Berserkers have been considered to be the most OP perk because of its great survival, this includes fighting in combat without any worries without ammo. If used properly, you can even take on Hell on Earth with this perk. Skills and weapons varies and its entirely up to you what you want. The choices I've made has helped me get everything I needed for objectives such as Dailies, Weekly, and Seasonal. This is very useful on map objectives even on Solo on Short Waves. Map achievements can easily be unlocked using this perk, even on Hell on Earth. Solo is VERY easy on Hell on Earth than with people if you wish to get any of them as I described.

This is to those that are unaware of the true meaning of Berserker. When you reach level 25 Berserker you should be strong enough to handle most situations yourself with or without your team. This is also useful on VS mode, and you can potentially make comebacks which your team will praise you for your effort.

Heres the skills I have chosen that has helped me get this far.

Skirmisher: You move faster and get regeneration. Useful for independent survival. Get Hemoclobber and that can make things even more easier when self healing. You can also use it to easily outrun most zeds, especially scrakes. Although fleshpounds are impossible to outrun. As for bosses, your only threat is Hans Volter, the rest of the boss as of Matriarch boss update is easy to handle alone with Berserker. My advice when dealing with Hans Volter as Berserker, make sure he doesnt kill your team, especially your medic or else you'll likely die.

Dreadnaught is also useful as I have seen some Berserkers win with it. The purpose of this perk is to be a tank for the team, capable of handling scrakes and fleshpounds, but also requires alot of work for medic to heal that teammate due to having alot of health. Medics with buff abilities will make their work easier as well as Berserker's. I havent used it myself but it I've noticed how reliable it was (I never use it because I prefer to play independently, not having to worry about medic so much). Keep noted when using this, you might want to rely on a medic at this point due to lack of running speed and health regen.

Butcher: You attack faster and do more damage. Keep noted this applies ALL perk weapons, assuming that includes any ranged Berserker weapons such as VLAD and Eviscerator. Get that because it can be proven useful on boss fights.

Vampire is also useful if you want to push yourself to be more independent when it comes to healing. Keep noted though, it may become useless on boss fights because its purpose was to heal you 3 points per kill. Only chance you'll ever be healed in a boss fight is by killing backups. You also dont have increase damage so that makes the fight longer.

Resistance: Simple explanation, you have more resistance towards any kind of damage, add another more resistance damage towards poison and sonic damage. Very useful when dealing with bloats and sirens, as well as Abomination and Matriarch's Sonic Warfare.

Parry is proven reliable as well. Although imo, this is more of "greater risk, greater reward" type of ability. You get damage reduction when parrying (and no, you cant block, it MUST be a parry for the ability to happen). In case anyone doesnt know what a parry is, its when you block at a right time when getting attacked. You'll know when you see a green force field, that means you did a parry. You also get increase attack speed and for 5 seconds after parry, you get damage increase. Its useful when dealing with tough enemies like Scrakes and Fleshpounds, as well as bosses that does melee damage (especially a boss like Hans Volter). Keep noted though, there are some zeds that has a ability to go through your parry, you can see with a glowing weapon (such as Scrake's chainsaw or Han's claws), parrying is useless if those start to glow.

Massacre: light attacks with melee damage do more damage, and attacks a bit more faster. This can be useful on any melee weapons. Nothing more to explain other than useful against weaker zeds, having a fast melee weapon such as katana or Ion Thruster would make it more deadly and almost untouchable when spamming light attack against weaker zeds.

Smash is also proven to be somewhat useful on other weapons, as I have seen some people do nasty damage on Scrakes and Fleshpounds with heavy melee weapons. However, with my loadout in this guide, I cant recommend this. Reason so because Hemoclobber is impossible to do hard attacks since using it on enemies will activate the healing ability, losing ammo in the process. You want to use it wisely whenever you truly need it. Most of the time you will be mostly using light attack than hard attack, only using hard attack if needed to heal. Your only chance to use hard attacks with hemoclobber without using up ammo is by not reloading, but thats all you get.

ZED TIME - Spartan: You pretty much have the ability to ignore Zed Time, having to move and attack normally with perk weapons while everyone else slows down. Very reliable in different ways. You can use it to dish out damage on enemies or retreating. On boss fights, you can easily catch up with Patriarch if he starts to run away, as long as Zed Time is activated, you can catch up to him. For any bosses, you can do more damage towards them, or take the opportunity to run away when injured. Very useful for any sorts of strategy.

ZED TIME - Berserker Rage has proven to be useful as well. You get 50% healing and enemies become immobilized. This can work with either Dreadnought or Skirmisher. Dreadnought I can see it being alot more useful due to having a huge chunk of health, the 50% healing will be highly effective. This is perfect if you want to try be more independent on healing since using a hemoclobber alone with 200 health would take alot of work, as well as alot of ammo used up. This also make short work for medics healing you completely. So, you either choose to freely run around and attack in Zed Time or get healed while immobilizing enemy, take your pick.

