D&D Build GuideHow to Build a Berserker

What Makes a Berserker

A berserker trades caution for damage. They run at the biggest thing in the room and hit it until it stops moving. In D&D 2024 that is the barbarian's home ground:

• RageRageLevel 1 featureYou can imbue yourself with a primal power called Rage, a force that grants you extraordinary might and resilience. You can enter it as a Bonus Action if you aren't wearing Heavy armor. adds damage to every Strength attack and gives Resistance to Bludgeoning, Piercing and Slashing damage.
• Reckless AttackReckless AttackLevel 2 featureYou can throw aside all concern for defense to attack with increased ferocity. When you make your first attack roll on your turn, you can decide to attack recklessly. gives you Advantage on your Strength attacks, at the cost of giving enemies Advantage against you until your next turn.
• A heavy two-handed weapon with a weapon mastery that adds damage or knocks the target down.

Rage is what makes the trade work. Enemies hit you more often, but each hit does half damage, and a d12 hit die gives you the Hit Points to absorb it.

This guide uses the 2024 rules. Ability score increases come from your background, so any species can play any berserker.

Best Classes for a Berserker

Barbarian

Rage, Reckless AttackReckless AttackLevel 2 featureYou can throw aside all concern for defense to attack with increased ferocity. When you make your first attack roll on your turn, you can decide to attack recklessly. and Brutal StrikeBrutal StrikeLevel 9 featureIf you use Reckless Attack, you can forgo any Advantage on one Strength-based attack roll of your choice on your turn. The chosen attack roll mustn't have Disadvantage. at level 9. The Path of the Berserker's FrenzyFrenzyLevel 3 featureIf you use Reckless Attack while your Rage is active, you deal extra damage to the first target you hit on your turn with a Strength-based attack. To determine the extra damage, roll a number of d6s equal to your Rage Damage bonus, and add them together. adds a pile of d6s to your first hit each turn while you rage recklessly.

Legendary

Fighter

No Rage, but Great Weapon FightingGreat Weapon FightingFighting Style featWhen you roll damage for an attack you make with a Melee weapon that you are holding with two hands, you can treat any 1 or 2 on a damage die as a 3. The weapon must have the Two-Handed or Versatile property to gain this benefit., Action SurgeAction SurgeLevel 2 featureYou can push yourself beyond your normal limits for a moment. On your turn, you can take one additional action, except the Magic action. Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a Short or Long Rest. and more attacks than anyone. The berserker for players who would rather keep their armor on.

Epic

Paladin

Divine SmiteDivine Smite1st-level EvocationCastingBonus ActionRangeSelfDurationInstantaneousDamage2d8 RadiantThe target takes an extra 2d8 Radiant damage from the attack. The damage increases by 1d8 if the target is a Fiend or an Undead. turns one hit into a huge one, and heavy armor means you can afford to charge. A holy berserker rather than a wild one.

Epic

Monk

Plenty of attacks, but lighter hits and little armor. Fast and furious, not a heavy hitter.

Uncommon

Rogue

One big hit a turn from Sneak AttackSneak AttackLevel 1 featureYou know how to strike subtly and exploit a foe's distraction. Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack roll if you have Advantage on the roll and the attack uses a Finesse or a Ranged weapon., but a rogue who charges into the middle of the fight does not survive long.

Common

Best Barbarian Paths

• Path of the Berserker (legendary). FrenzyFrenzyLevel 3 featureIf you use Reckless Attack while your Rage is active, you deal extra damage to the first target you hit on your turn with a Strength-based attack. To determine the extra damage, roll a number of d6s equal to your Rage Damage bonus, and add them together. is the most damage any path adds, Mindless RageMindless RageLevel 6 featureYou have Immunity to the Charmed and Frightened conditions while your Rage is active. If you're Charmed or Frightened when you enter your Rage, the condition ends on you. at level 6 makes you immune to Charmed and Frightened while raging, and RetaliationRetaliationLevel 10 featureWhen you take damage from a creature that is within 5 feet of you, you can take a Reaction to make one melee attack against that creature, using a weapon or an Unarmed Strike. at 10 hits back when you are hit. In 2024 Frenzy no longer costs you Exhaustion.
• Path of the Zealot (epic, Player's Handbook). Divine Fury adds radiant or necrotic damage to your first hit each turn, and Warrior of the Gods gives you a pool of self-healing.
• Path of the Wild Heart (rare, Player's Handbook). The Bear option resists nearly every damage type while raging. Built to last rather than to hit.
• Path of the World Tree (rare, Player's Handbook). Temporary Hit Points for the party and the power to pull enemies to you. More tank than berserker.

