Difference between revisions of "Berserk"

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'''Berserk''' is a [[status effect]] which fills you with overwhelming rage, making you significantly deadlier in combat but unable to do almost anything else. Afterwards, you are left severely handicapped as you recover from your overexertion. Used correctly, a [[berserker]] can overcome challenges far beyond its level. Used improperly, it'll leave you seriously weakened just as things are at their most dangerous.
  
'''Berserk''' is a [[status effect]] which fills you with overwhelming rage, making you significantly deadlier in combat but unable to do almost anything else. Afterwards, you are left severely handicapped as you recover from your overexertion. Used correctly, a [[berserker]] can overcome challenges far beyond its level. Used improperly, it'll leave you seriously weakened just as things are at their most dangerous.
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A berserk rage normally lasts for <code>(20 + random2avg(19)) / 2</code> turns<ref>{{source ref|0.27.1|player-act.cc|764}}</ref>, which is equal to 10 - 19 turns (weighted toward 15). However, the duration decreases rapidly if you do anything except for fighting, lasting as few as 3 turns if you don't do any fighting at all.
  
A berserk rage nominally lasts 20 - 40 turns, but this duration decreases rapidly if you do anything except for fighting or butchering.
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[[Mummies]], [[ghoul]]s, and [[formicid]]s can never go berserk. [[Vampire]]s must be Alive in order to do so.
  
 
==Pros==
 
==Pros==
*Current and max [[HP]] increase by 50%.
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*Current and max [[HP]] increase by 50%
*[[Might]] (+5 [[strength]], +1d10 melee attack damage).
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*[[Might]] (+1d10 melee attack damage)
*[[Haste]].
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*[[Haste]]
*''Monsters Only'': Immunity to [[fear]], +50% damage instead of +1d10.
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*Immunity to [[sleep]]
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 +
Monsters also get immunity to [[fear]], and gain +50% damage instead of +1d10.
  
 
==Cons==
 
==Cons==
*Cannot do anything except for attacking, moving, butchering corpses, [[pray]]ing, eating, or picking up items.
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*Cannot do anything except for attacking, moving, opening or closing doors, shouting, and wielding, unwielding, dropping, or picking up items.
*Leaves you [[slow]] and [[exhausted]] after it ends, preventing repeated berserks.
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**Doing anything other than attacking heavily reduces the duration of berserk; you can run about 3 tiles before it runs out.
**This exhaustion is the same as the condition that follows use of the [[Death's Door]] spell or a [[jump attack]], preventing use of those as well.
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*Leaves you [[slow]] for <code>12 + 2d12</code> turns<ref>{{source ref|0.27.1|player.cc|8075}}</ref> and gives the -Berserk status effect after it ends, preventing repeated rages.
*Occasionally makes you "pass out" (essentially [[paralysis]]) for a few turns after it ends (10% chance).
 
*Costs you 600 [[satiation]] per use.
 
*Cannot trigger if you are Very Hungry or worse.
 
**[[Mummies]], [[ghoul]]s, and [[formicid]]s can never go berserk. [[Vampire]]s must be at least Full in order to do so.
 
 
*Sets your [[stealth]] to 0, and causes you to make lots of [[noise]] when opening [[door]]s (''You throw open the door with a bang!'').
 
*Sets your [[stealth]] to 0, and causes you to make lots of [[noise]] when opening [[door]]s (''You throw open the door with a bang!'').
*Followers of [[Cheibriados]] may wish to avoid berserk, as he dislikes the Haste effect it causes. If you go berserk unintentionally while following him, he will cancel the Haste effect. That being said, in an emergency, its benefits may outweigh the relatively minor cost.
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*[[Cheibriados]] suppresses the hasting of berserk.
  
