Tactics Skunkees Definitive Berserker guide

[Nanostrike]

Oh no doubt. I'm not discouraging people from playing the Berserker in any way shape or form. That's why I wrote this guide!

I was just saying that if someone decides to swap to zerker during wave 7 in a long/Hard server because they see a good zerker with his chainsaw decapitating fleshpounds and it leads to a team wipe, it's not a good thing.

LOL. My point exactly. I mean, I take it as a compliment if I get a Dopplezerker, but Hard mode isn't exactly the best place for a Level 0 or Level 1 (Level 2 if they're LUCKY!) to learn the ropes of a class they have almost no experience in!

The only ones worse are the BLATANTLY farmed Level 5 Zerkers that don't know how to get past the 1st wave on hard, despite spawning with the Chainsaw. Hey, at least they give a free Chainsaw when they die, though!

I'd say this guide is more or less complete now. It does take a lot of practice. If any newbie zerkers are reading this: For your own good, I suggest practicing extensively in Normal before you make the jump to hard, both to level your perk and to get a feel for the enemies. I'd say once you play on Normal long enough to hit Level 3, you're okay to try hard, but don't be discouraged when you die (And you WILL. A lot!)

 

[Soanos]

I'd say once you play on Normal long enough to hit Level 3, you're okay to try hard, but don't be discouraged when you die (And you WILL. A lot!)

And don't get discouraged by your fellow players for blaming you for "causing a wipe". It might as well have been one of them who were responsible for it for not taking out the crawlers on your back.

Just do your best to work as a team and you will be fine.

 

[Nanostrike]

And don't get discouraged by your fellow players for blaming you for "causing a wipe". It might as well have been one of them who were responsible for it for not taking out the crawlers on your back.

LOL. One of the main rules of online gaming: Any team wipeout is the healers' fault. Always. No exceptions.
​

 

[Soanos]

The healers always blame the MT (Main Tank).

 

[Stryker159]

The healers always blame the MT (Main Tank).

If the tank dies, it's the healer's fault
If the healer dies, it's the tank's fault
If the DPS dies, it's their own damn fault

 

[KingJoker]

O_O really beserkers can only own a Fleshy and Scrake if your going patriach you better have smart players.. and circle him if not he comes back and you have NO armor. (dramatization: four players left no armor Hp in healthy Patriach walks in Hits one with tentacle 3 players healthy 1 deadly patriach shoots rocket 2 players deadly 2 injured patriach uses gun = Wipeout.)

Beserker is just for the beserkers >.> crazy *** people who would risk it all for the lulz.


but fleshy 4 hit death... 2 hits and he sometimes rages... scrake = FAIL VERSUS BESERKER. its harder to kill a gorefast then a scrake when it comes to melee'ing...

 

[Skunkee]

O_O really beserkers can only own a Fleshy and Scrake if your going patriach you better have smart players.. and circle him if not he comes back and you have NO armor. (dramatization: four players left no armor Hp in healthy Patriach walks in Hits one with tentacle 3 players healthy 1 deadly patriach shoots rocket 2 players deadly 2 injured patriach uses gun = Wipeout.)

True. Patriarch is pretty damn hard for a zerker to deal with.

Beserker is just for the beserkers >.> crazy *** people who would risk it all for the lulz.

Gonna disagree with you here. Berserker is designed for those who are twitchy as hell and are handy with an axe/chainsaw.

but fleshy 4 hit death... 2 hits and he sometimes rages... scrake = FAIL VERSUS BESERKER. its harder to kill a gorefast then a scrake when it comes to melee'ing...

Going to disagree with you hard here. Gorefasts go down VERY easily, especially when you get a chainsaw. With rank 3 and higher, you should be one shotting gorefasts with the Fireaxe/Chainsaw alt fires. You need to work on your timing if you're having problems.

 

[KingJoker]

You dont zerk alot do you lol, A gorefast has more of a chance of laying a blow on you then a scrake. also handy with an axe and chainsaw? wtf dude go support and get a chainsaw and shotgun, BESERKER look the word up lol thats why its named that.

 

[Soanos]

BESERKER look the word up lol thats why its named that.

Beserker is not a word. Berserker, on the other hand is. Anyway, I did not reply to nitpick about the spelling the word.

Berserker is a close combat specialist. It does not mean you should be invulnerable so that you can just run around like a headless chicken and killing everything without taking damage. Originally it was thought the berserkers were invulnerable against sword and flame. That was not the case, they just were extremely well trained and they had overcome their fear of death, be it promises of paradise or an eternal party in afterlife. Also, later it has been speculated if "berserker fury" has been drug induced or a severe psychological disturbance.

I don't think this game should really be promoting drug use so I choose the latter.

Berserker class has faster attack speed, higher melee damage, faster movement speed and damage mitigation already and ZED-time extensions. which makes him much better at close combat than any other class. Also, if that isn't good enough to describe "berserker fury" I don't really know.