Best Species for a Berserker

Orc

Relentless Endurance keeps you standing once per Long Rest when you should drop, and Adrenaline Rush closes the gap with Temporary Hit Points.

Legendary

Goliath

Large Form at level 5 gives Advantage on Strength checks and extra Speed. Fire Giant adds damage on hits, Hill Giant knocks enemies Prone, Stone Giant soaks a hit.

Legendary

Human

Versatile adds an Origin feat: Savage AttackerSavage AttackerOrigin featYou've trained to deal particularly damaging strikes. Once per turn when you hit a target with a weapon, you can roll the weapon's damage dice twice and use either roll against the target. or Tough. Resourceful gives you Heroic Inspiration for the hit that has to land.

Epic

Dwarf

An extra Hit Point every level on the class that already has the most, and poison Resistance on top of Rage.

Epic

Dragonborn

The Breath Weapon replaces one attack for an area blast, and Draconic Flight at level 5 lets you charge over obstacles.

Rare

Feats, Weapons and Masteries

Weapons and masteries. Barbarians get two weapon masteries at level 1 and more as they level.

• Greataxe (Cleave): hit a second enemy next to the first once per turn. The classic berserker weapon.
• Greatsword (Graze): a miss still deals damage equal to your Strength modifier. Great with Reckless Attack's coin flips.
• Maul (Topple): the target makes a Constitution save or falls Prone, giving melee attackers Advantage against it.
• Handaxe (Vex): a thrown backup for flyers and archers.

Origin feats. Savage AttackerSavage AttackerOrigin featYou've trained to deal particularly damaging strikes. Once per turn when you hit a target with a weapon, you can roll the weapon's damage dice twice and use either roll against the target. (from the Soldier background) rolls your weapon damage twice once per turn and keeps the better roll. Tough (Player's Handbook) adds two Hit Points per level.

Level 4 and up.

• Great Weapon Master (Player's Handbook): extra damage equal to your Proficiency Bonus on heavy weapon hits, and a Bonus Action attack after a critical hit or a kill. In 2024 it no longer costs accuracy.
• Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score ImprovementGeneral featIncrease one ability score of your choice by 2, or increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. This feat can't increase an ability score above 20.: Strength to 20 first if you have no better feat.
• GrapplerGrapplerGeneral featIncrease your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a maximum of 20.: punch and grab in one hit, then attack the creature you hold with Advantage.
• Polearm Master and Sentinel (Player's Handbook) give you more Opportunity Attacks to rage through.

Barbarians do not get a fighting style, so Great Weapon FightingGreat Weapon FightingFighting Style featWhen you roll damage for an attack you make with a Melee weapon that you are holding with two hands, you can treat any 1 or 2 on a damage die as a 3. The weapon must have the Two-Handed or Versatile property to gain this benefit. needs the Fighting Initiate feat (Player's Handbook). A fighter gets it for free.

Three Berserker Builds

BerserkerThe Red Mist

Species

Orc

Class

Barbarian (Path of the Berserker)

Background

Soldier (Savage AttackerSavage AttackerOrigin featYou've trained to deal particularly damaging strikes. Once per turn when you hit a target with a weapon, you can roll the weapon's damage dice twice and use either roll against the target.)