On the fun note, if you hate Zed Time and find it annoying, you might want to pick Spartan in this case.

With regeneration and speed boost you are good enough to run away from the scrake(s). However, you cant outrun the fleshpounds. BUT, if you block them you will take very less damage and they will calm down. Giving you time to run away while regenerating. Perfect time on blocking will be a parry, reducing damage and causing enemies to sometimes flinch.

The weapons I use for easy win are katana and eviscerator. Katana is extremely useful on trash zeds, including husks. Be warned, as husks can be dangerous, they can shoot fireballs, use flamethrower, or suicide. This can be prevented with some few strong attacks, its risky however. Attacking from the back is more safer and hitting its weakness can easily blow them up (you wont get hurt from the explosion as well). If you wish to confront the husks, do so with caution. If they start running, keep your distance. May never know when they decide to suicide which can kill you instantly. Strong attack and running back usually helps and strong attack can also interrupt their suicide if attacking them properly with a strong attack.

Butcher is useful for more easier to kill trash zeds. This can also be useful if you are fighting bigger zeds like Scrakes and Fleshpounds. Be warned however, it takes skill to fight with just katana and its possible. Scrakes happen to be more dangerous than Fleshpounds because they can keep running and attacking. Just use strong attack and block, run away if you are injured. Be patient, because while you run away you will regenerate. Use syringe after he attempts to attack you (which will miss). Fleshpounds are very easy to take care of. The whole key is to use strong attack and block (maybe regular attack too, but strong are usually more effective). If theres too many, run away. As they come close, block and be prepare to embrace the hits. After they all are calm down, pick em off. Rinse and repeat until they all die. Use syringe and dont mess with them if you are really injured. Wait until you are good enough to fight.

Smash is very useful on Scrakes and Fleshpounds, if you use strong attacks and aim for the head they flinch almost all the time. The slight downside is they dont always flinch, so just hit them once with strong attack and stay back. Do it again and they will flinch again. This also helps interrupt their attack when they attempt to attack you, causing them to stumble.

ZED TIME - Spartan. The best skill in my opinon. Can use to help you whether to take on multiple trash zeds, give damage on Scrakes and Fleshpounds, or to simply run away if you are being overwhelmed and injured. Nothing more to say besides its extremely effective on any situation. This perk will make you move and attack normally while everyone else slows down. While katana is not the strongest weapon comparing to the others. Its speed is enough to kill trash zeds alot easier, and simply clicking repeatedly will help you go through them.

^Everything I said above are ALL from the use of katana.

Resistance Skill is useful on ANY attacks, can take 20% from any damage, in addition to 20% resistance to poison and sonic attacks. This can help in case if you are getting ganged up. This skill is useful with block, especially against Scrakes and Fleshpounds.

Now the eviscerator, what you need to know is it can SHOOT, but can also melee. Headshots are extremely effective against Fleshpounds and Scrakes, easy kill with it. You can also block with the eviscerator. The eviscerator is the most useful weapon when fighting bosses. Melee attacks are useful if the boss is not paying attention to you, and shooting helps whenever you need to keep your distance. Aiming for its weakness is effective as well. If the boss is after you, remember to BLOCK. Blocking can save you the time to not lose alot of damage and not have to regenerate so much, let alone possibly not having to use syringe from a single hit.

Berserkers can make mistakes sometimes, even a pro berserker can make mistakes too. However, if playing with the team. Usually you can handle it yourself alone. But, there are times even the team can mess up and cause you to die, here the following reasons why.

1. Husks are known to be pretty risky to fight up close because not only because their fireballs and flamethrowers, but the power to suicide. On Hell on Earth its guaranteed death if a berserker gets caught in the suicide, especially when using the katana. Husks tend to use it if they are really injured. Using a strong attack can help prevent it, but not guaranteed. Use it with caution. This can elminated however by using eviscerator (whether by shooting or melee, shooting is more safer).

2. Your team died on not even halfway through the wave. Its still possible to win but it can be very pressuring doing it alone unless you know exactly where to go. This all depends how much zeds left you need to take care of. You alone can potentially without ammo, but if you do find any ammo box just take it. EMP grenades are useful against any zeds, even husks to prevent its use of fire attacks or suicide. Can cause Scrakes to walk if they are sprinting (only temporary), though for fleshpound only useful if you are trying to attack, using it on raging fleshpounds are useless.