Anyway, a key to playing berserker is timing attacks and heavy usage of "hit 'n' run" tactics. The damage mitigation is nice, but it can only get you so far.

Anyway, playing a berserker needs some skill, or at least some intelligence. Unlike the ridiculously overpowered support "specialist".

 

[Nanostrike]

Beserker is not a word. Berserker, on the other hand is. Anyway, I did not reply to nitpick about the spelling the word.

Berserker is a close combat specialist. It does not mean you should be invulnerable so that you can just run around like a headless chicken and killing everything without taking damage. Originally it was thought the berserkers were invulnerable against sword and flame. That was not the case, they just were extremely well trained and they had overcome their fear of death, be it promises of paradise or an eternal party in afterlife. Also, later it has been speculated if "berserker fury" has been drug induced or a severe psychological disturbance.

I don't think this game should really be promoting drug use so I choose the latter.

Berserker class has faster attack speed, higher melee damage, faster movement speed and damage mitigation already and ZED-time extensions. which makes him much better at close combat than any other class. Also, if that isn't good enough to describe "berserker fury" I don't really know.

Anyway, a key to playing berserker is timing attacks and heavy usage of "hit 'n' run" tactics. The damage mitigation is nice, but it can only get you so far.

Anyway, playing a berserker needs some skill, or at least some intelligence. Unlike the ridiculously overpowered support "specialist".

Shotgun spam specialists, more like it. They're one of the few classes I know that can reliably play with no sense of timing whatsoever and still win. I thought it was hilarious that Supports were crying because their shotgun penetration was reduced by somewhere around 5%...

Berserkers, IMO are THE most timing-centered class. Gotta catch enemies at the right time or from the right angle to avoid taking damage as you deal it. They're the ONLY class that can rapidly disassemble ANY enemy in the game short of the Patriarch within about 5-6 seconds. However, if you don't know what you're doing, they're VERY prone to being the first ones dead...

 

[Skunkee]

You dont zerk alot do you lol, A gorefast has more of a chance of laying a blow on you then a scrake. also handy with an axe and chainsaw? wtf dude go support and get a chainsaw and shotgun, BESERKER look the word up lol thats why its named that.

Ummmm, I kind of wrote this guide. Rank 5 zerker and I rarely die in hard mode until the Patriarch. Trust me, gorefasts are easymode. Chainsaw primary fire decapitates them very easily, and fire axe alt fire one shots them no matter where it lands. Primary fire insta decapitates them when landed in the right spot.

 

[Electrocuuute]

I'd like to see a bigger pro/con on the chainsaw vs fire axe.

I like both of them, but I can't really bring myself to WANT to use the fire axe because of how much more the chainsaw really owns it. Speed is no big deal when you can switch to your knife (which I have binded to a mouse button ) and I don't really worry about weight since when I play zerker I'm inclined not to use guns.

Money isn't really a problem because in the higher zerker ranks (rank 4 atm) you get a huge discount on the chainsaw.

You make the axe look a lot better in the guide than it does for me in game, but I'd like you to convince me to use it

 

[Skunkee]

I'd like to see a bigger pro/con on the chainsaw vs fire axe.

I like both of them, but I can't really bring myself to WANT to use the fire axe because of how much more the chainsaw really owns it. Speed is no big deal when you can switch to your knife (which I have binded to a mouse button ) and I don't really worry about weight since when I play zerker I'm inclined not to use guns.

Money isn't really a problem because in the higher zerker ranks (rank 4 atm) you get a huge discount on the chainsaw.

You make the axe look a lot better in the guide than it does for me in game, but I'd like you to convince me to use it

Basically the Fire Axe is good for the initial 4 or 5 waves. Once Scrakes start coming out, the Chainsaw is always going to be your better purchase. Some old school berserkers (like myself) like using the Axe for nostalgia factor, not to mention it *does* allow you great mobility while still being able to kill specimens at a respectable range.

There's no question that the Chainsaw is the ultimate Berserker weapon, but it gets boring to use after a while. If you're not inclined to use guns, buy both the Axe and the chainsaw. Swap out to your axe instead of your knife for quick getaways while using alt fires/primary fires on specimens while backpedaling

 

[Electrocuuute]

I used the axe the whole time for a few games yesterday with the bullpulp, and I do like it a bit more than I did before.
I especially loved it when I did a running chop and cut a crawler in half mid air.

I hope the katana stirs things up a bit.

 

[Skunkee]

It has the potential to. I just don't see how it's going to be much different than the Fire Axe in terms of usability.

 

[KingJoker]

yeah but chainsaw can stun a scrake >.> (ALT+fire it, then walk back, you just froze the scrake )

Scrake is actually the easiest specimen there is i mean he has no accuracy i remember turning around and his chainsaw just went across my face and i felt no damage >.<

scrake is easier then a gorefast atleast with gorefasts YOU HAVE TO HIT THERE HEAD. if not they slash at you :/ like the little beasts they are.


