Barbarian or Berserker

krunchyfrogg · 12-03-2004, 06:41 PM

Which do you like more?

I'm currently playing a dwarven fighter in BGI (don't have Tutu... that's a different discussion!). When it comes to import-time, I have 2 choices:

1)Import the shorty as a berserker

2)Start a new game in BGII as a barbarian

I've tried both classes in the distant past, and I remember really liking both. Help me make my decision!

Note: I'm not asking for "most powerful," but if you have an opinion on that matter, and it influences which class is more fun, then by all means speak up! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Cerek · 12-03-2004, 08:27 PM

Hmmmmm....guess it just depends on which advantages you consider the best for your character. A dwarf is a good choice for either of these classes.

Both classes get to use "Rage" once per day for every 4 levels, but the two are a bit different.

The Bezerker gets a +2 bonus to hit and damage. But the Barbarian gets 4 extra points added to their Con and Strength - which can give MORE than a +2 bonus to hit and damage and also increase your hit points, but it only lasts for 5 rounds while the Bezerker bonuses last for the duration of the Rage. The Bezerker also gets 15 extra hp, but loses it after the Rage (which could possible result in the PC's death).

The Bezerker is winded after his Rage, the Barbarian is not.

Both recieve immunity to various spell effects. The immunities are slightly different. I feel the Barbarian gets the advantage since he is immune to Level Drain and also receives a bonus to his saving throws vs Magic, which the Bezerker does not.

Now for the two BIG differences in the classes.

The Barbarian is Immune to Backstab (which comes in VERY handy against the various thieves that attack you in the game. He also gets 1-12hp per level instead of 1-10. However, he cannot wear plate mail or full plate and cannot go past normal specialization (++) in weapons. This is a BIG disadvantage in my opinion.

The Bezerker gets fewer hit points and isn't immune to Backstab, but he can wear ANY armor (including full plate) and can achieve Grand Mastery (+++++) in weapons. The armor and weapon specialization will be much better advantages in BG2 than the Backstab Immunity and the extra hit points the Barbarian gets is easily offset by the better armor the Bezerker can wear.

Now personally, I just LIKE the Barbarian class better than the Bezerker kit. It was my favorite class in PnP and it was also the source of my ID - "Cerek" was the name of my PnP Barbarian when I joined the forum. I even created a dwarven Barbarian myself.

So, while I think the Bezerker has more game advantages (overall), I still have a long-standing affection for the Barbarian class.

Riftmaker · 12-04-2004, 03:18 AM

Immunity to Level Drain >>>>>>> Grand Mastery.

When it comes down to it, the difference between the best armors you can get for Beserker and Barbarian is only 2 points, in favour of the Beserker.

If you don't have the fixed Grand Mastery patch installed, then go for Barbarian. If you want to be casting restoration on your Beserker every 5 seconds when fighting level draining critters, then use him.

It also depends whether you're gonna be in a party or not. If you're soloing, it's Barb, hands down. If not, then you may want to use a zerk.

Link · 12-04-2004, 07:38 AM

Please everyone

! It's spelled Berserker!

[ 12-04-2004, 07:39 AM: Message edited by: Link ]

krunchyfrogg · 12-04-2004, 01:32 PM

The Berserkers rage protects against level drain....

Illumina Drathiran'ar · 12-04-2004, 02:39 PM

Doesn't one of them protect against Imprisonment? Go for that one.

Moondog · 12-04-2004, 03:12 PM

That would be the Berserker IIRC.

Riftmaker · 12-04-2004, 03:45 PM

Berserker's rage does NOT protect against level drain.

It doesn't say that anywhere in the Beserker description.

Beserker DOES protect against Imprisonment. However, there are so FEW encounters that use imprisonment that it's not really worth it.

krunchyfrogg · 12-04-2004, 04:27 PM

Riftmaker, I don't know if it's said in the description or not, but I've never had a berserker get level drained while raging.

SixOfSpades · 12-04-2004, 06:08 PM

Whether it's documented or not, the fact remains that Berserker Rage grants immunity to Level Drain--you'll still get the message of "One Level Drained," etc., but you will suffer no loss of experience. The fact that this immunity remains in place even after BaldurDashing your game means that Kevin Dorner wasn't able to find anything that states that the Level Drain immunity is a bug.

12-03-2004, 06:41 PM	#1
krunchyfrogg Red Dragon Join Date: February 14, 2004 Location: NY, USA Age: 49 Posts: 1,516	Which do you like more? I'm currently playing a dwarven fighter in BGI (don't have Tutu... that's a different discussion!). When it comes to import-time, I have 2 choices: 1)Import the shorty as a berserker 2)Start a new game in BGII as a barbarian I've tried both classes in the distant past, and I remember really liking both. Help me make my decision! Note: I'm not asking for "most powerful," but if you have an opinion on that matter, and it influences which class is more fun, then by all means speak up! [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ <i>A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.</i><br />- Jackie Robinson<br /><br /> [img]\"http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/3353/salsashark7xl.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