Note: Be careful when running through narrow areas, can easily get trapped. Stick with open areas so you can get better chance to escape. Do try to keep away from any narrow areas. Unless you have to, then do it but focus on whats ahead of you rather than whats behind until you get out of there. Helps me alot when I need to escape from the zeds, especially if I have to run through narrow areas.

But yeah thats all there you need to know.

Since the new update (sorry for the late response on the guide), I figured to update it and hopefully it'll continue to be in use further. So, I tested it out and I can say that it is possible to do so WITHOUT the upgrades as long as you know your routine on when to kill and when to run. BUT, if you REALLY want to upgrade, that can work too because it'll be much easier for you to defend. You might wonder "Which one? Katana or Eviscerator?". Both are good in their own ways, katana is useful due to being unlimited ammo and kill weaker Zeds easier as you power up. While eviscerator will help you on bigger zeds and even bosses.

It is up to you on what you want to powerup, personally I would upgrade the eviscerator because it should be noted it is also an "emergency weapon" when you are being overwhelmed by many big zeds, while katana only helps you fight your way through quicker. Further note that which means for eviscerator you lose less ammo. However, the eviscerator upgrade is EXPENSIVE. This means you probably wont have enough money to give spares to your team.

Upgrade or not, Berserker is powerful enough to handle on its own as long as you know how to play it properly. Just be careful of a certain zed that can stop you from running away for a second. Katana is still useful against those beings, but eviscerator can work too.

Look at the picture above and select the skills for berserker (level 25), make use of it. I will promise it will help you make comebacks and even will help you on solo mode, this includes having to do Daily or Weekly maps. You will no longer have to beg people in the server to pick the map you want for objective reasons because you can do it yourself. Including Achievements or whatever you need to do. Use this if you really are trying to earn something.

Remember to focus on getting katana and eviscerator, they are very helpful. You will also eventually have MANY dosh to spare in later rounds. You should get them at wave 5-6 as long as you dont die. If you die, just focus on getting katana for self defense reasons and save up for eviscerator.

Headshots is important with eviscerator on any zeds or bosses (shooting their weaknesses works too).

Katana's speed can keep off any trash zeds at bay except for husks (higher difficulty). Just keep clicking the primary attack (left click default) and they'll have a hard time trying to attack you.

Get medic pistol if you want, thats optional because you can use that to heal your teams. Not that you have to, but in case if you feel like helping your team back up. Get to be a mini medic. Considering you are a berserker, thats unnecessary but feel free to buy. You'll have spare room for it.

Also, KEEP RUNNING! You are faster than almost all the zeds and most of the bosses (they are actually faster than you but they mostly miss when they attack, either that or they use range weapons).

Last note, Blocking is IMPORTANT. Parry helps too if you know how to time it right. Use it for your own survival to those that are faster than you and can attack you, otherwise you'll suffer alot of damage. Jumping and blocking will also not only help block enemy attacks but also send you flying further. A chance to run away with less damage taken.

http://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1269513623

This is how your weapon setup should look like (again, medic pistol is optional).

Hope it helps! :)

Main build: Due to playing Skirmisher, its highly advisable to NOT play aggressive on zeds. Know when to retreat, otherwise you'll die without a chance to run away since they can take away your health pretty quick. Health regeneration will save you from poison or fire, as well as improve survival as you run away and continuously keeping your distance. Thanks to your running speed, you should be able to outrun most zeds. Pick each zed out one at a time, dont encounter large zeds unless necessary. Remember to block when dealing with raging Fleshpounds! Shooting weapons are always necessary when dealing with large zeds or bosses. Using melee weapons on bosses is really reckless and never a good idea to do that, grab a shooting weapon. Plenty of weapons that can shoot with Berserker.

Alternate build: When playing Dreadnaught, you are FREE to play aggressive. Be sure to back out when you reach below 100 health though. Berserker's rage gives instant healing, this will get you back in the fight alot faster this way, and freezes some zeds temporary. They will move either until few seconds have past or you or your team attacks them. Still not wise to use melee on bosses, since they can drain your health very quick. Shooting weapons are still safer to use when dealing with bosses. It is okay to use melee weapons on large zeds since you have large amount of health, using shooting weapons also help if you dont want to waste health on them.

On both cases, you should be able to easily get the weapons you need so remember to share dosh with your team. They'll need it more than you eventually.

As Berserker, you want to try hold the line so your fellow teammates can focus on other areas. In other words, less struggle for your team to keep the zeds at bay. Although you may need a medic to keep an eye on you as you deal with them. Your team can also provide cover so you wont get overwhelmed so much. As for large zeds, it also helps serve as a distraction so they cant attack your team and they will focus on you instead. Remember to fight and block.

