Let’s start with activating Berserk(F2). It takes the same amount of adrenaline bars as activating any other Burst skill(F1). Why? Basically what happens is: (Let’s take the greatsword for example)You get all 3 adrenaline bars full. From there on you have the option to either use your normal burst skill(F1 – Arcing Slice) OR use Berserk(F2) which increases attack speed, dmg etc and gives you a better and more powerful burst skill(F1 – Arcing Sear)(Not to mention if you are using specific Berserker traits you get even more buffs). You get the filled merged adrenaline bar upon using Berserk so you immediately have the option to use Arcing Sear(F1) thus causing more dmg and conditions then the normal burst skill(Arcing Slice). There is no reason not to choose using Berserker because it is in every way better and stronger. You either choose Arcing Slice or Arcing Sear + buffs. It’s like having to choose between renting 2 cars and the one is better than the other and they both cost the same. You would go for the better one of course.
You can argue that you can activate Arcing Slice regardless of how many adrenaline bars you have full or not but that still leaves the issue of not using Arcing Slice on Stage 3. Or you can also argue that you might not want to use your Berserk skill and go for Arcing Slice to finish off your enemy and not have to waste your Berserk skill away on nothing. Aside from this being very situational the fact that the cooldown is like 14-15 seconds and by the time you move to the next enemy and get your adrenaline up it will be ready to use again is just ridiculous.
This leads to another issue. You can pretty much fill all 3 of your adrenaline bars and go into Berserk mode just by killing one enemy and it will be even quicker if there is a whole stack in front of you not to mention using traits like “Always Angry” which gives your first attack extra adrenaline or “Versatile Rage” which gives adrenaline upon swapping weapons plus other various skills that also give adrenaline. What I am trying to say here is that you can go into Berserk mode as simple as 123 and it’s over before you know it. Adrenaline comes and goes as if you are breathing air. You can’t just walk to a mushroom hit it a few times and then turn into this “mad” warrior who calms down after a couple of seconds. It really feels like you can have it when you don’t need it but no reason not use it and not have it when you need it because it’s already over.
What I suggest is: Make the adrenaline bars 5. Not 3, but 5. The time that would take to fill the first 3/5 bars is the same as it would now to fill all 3 now. That means in order to fill all 5 bars up it would take as if we are filling 3+2 right now. You just add 2 more adrenaline bars. Let’s say you have 3/5 adrenaline bars filled. You have the option to use the normal Burst Skill(F1- Arcing Slice) but NOT be able to use the Berserk one(F2). If you happen to have lets say 4/5 bars filled and use Arcing Slice it will leave you with only 1 adrenaline bar left meaning it still consumes 3 as before. If you have all 5 adrenaline bars filled you can then enter Berserk Mode. Lasting longer that it does now for 20 seconds with down time increased from 15 to 20 seconds as well. That way it deals with the problem of not using Arcing Slice on stage 3(being able to use it on 3 or 4 adrenaline bars filled) and give the feeling of this great and mad berserker the more satisfying and appealing to play. 20 seconds duration MAY be a bit much but it compensates for not using it as much. This all goes for the other burst skills as well the greatsword is just an example.
P.S. I can’t think of a way that Dead or Alive is that useful, again very situational. It’s a buzz kill.
(edited by Nison.3176)