Berserker Weapon Expertise

[BigPapa]

I wondered what people thought was a viable expertise to go into for a Berserker. Seems like thier defense sucks, so is it all out offense, or go with a weapon choice that will help with defense ?

[Deykari]

Polearms have good defence and offensive capabilities (in that they don't sacrifice one extreme for another). Polearms are also excellent for cleaving.

Having said that, there isn't a "set" weapon to choose really, as you'll find yourself tailoring your weaponry to suit who you fight.

Dey

[Mudder]

Good job Dey.

Think of it this way. Two handed weapons (Like polearms) for most melee types. Dual wield (axes are nice) for most mage types. And rogues are one of the two depending on their eq vs yours.

You will want to wield a weapon they don't know anything about.

I am not sure how the expertise helps exactly. I know it gives added damage, though I am unsure just how much defense it gives. I myself tend to choose axe, to help with cleaving.

[Deykari]

Having better knowledge of a weapon not only allows you to parry easier, but if it's a two-handed weapon it allows you to weapon-block easier also. If you want to see how it helps that, do a "prof self weapon" whilst wielding a two-handed weapon you have more than 100% with, with two-handed at 100%.

As an Anger Zerk, I would be inclined to take polearm or axe as my proficiency. Against mage types, I'm going to be more likely (very much so) to try for haymaker/headbutt than a cleave, and your high-output damage with rage/haymaker is enough to put a lot of pain onto those low-defense mage/communer types without needing that extra boost from say, flail proficiency.

Where Zerks fall down, is against Warriors, and Blademasters (to a lesser degree than warriors), I found. Taking your proficiency in a weapon that you will use against melees seemed the best choice to me, and I used a polearm against melees to try and keep a balance between offense, defense and cleaving capability. Cleaving is key against a Warrior (if we exclude Cabals) and if you can't cleave their stuff you'll be in for a world of pain.

Another advantage with 103% in polearm is against blademasters, who will be quite likely to use a polearm against you unless they're very well equipped and can afford to dual wield.

That was my reasoning behind it anyway. Ultimately, the choice is yours - it's sort of like asking "what's the best Warrior lore?", except weapon expertise isn't as potent as Mastery/lore.

Dey