Berzerker Difficulty

[Venome]

<DIV>I prefer to group, but there are times when I cannot for whatever reason. I would appreciate if someone could answer a few quick questions for me.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Is Berzerker soloing generally just mashing CA's and HO's?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Are the only factors in a fight against a solo mob the quality of your CA's and gear?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Is Berzerker an intuitive class that challenges the person behind the keyboard and not just the character on the screen?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Berzeker 'sounds' like a fun class to play, I'm just worried it may be somewhat tame, as ironic as that sounds.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Any help would be awesome.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks</DIV>

[firewolf]

<span><span><blockquote><hr>Venome wrote:<div></div> <div>I prefer to group, but there are times when I cannot for whatever reason. I would appreciate if someone could answer a few quick questions for me.</div> <div> </div> <div>Is Berzerker soloing generally just mashing CA's and HO's?</div> <div> </div> <div>Are the only factors in a fight against a solo mob the quality of your CA's and gear?</div> <div> </div> <div>Is Berzerker an intuitive class that challenges the person behind the keyboard and not just the character on the screen?</div> <div> </div> <div>Berzeker 'sounds' like a fun class to play, I'm just worried it may be somewhat tame, as ironic as that sounds.</div> <div> </div> <div>Any help would be awesome.</div> <div> </div> <div>Thanks</div><hr></blockquote></span>This is from a level 28 soloing berzerker perspective. Berzerker need to use a lot of CA and HO to be effective in combat. Berzerker is not that good at soloing heroic encounter. However, berzerker is very effective against group ecounter. If you like a tank that excel on AE attack when soloing, berzerker is for you. Instead of soloing white or yellow con single encounter, I typically go for blue con group encounter(4-6) and get the xp bonus. Each ecounter gives roughly 1-2% xp and only takes 1 min.  Only in crafted gear and a few adept1 spells. For group encounter, I have to identify the healer, mage, scout and fighter, and kill them in that order. And time my stun, AE and HO completion CA to counter healer's and mage's casting. So far my HP never drops below 60% mark and  power never below 50%. For me soloing single mob encounter is dull, soloing group of 4++ mobs are way more interesting. </span><div></div>

[Jvaloth]

<P>Zerkers are tough group or solo.</P> <P> </P> <P>HO's are a waste of time  imho.   It wastes mana making you taunt to complete them and you dont need to taunt a mob when soloing (unless for interrupt reasons).</P> <P> </P> <P>Alot has to do with what kind of mobs you are fighting, gear you have etc, but I have no problem soloing.</P> <P> </P> <P> </P>

[Kaberu]

<DIV>A few tips:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>For 65ish mana I can start an HO with one of my CAs doing 100 to 150 damage. For 31 mana I can finish the HO doing either 100 to 150 damage to a single target, a little less damage to each mob in an encounter, or buff with Hero's Armor (a very nice Mitigation buff). Conclusion: HO's are not a waste.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Spamming CA's is a desperation manuever. Play smart: Against Melees - Use your Relentless line to debuff the mobs attack skills and your DoT to slow the mob's attack speed. Against Caster/Healers - use your fast-cast stuns/interrupts to stop the spells from coming. For any mob, stuns can slow down their overall DPS. Reactive damage CA's are a nice benefit, no reason not to use them.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Don't use combat buffs that don't help. Anarchy buffs my Mitigation for 30 seconds... if I'm fighting a caster, their physical damage output is not worth the mana it costs to put the buff up. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Try the no-stance method:</DIV> <DIV>Defensive stances will make it harder for the mob to hit you (defense buff) and harder for you to hit the mob (offense debuff). You can last longer, but the fight drags on longer. Defensive stances are typically only beneficial if the mob can out-DPS you (like a yellow or ^). Offensive stances can be useful when you are trying to hit a monk-based mob (avoids like a mofo and hits you easily) but is generally not helpful due to the defense penalty (you take more damage). Against greens however, it doesn't make much of a difference although greens are not typically worth the effort XP-wise. Just don't forget that the Defensive stance has a nice Cold mitigator with it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Typically, if you need more defense, go Shield and One-Hand before using a stance (don't use Shield and Dual Wield). Also use the shield if you think the extra shield stun will help.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I suggest fighting stuff close to your level... if you are 30, fight stuff in the 28 to 32 range. Group mobs are the specialty of Berserker's of course :smileywink:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I probably have a few more tips, but stuff to do =P</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Spike]