 
==Sources==
 
==Sources==
 
===Trog===
 
===Trog===
The simplest way to get access to berserk is to worship [[Trog]], who grants it to users as an ability once they hit one * of [[piety]]. This ability costs an additional 200 - 400 satiation per use (bringing the total cost to 800 - 1000), but it never fails and requires no other resources. Also, Trog followers receive several divine benefits to all of their berserk rages, regardless of the source; the berserker has a (piety/10)% chance of extending the berserk by 4 - 13 turns each time he kills something, and you receive an additional (piety/1.5)% chance of staying conscious when you would normally pass out.
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The simplest way to get access to berserk is to worship [[Trog]], who grants it to users as an ability with 1* of [[piety]]. Trog's followers receive divine benefits to all of their berserk rages, regardless of the source; you have a (piety/10)% chance of extending your rage by 4 - 13 turns each time you kill something.
  
===Amulet of Rage===
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===Berserk mutation and *Rage items===
Wearing an [[amulet of rage]] (or any [[randart]] with the +Rage intrinsic) allows you to go berserk as an ability. When used successfully, you berserk as normal, but with a 3.33% chance of extending your berserk with each kill. It has a (50 + (2 × [[Evocations]]))% success rate, and costs 2 [[MP]] along with the standard satiation cost.
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If you have the [[Bad mutations#Berserk|Berserk]] mutation or a piece of equipment with the *Rage intrinsic, you may automatically go berserk each time that you hit an enemy in melee. Because there are many situations in which going berserk is a terrible idea, berserkitis is generally seen as a dangerous trait to have.
  
===Berserkitis===
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The chance of this happening due to the mutation rises with each rank of the mutation (1% / 3% / 9%).  
If you have the [[Bad mutations#Berserk|Berserk]] mutation or a piece of equipment with the *RAGE intrinsic, you may automatically go berserk each time that you hit an enemy in melee or take damage. The chance of this happening due to the mutation rises with each rank of the mutation (1% / 3% / 9%), but more ranks also dramatically reduces the odds of you passing out from berserking; the normal 10% chance is reduced to roughly 3%, 2%, or 1.5%. Each piece of berserkitis equipment has its own chance of activation, making some items significantly more dangerous than others. Because there are many situations in which berserking is a terrible idea, berserkitis is generally seen as a dangerous trait to have.
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Each piece of berserkitis equipment has its own chance of activation. Most artefacts give a 20% chance, while the [[Wrath of Trog]] and [[Necklace of Bloodlust]] have a 50% per hit. An [[orb]] of [[wrath]] also gives a 20% chance. These items are typically dangerous to wield normally, though berserk ''does'' come somewhat reliably.
  
 
===Potion of Berserk Rage===
 
===Potion of Berserk Rage===
 
Quaffing a [[potion of berserk rage]] will immediately make you go berserk.
 
Quaffing a [[potion of berserk rage]] will immediately make you go berserk.
 
===Battlelust Card===
 
If you draw a [[Battlelust]] card at power level 1, you will go berserk in 10 [[aut]]s (usually 1 turn).
 
  
 
===Moth of Wrath===
 
===Moth of Wrath===
The bite of a [[moth of wrath]] may cause you to go berserk. Monsters near it (but not necessarily adjacent to it) will also occasionally go berserk.
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The bite of a [[moth of wrath]] may cause you to go berserk. Moths of wrath may also send other creatures near them (but not necessarily adjacent to them) berserk.
 
 
===Miscast Effects===
 
[[Miscast effect]]s from the [[Charms]] and [[Hexes]] magic schools may make you berserk. This includes those suffered while exploring [[Hell]].
 
  
 
===Xom===
 
===Xom===
[[Xom]] may decide to make you berserk. He may even be kind enough to do so in situations where berserking is helpful! You will never pass out afterwards.
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[[Xom]] may decide to make you go berserk. It may even be kind enough to do so in situations where being berserk is helpful! Of course, it may also decide to make your enemies berserk...
 
 
===Frenzy Needles===
 
Shooting a monster with a frenzy-branded [[needle]] will cause it to go berserk and temporarily turn [[neutral]], attacking anything nearby. Monsters will never fire these at you.
 
