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Berserkers were those fighters and barbarians who could tap into a particularly savage aspect of themselves in order to skip into a furious rage while in combat.[3] Barbarians that followed the Path of the Berserker saw their rages as the best means to enjoy the thrill of battle, regardless of personal well-being.[1]

Culture[]

Tribal berserkers were believed to have been granted supernatural forces that allowed them to better defend their people. These individuals lived in close-knit groups, often found in less-civilized locales.[5] They looked out for their own kind within these communities.[6]

Abilities[]

Berserkers focused their efforts on honing their skill with melee weapons and forewent training with those wielded at long range. Similarly, they eschewed most types of armor more cumbersome than splint mail.[6]

These warriors were so named for their ability to "go berserk" and enter into a trance-like rage in battle. Once in this state a berserk fought with exceptional strength and ferocity. They could not be knocked out, were immune to a wide-range of mind-controlling spells and effects, and gained resistance to others that attempted to hinder their movement or actions.[6][7] This fighting style was just as unpredictable as it was effective in battle.[5][1]

A berserker's rage lasted until every enemy on the battlefield was downed. On occasion they could not differentiate friend from foe and would attack those who were in fact their allies. Afterwards, a berserker became physically exhausted and vulnerable to certain effects they shrugged off during their rage.[7]

The sight of a veteran berserker in battle was so terrifying that some combatants fled from the battlefield entirely.[1]

Notable Berserkers[]

The Rashemaar berserkers comprised several tribes of fearsome warriors from the far-eastern realm of Rashemen.[4][8]

Individuals[]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. For the purposes of game mechanics, nonplayer-character berserkers were treated similarly to creatures in the 5th edition Monster Manual.

Appearances[]

Novels
Windwalker
Video Games
Baldur's Gate series (Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn)Neverwinter Nights 2Neverwinter Nights 2

External Links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 46–50. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  2. Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 31. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Aaron Allston (1989). The Complete Fighter's Handbook. (TSR), p. 19. ISBN 978-0880387798.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), p. 87. ISBN 978-0786901395.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 344. ISBN 978-0786965614.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Aaron Allston (1989). The Complete Fighter's Handbook. (TSR), p. 20. ISBN 978-0880387798.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Aaron Allston (1989). The Complete Fighter's Handbook. (TSR), p. 21. ISBN 978-0880387798.
  8. Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 136. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
  9. Elaine Cunningham (April 2003). Windwalker (Hardcover). (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-2968-5.
  10. Steven E. Schend (1998). The Fall of Myth Drannor. Edited by Cindi Rice, Dale Donovan. (TSR, Inc.), p. 13. ISBN 0-7869-1235-9.
  11. BioWare (September 2000). Designed by James Ohlen, Kevin Martens. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. Black Isle Studios.
  12. Obsidian Entertainment (October 2006). Designed by Ferret Baudoin, J.E. Sawyer. Neverwinter Nights 2. Atari.
  13. BioWare (June 2001). Designed by Kevin Martens. Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal. Black Isle Studios.

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5th Edition Subclasses




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