PvP zerker tactics, or how I learned to love OOP

[IcelusDMent]

So let me start by saying I've got *very* limited free time, so my zerker is only level 25 so far. Hard to make endgame statements, but I just wanted to comment on my PvP experiences as a zerker... particularly those of last night.Leaving FG to head over to Nek, I came across a group of Q's fighting a couple of FP's, and jumped into the fray. After killing one, they scattered, and I was able to chase one down (plinking him with arrows) until he tried to change course, and I was able to cut him off and finish him. His buddy put up a good chase, leading me over by the hidden station, then back over near the druid ring, and (kudos to him) lead me right into his group, which had regrouped and was hiding. 4 of them jumped me, and after killing their fury (I love having 5 different interrupt skills!) I sprinted off before they could kill me. For some reason, only their monk chased me, very close behind me throwing knives. Once we both ran out of power I turned around and mashed him into froglok paste. Nobody can match a zerker for OOP fighting!So, story aside - I finally have firsthand knowledge of how powerful a zerker is in a fight where no one has power. Having my offensive stance at Master I helps a bunch for the big AoE procs, but the in-combat regen, rage, and passive skill procs are such a huge advantage in an OOP fight, I'm certainly going to try and engineer match-ups like that more often!What other PvP tricks do you all find work well as a zerker?

[Cuttertarl]

<P>wow...just the thread i was looking for this morning...i have a 35 barbarian zerker on pvp server and was wondering about tactics...</P> <P>have no problem with melee but my experience for 8 years since beta eq1 to date in eq2 have had NADA pvp experience till this toon</P> <P>was wondering if a sow potion would be useful to use when oop...not sure of speeds of sow and sprint..</P> <P>interrupts are a good start..have to check on what i have to use....rangers and casters  give me the most trouble..</P> <P>more tips and ideas please to this pvp noob</P>

[Dimgl]

<P><FONT color=#00cc99>Hi there, 70 zerker on Venekor(RP-PVP) here.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#00cc99>The OP is very right in that berserkers are incredibly strong while out of power, I've been advertising that since week one when I developed tactics involving using sprint both offensively and defensively, whoever sprints the longest wins a lot of times, so a lot of people sprint til their completely OOP either in running away or chasing you, at that point you win.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#00cc99>Other big tips for PVP as a zerker include getting the absolute best longbow you can get, and prioritize range (get a longbow with 35m) and delay (the longer the better.) I use the Ghostly Bow of Bylze which has a 9 second delay and ~70 damage rating and I hit people for 1500 with it. Sure the "reload" time is hefty, but with the ability to step back and drop up to 1500 burst damage on my target you can't argue the power of it.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#00cc99>On top of the bow, consider your achievements carefully. Unlike a pure PVE server where being immune to physical attacks for 12 seconds, or having 10% additional threat generation are fairly useful abilities they lose some edge in a PVP situation, on the flipside some abilities, like double-attack in the STA line gain tremendous benefits, because you can double-attack with a bow. I've "one-hit" green casters with 1800+1500 damage bowshots before.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#00cc99>Interrupts make us a significant threat to any caster when tied to the longbow. While wizards may land the root, you're hitting them with a longbow for 20-40% of their health, and if they weren't smart enough to get good distance you can just use your single-target taunt to interrupt them. Our single target taunt is arguably in our top 3 power-abilities for PVP due to the amazing cast time and low recast, learn to love it.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#00cc99>If you happen to be a Qeynosian make sure you prioritize disease resist, take it at every oppurtunity you choose a resist as a trait. Disease is a very common damage type of Freeportians thanks to Shadowknight and Necromancers primarily, and it being a fairly common damage subtype to many other classes. To top that off disease is also very very prevalent in KOS endgame content, so you get to have your cake and eat it too. If you're Freeportian I don't think there is a clear cut case for resists.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#00cc99>In group PVP a lot of things change, I primarily focus on putting stuns and knockdowns on targets that are after my healer, and interrupting the enemy healer/mages. I -always- try to wipe out enemy mages first because they go down so fast to a double bowshot, slay and frenzy. It is difficult to lockdown an enemy group before insolent gibe, however once you get this ability it is amazing. You will often find yourself locked in 1v1 with the enemy tank after a few rounds of taunts, when this happens just drop your melee debuffs, and stay focused on the whereabouts of more important targets, switch as soon as possible. It helps to have a scout act as the main assist in PVP as they are less likely to be tauntlocked as bad as you are, just keep mashing their fkey and once you change targets immediately fire your bow, it works wonders.</FONT></P><p>Message Edited by Dimglow on <span class=date_text>05-03-2006</span> <span class=time_text>09:55 AM</span>

[IcelusDMent]

Good stuff, Dimglow!To tack on to your bow advice, the difference in range between a longbow and a shortbow is pretty dramatic. Don't be tempted by a shortbow with slightly better stats, or you may be caught chasing someone only to find your bow can't quite reach them.To be honest, assuming I'm not fighting an orange/red con or am outnumbered, casters really aren't too bad. Like Dim said, if you're rooted use your bow and single target taunt to interrupt casts. Once you close the distance, you have (not using the skill names as they change with level - and there may be more skills at higher level I'm not listing) 1. single target taunt 2. kick 3. AoE whirl 4. slam (no shield) 5. shield bash, all of which will interrupt casts. For rangers, taunt is less important, and closing the distance is the key to winning. A ranger with a zerker in their face is a dead (or evac'ed) ranger. On the downside, if they want to get away there's not much you can do to stop them.SoW potions are great, but they suppress in combat, so while it may help you escape or get in range, during combat it's not available. Remember that totems are lootable unless they're in your charm slot(s) though. See invis and see stealth totems can really help too.I'll definitely be going the STA line first for the double attacks (still debating my 2nd line... crit % or AoE attacks... hmm), particularly with the bow it'll be nice.