  
===Discord===
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===Datura===
Casting the [[Discord]] spell will drive all enemies around you into a frenzy, much like shooting them with a frenzy needle.
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Being hit by a [[datura]]-tipped dart may cause you to go berserk. When used on monsters, they also acquire the [[frenzy]] status and attack nearby creatures, regardless of whether they are allies.
  
 
==Preventing Berserk==
 
==Preventing Berserk==
The following all prevent you from going berserk.
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The following all prevent you from going berserk<ref>{{source ref|0.27.1|player-act.cc|787}}</ref>:
*[[Stasis]].
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*[[Clarity]] prevents unintentionally going berserk (the berserkitis mutation, moths of wrath, *Rage, etc.) while still allowing voluntary rages.
*[[Clarity]] prevents unintentional berserks (berserkitis, moths of wrath, etc.) while still allowing voluntary ones.
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*Having recently been berserk (-Berserk status effect).
*Being [[exhausted]].
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*Being [[undead]] ([[mummy]], [[ghoul]], [[Necromutation|lich]], Bloodless [[vampire]]) or under [[stasis]] ([[formicid]]).
*Being a [[mummy]], [[ghoul]], [[lichform]], [[formicid]], or [[vampire]] (if less than Full).
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*Being under the effect of [[Cause Fear#Monster Version|Fear]] or [[Mesmerise]].
*Being Very Hungry or worse.
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**Wielding the [[obsidian axe]] allows going berserk while mesmerized.
  
 
==Strategy==
 
==Strategy==
*Don't assume that nimble, dexterous characters armed with [[short blades]] have less to gain from berserking than a lumbering brute with a massive weapon; the +1d10 damage per hit applies to light and heavy weapons equally. The faster you hit your enemy, the more free damage you apply.
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*Don't assume that nimble, dexterous characters armed with [[short blades]] have less to gain from going berserk than a lumbering brute with a massive weapon; the +1d10 damage per hit applies to light and heavy weapons equally. The faster you hit your enemy, the more free damage you apply.
*Bear in mind that berserk characters have zero stealth. While this might make no difference to a rampaging [[troll]] or [[minotaur]] in [[crystal plate armour]], stealthier characters might want to be careful about berserking near enemies that aren't yet aware of them; doing so may draw more enemies into combat than you can handle at once, especially if the berserk runs out mid-fight.
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*Bear in mind that berserk characters have zero stealth. While this might make no difference to a rampaging [[troll]] or [[minotaur]] in [[crystal plate armour]], stealthier characters might want to be careful about going  berserk near enemies that aren't yet aware of them; doing so may draw more enemies into combat than you can handle at once, especially if your rage runs out mid-fight.
*A [[potion of speed]] or other source of Haste will counter the post-berserk slowing, an excellent tactic if you find yourself exhausted while still in combat. [[Elyvilon]]'s Purification ability is also effective.
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*A [[potion of haste]] will counter the post-berserk slowness, which can be useful if your berserk wears out while you're still in combat with dangerous enemies. [[Elyvilon]]'s Purification ability and [[Ru]]'s Draw Out Power will simply end the slowing effect early.
*If none of these options are available, think carefully before going berserk. It's a good idea to lure enemies to an already-cleared area with a staircase leading up before berserking so you can escape in case a monster approaches while you're slowed. Summoning allies (incidentally, another of Trog's given powers) also increases your chances of survival if your rage expires while you are still in combat.
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*If none of these options are available, think carefully before going berserk. It's a good idea to lure enemies to an already-cleared area with a staircase leading up before starting your rage so you can escape in case a monster approaches while you're still slowed. Summoning allies (incidentally, another of Trog's given powers) also increases your chances of survival if your rage expires while you are still in combat.
*Ranged weapon users and [[rod]] users should always switch to a melee weapon before going berserk, as you can't switch your weapon during it.
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*Ranged weapon users should switch to a melee weapon before going berserk, as you can't shoot while raging.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
Prior to [[0.11]], an amulet of rage also reduced the risk of you passing out after your berserk ended.
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*Prior to [[0.28]], some [[artefact]]s let you manually invoke berserk, but *Rage only provided a 5% chance to berserk. [[Cheibriados]] forbid intentional berserk, but still suppressed [[haste]] from berserk forced on you.
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*In [[0.27|0.27.1]] only, [[Clarity]] did not prevent berserk from *Rage.
 +
*Prior to [[0.27]], berserking had a chance to paralyze you after it ends, and both [[Trog]] and berserkitis would protect you from it.
 +
*Prior to [[0.26]], the high hunger cost made it prohibitive to constantly go berserk.
 +
*Prior to [[0.25]], there were two more sources of the berserk effect: [[amulet of rage]] and [[miscast effect]]s from the [[Charms]] magic school. Also, berserk gave the player a +5 bonus to [[Strength]].
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*Prior to [[0.20]], berserk gave the [[exhausted]] status effect after wearing off instead of -Berserk, which also stopped [[Death's Door]] and [[Ru]]'s active abilities. Also, players and monsters were unable to (un)wield things while berserk.
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*Prior to [[0.19]], butchering corpses would sustain your rage the same way as attacking. Also, players could not go berserk if they were Very Hungry or worse.
 +
*Prior to [[0.11]], an amulet of rage also reduced the risk of you passing out after your berserk ended.
 +
*The [[Berserker Rage]] spell used to allow the caster to go berserk at will (and reduced the risk of passing out afterwards), but it was removed from the spells players could use in [[0.9]].
 +
*Prior to [[0.9]], Berserk made players 2* as fast.
  
