Wrath of the Berserker

Wrath of the Berserker is a Situational Barbarian skill unlocked at Level 29, transforming the Barbarian giant, hulking beast for a short period. While in this state, the Barbarian gains massive bonuses to both damage dealing and defensive stats.

Background

Wrath of the Berserker in action

The Barbarian hulks out and unleashes his fury, raining havoc and destruction upon his foes.

Skill Effects

The following is a very quick list. See the Wrath of the Berserker rune effects page for a more thorough summary of rune effects, or any of the individual rune pages for numbers, screenshots, blue quotes, and much more.

Icon	Skill	Description

<skill class="Barbarian">Wrath of the Berserker</skill></noinclude>

Slaughter

[e] Killing an enemy while Wrath of the Berserker is active causes them to explode dealing 450% weapon damage to all enemies within 15 yards.

Insanity

[e] While active your damage is also increased by 75%.

Thrive on Chaos

[e] