Am I missing something..

[Sarkoris]

<DIV>Help me out here guys. I will start off by saying that my Zerker is only an alt - level 26 presently. My main is a Necromancer not that it affects this post.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I am really struggling to kill much at a rate that sees my experience bar move noticably. I have decent gear for my level - even con legendary weapons, a mix of AQ and imbued armour, and all skills at least app iv and the main ones adept I or better. I mainly solo this character and I am wondering if this is where the problem lies. I try defensive stance to outlast mobs, I try offensive stand to try and kill them through superior dps. I have tried 1hander and shield, 2 hander and dual wield. None seem to make much difference. I have studied the changes to our CA as much as I can but feel I must be missing something.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Any tips appreciated. Please try and keep them aimed at my stated level (26) and not saying once I get skill XYZ at 38 I will be scary. Please be as specific as you can, use this stance - these types of weapons and hunt this type of mob (solo^, group down ^ etc).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I am not asking for a complete guide on how to play the class but rather tips on where I am going wrong. I have 9 alts other than my main and have found myself able to adjust to all of them (1 mage, 2 scout, 4 fighter and 2 priest alts) except the Zerker. I really enjoyed this class pre CR but for now I am at a loss.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Any help appreciated. Any you suck if you can't play a zerker posts will be accorded the due respect they deserve.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Oh and on side note at what point did you feel your power as a class increased. For Necros its about 29 when we get a whole swag of more potent spells.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks in advance guys (oh and any zerker gals out there).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Sark (on behalf of poor old Chakrais the confused).</DIV><p>Message Edited by Sarkoris on <span class=date_text>11-15-2005</span> <span class=time_text>08:06 AM</span>

[Zhonata]

<DIV>Well to be quit frank, in my opinion our offesive abilty doesnt come into effect until we hit 50 and get rampage. TIll then you are just a mana burning fiend for about 20 sec then your DPS drops like a 2 ton weight. from around 30-50 it basically just upgrading old spells. At 50 you get rampage, an 58 opening wounds and that is where our dps comes in added with unbridled and and other proc we may have. Zerkers dont reach their potential early on and it is a class you must play to the end to see how fun they are.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As far as Soloing it is best to be in offesinve mode or no mode. Defesive is purly for running away or tanking i na grp. Soloing doesnt give anywhere near as much xp as it use to is almost pointless now IMO. You shou.ld get 2 others and havea grp of 3 and your xp will go much faster.</DIV>

[Huna]

My experiences at that level were much different, but that was before the rebalance. I have soloed most of the time, even at level 52, I find myself mainly soloing, because I usually only play for an hour or so at a time. It may be a little slower than grouping, but I think it's a very viable way to play the game. I will say that you should look into quests more. Since they bumped up the xp gain on quests, the kill x of y quests really help out if your grinding killing those same mobs. Also, I used either dual wield or 2h throughout all levels. One thing you could try is getting a rare wood 2h weapon for your level. Maybe look into getting your offensive stance at adept3? Sorry if I can't help you more, but I don't think we have a lot of people on here that have gone through the lower and mid levels after the revamp. Good luck.

[electron]

Looks like you chose the wrong time to become a Berserker. Our glory days are gone. Good luck re-rolling an alt, it's inevitable. <div></div>

[Tudd]

<span><blockquote><hr>electron wrote:Looks like you chose the wrong time to become a Berserker. Our glory days are gone. Good luck re-rolling an alt, it's inevitable. <div></div><hr></blockquote>Lol, dude, give it a rest. I've solo'd almost all my levels, currently at 58. Getting xp as a zerker is not a problem. The thing is, you have to go with your strengths. What you want to be on the lookout for are blue solo-linked encounters. This is by far the best match for a zerker's skills and getting xp. Heck, at 26 and with vitality, even green solo-linked encounters will net you decent xp. I'm not sure which city faction you are on, but the zombies in TS near Tower 1 are probably still decent xp at 26, there's plenty of them and the spawn is fairly fast. But wherever you go, be on the lookout for those blue linked solo encounters. That will be your meat and potatoes as a zerker for leveling.</span><div></div>

[EQ-]

<DIV>I am a lvl 25 zerker and have levelled entirely since the combat changes. I must be very similar to you because i have a few items of legendary armor, and other treasured gear.</DIV> <DIV>I still use my blade of the zerker because i havent invested in a better weapon yet, but i think 2-handed is the only way to go.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Also i must say i found solo play very slow to progress, going through the upper tunnels in splitpaw took seemingly forever (But then my main is a warlock!) and i even died in harclave (Bad luck rather than skill though).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>From my experience the best xp is either grouping against the giants or skindancers in TS, or going into Fallen Gate. But either way you really do need a full group for these.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you are going solo i think your best bet (Without mentioning splitpaw because i hate people advising grinding there until your a destroyer of gnolls) would be groups of 3-4 V or VV arrow solo mobs. This could be centaurs/undead/gnolls in TS, or for me owlbears/trees etc in Nek.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Also i have upgraded my offensive stance to adept 3, as well as my 2 zerking skills blood rage and focus rage. I think these skills help immensly and add a proper role playing element.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hope this helps you but because i dont solo much it may not be that much use to you.</DIV>

[Sarkoris]

<P>Where are the ^ ^^ down arrow solo groups of owlbears in Nek. I only know of the heroic ^ or ^^ up arrow groups between the bridge and the dock.</P> <P> </P> <P>Chak.</P>

[Dashel]

<span><blockquote><hr>Sarkoris wrote:<div>Help me out here guys. I will start off by saying that my Zerker is only an alt - level 26 presently. My main is a Necromancer not that it affects this post.</div> <div> </div> <div>I am really struggling to kill much at a rate that sees my experience bar move noticably. I have decent gear for my level - even con legendary weapons, a mix of AQ and imbued armour, and all skills at least app iv and the main ones adept I or better. I mainly solo this character and I am wondering if this is where the problem lies. I try defensive stance to outlast mobs, I try offensive stand to try and kill them through superior dps. I have tried 1hander and shield, 2 hander and dual wield. None seem to make much difference. I have studied the changes to our CA as much as I can but feel I must be missing something.</div> <div> </div> <div>Any tips appreciated. Please try and keep them aimed at my stated level (26) and not saying once I get skill XYZ at 38 I will be scary. Please be as specific as you can, use this stance - these types of weapons and hunt this type of mob (solo^, group down ^ etc).</div> <div> </div> <div>I am not asking for a complete guide on how to play the class but rather tips on where I am going wrong. I have 9 alts other than my main and have found myself able to adjust to all of them (1 mage, 2 scout, 4 fighter and 2 priest alts) except the Zerker. I really enjoyed this class pre CR but for now I am at a loss.</div> <div> </div> <div>Any help appreciated. Any you suck if you can't play a zerker posts will be accorded the due respect they deserve.</div> <div> </div> <div>Oh and on side note at what point did you feel your power as a class increased. For Necros its about 29 when we get a whole swag of more potent spells.</div> <div> </div> <div>Thanks in advance guys (oh and any zerker gals out there).</div> <div> </div> <div>Sark (on behalf of porr old Chakrais the confused).</div><hr></blockquote> If I remember correctly, you just hit my prime soloing time in the lower levels.  Go to Thundering Steppes.  Head towards Ruins of Varsoon.  There you'll find solo skeletons by the truckload from about level 26-28 or 29.  Kill them.  Kill them all. At that time I believe I used a dual wield set up, all offense and rely on good gear to keep you up.  Looking at the skill list, you should have up: Focus Rage Blood Rage Fury Bloodlust Battle Chant Battle Tactics Stand Firm (group with someone to cast it and it should stay on if you ungroup) I may have left something out but those look right to me.  Offensive buffs.  Dual wield or 2 hander, whichever you have that's better DPS/Quality.  It is <b>very</b> worth it to buy yourself a legendary crafted 2 hander or 2 DW weapons if you dont have the equivalent or better.  CA's.  Cycle through your main attacks: Maul Knee Break Wound throw in the filler attacks as needed: </span><span><font color="#ff3300" size="3"><font size="3"><font color="#66ff00"><font size="3"><font color="#6633ff"><font size="3"><font color="#6633ff"><span><font size="3"><font color="#6633ff"><span><font color="#33ccff">Concussion </font></span></font></font></span></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></span><span><font color="#ff3300" size="3"><font size="3"><font color="#66ff00"><font size="3"><font color="#6633ff"><font size="3"><font color="#6633ff"><span><font size="3"><font color="#6633ff"><span><font color="#33ccff">Forced Swing </font></span></font></font></span></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></span><span>I typically led with Maul to get the debuff on, followed with knee break  then started an HO and completed it with Wound/Concussion/Forced swing (in that order, if wound misses do concussion, if that misses forced swing) then taunt to trigger the HO.  Keep that cycle going the whole fight.  <b>You should never stand there and simply auto attack in a normal situation against tough opponents.</b> Make sure you have good food and drink. </span><span> Tougher fights cast Havoc on yourself before the pull.  If you're still having trouble give specifics on what you're fighting, your equipment and what you're doing.</span><div></div>

[firewolf]

<div></div><div></div>My main is also a necromancer and playing a level 29 zerker. Leveled him from 26 to 29 after combat revamp. All my gear are normal crafted items. Only 2h greatsword is imbued. Basically soloed the entire 29 levels. Has cleared splitpaw solo, mowing down everything in his path without dead, picked up roughly 20% xp in an hour. The trick to leveling up a zerker is to go for group mobs. I've Bloodlust at Master 2 and most of the other CA at adept 1. Always pull with carbonite arrow for initial 100-200 damage(still using crappy T2 bow). Even on 2-3 white and yellow con group mobs, can still kill them all with hp at 70% and power at 40% most of the time.  The trait that I choose on respec are +5 defence, str and hp regen in combat. Also use potion to boost str and boost physical mitigation further. Str is roughly at 127.  Usually chain 2 aoe attack together to do some major damage every fight. One is Barrage  (level 28, I think) and the other Furious Onslaught(level 24, I think).  Hope that helps. <div></div><p>Message Edited by firewolf on <span class="date_text">11-01-2005</span> <span class="time_text">02:32 AM</span></p><p>Message Edited by firewolf on <span class=date_text>11-01-2005</span> <span class=time_text>02:41 AM</span>

[EQ-]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Sarkoris wrote:<BR> <P>Where are the ^ ^^ down arrow solo groups of owlbears in Nek. I only know of the heroic ^ or ^^ up arrow groups between the bridge and the dock.</P> <P> </P> <P>Chak.</P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>They are mixed in with the heroic owlbears I think.</P> <P>But I could well be talking crap lol</P>

[Sarkoris]

<P>Thanks guys. Used the tactics you guys suggested, ate a few deaths perfecting my techniques/timings and happily have reached level 30 with just part time play (my zerker is an alt to my necromancer main).</P> <P>I found the best spot for me being an evil zerker (and hates going anywhere near Qeynos, TS included) was the groups of Shadowmen and Gul Thex skeletons near the D'Morte burial chamber in Nektulous Forest. Group of blue con level 25-27 mobs, with low hp, perfect for our chainsaw approach to group mobs.</P> <DIV>This also has the added benefit of being a simple boat trip (EFP docks to Nek docks) and short jog to begin killing. Loot drops (dragoon sentry armour pieces etc) easily paid for the 60sp boat ticket. Also it is not a long shard run if the worst happens. You can pull in safety from adds to the D'Morte burial chamber mound, and if worst comes to worst zone in to clear aggro and escape.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So thanks for the tips guys, I think a lot of my problems were caused by my lack of familiartity with our new stances and skills post revamp.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Sark on behalf of Chakrais.</DIV><p>Message Edited by Sarkoris on <span class=date_text>11-15-2005</span> <span class=time_text>08:05 AM</span>

[-Mor]