The [[Berserker Rage]] spell used to allow the caster to go berserk at will (and reduced the risk of passing out afterwards), but it was removed in [[0.9]].
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==References==
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<references/>
  
[[Category:Abilities]][[Category:Status effects]]
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[[Category:Abilities]]
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[[Category:Status effects]]

Revision as of 22:21, 25 July 2022

Version 0.28: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

Berserk is a status effect which fills you with overwhelming rage, making you significantly deadlier in combat but unable to do almost anything else. Afterwards, you are left severely handicapped as you recover from your overexertion. Used correctly, a berserker can overcome challenges far beyond its level. Used improperly, it'll leave you seriously weakened just as things are at their most dangerous.

A berserk rage normally lasts for (20 + random2avg(19)) / 2 turns[1], which is equal to 10 - 19 turns (weighted toward 15). However, the duration decreases rapidly if you do anything except for fighting, lasting as few as 3 turns if you don't do any fighting at all.

Mummies, ghouls, and formicids can never go berserk. Vampires must be Alive in order to do so.

Pros

  • Current and max HP increase by 50%
  • Might (+1d10 melee attack damage)
  • Haste
  • Immunity to sleep

Monsters also get immunity to fear, and gain +50% damage instead of +1d10.

Cons

  • Cannot do anything except for attacking, moving, opening or closing doors, shouting, and wielding, unwielding, dropping, or picking up items.
    • Doing anything other than attacking heavily reduces the duration of berserk; you can run about 3 tiles before it runs out.
  • Leaves you slow for 12 + 2d12 turns[2] and gives the -Berserk status effect after it ends, preventing repeated rages.
  • Sets your stealth to 0, and causes you to make lots of noise when opening doors (You throw open the door with a bang!).
  • Cheibriados suppresses the hasting of berserk.

Sources

Trog

The simplest way to get access to berserk is to worship Trog, who grants it to users as an ability with 1* of piety. Trog's followers receive divine benefits to all of their berserk rages, regardless of the source; you have a (piety/10)% chance of extending your rage by 4 - 13 turns each time you kill something.

Berserk mutation and *Rage items

If you have the Berserk mutation or a piece of equipment with the *Rage intrinsic, you may automatically go berserk each time that you hit an enemy in melee. Because there are many situations in which going berserk is a terrible idea, berserkitis is generally seen as a dangerous trait to have.

