The Berserker is the melee-focused class in Phoenix Point, built for close-quarters combat and brute force engagements. With proficiency in melee weapons and handguns, Berserkers excel in charging into battle, removing enemy armor, and resisting mind control effects. However, their reliance on positioning and limited survivability make them a high-risk, high-reward class. This guide will break down their abilities, stat allocation, best equipment, and playstyle to maximize their effectiveness.

---

Core Proficiency & Playstyle

The Berserker specializes in close-quarters combat and excels at breaking enemy defenses. Their unique strengths include:

• Melee Weapons: High burst damage at close range.
• Handguns: Secondary ranged option for flexibility.
• Armor Shredding: The ability to strip enemy armor for teammates.
• Resisting Panic & Mind Control: Immune to mental debuffs.

Berserkers work best when combined with other classes, but even on their own, they can be devastating if used properly.

---

Berserker Class Abilities Breakdown

Armor Break ★★☆☆☆ (Situationally Not Good)

• Removes 50 armor from the target before dealing damage.
• Costs 4 Willpower but no Action Points.
• Why it’s not great: Strong multi-class builds can kill enemies outright without needing to strip armor first.
• Verdict: Useful for supporting teammates, but less essential in direct combat.

---

Close Quarters Avoidance ★☆☆☆☆ (Avoidable)

• Reduces incoming damage by 25% at close range.
• Passive ability, always active.
• Why it’s not great: A 25% reduction isn’t enough to make a Berserker survive heavy fire. They will still get shredded if caught in the open.
• Verdict: If your Berserker is taking damage, they’re already in trouble. Not worth relying on.

---

Bloodlust ★☆☆☆☆ (Avoidable)

• Increases damage and speed the lower your health is.
• Passive ability, always active.
• Why it’s not great: Running at low health is too risky. One mistake and your Berserker is dead.
• Verdict: The risk outweighs the reward. Healing is more important than damage boosts at low HP.

---

Pain Chameleon ★★★☆☆ (Situationally Good)

• Disables panic and mind control effects.
• Wounded body parts remain functional.
• Best for: Countering Sirens and other mental attacks.
• Verdict: Great when facing mind control-heavy enemies, but situational.

---

Adrenaline Rush ★★★★★ (Must-Have)

• Reduces all abilities to 1 Action Point for the turn.
• Disables all abilities that require Willpower for that turn.
• Best for: Maximizing damage output with melee attacks or heavy weapons.
• Verdict: This is what makes Berserker multi-class builds so powerful. Absolutely essential.

💡 Tip: Activate Armor Break first, then use Adrenaline Rush to deal massive damage in a single turn.

---

Stat Prioritization: How to Build an Optimal Berserker

1. Speed (Highest Priority)

• Essential for positioning and closing gaps to engage in melee.
• Allows quick repositioning before using Adrenaline Rush.
• Verdict: Max this first for best effectiveness.

2. Strength (Second Priority)

• Increases HP and carrying capacity.
• More health means better survivability in melee engagements.
• Verdict: Needed if running full melee builds, but not the top priority.

3. Willpower (Lowest Priority)

• Not as critical since Adrenaline Rush disables Willpower-based abilities.
• Minimum of 9 recommended for Armor Break and utility abilities.
• Verdict: Keep it low unless running a Willpower-heavy build.

💡 Optimal Distribution: Max Speed first, then invest in Strength, keeping Willpower at a minimum.

---

Best Equipment for Berserkers

Weapons

Melee Weapons:

1. Marduk’s Fist (Anu Mace) – Best raw damage melee weapon.
2. Ancient Blade – Extremely powerful late-game melee weapon.
3. Vibroblade – Good balance between damage and speed.

💡 Tip: Berserkers thrive on melee combat. Use Adrenaline Rush to land multiple melee attacks per turn.

Handguns:

• Backup weapon when melee isn’t viable.
• Best Picks: New Jericho Handgun (high damage) or Synedrion Laser Pistol (accurate and fast).

---

Armor Recommendations

Since Berserkers come from Disciples of Anu, they often arrive with mutated body parts, which affect armor choices.

1. Berserker Armor Set (Anu) – High mobility, designed for melee.
2. Heavy Armor Helmet (New Jericho) – Increased protection for frontline engagements.
3. Anu Mutations (Randomized) – Some can boost melee effectiveness or survivability.

💡 Best Pick: Anu Legs for mobility + Heavy Armor Helmet for protection.

---

How to Use a Berserker Effectively

• Use Speed to engage quickly. Melee units need to close the gap before striking.
• Activate Armor Break before Adrenaline Rush. Maximize damage output by reducing enemy defenses first.
• Don’t rely on Close Quarters Avoidance or Bloodlust. These abilities don’t provide enough survivability to justify risky play.
• Multi-classing makes Berserkers stronger. Pairing with Heavy, Assault, or Sniper classes improves damage potential.

---

Final Thoughts: Why the Berserker is a High-Risk, High-Reward Class

The Berserker is a unique class that thrives on aggressive melee combat and powerful class combinations. While its base form has limitations, proper multi-classing and ability usage can turn it into a devastating force.

• Must-Have Abilities: Adrenaline Rush & Armor Break.
• Best Weapon: Melee weapons for high damage output.
• Best Stats: Max Speed first, then Strength.

If played effectively, a Berserker can eliminate multiple enemies in a single turn before retreating to safety. However, improper positioning can lead to quick deaths, making strategic movement a key skill for this class.