Tactics Skunkees Definitive Berserker guide

[Skunkee]

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...

You need to stop analyzing every single reply that I make to people and treat it like it's part of the guide. That guy said that when he played a Berzerker he wasn't inclined to use guns and that's the only reason I told him to try using both an axe and a chainsaw. *I* know that to be the most effective Berzerker you can be that you need to use a gun to deal with Crawlers/Sirens and not pigeonhole yourself to a strict melee regimen, but not everyone plays a 'Zerker like me and the point is to have fun with the class. If he wants to be strictly melee, he may as well use the two most effective melee weapons

 

[Skunkee]

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!

That'd be kind of cool if the Patriarch had an aggro system where he would target those dealing melee damage to him before those using guns. It would give the Berzerker a more defined role during the final wave.

I disagree with treating yourself as expendable during the last wave though. It's important for everyone to stay alive as long as possible and dish out as much damage as they can. Sure, you can unload both barrels of a hunting shotty into him. But, if you're stupid and die, you're doing 0 damage and the team has to make up for that. IMO something needs to be done about the way heals work. Right now, no matter who heals you, if your health is increasing by a bit and someone else heals you during this period it just wastes time. The heal won't go off even though the animation and reload animation go off. IMO heals should go off as long as a syringe is hitting you.

 

[Electrocuuute]

I bring katana news with the update!

The katana sports the same damage as the chainsaw, similar attack speed to the knife, similar range to that of the fire axe, run speed slightly lower than the knife (barely noticeable!), and it only weighs 3 blocks!!

The power attack animation is a little long, but it definitely does a power attack. I took down an FP in 4 hits I believe and I took down patty in 5. Minimal damage sustained ( I had armor left after patty).

Tips? Possibly use it like a fire axe, except you don't have to keep your range all the time as your attack speed makes up for it. It's low weight also makes room for quite a few gun combos.

 

[KON_Air]

While I maybe wrong but it seems to have the longest range, you can get more crawlers mid air by that.

Also you get to chop crawlers by just looking down, no crouching necessery.

 

[Skunkee]

I just downloaded the patch yesterday. I'll add katana and AK-47 information to the guide the more I play around with them. I tested both weapons yesterday during about 2 hours of gameplay (not exclusively. I was commando when using the AK, and was berserker when I used the katana). Keep your eyes on the first post of this topic for updates!

 

[Sigurd]

Nothing has really changed for suicidal zerker. Chainsaw and Lever action is still the way to go most of the time.

AK takes down sirens a little faster, but still mostly needs 2 or more shots on crawlers. Only worth the price difference if a commando gets it for you. Buy him a katana and both should be happy.

Thats for suicidal anyway. On hard you can get away with anything. Im gonna use LAW, dual HC and katana next time I play a long hard game.

 

[Electrocuuute]

From what I've learned, you're better off clicking repeatedly with the katana rather than sitting there holding it. For some reason, you get better hit registry to if don't hold it, or at least in my testing.

 

[Nanostrike]

From what I've learned, you're better off clicking repeatedly with the katana rather than sitting there holding it. For some reason, you get better hit registry to if don't hold it, or at least in my testing.

The hits tend to go 'off center' when you hold it down, for some reason. Click each time and it'll hit dead-center. Also, for some reason, the Katana is bad at decapping Fleshpounds, but does more damage to it with body power-attacks than the Chainsaw.

In fact, the Chainsaw's only redeeming feature is it's ability to 'Hold the line' in desperate situations. I usually go Katana/AK if I can afford it. Katana/Bullpup if not.

I've also started the 'Close Combat Specialist' Zerker setup. Katana/Chainsaw/Handcannon. Switching to the Chainsaw for big groups is awesome, and when you need to hit on the run, the Katana is the way to go. Of course, the Handcannon is for your Crawler/Siren troubles...

The only annoying part of it is that 1 switches between Katana, Chainsaw and...that puny knife! If they'd let you drop the stupid knife, this would be a non-issue, but they don't, so...it can be inconvenient at best, lethal at worst. But this setup allows you to be a close-combat DEMON!

 

[Monolithos]

Katana is better than chainsaw *as long* as you have time to plan your attacks and space to move around. Chainsaw is better if you and your team hold position at a doorway or staircase. Chainsaw (or bullpup or AK47) is also better at beheading fleshpounds that goes after you - Katana is better for running after and killing fleshpounds that aim for your friends.

My prefered all-round setup for later waves using berserker is:
Katana + Bullpup (decap fleshpounds) + Handcannon(s) (crawlers and sirens).

For people that are really good at one-attack decapitate fleshpounds I would suggest:
Katana + Crossbow (one-shot kill multiple crawlers and sirens even if they are behind other zombies).

In small maps where you can't really move around (KF-Office) i use:
Katana + Chainsaw (the Katana is mostly there if my party dies and i will have to switch from "holding my position" to "hit n run").

