Every Barbarian build has a hip pocket Berserk skill allotment to counter tough enemies. When built to maximize the damage potential of the Berserk skill, a Barbarian gets quite brutal. The Berserker is the Barbarian’s final form. It’s all damage and attitude.
The Berserker Gameplay
The Berserker will down most monsters 3 hits or less, and most PvP enemies in one shot. This is because of how the skill changes physical damage and turns it into Magical. Great for monsters that have the dreaded PI.
Note that Magical Damage reduction is hard to find. It’s also the most expensive and rare of the protections which makes it very unlikely you’ll encounter it in PvP.
Like any blade, the skill cuts both ways because it’ll drop your defense to zero when using it. Also since the damage is Magical it won’t benefit from item identifiers like Mana/Life Leech.
Identifiers to keep your Berserker looking for in his items are: Critical Strike, Crushing Blow, and Open Wound.
Berserker players try to minimize risks because of how the build works. A Berserker Barb, BB, has to get close to use his signature skill and is vulnerable while attacking.
Players will use other damaging skills like WW to deal with any life or Mana sustainability issues. WW is useful for unwieldy groups of monsters that are too numerous to use Berserk.
To negate the zero defense your BB will have max block from Dexterity or use skills like Howl or War Cry to mitigate incoming damage.
In the case of PvP, a BB player normally invests in the Enigma runeword for teleporting powers. This proves to be a great tactic in any enemy’s face! The Enigma BB is great for trouncing Necros because of his immunity to Iron Maiden and gap closing ability.
Aura debuffs/buffs and Warcries, have no effect on enemy PCs, unlike NPCs. Don’t embarrass yourself, expecting Howl to work on the enemy Amazon.
Survivability vs. Damage Sub-Builds
Shield and One-handed Weapon: This is slightly more expensive of a build than all out damage. The Block Rate/Faster Block Rate increases the BB’s survivability exponentially. This will keep your BB less mobile which will minimize the defense lost for moving.
Two-handed Weapon: The more difficult of the two builds due to the intensive nature of the BB’s combat skill rotation. Practicing the combo, Howl (or Shout) and War Cry in quick succession, is key to succeeding in PvP or the late-game Acts. These are immediately followed up with a Leap Attack into close proximity of your target and taunting it.
If executed properly your BB should take minimal damage!
Note: Most players use the Ribcracker or Shael’ed Steeldriver as their two-handed weapon.
Berserker Build Skills
As expected, you’ll spend your first 20 points on maxing your Berserk skill. This is your primary attack skill and all other skills are built to synergize with it.
Weapon Mastery, WM, is a common skill for any Barbarian build because of its raw DPS increase. WM is incredibly useful and suggested as your 2nd skill to max.
Warcries like Howl and Shout are both synergized with Berserk when using your BB for PvM. Defensive BB players who focused the shield normally replace Howl with Shout in their rotation. Shout will grant more defense but is ultimately useless when using Berserk. Extra CC never hurt anyone melee.
War Cry is a perfect fit for the extra CC this build needs. Some players donate points to War Cry instead of Weapon Mastery because of the CC. Taunt is another skill which adds another facet to the Berserker’s CC repertoire.
Tankiness skills like Iron Skin and Natural Resistances are useful in theory but optional to this full damage build. This includes buff Warcries like Battle Orders/Command. Said buffs are normally only leveled-up for BBs in parties anyways.
Putting points into WW is very helpful for those players finding they’re having trouble closing the Mana gap. These points will also help your BB clear large mobs of monsters as well.
Berserker Build Stats
All BB’s need to have enough Strength to carry and use their endgame armor and items. Dexterity is where there are two very different opinions.For One-handed and Shield you should invest enough points until you reach Max Block. On the other hand, for two-handed barbs, you should invest enough to equip your chosen weapon.
Energy is left at base, just like most other Barb builds.
Last but not least, Vitality gets every other point to keep your BB beefy and tanky.