<P>          Last time I used a HO for soloing reasons was when I was on the Isle of Refuge and chain pulling those goblins that respawn fast.</P>

[Kaberu]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Spike92 wrote:<BR> <P>         Last time I used a HO for soloing reasons was when I was on the Isle of Refuge and chain pulling those goblins that respawn fast.</P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>Not using them doesn't make them useless. Power-wise, it's the most effective attack or buff (if you get Hero's Armor) that you have.</P> <P>That is of course unless you are using them against really weak mobs (ex: greens)</P> <P> </P><p>Message Edited by Kaberu on <span class=date_text>10-09-2005</span> <span class=time_text>03:13 PM</span>

[Mordock of the Highwynd]

<P>I complete the HO with the low level Taunt. It only costs 5 power to generate a bit of damage.</P> <P>Axtage Ironhead</P> <P>28th Bezerker</P> <P>Antonia Bayle</P>

[Kanan-]

My personal opinion is that we have a harder time grouping than soloing alot of the time. I take down groups so fast as a 52 beserker. but if I try to group mobs any more than 3 lvls above me Ill get pwned withotu 2h ealers. but its cool finally makes sense to actually read the con warning. solo wise groups = easy. solo mob can be toughish.

[firewolf]

I disagree that HO is a waste. When you get AE attack on a HO completion, you can get a knockdown effect. You'll see the mob knee down (Enjoying those moments). The extra damage is worth the minimal power used to complete it. Granted I went 100% offensive with my zerker when soloing. Wielding imbued 2H great sword and in offensive stance all the time. So far works very well. <div></div>

[Corvax6]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <P></P> <HR> <P>firewolf wrote</P> <P><SPAN><SPAN><BR></SPAN>This is from a level 28 soloing berzerker perspective. Berzerker need to use a lot of CA and HO to be effective in combat. Berzerker is not that good at soloing heroic encounter. However, berzerker is very effective against group ecounter. If you like a tank that excel on AE attack when soloing, berzerker is for you. Instead of soloing white or yellow con single encounter, I typically go for blue con group encounter(4-6) and get the xp bonus. Each ecounter gives roughly 1-2% xp and only takes 1 min.  Only in crafted gear and a few adept1 spells. For group encounter, I have to identify the healer, mage, scout and fighter, and kill them in that order. And time my stun, AE and HO completion CA to counter healer's and mage's casting. So far my HP never drops below 60% mark and  power never below 50%. For me soloing single mob encounter is dull, soloing group of 4++ mobs are way more interesting.<BR></P></SPAN> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P> </P> <P>I'm sorry to say, that we are not that bad at Heroic encounters, just depends on the type of encounter.  I'm a lvl 52 Zerker on Oggok and I can solo heroic 49 ++ mobs and they con blue to me.  Just this morning I soloed a 49++ Heroic named in SS (can't remember the name <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ).  Was a tough fight, but I took him down...U need good timing and a lot of luck, but who cares, Heroic mobs are not made to solo anyway, I did it just for the fun of trying, to see if I could do It.  Of vcourse, you need good gear to do this (not fabled but at least legendary) and have to upgrade all your spells to Adept 3 or more. </P> <P>But for the killing groups instead, I totaly agree, lot more fun and Zerkers rock at that, they do it without breaking a sweat.  If you upgrade your stuff, you will be able to go at the White and Yellow groups of 4 to 6 solo mobs easly...Orange we don't touch them enough <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />((, tried a couple of times, never really worked out.</P>

[Nosnem]

