Class deep dive
The Berserker
The Berserker at a glance
| Role | Melee: damage and stuns |
| Armor | Chain |
| Key stats | Strength, Stamina |
| Arrived | Added in Gates of Discord (2004) |
Allakhazam’s class guide sums the berserker up as a raging fighter with the best melee burst damage, brief stuns and little penalty for attack angle, who can make throwing axes to hit foes at range.
Sources: Allakhazam: EQ:Classes (wiki)
What a berserker does
Berserkers arrived with Gates of Discord (2004). A community guide preserved by the Library of Erudin describes them as offensive warriors who can’t wear heavy armor. They specialize in dealing damage, not taking it, attacking from the front where a rogue would attack from behind, and at their best they cause more carnage than any other class.
They fight only with two-handed weapons and can summon weapons to throw, which gain enchantments such as slowing at higher levels. The guide warns that their damage draws enemies’ anger, and that only the most experienced and best-equipped can shield their friends from powerful foes.
Sources: Library of Erudin: EverQuest Library — The Classes of Norrath (official text) · Allakhazam: EQ:Classes (wiki)
Keras and the master of rage
The Library of Erudin summarizes the class legend: the first berserker, Keras, was banished for killing a sparring partner in a blind fury. In the Lake of Ill Omen, Keras McArik tells young berserkers that he too was once “saddled with unbridled rage,” and that age and experience taught him to master its power. In Halas, Haladorf Wuirgon asks new recruits whether they feel the rage inside and warns that others “will call you an animal.” In Kaladim, the Berserkers of the Underfoot recruit dwarves to put their “fiery temper” to good use.
Sources: Library of Erudin: Berserker (Keras McArik, Haladorf Wuirgon, Berserkers of the Underfoot)
Who could be one
The same guide lists the berserker races as Barbarian, Dwarf, Ogre, Troll and Vah Shir, all naturally strong and hardy. Strength comes first, though it is easy to raise with items, so stamina is often worth more. Agility helps them avoid the hits they attract, and dexterity makes weapon effects fire more often.
Sources: Library of Erudin: Berserker (community guide)
Playing a berserker today
Because the class was added in Gates of Discord (2004), you won’t find it on Project 1999, which stops at Velious. Daybreak’s live and progression servers still have it. See EverQuest Today for where the game stands now.
All class deep dives → The Shaman
Illustrations are original fan art made for this site, not in-game screenshots.