Crack: Saves were easier to get, a lot of hit/dam gear came with -svs too. Having 60/60 and -50svs was pretty much the norm for players who'd done Winter/Factions a few times. No one cleared gear or desolation back then.
L-A
Gear didn't exist back then. Not when Smash was around. I'm pretty sure it was done within a week of it opening by a crew (this was back when a trained battlemage could solo pretty much anything under the sun). I know I never ran it until much later. The game today is completely different from the game when 1.0 opened. People often tout an improved pbase, and to some extend I'd agree, but I'd also say that we're all playing a much different game. Same look, similar feel, totally different mechanics and nuances. Shamans, for example, still had enhanced damage in 1.0 and casted mals at the same level as a necro.
While the pihlosophy/idea behind berserkers may be similar, the game and the class are totally different today. Thus I'd agree that a new guide should be looked at.