I dont see how scrake is harder then a gorefast o-o


Gorefast = Have to aim at head

Scrake = Just ALTFire or walk backwards with primary attack and cut his head off xD



also no disrespect saying you dont Zerk alot o-o but i was just trying to prove a point im level 5 too :/ gorefasts have always been annoying on any difficulty :/ compared to a scrake atleast gorefasts try to swarm while a scrake wals straight at you which is easy attack a gorefast will go left and red lol

 

[Skunkee]

yeah but chainsaw can stun a scrake >.> (ALT+fire it, then walk back, you just froze the scrake )

I know this. I say it in the guide.

Scrake is actually the easiest specimen there is i mean he has no accuracy i remember turning around and his chainsaw just went across my face and i felt no damage >.<

Not necessarily the easiest specimen. He's easy for Berserkers, yes. However, know that you will most likely have to tank them for the team. Tanking one hard to kill specimen makes you incredibly vulnerable to the specimens that come along with it, like Sirens or Crawlers. I've been killed a few times while tanking Scrakes/FP's for the team because they were too focused on the Scrake instead of the small guys. Scrakes can do a lot of damage if you don't time your swing right (which is pretty hard to fail at considering how easy they get stun locked). If the Scrake's stand-in-place chainsaw attack animation doesn't bug out when you alt fire them, it will literally take you from 100 to 20 in a matter of 2 seconds.

scrake is easier then a gorefast atleast with gorefasts YOU HAVE TO HIT THERE HEAD. if not they slash at you :/ like the little beasts they are.


I dont see how scrake is harder then a gorefast o-o

They're harder than a gorefast because Gorefasts die in less than a second of chainsaw primary fire. Gorefasts will land more hits on you, most likely, but Scrakes will almost always put you in a more dangerous situation. As a berserker you have to tank them for the team because the team will just enrage them and eat chainsaw hits. Gorefasts...not so much. It's not just about individual specimen damage/amount of hits they land, it's about what they offer to the swarm.

Look at Clots for instance. Individually, they're a joke. However, to a non berserker, a Clot will latch on to you when you turn a corner and hold you in place long enough for a Fleshpound/Siren/Scrake/5 Gorefasts to reach you and kill you.

Gorefast = Have to aim at head

Scrake = Just ALTFire or walk backwards with primary attack and cut his head off xD

also no disrespect saying you dont Zerk alot o-o but i was just trying to prove a point im level 5 too :/ gorefasts have always been annoying on any difficulty :/ compared to a scrake atleast gorefasts try to swarm while a scrake wals straight at you which is easy attack a gorefast will go left and red lol

You'll prove points better by forming more coherent sentences and not insulting people on your opening statement of a post. It's hard to judge peoples intentions from forum posts.

 

[Electrocuuute]

I don't know if it was just the server or not, but the other day when I tried to stun some scrakes, they just kept walking at me. It only attacked like 2-3 times while chasing me, but it wasn't raged at all. I dodged most of the attacks, but it was a big surprise.

It only happened on one server, but once is enough. Just a warning to some of you.

 

[Nanostrike]

Basically the Fire Axe is good for the initial 4 or 5 waves. Once Scrakes start coming out, the Chainsaw is always going to be your better purchase. Some old school berserkers (like myself) like using the Axe for nostalgia factor, not to mention it *does* allow you great mobility while still being able to kill specimens at a respectable range.

There's no question that the Chainsaw is the ultimate Berserker weapon, but it gets boring to use after a while. If you're not inclined to use guns, buy both the Axe and the chainsaw. Swap out to your axe instead of your knife for quick getaways while using alt fires/primary fires on specimens while backpedaling

But Axe/Chainsaw makes you almost EXCLUSIVE to melee as you can't carry the Bullpup, Lever Action Rifle, or Handcanon (Or dualies!). Having one of them to switch to and blast away Crawlers/Sirens IMO is FAR, FAR more important than having a second, reduntant melee weapon. You already have the knife for speed...

I mean, it CAN work on Normal, where you can fall back on the 9mm, but on Hard, the 9mm does hardly anything anymore and you'll be stuck desperately trying to pepper a Siren to death...slowly...

 

[BanzaiKen]

True. Patriarch is pretty damn hard for a zerker to deal with.

It might be a bit hard to deal with Pat, but our MT (aka You) is very handy for the aggro damage and the dash. Now that the Medic is nerfed, its very nice that if Pat is going after say a Support or Firebug, if the Zerker axes his *** to pull aggro then runs for the hills, he will usually save that poor guy getting targeted by a chaingun after he gets tentacle smashed. Plus there is a good chance he can hoof it out of that mess alive.

Honestly, the Zerker lives for those moments and should treat his life as expendable just about as much as us Commandos do on the final wave.

Unless we are on Suicidal. Then it's hunting shotguns and charges 4 DA EMPRAH!