Like my grandpa used to say, “When they give u lemons, u make lemonade!”. So in that state of mind, I’ve started recently experimenting with the new Berserker trait line, and this is what I’ve come up with:
Few pointers for the people who don’t have much experience with the profession:
1 – The most important mechanic, u must master, in this build, is managing your stances. Keep in mind Defy Pain will proc when your hp crosses the 25% threshold, if off cd, so u want to make sure u DON’T use your Defiant Stance, when it does. Save your Balanced Stance for panic moments, when all your other stunbreakers are on cd or when u need to pop your Battle Standart, increasing the odds it won’t get interrupted.
2 – When engaging/pushing I like to do as follows: Once I checked i got stab from my guards and i have my gs equipped, I use Sundering Leap into the enemy zerg + Whirlwind Attack. At this point I switch to my hammer and use Hammer Shock. If in this process i get stunned/dazed, use Outrage, as it will generate a lot of adrenaline. Now u should have enough adrenaline to immediately go into Berserker Mode and start ccing/damaging everyone like a lunatic. Ofc u may like to engage in a diferent way, but i found this to be the quickest way to fill up your adrenaline bar and enter Berserker Mode.
3 – When beeing pushed, stay compact to your commander and start by ccing the enemy zerg, with your hammer, as they push. Hammer Shock and Staggering Blow are good skills to achive this. When they r on cd, just keep cleaving with autoattacks. Idealy always dodge to the side, so u don’t face the enemy’s meele train. If going low on health, dodge backwards while switching to your gs (for that Hydromancy Sigil proc) and Whirlwind Attack away from the enemies. U should have enough adrenaline, at this point, to either counter-push or just to have acess to some extra stab, always needed in rough moments.
4 – Always keep in mind, your gs can either output a ton of burst damage or keep u save, allowing u to evade enemy hits and disengage to safety, while your hammer can heavily cc lock enemies, into place, specially in Berserker Mode.
Build Variants:
1 – Switch Sundering Leap for Endure Pain (utility), so u can have 2 cds of it. This will give u a bit more survivability but be aware u’ll loose the only leap finisher u have and therefor the ability to stay on the tag when he/she pushes. U’ll also have an extra stance cd to manage. But if u find yourself dieing a lot, just go for it.
2 – Switch Cleansing Ire for Last Stand (trait), Cleasing Ire is one of most important adrenaline generating mechanics in this build. So i only recommend this if u don’t have any guards in your party and u need the extra stability.
3 – Switch Hoelbrak for Melandru (runes), if u can’t afford Hoelbrak. Whatever runes u choose to use, just keep in mind that a lot of conditions can really hurt this build. So I definitely recommend having condition duration reduction in your rune set, as well as always running condition duration reduction food like Loaffes of Saffron Bread or Lemongrass Poultry Soup.
In comparison, to the standart WvW Frontline Warrior Shout build, u’ll lose a lot of condition cleansing due to the fact that u’r no longer running Superior Runes of the Trooper, shouts and because you no longer run warhorn. If you have at least 2 shout frontline guardians in the party, run proper food and runes tho, this shouldn’t be a problem.
On the plus side, u’ll have a huge ton of stability uptime, a lot of stunbreakers to spam on cd and stil output a brutal amount of damage and cc, while still beeing the supportive banner bot everyone wants by their side. I’ve been having a lot of fun, these past couple of days, runing this build inside meele trains, in wvw. I recognise it has some flaws but it feels very visceral and promotes a very active playstyle, something which i think ppl who like playing warrior will apreciate.
Obviously all constructive feedback is welcomed and let me know if the build feels fun.
(edited by Truska.2064)