Frenzied Berserker
Description
The random madness of the thunderstorm and the unpredictability of the slaadi come together in the soul of the frenzied berserker. Unlike most other characters, she does not fight to achieve some heroic goal or defeat a loathsome villain. Those are mere excuses–it is the thrill of combat that draws her. For the frenzied barbarian, the insanity of battle is much like an addictive drug–she must constantly seek out more conflict to feed her craving for battle.
Along the wild borderlands and in the evil kingdoms of the world, frenzied berserkers often lead warbands that include a variety of character types–and even other frenzied berserkers. Some such groups turn to banditry and brigandage; others serve as specialized mercenaries. Whatever their origin, such warbands naturally gravitate toward situations of instability and conflict, because wars and civil strife are their bread and butter. Indeed, the coming of a frenzied berserker is the most obvious herald of troubled times.
The frenzied berserker’s path is unsuited for most adventurers–a fact for which the peace-lovers of the world can be thankful. Because of their traditional love for battle, orc and half-orc barbarians are the ones who most frequently adopt this prestige class, though human and dwarf barbarians also find it appealing. It might seem that elves would be good candidates because of their chaotic nature, but the elven aesthetic and love of grace are at odds with the frenzied berserker’s devaluation of the self. Spellcasting characters and monks almost never become frenzied berserkers.
Frenzied berserkers often lead tribal warbands or raiders made up of fighters, barbarians, or other martial characters. Some fall in with humanoid and even giantish tribes, but not all frenzied berserkers turn their chaotic strength to evil. A few have found homes in small villages or in rural areas, acting as members of the settlement’s defenses. Most people give even such well-intentioned frenzied berserkers a wide berth, however, and they often find themselves wandering as loners in the wilderness.
Requirements
Base Attack Bonus: +6
Alignment: Any non-lawful
Feats: Cleave, Great Cleave, Power Attack
Class Features
Hit Die: d12
Base Attack Bonus: High
High Saves: Fortitude
Weapon Proficiencies: none
Armor Proficiencies: none
Skill Points: 2 + Int modifier
Class Skills: Athletics, Intimidate, Parry, Ride, Survival
BGTSCC Features
This class has been changed from the base game to include these new features:
- Frenzy is now instant.
Class Progression
| Level | Features Gained |
|---|---|
| 1 | Frenzy x1, Toughness |
| 2 | Supreme Cleave |
| 3 | Frenzy x2 |
| 4 | Deathless Frenzy |
| 5 | Frenzy x3, Enhanced Power Attack |
| 6 | Inspire Frenzy x1 |
| 7 | Frenzy x4 |
| 8 | Inspire Frenzy x2, Greater Frenzy |
| 9 | Frenzy x5 |
| 10 | Inspire Frenzy x3, Supreme Power Attack |
Toughness
At 1st-level the Frenzied Berserker gains Toughness as a bonus feat.
Frenzy
A 1st-level Frenzied Berserker gains the ability to frenzy. Frenzy adds a +6 bonus to Strength (no Constitution bonus), imposes a -4 penalty to AC, and gives the Frenzied Berserker a single extra attack at their highest Base Attack Bonus (this does not stack with haste or other effects that add an additional attack). Each round of the frenzy, the frenzied berserker takes 6 points of damage (12 in the unpatched game). The effects last 3 + Constitution modifier rounds (Extend Rage feat extends the duration by 5 rounds), after which the frenzied berserker is fatigued for 5 rounds, suffering -2 Strength, -2 Dexterity, and -10% movement penalties. Initially, this ability can be used once per day and at 3rd level and every odd level after that, the frenzied berserker gains an additional use per day. Bonuses and penalties (including fatigue effects) from Frenzy and Barbarian Rage stack with each other. Frenzy bonuses do not stack with any strength enhancements from items or other buffs.
Frenzy can be instantly activated.
Supreme Cleave
At 2nd level, whenever the Frenzied Berserker drops an opponent in melee, they gain two cleave attacks against an adjacent foe instead of one.
BUG NOTE: The NWN2 engine improperly handles the cleave featline in ways that often prevent it from triggering correctly or even at all within combat.
Deathless Frenzy
At 4th level, when the Frenzied Berserker is under the effects of Frenzy, he/she has the effects of the 4th level Cleric spell Death Ward. For the duration of the Frenzy, the Frenzied Berserker is immune to any Energy Drain, Negative Energy Damage, Death Spells, Spell-like Abilities, and Effects. This bonus is in addition to all benefits and penalties granted by Frenzy itself.
Enhanced Power Attack
At 5th level, the Frenzied Berserker gains 1.5x damage bonus using the Power Attack feat. This translates to +18 dmg with two-handed weapons for a +6 Power Attack.
Inspire Frenzy
At 6th level, the Frenzied Berserker can inspire a Frenzy in all his/her allies. This ability only affects the Berserker's allies. Inspire Frenzy grants a bonus identical to the Frenzied Berserker's Frenzy except that it lasts for 2 rounds (instead of 3 + Constitution Modifier rounds), applies Fatigue penalties for 2 rounds afterwards (instead of 5 rounds), and that the bonuses from Inspire Frenzy and Barbarian Rage do not stack (penalties still accrue). The Frenzied Berserker can use this ability once per day at 6th level, twice per day at 8th level, and three times per day at 10th level.
Greater Frenzy
At 8th level, the Frenzied Berserker gains a +10 bonus to Strength while under Frenzy instead of a +6. The Frenzied Berserker retains the additional extra attack at highest attack bonus as well as the -4 penalty to AC. The Berserker continues to take 6 damage per round of Frenzy (12 in unpatched game), and is still fatigued for 5 rounds afterwards (-2 Strength, -2 Dexterity, -10% Movement Speed). The effects of Greater Frenzy stack with all effects of Barbarian Rage (including Fatigue), though there is a +12 cap on bonuses to Ability Scores.
Note: the NWN2 class description wrongly states this ability is acquired at 7th level.
Supreme Power Attack
A 10th level, the Frenzied Berserker gains a 2x damage bonus using the Power Attack feat. This translates to +24 dmg with two-handed weapons for the +6 Power Attack option (for example). This replaces the bonus granted by Enhanced Power Attack.
Gameplay Notes
As of the 3-13-2019 update ability immunity was removed from Death Ward, Mass Death Ward and Deathless Frenzy rage.