Berserker Build Items
Weapon (If Shielded)
Runeword Breath of the Dying
6 Socket Weapons
Vex + Hel + El + Eld + Zod + Eth
Level Requirement: 69
50% Chance to Cast Level 20 Poison Nova When You Kill An Enemy
Indestructible
+60% Increased Attack Speed
+350-400% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+200% Damage to Undead
-25% Target Defense
+50 to Attack Rating
+50 to Attack Rating Against Undead
7% Mana Stolen Per Hit
12-15% Life Stolen Per hit (varies)
Prevent Monster Heal
+30 to All Attributes
+1 to Light Radius
Requirements -20%
Runeword Grief
5 Socket Swords/Axes
Eth + Tir + Lo + Mal + Ral
35% Chance To Cast Level 15 Venom On Striking
+30-40% Increased Attack Speed (varies)
Damage +340-400 (varies)
Ignore Target’s Defense
-25% Target Defense
+(1.875 per character level) 1.875-185.625% Damage To Demons (Based on Character Level)
Adds 5-30 Fire Damage
-20-25% To Enemy Poison Resistance (varies)
20% Deadly Strike
Prevent Monster Heal
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
+10-15 Life After Each Kill (varies)
Runeword Death
5 Socket Swords/Axes
Hel + El + Vex + Ort + Gul
100% Chance To Cast Level 44 Chain Lightning When You Die
25% Chance To Cast Level 18 Glacial Spike On Attack
Indestructible
+300-385% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Bonus To Attack Rating
+50 To Attack Rating
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
7% Mana Stolen Per Hit
50% Chance of Crushing Blow
+(0.5 per Character Level) 0.5-49.5% Deadly Strike (Based on Character Level)
+1 To Light Radius
Level 22 Blood Golem (15 Charges)
Requirements -20%
Runeword Last Wish
6 Socket Swords/Hammers/Axes
Jah + Mal + Jah + Sur + Jah + Ber
6% Chance To Cast Level 11 Fade When Struck
10% Chance To Cast Level 18 Life Tap On Striking
20% Chance To Cast Level 20 Charged Bolt On Attack
Level 17 Might Aura When Equipped
+330-375% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Ignore Target’s Defense
60-70% Chance of Crushing Blow (varies)
Prevent Monster Heal
Hit Blinds Target
+(0.5 per character level) 0.5-49.5% Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level)
Runeword Oath
4 Socket Swords/Axes/Maces
Shael + Pul + Mal + Lum
30% Chance To Cast Level 20 Bone Spirit On Striking
Indestructible
+50% Increased Attack Speed
+210-340% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+75% Damage To Demons
+100 To Attack Rating Against Demons
Prevent Monster Heal
+10 To Energy
+10-15 Magic Absorb (varies)
Level 16 Heart Of Wolverine (20 Charges)
Level 17 Iron Golem (14 Charges)
Runeword Beast
5 Socket Axes/Scepters/Hammers
Ber + Tir + Um + Mal + Lum
Level 9 Fanaticism Aura When Equipped
+40% Increased Attack Speed
+240-270% Enhanced Damage (varies)
20% Chance of Crushing Blow
25% Chance of Open Wounds
+3 To Werebear
+3 To Lycanthropy
Prevent Monster Heal
+25-40 To Strength (varies)
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Level 13 Summon Grizzly (5 Charges)
Runeword Doom
5 Socket Axes/Polearms/Hammers
Hel + Ohm + Um + Lo + Cham
5% Chance To Cast Level 18 Volcano On Striking
Level 12 Holy Freeze Aura When Equipped
+2 To All Skills
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+330-370% Enhanced Damage (varies)
-(40-60)% To Enemy Cold Resistance (varies)
20% Deadly Strike
25% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
Freezes Target +3
Requirements -20%
Non-shielded Weapons
Runeword Breath of the Dying
6 Socket Weapons
Vex + Hel + El + Eld + Zod + Eth
Level Requirement: 69
50% Chance to Cast Level 20 Poison Nova When You Kill An Enemy
Indestructible
+60% Increased Attack Speed
+350-400% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+200% Damage to Undead
-25% Target Defense
+50 to Attack Rating
+50 to Attack Rating Against Undead
7% Mana Stolen Per Hit
