Why I die as berserker so much in PVE

[Hottie.8274]

Just about to wrap up Path, but throughout the game so far I always have a hard time surviving regular PVE content... I used Metabattle's Power DPS Berserker build.

[eXruina.4956]

-300 armor

[DeanBB.4268]

I'm on my phone so may have missed it, but only saw a condi berserker listed for open world. What build are you running? What stats and traits? What does it have for sustain?

Power DPS sounds like glass canon.

[Ashantara.8731]

1 hour ago, Hottie.8274 said:

Just about to wrap up Path, but throughout the game so far I always have a hard time surviving regular PVE content... I used Metabattle's Power DPS Berserker build.

Perhaps you are not avoiding AoEs, aren't evading knockdowns etc?

http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/?PKyAceFlRExmaaLtMnEnZlO+WetKA-zxQYho7bbHEZxUZg0ZIUbCURVFSA65FZEEwIEMM2DPAA-e

You should be doing high enough damage (actually very high) to dispose of enemies quickly and avoid dying. 😉 You can always swap Wild Blow for Shattering Blow if you need a block.
 

Edited September 13, 2022 by Ashantara.8731

[Endaris.1452]

Power DPS sounds like something for instanced content which in turn sounds like something that is fine with just dealing single target damage and relying on boons, thus lacking boons, AoE access and other defensive tools.

That doesn't work in open world. Personally I kind of dislike Warrior in open world in general because you typically unlock your F1/Berserk when the fight is essentially over due to how most mobs are paper. Berserker makes everything about that even worse and that really applies to all of its builds. It's just not a very good solo spec, Spellbreaker, Bladesworn and probably even Core fare better in open world PvE.

Edited September 13, 2022 by Endaris.1452

[Lan Deathrider.5910]

I run through PvE just fine on Power DPS Berserker. Here are some tips for you:

• Don't stand in red circles, there be lava.
• Building Momentum gives you endurance back. Dodge more.
• FGS+MMR gives you lots of endurance. Dodge more.
• Decapitate gives 5 might. See above note and dodge more.
• Did I mention that Reckless Dodge gives you might per foe struck and can critically strike enemies? See two notes above and dodge more.
• Dead or Alive boosts all healing by 10% and is a get out of death free on a 30s CD. If you are dying use it.
• Blood Reckoning is superior healing if you are able to spam attacks during the duration. Use it once you get to 50% HP or if you know you are about to take lots of damage and don't want to stop DPSing.
• If that fails then use Defense for Defy Pain and take Endure Pain on your bar. You should die far less then.

[Hottie.8274]

I'm following this build - although i don't have any of the ascended gear yet.

 

https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Berserker_-_Greatsword_Burst

[Lan Deathrider.5910]

35 minutes ago, Hottie.8274 said:

I'm following this build - although i don't have any of the ascended gear yet.

 

https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Berserker_-_Greatsword_Burst

Try the "Juggernaut" Variant listed in the page. As you get comfortable slowly take out some of the extra sustain until you are able to play with the base build without issue.

[CalmTheStorm.2364]

1 hour ago, Hottie.8274 said:

I'm following this build - although i don't have any of the ascended gear yet.

 

https://metabattle.com/wiki/Build:Berserker_-_Greatsword_Burst

I had the same problem when I was starting out. A few (hard earned) pearls:

 

1) Berserker isn't the most beginner -friendly spec. There's a lot of emphasis on doing mega dmg and extending berserk mode with your rage skills .. all while being very squishy. I'd recommend starting with either Spellbreaker, core warrior (with shouts and the tactics line), or shout bladesworn. Their mechanics/play style is simpler and I think you'll have more success.

 

2) dont get caught up in doing optimal DPS or playing the "optimal" build on metabattle. Find a build that works for you and that is -most importantly- fun for you to play.

 

3) if you're gonna go Berserker, use lots of Knight's gear. Get at least 300 extra toughness so you can offset the -300 toughness penalty in Berserk mode. You have tons of dmg modifiers that will bring your DPS way up, so it's ok to take a bunch of tankier gear and trinkets. You'll be surprised how much better you do with an extra 500-750 toughness on your build. 

[Hottie.8274]

1 hour ago, Lan Deathrider.5910 said:

Try the "Juggernaut" Variant listed in the page. As you get comfortable slowly take out some of the extra sustain until you are able to play with the base build without issue.

i did, same issue.