- No, you can not have handcannons as well unless you are support spec.

9mm/knife = 1kg
katana = 3kg
chainsaw = 8kg
handcannon(s) = 4kg

16/15kg?



Also, with the katana - on open maps where you can plan your attacks and move around - you can rush a siren or a bloat and kill them before they hurt you. You can also sidestep or move backwards when crawlers jump to avoid taking damage (and then kill them when they land)...

And once we learn how to one-attack behead fleshpounds with it - then we dont need any other weapons at all except a single katana. gg

 

[Nanostrike]

Gotta say, though, that on Hard against groups of Gorefasts, the Katana's performance in comparison to the Chainsaw is...not impressive...

And the Katana makes it much harder to 'shield' your team from charging enemies. It tends to force you to play more selfishly and more 'attack attack attack' instead of promoting you to stay with your team as a "Killing wall". Not really a good trend in most teams, from what I'm seeing. Lots of clueless berserkers with the Katana not protecting the team one bit...

 

[Skunkee]

Got most of the guide up to date.

To do list:

-Update the weapon combination section.
-Update the Fleshpound/Patriarch strategies.
-Proofread thoroughly to tweak any possible misinformation/add any new tactics.

 

[Monolithos]

That'd be kind of cool if the Patriarch had an aggro system where he would target those dealing melee damage to him before those using guns.

He does.

 

[Nanostrike]

He does.

Oh yes he does. It's pretty much suicide to melee him in general, too, unless multiple people are doing it. He can be hit in the back and he'll insta-melee out in front of him and hit you while you're STILL BEHIND HIM. Then he'll either charge you or minigun you for a finisher. Since he has zero flinch, not even the Chainsaw can interrupt his "I own you in melee" attack...

Whatever you do, in your guide, don't over-praise the Katana. Most newbie zerkers I'm seeing overuse the Katana, period, and if people keep saying flat out that "Katana is just as good as chainsaw" and not giving ANY situational context, people will continue to use the Katana when the Chainsaw would really, really be better for not only the Zerker himself, but the ENTIRE TEAM.

Like it or not, it's very hard to shield your team properly with the Katana and there's almost no way it can 'Hold the line' like a Chainsaw. Personally, for it's power, I think the Katana needs a price increase of AT LEAST 250 if not 500, but that's for another topic to discuss...

 

[Skunkee]

I don't think I'm overpraising it at all. It's a very effective weapon in the right hands. However, I was one of those axe wielding maniacs in the 2.5 mod so that could be why it suits me better.

IDK about you but I can hold a line with the katana just as well as I can with a chainsaw. I suppose I might have to FRAPS some footage and upload it to youtube to show how I do it.

 

[Nanostrike]

I don't think I'm overpraising it at all. It's a very effective weapon in the right hands. However, I was one of those axe wielding maniacs in the 2.5 mod so that could be why it suits me better.

IDK about you but I can hold a line with the katana just as well as I can with a chainsaw. I suppose I might have to FRAPS some footage and upload it to youtube to show how I do it.

Gah! This is what I'm talking about...The problem with the Katana is that everyone refuses to believe that they may very well be MORE effective with the Chainsaw than with it simply because they LIKE the Katana more...

Even most of my friends that I like to play with refused to see it. They're amazing berserkers with the Chainsaw, but when the get the Katana, they SUCK. They can't hold a line, they can't shield allies, they get surrounded easily, ect. It's like a combo of someone putting a stupid helment on them and them suddenly losing all teamwork skills... They refuse to accept it, too, despite the fact that when they use the Chainsaw, they consistantly get MORE kills and the team always survives.

And it's usually to the detriment of the team, as the slow speed of the Chainsaw encourages them to stay with the team, attracting enemies, protecting team members from enemies that try to slip by, and taking down the tough enemies like Skrakes and Fleshpounds.

The Katana encourages them to run from enemy to enemy racking up damage and kills. All this is, is an alternative to shooting. And the fact is that if all you're gonna do as a Berserker is to run around meleeing everything, you could do more for the team by being a gun-using class. Seriously...

Don't take it personally, I have seen some able to hold the line and defend allies with the Katana, but it's the exception rather than the rule, unfortunately, as it goes against the Katana's nature...

 

[Skunkee]

Gah! This is what I'm talking about...The problem with the Katana is that everyone refuses to believe that they may very well be MORE effective with the Chainsaw than with it simply because they LIKE the Katana more...

Even most of my friends that I like to play with refused to see it. They're amazing berserkers with the Chainsaw, but when the get the Katana, they SUCK. They can't hold a line, they can't shield allies, they get surrounded easily, ect. It's like a combo of someone putting a stupid helment on them and them suddenly losing all teamwork skills... They refuse to accept it, too, despite the fact that when they use the Chainsaw, they consistantly get MORE kills and the team always survives.

