-21-2005</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>04:45 AM</SPAN></P> <P>Message Edited by Davish_Darkwolf on <SPAN class=date_text>02-21-2005</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>04:46 AM</SPAN></P><p>Message Edited by Davish_Darkwolf on <span class=date_text>02-21-2005</span> <span class=time_text>04:47 AM</span>

[Elgusa]

Brother, you need to get some armorer with stats on it asap. That feyiron stuff I am assuming is the dropped stuff with AC/No stats.Secondly, learn that if your tank. Going berzerk == bad. As DPS going berzerk == good.Also listen to these zerkers. They are on the right track. Buffs are the greatest taunt you can have. Drop the group buffs During the fight, and agro will belong to you. Also don't be afraid to debuff the mob with maul.Prosecution38 zerker of Permafrost

[Dalensbane]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Elgusano wrote:<BR>Brother, you need to get some armorer with stats on it asap. That feyiron stuff I am assuming is the dropped stuff with AC/No stats.<BR><BR>Secondly, learn that if your tank. Going berzerk == bad. As DPS going berzerk == good.<BR><BR>Also listen to these zerkers. They are on the right track. Buffs are the greatest taunt you can have. Drop the group buffs During the fight, and agro will belong to you. Also don't be afraid to debuff the mob with maul.<BR><BR>Prosecution<BR><BR>38 zerker of Permafrost<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <DIV>Yeah my armor was bought from an NPC in Qeynos Harbour. I would buy better gear...but not at the extortionate prices people are selling stuff at the moment, i only have about 30 gold so im not rich. But i'll have a look later and see what i can buy...no point in hoarding up the money when i could use it to improve my character vastly.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The one part i didn't quite understand was when you said: </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>"Secondly, learn that if your tank. Going berzerk == bad. As DPS going berzerk == good."</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Why is going berserk bad? Is there a downside to going berserker such as loss of AC?</DIV>

[Davish_Darkwolf]

<DIV>30 gold?  That's more than i ever had myself.  There are people who overprice their items, but usually i find pieces of Pristine Feyiron Armor  costing 3-2 gold  in my server.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Regarding Zerker mode being bad as a MT, i dont agree with that.  If im the Main Tank, im the one getting hit and i berserk quite often (sometimes almost 90% of a fight).  I dont notice myself taking more hits for being berserk and the added DPS i do helps my group a lot and sure helps mantaining the aggro on me.</DIV>

[Elslav]

Keeping up with gear is one of the most important things to do as a tank, I find once your armor get blue you need to look for a replacement. Pristine Feyiron is what you should be buying by level 32 if you dont have some of the other droped armor on you already. Blackened Alloy BP and Ebon Eye are nice options from off the top of my head, and you can get in them by level 30.Also, dont forget about keeping up on all jewelery AND the fact that a good bow also adds to your overall stats! You should also make sure you are in Soldiers Stance/Reckless Stance all the time and have up Weapon Shield, to help defense.

[Huna]

I agree, I think you need to find some better gear. I just turned lvl 29 and I have 3,182ac with no buffs on. So, I would think you should have higher ac at your level.

[Prothos]

<DIV>38zerker here and I have no comptition when it comes to being one bad @@@.  Guardians have a little more def hp but man we own dmg.  And no scout will tank better then me.  I love this class.  People say thru the 20s is rough sometimes I owned the 20s.  It was a blast.  This is by far one of the best jobs in my opinion in the game.  I also have a 23sk 24mnk 23fury.  So I been around the block with a few classes.</DIV>

[Elgusa]

Sorry wrote that post a little under the influence. Let me clarify.First:When you go berzerk it really ups your DPS, however you sacrifice mitigation. When fighting yellows and lower this really doesn't matter at all. However if your fighting oranges and reds it does. Also boss mobs, same deal. Drop bloodlust, and enrage when tanking heavy melee hitters. While it slices your DPS in half, it reduces the damage you take by about 40% is what I can tell. It is a night and day difference. Remember if your playing tank, you must A.) Stay alive B.) Keep agro. DPS is not on that list. So its someones elses primary job to actaully kill the mobSecond:Buff taunting. What I was saying is fire off your group buffs after you have established agro. What it does is refresh all your buffs, and holds agro nicely. By then your AE taunts will be up if your fighting a group, and you can cycle between maul and regular taunt.Also, it seems that the taunt to end our solo HO wheel seems to be about 5x more effective then a normal taunt. I have pseudo tested this for regaining agro, and keeping agro off scouts/wizards going all out.Can anyone confirm this for me?

[Hoe]

I haven't found the taunt at the end of an HO to be any more effective than normal. I've played around with this before while not tanking. Usually I can do an HO and not get aggro from the MOB. It all depends, sometimes I can even do it twice and not get aggro, the third time will almost always get aggro though.

[DaemonSlay]

<DIV>Why are people giving this guy a low star rating because he is asking for help and doesnt know how to play a berserker? :p</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>lots of great info here though</DIV>

[Dalensbane]

<DIV>Just curious, what should my AC be at level 31? I just bought a load of new equipment and my new AC is 3374 compared to the old 3267. My strength is now 98 compared to the old 76. Is that good or still bad?</DIV>

[Elgusa]

Ignore str.You should focus on AC + STA +HPS.Then worry about stuff like str and agility.At level 30 I have no idea what you should be, as I was level 34 when the big AC rating change hit. But make sure all your equipment is heavy armor + stats.

[Styk]

dont ignore STR , we arent guardians so i really dont think that AC , STA , HP is the key.... STR affects your power bar as well.... no point in having all the [Removed for Content] HP in the world but weaker atk and power.... AC,STA,STR then HP last.... I dont want to be a Guard where all im looking at is raw AC and HP.... i dont need to have the most HP but hit harder then a guard yet take dmg in that area range....

[Namsin]

The first step is admitting you have a problem ... you have done that well.This class isn't for everyone.Maybe you should re-roll another class and try them out.Have fun playing the game.If your not into the zerker .. then look elsewhere.

[Castaned]

<DIV>What equiptment do you have? I'm level 28, with full armor quest gear, all player made jewelry and use an sbh. With nothing higher than adepts and many ap skills, I have been soloing most of my way through the level in EL and Zek. I haven't died yet, but I only fight up to level 32 mobs and only the ones I know I can kill. I end up running away from about 1 out of 15 or 20 mobs because I might get too far behind in health.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you can't kill similar mobs then you might need better equiptment or just need more practice setting off HOs, doing damage and buffing before fights. Good luck.</DIV>