 

<a href="https://ibb.co/nwSyXJD"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/grC80KD/Screenshot-337.jpg" alt="Screenshot-337" border="0"></a>

Edited September 13, 2022 by Hottie.8274

[Hottie.8274]

1 hour ago, Lan Deathrider.5910 said:

Try the "Juggernaut" Variant listed in the page. As you get comfortable slowly take out some of the extra sustain until you are able to play with the base build without issue.

i did, same issue.

https://ibb.co/nwSyXJD

Edited September 13, 2022 by Hottie.8274
picture

[Lan Deathrider.5910]

6 hours ago, Hottie.8274 said:

i did, same issue.

https://ibb.co/nwSyXJD

If you are using the Juggernaut variant and still dying, then focus more on your gameplay rather than the stats/traits. You need to know when to break away and kite so that you can heal. You need to know what AoEs you can walk out of and which ones you'll need to dodge out of. If you are trying to face tank everything and never dodge, then you will end up in downstate very quickly no matter what build or class you run with the exception of Mechanist.

Moving to Ascended gear will help, as the stats are higher. If you don't have mounts yet, or haven't leveled their masteries, then do so. The engage skills are powerful and will help start your fights off on better footing. That last piece doesn't apply to instanced PvE, but you should have supports there giving you boons/barrier.

Some other Rune choices:
Runes of Durability
Runes of Sanctuary
Runes of the Dolyak

Take the whole bottom line on Berserker. Take the whole middle line on Strength, and the whole middle line on Tactics. Eat a bowl of Orrian Truffle and Meat Stew, get a Sigil of Strength, potentially also use a Potion of Karka Toughness. Don't let yourself go into Downstate with dodges left. Mobs can't jump, so jump over and around objects to force them to come to you so that you have time for CDs to refresh and regain endurance. Use vertical pieces of the game geometry to block projectile attacks while you kite.
 

[Myror.7521]

@Hottie.8274

I big remind to take one if this as your build if you want to play open world stuff with big cleave power dps:

Axe/Axe Greatsword Berserker

This for just hard dps and slight self sustain:

Axe/Shield Grearsword Berserker

 

If you want to play cdps here is just the big cleave one:

Sword/Torch Longbow Berserker

And the more defence one:

Mace/Shield Longbow Berserker

Good to know is also that Berserker is the best against Mobs with low health if you wana solo some content that is bound to large groups or a hard Boss you should play the builds below.

 

EDIT: if you want to play against big groups i recomment ya to this spellbraker build:

Dagger/Dagger Greatsword Spellbraker

If you want to do solo champs and stuff I would recomment you to this bladesworn  build:

Axe/Pistol Bladesworn

Edited September 13, 2022 by Pati.2438

[eXruina.4956]

like most people have stated, most pve content can be outplayed by better understanding of combat mechanics, even when running a squishy build and -300 armor from berserk mode.

 

that said most hostile npc's from PoF have boons like Might and Protection, so the veterans and champions in particular can hit hard and can be a bit chonky, not to mention mobbed they can actually chain cc you to death when dealing with a pack.

 

you'll more or less still be able to snowball over most things you encounter, but some fights will require some thought and strategy.

 

you can also try tweaking the build to your wants and needs, i don't know the exact build you're using but a tweak here and there can really help.

 

since you're using berserker might i suggest trying out something like Rousing Resillience from Defense tree, Savage instinct from Berserker and taking Outrage, Shake it Off and Headbutt, on your skill bar, its really fun for open world pve, you'll feel unstoppable and it will help train your reflexes for breaking stuns and clearing conditions, one of the bread and butter skills needed for the game.

 

i'm sure you'll do fine regardless. 💪

Edited September 13, 2022 by eXruina.4956

[Hottie.8274]

12 hours ago, Lan Deathrider.5910 said:

Potion of Karka Toughness

where do i buy this

[Lan Deathrider.5910]

1 hour ago, Hottie.8274 said:

where do i buy this

Southsun Cove merchants.

Edit:
These guys: https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Southsun_Economist You need passion flowers and karka shells to purchase them.

Edited September 14, 2022 by Lan Deathrider.5910

[that baby stealing dingo.7]

Or run a condi tank. I don't like dodging, either. 

[stormemperor.3745]

On 9/13/2022 at 2:15 AM, Hottie.8274 said:

Just about to wrap up Path, but throughout the game so far I always have a hard time surviving regular PVE content... I used Metabattle's Power DPS Berserker build.

Berserker is like that no matter what. Might want to consider changing specs or class.

Honestly even core power warrior is better than berserker at this point 😄 at least for regular pve content.

Swap out berserker with arms and embrace signet warrior. 20% aspd with dual axes thats about discount perma quickness and faster chest opening.

