Berserk Barbarian Guide

The Berserk Barbarian (Zerker) is a unique magic damage build that uses the Berserk skill to convert all physical damage to magic damage, making it excellent against physical immune enemies. Berserk provides high magic damage output while Battle Orders and Shout compensate for the defense penalty. This build excels at handling physical immunities and offers a distinctive "berserker warrior" playstyle with high risk, high reward combat.

First thing to do is allocate 1 point in the following Skills: Bash, Sword Mastery, Axe Mastery, Mace Mastery, Polearm Mastery, Throwing Mastery, Spear Mastery, Howl, Taunt, Shout, Battle Cry, Battle Orders, Grim Ward, War Cry, Battle Command, Find Potion, Find Item, Leap, Leap Attack, Concentrate, Whirlwind, Iron Skin, Natural Resistance, and Increased Stamina. After this max out the following Skills: Berserk, Weapon Mastery (matching your weapon type), Battle Orders, Shout. With your extra points, max out your Natural Resistance for survivability and then Iron Skin for additional defense.

When it comes to your Attributes, start with acquiring a Hellfire Torch and an Annihilus Charm. Put those in your inventory and then add Strength, enough to wear your gear and meet weapon requirements. Dexterity should be minimal unless needed for weapon requirements. Energy is not necessary with proper gear choices, the rest of your points should go into Vitality for maximum life to survive the defense penalty from Berserk.

Best Weapon choices include Grief Runeword in a Phase Blade for massive damage and Ignore Target Defense, or Death Runeword in a War Sword for the Deadly Strike and Crushing Blow. The Grandfather unique sword is also excellent for pure damage. Last Wish Runeword provides Life Tap proc for sustainability. Since Berserk is used with two-handed weapons or dual-wielding, no shield is typically used. When it comes to your Armor, Fortitude Runeword in a Sacred Armor base is Best in Slot for the massive 300% Enhanced Damage bonus. Duress Runeword is a budget alternative with Enhanced Damage and Crushing Blow. Helmet, Harlequin Crest is ideal for the +2 Skills, life, and mana, or Arreat's Face for +2 Barbarian Skills and life leech. For Gloves, Laying of Hands provides 20% Attack Speed and 350% Damage to Demons, or Dracul's Grasp for Life Tap proc and life leech. For the Belt, String of Ears is excellent for Damage Reduction and Life Leech, or Verdungo's Hearty Cord for Vitality and Damage Reduction. When it comes to Boots, Gore Rider for Crushing Blow and Deadly Strike, or War Traveler for Magic Find if farming. Rings, Raven Frost is essential for Cannot be Frozen and Attack Rating, pair with Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band for +1 Skills and Life Leech. Amulet you can opt for Highlord's Wrath for Deadly Strike and Attack Speed, Mara's Kaleidoscope for +2 Skills and resistances, or a rare amulet with +2 Barbarian Skills, Life Leech, and resistances.

For your inventory, focus on Barbarian Skill Charms with +Combat Skills and life bonuses. Small Charms with Max Damage/Attack Rating/Life combinations are excellent. Life and Resistance Small Charms help compensate for the defense penalty. Attack Rating Small Charms ensure consistent hits. Gheeds Fortune for Magic Find and reduced vendor prices.

Mercenary wise, an Act 2 Nightmare Defensive mercenary with Holy Freeze Aura provides crowd control while you deal damage. For Weapon, Infinity Runeword in a Thresher base breaks immunities, though less critical since Berserk deals magic damage. Insight Runeword is a budget alternative for mana support. Helmet options include Vampire Gaze for Damage Reduction and Life Leech, or Andariel's Visage for Attack Speed and Strength. Armor you want Fortitude Runeword in an Ethereal Sacred Armor base for maximum damage support, or Treachery Runeword for Attack Speed and Fade proc.