The chance of this happening due to the mutation rises with each rank of the mutation (1% / 3% / 9%).

Each piece of berserkitis equipment has its own chance of activation. Most artefacts give a 20% chance, while the Wrath of Trog and Necklace of Bloodlust have a 50% per hit. An orb of wrath also gives a 20% chance. These items are typically dangerous to wield normally, though berserk does come somewhat reliably.

Potion of Berserk Rage

Quaffing a potion of berserk rage will immediately make you go berserk.

Moth of Wrath

The bite of a moth of wrath may cause you to go berserk. Moths of wrath may also send other creatures near them (but not necessarily adjacent to them) berserk.

Xom

Xom may decide to make you go berserk. It may even be kind enough to do so in situations where being berserk is helpful! Of course, it may also decide to make your enemies berserk...

Datura

Being hit by a datura-tipped dart may cause you to go berserk. When used on monsters, they also acquire the frenzy status and attack nearby creatures, regardless of whether they are allies.

Preventing Berserk

The following all prevent you from going berserk[3]:

  • Clarity prevents unintentionally going berserk (the berserkitis mutation, moths of wrath, *Rage, etc.) while still allowing voluntary rages.
  • Having recently been berserk (-Berserk status effect).
  • Being undead (mummy, ghoul, lich, Bloodless vampire) or under stasis (formicid).
  • Being under the effect of Fear or Mesmerise.
    • Wielding the obsidian axe allows going berserk while mesmerized.

Strategy

  • Don't assume that nimble, dexterous characters armed with short blades have less to gain from going berserk than a lumbering brute with a massive weapon; the +1d10 damage per hit applies to light and heavy weapons equally. The faster you hit your enemy, the more free damage you apply.
  • Bear in mind that berserk characters have zero stealth. While this might make no difference to a rampaging troll or minotaur in crystal plate armour, stealthier characters might want to be careful about going berserk near enemies that aren't yet aware of them; doing so may draw more enemies into combat than you can handle at once, especially if your rage runs out mid-fight.
  • A potion of haste will counter the post-berserk slowness, which can be useful if your berserk wears out while you're still in combat with dangerous enemies. Elyvilon's Purification ability and Ru's Draw Out Power will simply end the slowing effect early.
  • If none of these options are available, think carefully before going berserk. It's a good idea to lure enemies to an already-cleared area with a staircase leading up before starting your rage so you can escape in case a monster approaches while you're still slowed. Summoning allies (incidentally, another of Trog's given powers) also increases your chances of survival if your rage expires while you are still in combat.
  • Ranged weapon users should switch to a melee weapon before going berserk, as you can't shoot while raging.

History

  • Prior to 0.28, some artefacts let you manually invoke berserk, but *Rage only provided a 5% chance to berserk. Cheibriados forbid intentional berserk, but still suppressed haste from berserk forced on you.
  • In 0.27.1 only, Clarity did not prevent berserk from *Rage.
  • Prior to 0.27, berserking had a chance to paralyze you after it ends, and both Trog and berserkitis would protect you from it.
  • Prior to 0.26, the high hunger cost made it prohibitive to constantly go berserk.
  • Prior to 0.25, there were two more sources of the berserk effect: amulet of rage and miscast effects from the Charms magic school. Also, berserk gave the player a +5 bonus to Strength.
  • Prior to 0.20, berserk gave the exhausted status effect after wearing off instead of -Berserk, which also stopped Death's Door and Ru's active abilities. Also, players and monsters were unable to (un)wield things while berserk.
  • Prior to 0.19, butchering corpses would sustain your rage the same way as attacking. Also, players could not go berserk if they were Very Hungry or worse.
  • Prior to 0.11, an amulet of rage also reduced the risk of you passing out after your berserk ended.
  • The Berserker Rage spell used to allow the caster to go berserk at will (and reduced the risk of passing out afterwards), but it was removed from the spells players could use in 0.9.
  • Prior to 0.9, Berserk made players 2* as fast.

References