Strength 322

Discipline 231

Arms 213 

Slap in all signets, use whichever you want, whenever you want. With rune of eagle and fury you should have 100% crit everywhere.

Could try defense 213 instead of arms

or Tactics 232 and get some shouts.

 

Lastly, try to kill fast with axe 5 and go out of combat to recover hp. If you are killing champions etc. run around the boss.

Disable Melee Attack Assist - this will give you freedom to move around.

[Morokey.8534]

I've never had problem with survivality even with full offensive builds.. Recovery endurence after bursts from strenght spec., now 24k hp and berserker's healing skill is way enough.

[Gorem.8104]

Berserker? In 2022? whoa. I'd probably run core over it. 
Check out Hizen's Spellbreaker or Bladesworn guides for open world, they both pretty handy and you can learn a lot from them. He rates Bladesworn pretty high though one major issue is the massive lack of cc (it has none) outside of special effects such as cc from a table. 

Though one thing to mention, Warrior is the class you have to actually play to succeed, unlike other classes that are like "red circles on the gound? meh I don't need to move out of it", to live as a Warrior, its a lot of effort 🙂

[Stadsport.8714]

On 9/12/2022 at 5:51 PM, Endaris.1452 said:

Power DPS sounds like something for instanced content which in turn sounds like something that is fine with just dealing single target damage and relying on boons, thus lacking boons, AoE access and other defensive tools.

That doesn't work in open world. Personally I kind of dislike Warrior in open world in general because you typically unlock your F1/Berserk when the fight is essentially over due to how most mobs are paper. Berserker makes everything about that even worse and that really applies to all of its builds. It's just not a very good solo spec, Spellbreaker, Bladesworn and probably even Core fare better in open world PvE.

Actually it's super easy to basically open with F1. Just Headbutt the first enemy, then Outrage to break your self-stun, and you instantly have full adrenaline and are ready to F1. Outrage also extends the duration of Berserk, as does Wild Blow, Shattering Blow, and Blood Reckoning, so you can keep those up to stay in berserk for a very long time. You can basically open and spam F1 non-stop if you stay on top of your rotation.

 

With those utilities, you also have a stun (Headbutt) and a knockback/push (Wild Blow), and you can swap a skill out for Bull's Charge, Sundering Leap, or Stomp for more mobility. I believe all of those except Sundering Leap also do decent hard CC. 

 

For healing, Blood Reckoning + Axe 5 (especially if you're surrounded by multiple mobs) will totally fill your healthbar while chopping down everything around you, and if there's enough you can even heal through attacks that would have otherwise downed you. 

 

Power Zerker is actually pretty good in open world, but it's squishy enough you definitely have to pay attention to AOEs and knockbacks from enemies. But if your reflexes are good enough, you can do tons of damage with decent survivability, and it's an absolute blast to play.

[Endaris.1452]

1 hour ago, Stadsport.8714 said:

Actually it's super easy to basically open with F1. Just Headbutt the first enemy, then Outrage to break your self-stun, and you instantly have full adrenaline and are ready to F1. Outrage also extends the duration of Berserk, as does Wild Blow, Shattering Blow, and Blood Reckoning, so you can keep those up to stay in berserk for a very long time. You can basically open and spam F1 non-stop if you stay on top of your rotation.

Just because you "can" make it work, doesn't mean it's good.

Committing your Elite and a utility, albeit low CD, right at the start of the fight when you might be dealing with a mob group of 5-10, including 1-3 veterans (I'm just imagining a forged patrol event anywhere in PoF here) is a potential recipe for desaster.

It might work in many scenarios but there are a lot of scenarios where it just doesn't work at all.

If you ever get into downstate, you're immediately a sitting duck, even if you mention to rally, simply because half of your berserker traits are ineffective outside of berserk mode and you're locked out of berserk for the next 12 seconds or whatever.

A rotation minded gameplay isn't realistic for non-zerg gameplay in open world, simply because your opponents won't live that long, making Berserk extensions low value, not to mention that you give up self-boon access like FGJ. A DPS Berserker lacks AoE lockdown and if you use Headbutt and Outrage as described you'll lack them for whatever CC your opponent is going to throw at you right after the start of the fight. It lacks flexibility and has very clear weaknesses for dealing with mob groups.

[Sunshine.5014]

Well, running Berserker in PvE is like having a small taste of what it's like to be Ele :P, still with way higher HP than Ele has though.

You need to learn how to dodge and avoid damage by walking away. You can't mindlessly "DPS". Look at the mob animation carefully, then learn when they "land" their attacks. Then you can avoid it.