Masteries

Greataxe (Cleave), Handaxe (Vex)

17STR

13DEX

15CON

8INT

12WIS

10CHA

Rage, swing recklessly, add FrenzyFrenzyLevel 3 featureIf you use Reckless Attack while your Rage is active, you deal extra damage to the first target you hit on your turn with a Strength-based attack. To determine the extra damage, roll a number of d6s equal to your Rage Damage bonus, and add them together. to the first hit and Cleave into the next enemy. Relentless Endurance and Relentless RageRelentless RageLevel 11 featureYour Rage can keep you fighting despite grievous wounds. If you drop to 0 Hit Points while your Rage is active and don't die outright, you can make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. If you succeed, your Hit Points instead change to a number equal to twice your Barbarian level. at 11 keep you swinging when you should be down.

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ControlThe Hill Breaker

Species

Human (Tough)

Class

Barbarian (Path of the Berserker)

Background

Soldier (Savage AttackerSavage AttackerOrigin featYou've trained to deal particularly damaging strikes. Once per turn when you hit a target with a weapon, you can roll the weapon's damage dice twice and use either roll against the target.)

Masteries

Maul (Topple), Greatsword (Graze)

17STR

14DEX

14CON

8INT

12WIS

10CHA

Topple with the maul so the whole party swings with Advantage, then let Intimidating PresenceIntimidating PresenceLevel 14 featureAs a Bonus Action, you can strike terror into others with your menacing presence and primal power. When you do so, each creature of your choice in a 30-foot Emanation originating from you must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 plus your Strength modifier and Proficiency Bonus). at 14 send the rest running. Tough means the extra hits you invite barely dent you.

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FighterThe Ember Blade

Species

Dragonborn (Red)

Class

Fighter (Champion)

Background

Soldier (Savage AttackerSavage AttackerOrigin featYou've trained to deal particularly damaging strikes. Once per turn when you hit a target with a weapon, you can roll the weapon's damage dice twice and use either roll against the target.)

Style

Great Weapon FightingGreat Weapon FightingFighting Style featWhen you roll damage for an attack you make with a Melee weapon that you are holding with two hands, you can treat any 1 or 2 on a damage die as a 3. The weapon must have the Two-Handed or Versatile property to gain this benefit.

17STR

10DEX

15CON

8INT

13WIS

12CHA

Heavy armor, a greatsword and Great Weapon Fighting. Improved CriticalImproved CriticalLevel 3 featureYour attack rolls with weapons and Unarmed Strikes can score a Critical Hit on a roll of 19 or 20 on the d20. makes every 19 a critical hit, Action SurgeAction SurgeLevel 2 featureYou can push yourself beyond your normal limits for a moment. On your turn, you can take one additional action, except the Magic action. Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a Short or Long Rest. doubles your turn, and the Breath Weapon clears the crowd that surrounds you.

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Playing a Berserker at the Table

• Rage early. RageRageLevel 1 featureYou can imbue yourself with a primal power called Rage, a force that grants you extraordinary might and resilience. You can enter it as a Bonus Action if you aren't wearing Heavy armor. is a Bonus Action, and it ends early if you go a turn without attacking, forcing a save or spending a Bonus Action to extend it. Start it on turn one and keep hitting.
• Be reckless on purpose. Reckless AttackReckless AttackLevel 2 featureYou can throw aside all concern for defense to attack with increased ferocity. When you make your first attack roll on your turn, you can decide to attack recklessly. is worth it when you are raging and the enemy hits with weapons. Skip it against a crowd of archers or a monster that hits like a cart.
• Pick the right target. Charge the spellcaster or the leader, not the nearest goblin. Ask the DM which one looks in charge.
• Remember you cannot cast. No spells and no Concentration while raging. If a feat or species gives you a spell, use it before you rage, and know that raging ends your own Concentration.

Keep reading

Barbarian Guide: Build, Feats and RatingsD&D 2024 Class Guide

Orc Guide: Traits, Classes and BuildsD&D 2024 Species Guide

Goliath Guide: Giant Ancestries, Classes and BuildsD&D 2024 Species Guide

How to Build a TankD&D Build Guide