12-15% Life Stolen Per hit (varies)
Prevent Monster Heal
+30 to All Attributes
+1 to Light Radius
Requirements -20%
Runeword Doom
5 Socket Axes/Polearms/Hammers
Hel + Ohm + Um + Lo + Cham
5% Chance To Cast Level 18 Volcano On Striking
Level 12 Holy Freeze Aura When Equipped
+2 To All Skills
+45% Increased Attack Speed
+330-370% Enhanced Damage (varies)
-(40-60)% To Enemy Cold Resistance (varies)
20% Deadly Strike
25% Chance of Open Wounds
Prevent Monster Heal
Freezes Target +3
Requirements -20%
Runeword Last Wish
6 Socket Swords/Hammers/Axes
Jah + Mal + Jah + Sur + Jah + Ber
6% Chance To Cast Level 11 Fade When Struck
10% Chance To Cast Level 18 Life Tap On Striking
20% Chance To Cast Level 20 Charged Bolt On Attack
Level 17 Might Aura When Equipped
+330-375% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Ignore Target’s Defense
60-70% Chance of Crushing Blow (varies)
Prevent Monster Heal
Hit Blinds Target
+(0.5 per character level) 0.5-49.5% Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based on Character Level)
Runeword Obedience
5 Socket Polearms
Hel + Ko + Thul + Eth + Fal
30% Chance To Cast Level 21 Enchant When You Kill An Enemy
40% Faster Hit Recovery
+370% Enhanced Damage
-25% Target Defense
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage 3 Second Duration (Normal)
-25% To Enemy Fire Resistance
40% Chance of Crushing Blow
+200-300 Defense (varies)
+10 To Strength
+10 To Dexterity
All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
Requirements -20%
The Reaper’s Toll: “Decripify you for days!”
2H Damage: (34-40) to (408-479)
Melee Range: 2
Attack Speed: [-10]
Minimum Strength: 114
Minimum Dexterity: 89
Durability: 50
Level Requirement: 75
+190-240% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Ignore Target’s Defense
Adds 4-44 Cold Damage – 0-2 Second Duration (varies)
11-15% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
33% Deadly Strike
33% Chance to Cast Level 1 Decrepify on Striking
Requirements -25%
Bonehew
2H Damage: (103-117) to (536-609)
Melee Range: 3
Attack Speed: [0]
Minimum Strength: 195
Minimum Dexterity: 75
Durability: 50
Level Requirement: 64
+270-320% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Level 14 Corpse Explosion (30 Charges)
Prevent Monster Heal
30% Increased Attack Speed
50% Chance to Cast Level 16 Bone Spear on Striking
Socketed (2)
The Cranium Basher
2H Damage: (119-132) to (560-632)
Melee Range: 3
Attack Speed: [20]
Minimum Strength: 253
Minimum Dexterity: –
Durability: Indestructible
Level Requirement: 87
+200-240% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+50% Damage to Undead
+20 to Minimum Damage
75% Chance of Crushing Blow
4% Chance to Cast Level 1 Amplify Damage on Striking
20% Increased Attack Speed
All Resistances +25
+25 to Strength
+20 to Maximum Damage (not shown)
Indestructible
The Grandfather
1H Damage: (62-87) to (164-474)
2H Damage: (145-203) to (289-649)
Melee Range: 3
Attack Speed: [5]
Minimum Strength: 189
Minimum Dexterity: 110
Durability: Indestructible
Level Requirement: 81
+150-250% Enhanced Damage (varies)
+2-247 to Maximum Damage (+2.5 per Character Level)
50% Bonus to Attack Rating
+80 to Life
+20 to All Attributes
Indestructible
Doombringer
1H Damage: (97-114) to (251-289)
2H Damage: (228-278) to (332-390)
Melee Range: 3
Attack Speed: [-10]
Minimum Strength: 163
Minimum Dexterity: 103
Durability: Indestructible
Level Requirement: 69
+180-250% Enhanced Damage (varies)
Adds 30-100 Damage
8% Chance to Cast Level 3 Weaken on Striking
40% Bonus to Attack Rating
Increase Maximum Life 20%
5-7% Life Stolen per Hit
Indestructible
Armor
“Remember you have no defense when using Berserk, no matter what. Look for Damage Reduction Identifiers instead of high defense ratings to finish this build!”
