Berserker v Barbarian v Gen. Fighter?

[Raffin]

I'm looking at playing a pure-melee tank for fun (ie. no spells, no multi or dual classing, no self buffing beyond rage like abilities, no using 100 scrolls and potions before each fight, just ready to kill tanking goodness).

That said, which of the three is better?

Barbarian? Generic Fighter? Berserker?

I would do Kensai or Wizardslayer, but both have large enquipment restrictions, and I want to use everything, since I want to get this character through SOA and TOB (I have Dungeon Be Gone to bypass my "Oh Gods, I have Infinite Restart Syndrome and the openning dungeon takes an hour to get through" problem")

Also, what weapons are good choices? I generally go dual wielding, though shields are nice.

Please, no "you have to do a FMT and cast these five spells before entering combat" replies [img]smile.gif[/img]


-Raffin

[Dundee Slaytern]

Barbarians have equipment restrictions as well, although not as severe as the Kensai's or the Wizard Slayer's.

If you really to be able to use everything( except bows and such), than your best bet would be the Berserker, a Dwarven Berserker. It would be the very definition of pure-melee in my opinion, with options for ranged in the form of Throwing Axes( the returning type, not the too-heavy-for-realistic-usage non-returning types.).

His BRage grants him many immunities, of which one the most important is the immunity to Imprisonment.

One of his weaknesses however, is level drain. You will need to send somebody else with level drain immunity while the Berserker attacks from the flank, or with throwing axes.

Unless of course, you cast Negative Plane Protection on him, or use Protection from Undead scrolls.

Other than the level drain problem, the Dwarven Berserker is golden is most situations. Mind Flayers should not pose much of a problem if you remember to use Greenstone Amulets/Brine Potions/Chaotic Commands.

Weapons? Axes and Flails for starters. Only 2* in Axes if you only want to use it for Throwing Axes. 5* for Flails if you have the GM Mod, otherwise only 2*. Warhammers are a good third choice. Remember to choose your Weapon Style proficiencies as well.

[Raffin]

Dundee,

Thanks for the tips. Forgot to mention that I do have Unnerfed GM (no point in playing this style without it, IMO [img]smile.gif[/img] .

I'm curious-why dwarf over half orc? Is it better saving throws, dialogue options, special gear, or some other ability I missed?

-Raffin

[Zarr]

Originally posted by Dundee Slaytern: One of his weaknesses however, is level drain. You will need to send somebody else with level drain immunity while the Berserker attacks from the flank, or with throwing axes. Unless of course, you cast Negative Plane Protection on him, or use Protection from Undead scrolls. Other than the level drain problem, the Dwarven Berserker is golden is most situations. Mind Flayers should not pose much of a problem if you remember to use Greenstone Amulets/Brine Potions/Chaotic Commands.

Beserker rage protects against level drain.

[ 05-21-2006, 12:38 PM: Message edited by: Zarr ]

[Dundee Slaytern]

Originally posted by Zarr: Beserker rage protects against level drain.

Barbarians are the ones who have the Rage that protects against Level Drain.

[Dundee Slaytern]

Originally posted by Raffin: Dundee, Thanks for the tips. Forgot to mention that I do have Unnerfed GM (no point in playing this style without it, IMO [img]smile.gif[/img] . I'm curious-why dwarf over half orc? Is it better saving throws, dialogue options, special gear, or some other ability I missed? -Raffin

No problem.

Dwarves over Half-Orcs, because of their SavingThrow bonuses from high CON.

[Zarr]

Originally posted by Dundee Slaytern: quote: Originally posted by Zarr: Beserker rage protects against level drain.

Barbarians are the ones who have the Rage that protects against Level Drain. [/QUOTE]Beserker rage also protects from level drain. I don't think it was supposed to, but it does. Why don't you try it out Dundee? You might be suprised! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[JrKASperov]

Yeah it does, it surprised me too.

[Dundee Slaytern]

Originally posted by Zarr: quote: Originally posted by Dundee Slaytern: quote: Originally posted by Zarr: Beserker rage protects against level drain.

Barbarians are the ones who have the Rage that protects against Level Drain. [/QUOTE]Beserker rage also protects from level drain. I don't think it was supposed to, but it does. Why don't you try it out Dundee? You might be suprised! [img]smile.gif[/img] [/QUOTE]Well shoot. I just checked with Near Infinity. It actually does. It has to be a bug. Immunity to Level Drain is far too important not to list down in the ability's description. Even Minsc's Berserk ability has the Level Drain immunity for some reason.

Good gravy... why?

Oh well... another Barbarian pro point shot down the drain.

[Olorin]

If you're going with a dwarf, consider investing some proficiency points in hammers. There is a very nice dwarf-only throwing hammer for sale in Trademeet.