[Stadsport.8714]

7 hours ago, Endaris.1452 said:

Just because you "can" make it work, doesn't mean it's good.

Committing your Elite and a utility, albeit low CD, right at the start of the fight when you might be dealing with a mob group of 5-10, including 1-3 veterans (I'm just imagining a forged patrol event anywhere in PoF here) is a potential recipe for desaster.

It might work in many scenarios but there are a lot of scenarios where it just doesn't work at all.

If you ever get into downstate, you're immediately a sitting duck, even if you mention to rally, simply because half of your berserker traits are ineffective outside of berserk mode and you're locked out of berserk for the next 12 seconds or whatever.

A rotation minded gameplay isn't realistic for non-zerg gameplay in open world, simply because your opponents won't live that long, making Berserk extensions low value, not to mention that you give up self-boon access like FGJ. A DPS Berserker lacks AoE lockdown and if you use Headbutt and Outrage as described you'll lack them for whatever CC your opponent is going to throw at you right after the start of the fight. It lacks flexibility and has very clear weaknesses for dealing with mob groups.

Just because it doesn't work for you doesn't mean it's bad.

 

I just gave one example of how to successfully play their class and build which is exactly what the OP was asking. You can try to kitten on it all day and talk about how it's a "recipe for disaster," but it works great if you like the feel and flow of it. I never said Berserker is without weaknesses, and I'm certainly not saying it's the end-all-be-all-do-everything class, it's just an example of how it can be used successfully. There's nothing productive or helpful about trying to shove it into a bunch of pointlessly specific examples to argue that it "doesn't work" from an armchair. 

 

Arguing that "rotation minded gameplay isn't realistic" illustrates that you don't understand how one can take the mechanics and skill interactions that contribute to an effective rotation and apply them dynamically depending on the situation. You just need to have a solid understanding of how they interact, so you can do it in the middle of a fight without thinking about it. I have four skills that extend berserk mode, I can save the two that do CC for the right time if I know the encounter needs it. I can swap out one or two of them for other utilities if an encounter needs that, too, and I'll still do better DPS than half the players who are also succeeding in open world gameplay. If I fall out of berserk mode, Axe 5 does great damage over several seconds, and I can swap to GS and cleave a few more while I wait for the CD. In addition to regular jump and dodge for self-preservation, I can stunbreak, knock down, stun, and do some hard CC with my "standard" selection of skills. I can heal through incoming attacks from a huge surrounding mob, build up my adrenaline while I'm doing it, and burst F1 through anything left, and you can easily maintain berserk uptime and utilization while moving fun target to target. F1 does cleave more than one target too, by the way. It's actually pretty uncommon that I find myself in a situation where I DON'T have a way to respond to or otherwise mitigate whatever is trying to kill/maim/disable me.

 

Trying to discredit my personal experience with my main class by nitpicking perceived flaws doesn't contribute to this discussion at all. In fact, all it does contribute to is the looming perception people aren't allowed to play the classes they want in GW2 because they're aren't as optimized (or broken) as a handful of meta builds, when we all know that isn't the truth. To their point and question, the OP absolutely can be successful with a Power Berserker build. I know because I've been doing it for a while now, in practically all PvE game modes.

Edited September 17, 2022 by Stadsport.8714

[Endaris.1452]

9 minutes ago, Stadsport.8714 said:

Trying to discredit my personal experience with my main class by nitpicking perceived flaws doesn't contribute to this discussion at all. In fact, all it does contribute to is the looming perception people aren't allowed to play the classes they want in GW2 because they're aren't as optimized (or broken) as a handful of meta builds, when we all know that isn't the truth. To their point and question, the OP absolutely can be successful with a Power Berserker build. I know because I've been doing it for a while now, in practically all PvE game modes.

Well, certainly you can play it and sufficient experience can naturally offset the deficiencies of the class.

Nonetheless, in my original post, did I say anywhere you can't play it? I merely stated reason for why I think it's worse than other types of warrior. It's comparably less flexible and requires higher skill to succeed with. If you have the skill to play it, very good for you! In my personal experience it isn't that easy, so that's respectable.

With the next patch that will change anyway as Berserker will gain a lot of flexibility by retaining access to core bursts so I suppose most of my arguments are moot at that point.

11 minutes ago, Stadsport.8714 said:

F1 does cleave more than one target, by the way.

Decapitate? Most certainly not, unless you're  detonating a fire aura through King of Fires with it. There are no other traits I'm aware of that trigger an AoE upon using bursts and Decapitate is definitely only single target. I suppose you can still compensate that with Sigil of Fire or something.