Due to the update going on, I've been testing out some new weapons to see if theres any that will make you survive more and easier to win. I have discovered more ways to win and wish to pass it around to everyone if you wish to use this loadout. I will explain about them more easier and simpler.

Hemoclobber: It has proven that Hemoclobber is the next best thing comparing to a Katana. While it doesnt hit as fast as the Katana, it certainly DOES have healing effects. Fast hit to attack enemies, it can sometimes poison them at times when constantly swinging. You can also swing at your teammate to heal them, theres no ammo depletion for swinging at your teammate or the enemy. So use it how you like it without worry about ammo. Strong swing releases healing explosion which wastes ammo. It poisons enemies around you and heals your teammate around you as well, including yourself. This is a perfect, most relevant weapon to use whenever you have the Eviscerator, improving your chance of survival even more than ever. Keep noted you can use strong hit on your own teammate for healing, this is also in case if you are critically injured and cant use syringe, a nearby teammate or a weak zed can save your life when using strong hit.

One simple and obvious note, remember to reload. Even I sometimes forget which caused me to not have healing explosions. If you dont reload or dont have any ammo, it will be a regular strong hit.

Hemoclobber is meant to replace with the Katana, it holds the same weight as the Katana so theres no difference aside from it does more damage (status wise) but swings a bit more slow. The healing effects is a big thing that can save you and even your teammates. You are practically both a Medic AND a Berserker when playing as a Berserker! 2 for 1! How crazy is that!? The bad news is its slightly more expensive than Katana. Costs 1200 dosh for Hemoclobber while the Katana costs 850 dosh. But, it wont hurt if you continue to keep swinging with the shovel a little longer.

So in short, Eviscerator + Hemoclobber. You will easily win with them if used well, and can possibly steal Medic's job while you at it.

HMTech-101: Now, I've been doing this before it happened with the update and I dont know if anyone catch the memo so I decide to leave it here so in case if you guys want to try it. HmTech-101 pistol is optional because you will have a spare room upon getting whether a Hemoclobber or Katana. You can always use the spare room for upgrades, or you can buy a medic pistol so if you need range to heal your teammates.

By doing this, you will once again steal the Medic's job even more. With or without upgrades you will still manage to survive so grabbing a Medic Pistol is a plus to help your team survive. Aside from use of healing darts, as a weapon to shoot its really unnecessary. Its optional because you are not a Medic, but a Berserker. If you want to be both, this is your pick.

So in addition, the loadout will be Eviscerator + Hemoclobber/Katana (your choice in this) + HMTech-101 pistol. You'll be both dangerous to Zed and a team player healing your team. You will even get credit from the Trader (even Patriarch) for healing your teammates while NOT a Medic.

Its rather funny but also reliable in a way to win.

Here I will put out the prices for weapons I use so you will be aware of whats coming.

Crovel Survival Tool (Shovel): 200 (its your starting weapon but thought I should leave it there anyways).

Eviscerator: 1500

VLAD-1000 Nailgun: 750 (Get it if you cant get Eviscerator, Endless mode only due to early boss fights).

Frost Fang (DLC): 1300 (Get it if you cant get Eviscerator. Alternate choice, Endless mode only due to early boss fights).

Katana: 850

Hemoclobber: 1200 (Best alternate choice if you need a weapon that helps you stay alive).

With Endless mode being around you might wanna change your strategy on which weapon to get, due to bosses coming around every 5 waves instead of 10 and you dont get much dosh comparing to short waves (wave 4). So heres my strategy on how you can survive.

VLAD-1000/Frost Fang (DLC weapon): These are NOT the permanent weapons you want to keep. But temporary if you dont have enough dosh to buy yourself the eviscerator. Getting a shooter should be a priority to avoid being forced to melee a boss. Having to choose to melee a boss is extremely risky, if you have a good medic on your team then you have a better chance to survive. If you have no medic or bad medic, it'll make things harder for you to get it done.

Eviscerator: You wanna focus getting a shooter. Especially when playing Hell on Earth with 6 teams. Eviscerator always help when early boss fights comes by and you have a chance if you save it. Do not spend on anything and focus entirely on Eviscerator. All you need is a shovel to survive and it'll get you there before the boss fight happens.

Getting the Eviscerator is the FIRST thing you wanna get, its important.

Hemoclobber/Katana Thats the next one you need to get after the Eviscerator when you beat the first boss. When you get them, you are pretty much all set. Unless you want the HMTech-101 pistol, that works too but thats optional. Dont get the Medic pistol first, get Hemoclobber or Katana first.

Keep your Eviscerator and your shovel until you have enough for one of them. Dont sell your shovel for your Eviscerator, you need a melee as well after the boss fight.

This setup is for Endless mode, you can choose how you see fit with other modes.