Here is a comparison of Barbarians and Berserkers.
Would like to read your thoughts about which you find superior overall.
BARBARIAN
Advantages:
- Rolls d12 for HP instead of a Fighter's d10
- Moves 2 points faster than the normal character movement rate
- Immune to backstab
- At Level 11 gains 10% Resistance to Slashing, Piercing, Crushing & Missile Damage
At Level 15 gains 5% more DMG Resistance (Total: 15%)
At Level 19 gains 5% more DMG Resistance (Total: 20%)
[With the HLA 'Hardiness' and the 'Defender of Easthaven Flail',
Total DMG Resistance can reach 80% / Missile 60%]
- Can use Barbarian Rage 1/day for every 4 levels (Levels 1, 5, 9, 13, ...)
Rage lasts for 30 seconds
Rage gives +4 to STR & CON
Rage gives +2 to Saves vs Spells
Rage gives immunity to "ALL" Charm, Confusion, Fear, Hold, Maze, Stun, & Sleep
Rage gives Negative Plane Protection (Immunity to Level Drain)
Unlike Berserker Enrage, Barbarian Rage does NOT make the Barbarian winded, with associated penalties
Rage gives a -2 AC PENALTY
Disadvantages:
- Can not wear Full-Plate & Plate Armors
- Can become no more than Specialized (**) in any Weapon Proficiency
- Can not Dual-Class
Further Comparisons:
- Can become no more than Specialized (**) in Ranged Weapon Proficiencies
(Long bow, Short Bow, Crossbow, Sling, Dart)
BERSERKER
Advantages:
- Can use Enrage 1/day for every 4 levels (Levels 1, 5, 9, 13, ...)
Enrage lasts for 60 seconds
Enrage gives +2 to Hit, +2 DMG, & -2 AC
Enrage gives immunity to Charm, Confusion, Fear, FEEBLEMIND, Hold, IMPRISONMENT, Maze, Stun, & Sleep
Enrage gives Negative Plane Protection (Immunity to Level Drain)
Enrage gives +15 HP (Removed when Enrage ends, possibly killing the Berserker)
Disadvantages:
- Becomes winded (30 seconds) after Enrage.
While winded, receives -2 to Hit, -2 to DMG & a +2 PENALTY to AC
- Can become no more than Proficient (*) in Ranged Weapon Proficiencies
(Long bow, Short Bow, Crossbow, Sling, Dart)
Further Comparisons:
- Can wear Full-Plate & Plate Armors
- Can achieve Grand Mastery (*****) in Melee Weapon Proficiencies
- Can achieve Grand Mastery (*****) in Melee Throwing Weapon Proficiencies (Axe, Hammer, Dagger)
- Can Dual-Class
- [With the HLA 'Hardiness' and the 'Defender of Easthaven' Flail,
Total DMG Resistance can reach 60% / Missile 40%]
N.B. The 'Defender of Easthaven' is a +3 THAC0 weapon [Also +1 AC Bonus] / [No Missile DMG Resistance Bonus]
Leather Armor with good AC (SoA): Armor of the Viper +5 (AC 2) / Shadow Dragon Scale (AC 1)
Chain Mail with good AC (ToB): Aslyferund Elven Chain +5 (AC 0) / White Dragon Scale (AC -2)
Would like to read your thoughts about which you find superior overall.
BARBARIAN
Advantages:
- Rolls d12 for HP instead of a Fighter's d10
- Moves 2 points faster than the normal character movement rate
- Immune to backstab
- At Level 11 gains 10% Resistance to Slashing, Piercing, Crushing & Missile Damage
At Level 15 gains 5% more DMG Resistance (Total: 15%)
At Level 19 gains 5% more DMG Resistance (Total: 20%)
[With the HLA 'Hardiness' and the 'Defender of Easthaven Flail',
Total DMG Resistance can reach 80% / Missile 60%]
- Can use Barbarian Rage 1/day for every 4 levels (Levels 1, 5, 9, 13, ...)
Rage lasts for 30 seconds
Rage gives +4 to STR & CON
Rage gives +2 to Saves vs Spells
Rage gives immunity to "ALL" Charm, Confusion, Fear, Hold, Maze, Stun, & Sleep
Rage gives Negative Plane Protection (Immunity to Level Drain)
Unlike Berserker Enrage, Barbarian Rage does NOT make the Barbarian winded, with associated penalties
Rage gives a -2 AC PENALTY
Disadvantages:
- Can not wear Full-Plate & Plate Armors
- Can become no more than Specialized (**) in any Weapon Proficiency
- Can not Dual-Class
Further Comparisons:
- Can become no more than Specialized (**) in Ranged Weapon Proficiencies
(Long bow, Short Bow, Crossbow, Sling, Dart)
BERSERKER
Advantages:
- Can use Enrage 1/day for every 4 levels (Levels 1, 5, 9, 13, ...)
Enrage lasts for 60 seconds
Enrage gives +2 to Hit, +2 DMG, & -2 AC
Enrage gives immunity to Charm, Confusion, Fear, FEEBLEMIND, Hold, IMPRISONMENT, Maze, Stun, & Sleep
Enrage gives Negative Plane Protection (Immunity to Level Drain)
Enrage gives +15 HP (Removed when Enrage ends, possibly killing the Berserker)
Disadvantages:
- Becomes winded (30 seconds) after Enrage.
While winded, receives -2 to Hit, -2 to DMG & a +2 PENALTY to AC
- Can become no more than Proficient (*) in Ranged Weapon Proficiencies
(Long bow, Short Bow, Crossbow, Sling, Dart)
Further Comparisons:
- Can wear Full-Plate & Plate Armors
- Can achieve Grand Mastery (*****) in Melee Weapon Proficiencies
- Can achieve Grand Mastery (*****) in Melee Throwing Weapon Proficiencies (Axe, Hammer, Dagger)
- Can Dual-Class
- [With the HLA 'Hardiness' and the 'Defender of Easthaven' Flail,
Total DMG Resistance can reach 60% / Missile 40%]
N.B. The 'Defender of Easthaven' is a +3 THAC0 weapon [Also +1 AC Bonus] / [No Missile DMG Resistance Bonus]
Leather Armor with good AC (SoA): Armor of the Viper +5 (AC 2) / Shadow Dragon Scale (AC 1)
Chain Mail with good AC (ToB): Aslyferund Elven Chain +5 (AC 0) / White Dragon Scale (AC -2)