Guild Wars 2

[PvP Context]

Hi there,

Like many of us, I’ve tried various builds using the Berserker Specialization, in order to get a better understanding of how it works. Currently, I’m experimenting with a Strength / Discipline / Berserker power setup, with mace+shield / GS. I’m pretty sure many of you have tested this flavor already: what are you thoughts about it?

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vJAQNApeRjMdQZIWFCehApIWICMlvw0bKYEAiADg3i7yN6C-TpBCwAAeAAZOEAYOCAB3f4yJAIcZAA

Originally, I tried running Defense / Discipline / Berserker, but I found this combination lacking in terms of power, and playing a GS without Forceful Greatsword messes up my rotations too much (too slow).

I don’t think one should equip Berserker as a poor substitute of another specialization line, but rather as a specialization that brings something new to the build. So I ended up keeping Strength instead of Defense, for an even more aggressive warrior. Aside from the increased damage, one also gets Taunt on berserker mode activation (excellent to interrupt or HB a foe), and the very good Arc Divider and Skull Grinder.

The final damage is truly impressive, and you can put a lot of pressure on opponents. To respect that theme, I’ve kept Rampage rather than another elite skill. The defense isn’t that bad, even without the Defense line, because you still have the mobility of the GS, the stances, and a mace/shield weapon set which provides lots of active defense.

Also, there are many interesting synergies between Strength, Discipline and Berserker.

Berserker needs adrenaline, and Discipline provides Versatile Rage. Fast Hands maximizes the value of Versatile Rage, thus it’s easy to chain bursts when in Berserker mode.

The Berserker bursts are tier 3, working well with Berserker’s Power. Also, more bursts mean more endurance through Building Momentum, so more dodges (better defense, and better offense with Reckless Dodge).

Fatal Frenzy, along with the taunt of Bloody Roar, provides an interesting setup for a GS burst. I’m not sure about the synergy of Arc Divider (fire field) and Skull Grinder (blast), but the daze / cripple of Skull Grinder, with its long range (300), still provide a favorable situation for another GS burst.

from my perspective and experience, mace isn’t great for berserker mode cuz you’d prefer the 3s stun over the 1s daze from berserker mode, specially when running GS to land 100b.

maybe I’m too used to the mace burst than the berserker one… but if I’d take mace, it’s for the 3s stun.

I’ll give more feedback when I’ll try it for a day.. but I don’t feel like playing GS since I can’t have a legendary GS skin in PvP xD (yes, I’ve stopped the game 2,5y ago; and I don’t approuve this fusion of pve/pvp… I feel like I’m just hanging around… without progress, without real skins..)

Atm, I’m trying Axe/mace + Sword/shield…

The problem is that all the good berserker stuff is gated behind adrenaline and getting to berserker is extremely difficult to do early in a fight. without survival you will likely be dead before or soon after popping berserker. berserker should not be gated behind 100% adrenaline, rather it should spend adrenaline over time. Prinal Burst skils should not spend adrenaline, but have normal cooldowns. This way you can enter berserker at any time, but it will last longer the more adrenaline have built.

Layout should be something like this.

• Berserker*
  become a raging berserker for a short time based on adrenaline level. end berserk mode
• 1: 10 seconds
• 2: 20 Seconds
• 3: 30 seconds
• Primal burst skills do not spend adrenaline.

Anet, try this out and if the berserk er duration is too long lower it by 30% per level.

• 1; 7 seconds
• 2: 14 Seconds
• 3: 21 seconds

Moved to another thread.