12-03-2004, 08:27 PM	#2
Cerek Registered Member Iron Throne Cult Join Date: August 27, 2004 Location: North Carolina Age: 62 Posts: 4,888	Hmmmmm....guess it just depends on which advantages you consider the best for your character. A dwarf is a good choice for either of these classes. Both classes get to use "Rage" once per day for every 4 levels, but the two are a bit different. The Bezerker gets a +2 bonus to hit and damage. But the Barbarian gets 4 extra points added to their Con and Strength - which can give MORE than a +2 bonus to hit and damage and also increase your hit points, but it only lasts for 5 rounds while the Bezerker bonuses last for the duration of the Rage. The Bezerker also gets 15 extra hp, but loses it after the Rage (which could possible result in the PC's death). The Bezerker is winded after his Rage, the Barbarian is not. Both recieve immunity to various spell effects. The immunities are slightly different. I feel the Barbarian gets the advantage since he is immune to Level Drain and also receives a bonus to his saving throws vs Magic, which the Bezerker does not. Now for the two BIG differences in the classes. The Barbarian is Immune to Backstab (which comes in VERY handy against the various thieves that attack you in the game. He also gets 1-12hp per level instead of 1-10. However, he cannot wear plate mail or full plate and cannot go past normal specialization (++) in weapons. This is a BIG disadvantage in my opinion. The Bezerker gets fewer hit points and isn't immune to Backstab, but he can wear ANY armor (including full plate) and can achieve Grand Mastery (+++++) in weapons. The armor and weapon specialization will be much better advantages in BG2 than the Backstab Immunity and the extra hit points the Barbarian gets is easily offset by the better armor the Bezerker can wear. Now personally, I just LIKE the Barbarian class better than the Bezerker kit. It was my favorite class in PnP and it was also the source of my ID - "Cerek" was the name of my PnP Barbarian when I joined the forum. I even created a dwarven Barbarian myself. So, while I think the Bezerker has more game advantages (overall), I still have a long-standing affection for the Barbarian class. __________________ Cerek the Calmth

12-04-2004, 03:18 AM	#3
Riftmaker Elminster Join Date: August 30, 2004 Location: Canada Age: 40 Posts: 463	Immunity to Level Drain >>>>>>> Grand Mastery. When it comes down to it, the difference between the best armors you can get for Beserker and Barbarian is only 2 points, in favour of the Beserker. If you don't have the fixed Grand Mastery patch installed, then go for Barbarian. If you want to be casting restoration on your Beserker every 5 seconds when fighting level draining critters, then use him. It also depends whether you're gonna be in a party or not. If you're soloing, it's Barb, hands down. If not, then you may want to use a zerk. __________________ a.k.a. Lord`Rift<br />Founder, Anti-Idgit Squad.<br />\"I find your lack of geek knowledge disturbing\"

12-04-2004, 07:38 AM	#4
Link Jack Burton Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: The Netherlands Age: 40 Posts: 5,888	Please everyone ! It's spelled Berserker! [ 12-04-2004, 07:39 AM: Message edited by: Link ] __________________ Rowing is not a sport, it's a way of life Goal: Beijing 2008

12-04-2004, 01:32 PM	#5
krunchyfrogg Red Dragon Join Date: February 14, 2004 Location: NY, USA Age: 49 Posts: 1,516	The Berserkers rage protects against level drain.... __________________ <i>A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.</i><br />- Jackie Robinson<br /><br /> [img]\"http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/3353/salsashark7xl.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

12-04-2004, 02:39 PM	#6
Illumina Drathiran'ar Apophis Join Date: July 10, 2002 Location: I can see the Manhattan skyline from my window. Age: 39 Posts: 4,673	Doesn't one of them protect against Imprisonment? Go for that one. __________________ http://cavestory.org PLAY THIS GAME. Seriously. http://xkcd.com/386/ http://www.xkcd.com/406/ My heart is like my coffee. Black, bitter, icy, and with a straw.

12-04-2004, 03:12 PM	#7
Moondog Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: February 21, 2003 Location: where civilisation ends (or so I\'m told) Age: 52 Posts: 26	That would be the Berserker IIRC. __________________ \"Why don\'t we kill...that over there!\"<br />Booo-yyyaaaa!!!

12-04-2004, 03:45 PM	#8
Riftmaker Elminster Join Date: August 30, 2004 Location: Canada Age: 40 Posts: 463	Berserker's rage does NOT protect against level drain. It doesn't say that anywhere in the Beserker description. Beserker DOES protect against Imprisonment. However, there are so FEW encounters that use imprisonment that it's not really worth it. __________________ a.k.a. Lord`Rift<br />Founder, Anti-Idgit Squad.<br />\"I find your lack of geek knowledge disturbing\"

12-04-2004, 04:27 PM	#9
krunchyfrogg Red Dragon Join Date: February 14, 2004 Location: NY, USA Age: 49 Posts: 1,516	Riftmaker, I don't know if it's said in the description or not, but I've never had a berserker get level drained while raging. __________________ <i>A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives.</i><br />- Jackie Robinson<br /><br /> [img]\"http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/3353/salsashark7xl.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

12-04-2004, 06:08 PM	#10
SixOfSpades Dracolisk Join Date: September 16, 2001 Location: Bellingham, WA, USA Age: 48 Posts: 6,901	Whether it's documented or not, the fact remains that Berserker Rage grants immunity to Level Drain--you'll still get the message of "One Level Drained," etc., but you will suffer no loss of experience. The fact that this immunity remains in place even after BaldurDashing your game means that Kevin Dorner wasn't able to find anything that states that the Level Drain immunity is a bug. __________________ Volothamp's Comeuppance Everything you ever needed to know about the entire Baldur's Gate series......except spoilers.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Berserker v Barbarian v Gen. Fighter?	Raffin	Baldurs Gate II: Shadows of Amn & Throne of Bhaal	21	05-22-2006 05:44 PM
Barbarian vs. Berserker.	krunchyfrogg	Baldurs Gate II: Shadows of Amn & Throne of Bhaal	23	08-18-2005 10:49 AM
Berserker Mage?	Zuvio	Baldurs Gate II: Shadows of Amn & Throne of Bhaal	14	12-21-2002 04:17 PM
What are the differences between a Barbarian and Berserker.	Blytzz	Baldurs Gate II: Shadows of Amn & Throne of Bhaal	5	08-18-2002 10:13 PM
Berserker Rage?	Aurican	Baldurs Gate II Archives	9	05-21-2001 09:33 AM