IK Beserker Barb WITHOUT WW?

[Galmar]

Im trying to make a Beserker using the IK set, immediatly the things that come to note are the lack of AR and the fact that when theres more then one guy around you get annally molested.

Anyways apart from that the damage on this guy is VERY nice, on the occasions when you actually DO score a hit the lifeleech is worth it.

However in act5 normal and act1 NM i notice that im not really having much of a chance as there are just too many things attacking at once for me to get them all, especially those damn teleporting imps... most things are a minor annoyance as they cant actually kill you, but still is this character gonna have a chance later on in the game, is it salvagable or a viable build?

At the moment im level 40 with skill points being distruibted between VIT and STR, a few points in the zerker synergies, 5 points in each doubles the zerk damage which is allways nice, and around 10 points in beserk, all the rest of the points were spent on pre-reqs or went into zerk.

The kit im using is still bonesnap, ik gloves, duskdeep, rattlecage, mahim-oak curio, sanders boots and hwanins belt.

Note, also im not using battle orders or command on this barb, i want pure damage.

Also it might be worth mentioning if i need to trade it ive got the IK maul around somewhere, i was thinking of trading it for IK parts i can use NOW if needed.

[barttange]

USe howl for crowd control and plz, put at least 10 points in bo, serieus, no life leech from berserk, no block, 0 defense and relatively low life is gonna kill you.
You can also use the stun warcry to improve your crowd control.

Good luck.

[shag]

20 Berserk
20 Battle Orders
20 Shout
20 Howl

Is how I went with the set, and I toss everything. Just howl all the little ****'s and go for the big guys. :)

[Galmar]

20 Berserk
20 Battle Orders
20 Shout
20 Howl

Is how I went with the set, and I toss everything. Just howl all the little ****'s and go for the big guys. :)

That sounds more like my kinda thing, ive never had any experience with BO so i didnt realise how effective it was / is.

And what about equipment? Whats the best sorta crap to be using around my level?

Ive got that sharktooth **** in stash, its like 780 def and 40% ow for in 2 levels time when i can use, also i got a sig set in a mule (i heard it was good, but practice kinda showed otherwise).

[shag]

Rockstopper, Rockfleece, Immortal King's war gauntlets, war belt, war boots, and Angelic's rings and amulet combo is what I'd be using around your level, untill set. For weapon, probably Steeldriver, nice IAS, what you need, why not.

[eA-Zaku]

Anyways apart from that the damage on this guy is VERY nice, on the occasions when you actually DO score a hit the lifeleech is worth it.

Berserk doesn't leech. I suggest Concentrate.

[sheepe2004]

If you use zerk with no shield and low life you WILL die very fast. Maybe your up for the challenge though.

I would recommend using the stunning warcrys amd howl to make sure your only fighting 1-2 monsters at once. Keep as many rejuvs as you can get hold of as well - youll need them.

[Galmar]

Well, i gave up on that guy... just had zero crowd control and the def / hp was a joke, ranged attackers and groups of crappy things owned you, even at max level beserk the 0 def was still too long, all the time you were attacking you basicly got owned by everything.

Whilst it was certainly a fun build while it lasted, it just dosnt seem viable due to the lack of leeching in zerk mode, if this was ever fixed im sure this build would be pretty decent.

Shame, i think im gonna have to go over to a conc / ww barb now, ww is like... needed badly on that build.

[mastermind]

hi this kinda build is not recommended for ik set using berserk on a maul is not only slow but, u have no block becasuse u have no shield u have 0 def as well no leech, u cant leech life or mana from beserk only thing u can use i think is life tap if u wear draculs plus life on a ik set is not very high so u could get shreaded in seconds.

Also u need some kinda of ww for crowd control but making a pure beserk barb on ik set is suicide ik set is mainly for a whirlwind barb.

However u may stand a chance if u can use the howl cry or the stun 1 which dmgs the monster or the bo which lowers def as well as attack dmg but you would have to master these skills to max in order to be quite effective.

if u still want a beserk barb u will need a decent shield and good 1 hand weap, i.e a stormshield for max block as well as a good hand weap

[earthrug]

I always throw one point into GrimWard for my PvM barbs. You have to kill something first, but it makes for a nice little crowd control device when monsterMOBs overwhelm you. It looks cool too!

[Immortal_Slayer]

It's actually possible to carry an untwinked 2 handed Berserker to Guardian status. Nightfish wrote a very comprehensive guide on making one over in the Single Player forum, where you don't get rushed to hell baal within a matter of hours...You've got the IK set, probably the 2nd best class specific PVM set IMO, how can you possibly not do well. 60IAS is not slow, it has two sockets, and 40% CB, what more could you ask for?

The main thing with Berserkers is that you need to utilise the skills you have very wisely. Crowd control is a big thing. You should put enough points into war cry so that it stuns for around 3+ seconds. Battle Orders will be essential to your survival. Use howl and taunt often to control the battle, ie, taunt the archers and howl when you're surrounded. Get a holy freeze merc if you prefer safety or a might merc for more damage. With good utilisation of crowd control skills, a shield shouldn't be necessary.
Skills:
20 Battle Orders (You're gonna need this)
20 Berserk
10+ War Cry
20 Weapon mastery
Others into either shout for party help and synergy, or howl for crowd control and synergy.
Remember the 1 point wonders like natural resistances.

If you run low on mana or health, just switch to concentrate for a while to leech it back up.

-Slayer

[XDoomasX]

20 bo
20 shaut(for merc and sinergy)
20 berserk
10-15 leap

rest weap mastery or howl.

Works wonders on my IK berserker ;)