And it's usually to the detriment of the team, as the slow speed of the Chainsaw encourages them to stay with the team, attracting enemies, protecting team members from enemies that try to slip by, and taking down the tough enemies like Skrakes and Fleshpounds.

The Katana encourages them to run from enemy to enemy racking up damage and kills. All this is, is an alternative to shooting. And the fact is that if all you're gonna do as a Berserker is to run around meleeing everything, you could do more for the team by being a gun-using class. Seriously...

Don't take it personally, I have seen some able to hold the line and defend allies with the Katana, but it's the exception rather than the rule, unfortunately, as it goes against the Katana's nature...

I think you're just experiencing bad luck with groups, personally. The patch just hit recently, so you have more people experimenting with the new weapons rather than going for what's most effective for the team.

Personally, I find that the katana's run speed allows me to throw myself in front of teammates more effectively than the chainsaw. When I play a berserker, mobility is one of the reasons I do it. Just the other day, I was in a suicidal Offices game holding the line with two commandos. One was using the bullpup to take out the small fry, one was using the AK to assist me in killing what I was going after, and I was keeping the gorefasts and scrakes off everyone. We were holding the stairway between the trader and the third floor. I found that the katana allowed me to get in, get the kill, and get right back to the team.

Give it a month or two, when these new weapons become "old news" and I'm pretty sure you'll see the katana newbies fizzling out in favor of the chainsaw simply because the chainsaw is easier to use.

I'm also not taking it personal, I just think you're not reading into my descriptions enough in the guide. I explicitly state that the katana is more of a sidegrade than an upgrade from the chainsaw and should be used as such.

 

[Nanostrike]

I think you're just experiencing bad luck with groups, personally. The patch just hit recently, so you have more people experimenting with the new weapons rather than going for what's most effective for the team.

Personally, I find that the katana's run speed allows me to throw myself in front of teammates more effectively than the chainsaw. When I play a berserker, mobility is one of the reasons I do it. Just the other day, I was in a suicidal Offices game holding the line with two commandos. One was using the bullpup to take out the small fry, one was using the AK to assist me in killing what I was going after, and I was keeping the gorefasts and scrakes off everyone. We were holding the stairway between the trader and the third floor. I found that the katana allowed me to get in, get the kill, and get right back to the team.

Give it a month or two, when these new weapons become "old news" and I'm pretty sure you'll see the katana newbies fizzling out in favor of the chainsaw simply because the chainsaw is easier to use.

I'm also not taking it personal, I just think you're not reading into my descriptions enough in the guide. I explicitly state that the katana is more of a sidegrade than an upgrade from the chainsaw and should be used as such.

No, your guide is fine with the way it compares them. I was saying that before you updated it, actually, because I knew new players would flock to it. And yeah, it's more of the newbies causing problems than the players legitimately GOOD with the Katana. The fact is that very few players are actually as good with it as Chainsaw, but many, many, will claim otherwise...

The biggest thing I'm running into is vets acting like newbies when they get it, ESPECIALLY on Friendly Fire servers, where the run right in front of your shots and get killed... And them blindly running into clusters of zeds so you can't back them up without potentially hitting them usually ensures a short lifespan. Chainsaw zerkers are encouraged more to stay near the team and play conservatively, so this is MUCH less of a problem... And most of these are players who have played since release and previously had no problems on Friendly Fire servers, so there's no real excuse...

Also, I still insist that if you're using the Katana to run out TO enemies and do damage, you're better off getting a gun as another perk and not wasting your time running to them. I honestly think that in MOST situations where a Katana is better than the Chainsaw, a GUN is better than the Katana...

 

[Sammers]

I honestly think that in MOST situations where a Katana is better than the Chainsaw, a GUN is better than the Katana...

And those situations left can't usually be predicted.

 

[Wolfdust]

Like it or not, it's very hard to shield your team properly with the Katana and there's almost no way it can 'Hold the line' like a Chainsaw. Personally, for it's power, I think the Katana needs a price increase of AT LEAST 250 if not 500, but that's for another topic to discuss...

Wait.

Implying the Katana < Chainsaw

Then saying to raise the cost of the Katana?

Does not compute. Especially since higher cost will = BETTER in people's minds (whether or not it actually IS. See: All the people who buy the LAW)

 

[Nanostrike]

Wait.

Implying the Katana < Chainsaw

Then saying to raise the cost of the Katana?

Does not compute. Especially since higher cost will = BETTER in people's minds (whether or not it actually IS. See: All the people who buy the LAW)

This is unfortunately true. Since the 'discount newbies' joined, I've been seeing a ton of "Wow, I wish I could afford the LAW! I bet it owns!" stuff, along with the usual "The chainsaw is slow, so it sucks. The Katana is so much better! I can run up to enemies (And die) twice as fast!"