Runeword Chains of Honor
4 Socket Body Armor
Dol + Um + Ber + Ist
+2 To All Skills
+200% Damage To Demons
+100% Damage To Undead
8% Life Stolen Per Hit
+70% Enhanced Defense
+20 To Strength
Replenish Life +7
All Resistances +65
Damage Reduced By 8%
25% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Runeword Enigma “The PvP Crowd Pleaser”
3 Socket Body Armor
Jah + Ith + Ber
+2 To All Skills
+45% Faster Run/Walk
+1 To Teleport
+750-775 Defense (varies)
+ (0.75 Per Character Level) +0-74 To Strength (Based On Character Level)
Increase Maximum Life 5%
Damage Reduced By 8%
+14 Life After Each Kill
15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
+ (1 Per Character Level) +1-99% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (Based On Character Level)
Leviathan “Big Green Monster”
Defense: 1514 – 1722
Armor Type: Medium
Minimum Strength: 174
Durability: Indestructible
Level Requirement: 65
+170-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+100-150 Defense (varies)
+40-50 To Strength (varies)
Damage Reduced By 15-25% (varies)
Indestructible
Shaftshop
Defense: 599-684 (varies)(Base Defense: 198-213)
Required Level: 38
Required Strength: 92
Durability: 45
+180-220% Enhanced Defense (varies)
Damage Reduced By 30%
+250 Defense Vs. Missile
+60 To Life
Helm
Arreat’s Face “Your first, best, and only choice.”
Slayer Guard
Defense: 302-363
Required Level: 42
Required Strength: 118
Durability: 55
(Barbarian Only)
+150-200% Enhanced Defense
30% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Bonus To Attack Rating
+2 To Barbarian Skill Levels
3-6% Life Stolen Per Hit
All Resistances +30
+20 To Strength
+20 To Dexterity
+2 To Combat Skills (Barbarian Only)
Shields
Stormshield
Defense: 136 – 519
Armor Type: Light
Block: P: 77% Am/As/B: 72% D/N/S: 67%
Smite Damage: 12 – 34
Minimum Strength: 156
Durability: Indestructible
Level Requirement: 73
+3-371 Defense (+3.75 per Character Level)
25% Increased Chance of Blocking
35% Faster Block Rate
Damage Reduced by 35%
Cold Resist +60%
Lightning Resist +25%
+30 to Strength
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 10
Indestructible
Runeword Phoenix
4 Socket Weapons/Shields
Vex + Vex + Lo + Jah
(In shields)
100% Chance To Cast level 40 Blaze When You Level-up
40% Chance To Cast Level 22 Firestorm On Striking
Level 10-15 Redemption Aura When Equipped (varies)
+350-400 Defense Vs. Missile (varies)
+350-400% Enhanced Damage (varies)
-28% To Enemy Fire Resistance
+50 To Life
+5% To Maximum Lightning Resist
+10% To Maximum Fire Resist
+15-21 Fire Absorb (varies)
Gloves
Steelrend
Defense: 232 – 281
Minimum Strength: 185
Durability: 24
Level Requirement: 70
+170-210 Defense (varies)
+30-60% Enhanced Damage (varies)
10% Chance of Crushing Blow
+15-20 To Strength (varies)
Dracul’s Grasp
Defense: 125 – 145
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 14
Level Requirement: 76
+90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+10-15 To Strength (varies)
+5-10 Life After Each Kill (varies)
25% Chance of Open Wounds
7-10% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
5% Chance to Cast Level 10 Life Tap on Striking
Soul Drainer
Defense: 129 – 149
Minimum Strength: 50
Durability: 16
Level Requirement: 74