<P>/nod Ummiss</P> <P>Couldnt agree more..stay away from orange... 0range > u = death</P> <P>But more to the point I believe the question is.....are zerkers a button cruncher or do you need some skill and intelligence to play them.</P> <P>I would have to say they are a challenge but not extrememly dificult. TBH sometimes the button crunch is the way to go IMO. Other times it also depends on your timing and power consumption. If your looking for the chain pull you will have ot find a happy medium but dont be fooled zerkers dont have the highest mitigation or the highest avoidence so your gonna get owned by ceertain mobs until you figure out the best solo strat. Sometimes that amounts to staying the farbot away from that mob.</P> <P>So is it like a wizzard or illusionist root/mezzthen dot over and over again...NO But can you button crunch your way to victory YES. However if you desire to be both effecient in the direction of power consumption AND you want the best xp button crunching wont yield otpimal results.</P> <P>So put it this way with zerkers you are left with a middle of the highway type class that can dps a bit and tank a bit so nothing will be  a cake walk.....unless rampage is up and your looking at a grp of 6 blue con down arrows..... Then you can literally blink and miss the fight. </P> <P>So as a zerker you have unlimited challenge options for the style u want to play BUT you will be the best in nothing imo. I love that i can put all my str gear on and go offensive and hope I dont get owned while doing decent damage or I can tank well but I get spefic with what level and class of healer i get or i just get two........</P> <P> </P>

[Corvax6]

couldn't /Agree more with you Nos, my fellow Zerker.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Dashel]

Yep I'd say Zerks on the whole are a meat and potatoes class as far as EQ2 standards.  It's not just the old warrior "Hit auto attack and taunt every now and then", but it's not a real finesse class either.  Still you need to know what you're doing to be good at the class.Standard solo grinding is a button mash for me.  Cycle through HO's, and our various CA's.  A tough fight I'll plan out, make sure I have Anarchy up, Weapon Shield, Rampage... make sure I save my interupts and stuns for strategic use especially vrs a caster/healer mob.  I mow down equal or lower solo mobs, easily handle anything up to 3-4 levels higher.Group grind is more focus on maintaining agro.  Make sure I hit my taunts, single/AE/Brutal Pledge plus Offending Defense if needed and the occasional group buff.  Normally I'll go 2 handed while tanking trash xp mobs.Tough group fights I'll switch to either no stance or defensive, have my Sword/Shield set up running, have my defensive 30 second buffs ready to roll, position my stuns for times when the health is looking a little low to give the healer a bit more time to get me green again.  Any time you're the tank in a single group, adds are a challenge you'll need to deal with that requires some skill.  Rescue is your friend here.  Switch targets to grab agro quickly, focus on getting one dead then move to the next.  Normally i'll focus on killing whichever mob I feel I have the least agro lock on, trusting I have enough hate with the other to keep him on me with just offending defense procs.  Most people auto assist the tank but I have a macro telling the group which mob I'm hitting for those that may want to mezz/fear or stun adds.  So yeah it's not a steep learning curve but there is some skill involved if you want to be good at what you do.<div></div>

[BradO 1812]

<DIV>with all procs being triggered by CA's now i find i dont have to taunt when facing group mobs, time slaughter/assault/AE of your choice right on the charge and you knock everything down in one wild blow, follow it up with a stunning shout to hold em up more and hurt em, thn move a little to line up the barrage. 3 AE's like that, with the offensive stance proccing once or twice and you've got yourself a butt load of agro.  That's not counting rampage either /drool 12 000 DPS against 6 V blue mobs, run up, slaughter, keep on running to next mob while your group loots 6 corpses.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Agro is funny now, i find that stuns and knockdowns are more important than keeping agro.  Best group i've been in was myself the zerker, 2 warlocks, 2 wizards and a fury.  Sure the casters would get agro, but group mobs would last maybe 10 seconds, single ^^^ mobs i'd just shield bash, interrupt, vanquish, stun, interrupt etc.  casters would throw their stuns in too and the mob wouldn't get a swing away before it died.  Voice communication helps immensely here, wouldn't try it only using typed chat.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Kinda funny being the only fighter in a group and being the main assist with a warlock as main tank, but it worked <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Brado</DIV> <DIV>57 zerker</DIV>

[Hoserbaba]

Noob question : How do we tell what class a mob is (healer/caster/etc)? Experience? Find out during fight? Look up from a list? Guess from their name? <div></div>

[Dashel]

<DIV> <HR> </DIV> <DIV>Noob question : How do we tell what class a mob is (healer/caster/etc)? Experience? Find out during fight? Look up from a list? Guess from their name?</DIV> <DIV> <HR> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>All of the above for me except looking up on a list, usually can tell from the name though.  </DIV>