The core idea behind this build is the following: berserkers are the most effective when they are on frenzy, since it gives 100% critical chance. Therefore IMO dexterity is the most useless stat for a berserker, since critical chance can be ensured by being on frenzy almost always. Dexterity gives dodge chance too, but it is a more reliable survival strategy to depend on high armor.

More specifically, the aim is to have the highest possible DPS. To get it, you need

• high weapon damage bonus and critical damage bonus (-> strength)
  
• high execute chance (-> focus), since since the highest-damage hits are execute-critical hits
  
• frenzy state is essential. To be on frenzy most of the time, you need a good charge rate (to get on frenzy quickly), and you need to stay on frenzy as long as you can (you achieve it with the Frenzy Mastery passive)
  
• the defense is the combination of high armor (high vitality), high HP (vitality + gems + item bonuses) and good life stealing (Blood Hunger passive)

I've always played this build with the Merged Mega Mod. You don't necessarily need it with every components, but at least the Toy Collector mod is necessary, since the build heavily relies on Attribute Boosts, and you can get those simply by using the Toy Collector mapworks.

As I've mentioned in the previous section, you will need a good number of attribute boosts for this build (or at least thats how I play it). At lvl100 you have to reach at least the followings:

• Strength: 450 at least (I have 500+)
  
• Dexterity: 0, preferably
  
• Focus: 290 (or something similar, maybe less, depending on your items - just keep your Execute chance at nearly 100%)
  
• Vitality: 450 at least (I have 500+)

Maybe less strength and less vitality works too, I don't know. You will have to add 2 nice attribute boosts to every item in the Mapworks.

This one is a Ravage-based build, I mostly spam that spell, also Chain Snare. The essential passives are Blood Hunger, Executioner, Frenzy Mastery and Shred Armor.

• Wolfstrike: 15 (mostly useful during leveling, you may put it lower later)
  
• Ravage: 15
  
• Blood Hunger: 15
  
• Executioner: 15
  
• Rampage: 15

• Stormclaw: 1
  
• Cold Steel Mastery: 1 (only if you have a weapon with ice dmg - otherwise rage retaliation is better)

• Shadow Burst: 15 (mostly useful during leveling)
  
• Chain Snare: 10
  
• Frenzy Mastery: 15
  
• Shred Armor: 15

Notes: it is useful to have a mod installed which lets you reskill from scratch. I didn't have Chain Snare during leveling, I used Ice Shield(5) and Permafrost(5) instead. Maybe it is better when your character is relatively weak.


I use the followings:

• Treasure Hunter
  
• Haste (needed for AS)
  
• Elemental Protection (Armor Expertise is be good too)
  
• Dual Wielding (Weapon Expertise is good too)

The pet spells aren't really important. I personally turned my pet into a Summoner, but doesn't seem to make a serious difference:

• summon zombies
  
• summon skeleton
  
• summon skeleton archers
  
• heal all

This build is definitely dual-wielding (with a 2-handed weapon, having high focus for execute chance doesn't make sense).

A disadvantage of this build is that you cannot really use claws with it, since strong claws usually have high dexterity requirement. Well, personally, for me it isn't a problem, since I don't like the look of claws :)

So you should look for swords and axes, preferably with only strength requirement. Maces won't make it, since they are slow in attack speed. The good weapon builds provide

• high damage
  
• high attack speed (not easy to get that from swords and axes)
  
• high critical chance
  
• mana stealing (you need a good gem for it)
  
• life stealing (as long as you don't have high-enough Blood Hunger you get it with a weapon gem)

Overview: keep the Stormclaw and Haste buffs always on. You can handle ranged mobs by rushing into melee range with Shadow Burst and Wolfstrike. Armored melee opponents can be taken down using Shadow Burst (shieldbreaker) or Ravage. And never be afraid of rushing into the middle and dealing damage. As soon as you stop hitting your enemies, Shred Armor goes down and you become very vulnerable. So you should play in an aggressive style (as it is the case for most berserker guides).

At lower levels you will be in a bit of trouble, since you won't be able to reach frenzy state as soon as it is needed. So during leveling you will use Shadow Burst a lot to restore your HP. Wolfstrike is necessary too (its stunning effect will save you from a lot of damage).

At lvl100 when you are confident enough, shadow burst and wolfstrike will become less relevant. You can depend on Chain Snare + Ravage combos to kill everybody around you. Vital + Blood Hunger + high AS together will ensure that you stay alive. The only thing that will kill you is playing too passively :)