+90-120% Enhanced Defense (varies)
4-7% Mana Stolen Per Hit (varies)
4-7% Life Stolen Per Hit (varies)
-50 to Monster Defense per Hit
8% Chance to Cast Level 3 Weaken on Striking
Boots
Sandstorm Trek
Defense: 158 – 178
Kick Damage: 60 – 110
Minimum Strength: 91
Durability: 14
Level Requirement: 64
+140-170% Enhanced Defense (varies)
20% Faster Hit Recovery
20% Faster Run/Walk
+1-99 to Maximum Stamina (+1 per Character Level)
+10-15 To Strength (varies)
+10-15 To Vitality (varies)
50% Slower Stamina Drain
Poison Resist +40-70% (varies)
Repairs 1 Durability Every 20 Seconds
Gore Rider “What Goblin Toe wishes it could be”
Defense: 140 – 162
Kick Damage: 39 – 80
Minimum Strength: 94
Durability: 34
Level Requirement: 47
+160-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
30% Faster Run/Walk
10% Chance of Open Wounds
15% Chance of Crushing Blow
15% Deadly Strike
Requirements -25%
+20 to Maximum Stamina
War Travelers
Defense: 120 – 139
Kick Damage: 37 – 64
Minimum Strength: 95
Durability: 48
Level Requirement: 42
+150-190% Enhanced Defense (varies)
25% Faster Run/Walk
+10 to Vitality
+10 to Strength
Adds 15-25 Damage
40% Slower Stamina Drain
Attacker Takes Damage of 5-10 (varies)
30-50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items (varies)
Belts
Verdungo’s Hearty Cord
“Vitality Bonus, Faster Hit Recovery, Physical Damage Reduction, oh my!”
Defense: 125 – 158
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 106
Durability: 16
Level Requirement: 63
+90-140% Enhanced Defense (varies)
10% Faster Hit Recovery
+30-40 to Vitality (varies)
Replenish Life +10-13 (varies)
+100-120 to Maximum Stamina (varies)
Damage Reduced by 10-15% (varies)
String of Ears
Defense: 102 – 113
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 20
Durability: 22
Level Requirement: 29
+150-180% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+15 Defense
6-8% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
Damage Reduced by 10-15% (varies)
Magic Damage Reduced by 10-15 (varies)
Thundergod’s Vigor
Defense: 137 – 159
Potion Slots: 16
Minimum Strength: 110
Durability: 24
Level Requirement: 47
+160-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
5% Chance to Cast Level 7 Fist of the Heavens When Struck
+20 Lightning Absorb
+10% to Maximum Lightning Resist
+20 to Strength
+20 to Vitality
+3 to Lightning Fury (Amazon Only)
+3 to Lightning Strike (Amazon Only)
Amulets
Highlord’s Wrath
Level Requirement: 65
+1 to All Skills
20% Increased Attack Speed
+0-37% Deadly Strike (+0.375 per Character Level)
Lightning Resist +35%
Adds 1-30 Lightning Damage
Attacker Takes Lightning Damage of 15
Mara’s Kaleidoscope
Level Requirement: 67
+2 to All Skills
All Resistances +20-30 (varies)
+5 to All Attributes
Rings
Raven Frost “Extra Frozen Crow Power”
Level Requirement: 45
+150-250 to Attack Rating (varies)
Adds 15-45 Cold Damage – 4 Second Duration
Cannot be Frozen
+15-20 to Dexterity (varies)
+40 to Mana
Cold Absorb 20%
Bul-Kathos’ Wedding Band “BK is sleeping in the doghouse until he gets this back”
Level Requirement: 58
+1 to All Skills
+0-49 to Life (+0.5 per Character Level)
3-5% Life Stolen per Hit (varies)
+50 to Maximum Stamina
“Some Berserkers take dual BK Wedding Bands.”