Build:Berserker - Power DPS (2024)

This build was last updated on August 03, 2024 and is up to date for the June 25, 2024 patch.

Overview

A fresh iteration of the Heart of Thorns era build, Power Berserker. This version has strong burst and sustained damage from spamming Decapitate in Berserk.

Skill Bar

Weapon Variants

Greatsword is worth ~4.5k DPS, but you could keep the offset for utility weapons such as:

• Mace (in either hand) for CC
• Warhorn to provide Swiftness in the event you don't have it from your supports
• Rifle or Longbow for ranged damage

If using any of these options, just camp Axe/Axe for damage. Axe/Mace does enough damage to swap to (see below for video example).

Skill Variants

• Throw Bolas or Bull's Charge can replace Outrage. This will provide more burst DPS through Peak Performance (assuming you don't stun yourself), but will be lower DPS long-term so you'll need to know what your phase times will be. Therefore this is more viable in fractals than in raids.

Template Code

Specializations

Trait Variants

• If the target has boons, run Destruction of the Empowered.

Equipment

Equipment Variants

• In encounters where the boss does not get stunned, you can replace the Sigil of Superior Sigil of Impact with a Sigil of Superior Sigil of Air on the Axe and a Sigil of Superior Sigil of Hydromancy on the Greatsword. This will be a small DPS increase.

Consumables

Food

• or ascended alternatives

Utility

Usage

Beginner Rotation

Click to View

Rotation

The rotation aims to get as many casts of Decapitate and Arc Divider off as possible, maintaining Berserk mode for as long as there is something to hit. Effectively, this means that while on Axe/Axe you cast Decapitate followed by a combination of skills that gets you back to 10 Adrenaline to recast Decapitate.

Opener

1. Head Butt
2. Berserk
3. Outrage
4. Arc Divider
5. Weapon Swap
6. Cyclone Axe - the extra adrenaline from Versatile Rage means you can immediately Decapitate after this
7. Decapitate
8. Dual Strike
9. Throw Axe
10. Decapitate
11. Whirling Axe - make sure to let the entire attack finish!
12. Decapitate
13. Cyclone Axe
14. Weapon Swap

Greatsword section

1. Arc Divider
2. Outrage during Arc Divider
3. Blood Reckoning
4. Arc Divider
5. Bladetrail
6. Hundred Blades - Make sure the final hit goes through or you may not have enough adrenaline for Arc Divider
7. Arc Divider
8. Weapon Swap

Axe/Axe section

1. Cyclone Axe
2. Decapitate
3. Dual Strike
4. Throw Axe
5. Decapitate
6. Head Butt ⇒ Outrage
7. Decapitate
8. Cyclone Axe
9. Throw Axe
10. Decapitate
11. Whirling Axe
12. Decapitate
13. Cyclone Axe
14. Dual Strike
15. Decapitate
16. Throw Axe
17. Weapon Swap
18. Return to start of Greatsword section

Video example by Linsi

Video example (with wild blow)

Video example (with offhand mace)

Video example (axe only)

General Tips

Axe

• If you have trouble memorising the Axe section, it may be helpful to think of it as a priority list to build adrenaline for your next Decapitate:

1. Head Butt + Outrage
2. Cyclone Axe + Throw Axe
3. Dual Strike + Throw Axe
4. Whirling Axe

• When Blood Reckoning is almost off cooldown, use your remaining axe skills (make sure to be at full adrenaline) and Weapon Swap instead of Decapitate.

Berserk

• All your Rage and Burst skills extend the duration of Berserk, which means it is important to use them as soon as they are available to avoid dropping out of Berserk.
  • This involves using Outrage and Head Butt to maintain damage rather than a stunbreak/CC.
• If you drop out of Berserk, you should already be at full adrenaline when it is next available, so you use Head Butt ⇒ Outrage after entering Berserk instead. This means your second Berserk has a longer duration and is (even) easier to maintain.
• Generally you shouldn't be auto-attacking while Berserk mode is active.

Outside of Berserk

• Ideally you are always in Berserk during DPS phases.
• Stay on Axe when you're not in Berserk, but as Decapitate isn't available you should just use your Axe skills as they come off cooldown.
• Try to complete your Axe auto chains when not in Berserk.
• Do not use your rage skills whilst outside of Berserk.
• Use Berserk as soon as it is available.