<P>Sark,</P> <P> </P> <P>As with most classes we dont come into our own untill we start climbing the higher end of the 30's ladder, but at 26 we are still a very good DPS tank. Soloing with a zerk has always been tricky, we have little in the way of utility like SK's and Pallies so we have to 'do or die', theres no escape or self healing <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> This is exactly how a zerk should be imho. One thing to try, and I do this at 60 when soloing, is to actually not use a stance, and with the current fix on dual weild (as you know Sark, I was always a 2 handed Zerk) the proc rate is as it should be and will account for a good deal of the damage you do.</P> <P>The level of the mobs we can take on is lower than that of most other tanks and brawler classes, our strength lies in AOE DPS. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of places where we can find bountiful groups of lower con mobs, but I have found that undead seem to like company <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Pick mobs that are vunerable to your damage type, crush is my all time favourite damage type, and undead hate crush, most skellies have fewer HP's than there living counterparts. </P> <P>Barrage has been 'fixed' so it's almost no longer worth thinking about now, I frequently tank guild XP groups with dual wield for the faster kills and generally notice no barrage or counter attack on even con mobs, the advantage to using a shield is an extra attack, I use agility food when DPSing as it's stupidly easy to hit your stat cap of strenth (strenth being our main stat, it gives us our power pool and damage).</P> <P>One thing people omit is that our HP pool is infact quite low compared to other classes, I can get my illusionist's HP's equal to my Zerk if I try, the extra 300 HP's when soloing is in fact considerable, we are a hybrid class and as such were not the best at anything, although now with the mitigation improvments we can burst buff to 75% mit un grouped (equipment is important). </P> <P>Zerks have a number of defencive and offencive burst buffs, get used to spamming them, but as always be mindful of your power pool, this is something that is a real issue for Zerks, it always has been but since the rebalance it's very very easy to run dry whilst the rest of the group is sitting on 80% power. I know it can be expensive but I am a great believer in potions, always have been, mitigation pots, clarity pots and heal pots can make a very noticable difference when soloing (they make up for the lack of utility spells).</P> <P>Last but not least stick with it, being a Zerk is very rewarding, we are a great class to play because of versatility, we tank exceedingly well and our DPS may not be uber, but is still solid. The truth is most classes suffer from a nasty imbalance untill the high 30's, some are over powered and some under powered, the most important thing to remember is the 'do or die', thats our class definition, picture some crazy body builder with a 2 x 4 running down the center of town in his undies howling at the top of his lungs decemating all living things in his path, friend or foe, young or old, bloodlust.... You can well imagine this would take it's toll on his body, you burn out fast, thats a Zerk.</P>

[Sarkoris]

<DIV>Strewth,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks for the input mate. I didn't want to spam you in guild chat as Chak is just an alt after all. He has dinged 30, looks spiffy in his new tier 4 armour and I am feeling much more comfortable with the Zerker playstyle. I agree on the undead killing as I described my latest haunt is outside the D'Morte burial chambers killing the gul'thex mystic/sentry/rage groups - all still blue con to me at 30 and single down ^ so not much in the way of hp.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Where you mention the "fix" to barrage is that from the mobs point of view and not the zerker skill we have. I am presently dual wielding a pair of Kregnok Axes, but plain on investing in a blunt and pierce dual wielder to keep my skills up. I will give the "no stance" approach a shot and see how I do compared to my usual offensive stance. I normally start what I think will be a harder than normal fight with Havoc for the mitigation boost, and my normal self buffs are "Battle Chant, Battle Tactics, Blood Rage and Focus Rage". There may be one other but I am at work and can't picture my buff list at the moment.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>** Edit - How could I forget a skill with Blood in the name: Checked the Zerker skill list and remembered I use Bloodlust as well for the Strength boost **</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>One trick I have learnt from fighting the Shadowmen is to open with our aoe attacks early. Dropping Barrage and Furious Onslaught damages all the mobs in the encounter which has a nice side effect. Healer mobs tend to spam heals if you focus on one target, but if you damage them all the AI seems to resort to self preservation mode and they heal themselves or don't heal at all if the damage they took isn't too bad. This allows you to kill one mob quickly without his buddies spam healing him while hitting you making the fight longer and more damaging than it needs to be.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Once again mate thanks for the input and thanks for the input to the others in this thread.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Sark on behalf of Chakrais the no longer confused.</DIV><p>Message Edited by Sarkoris on <span class=date_text>11-16-2005</span> <span class=time_text>09:41 AM</span>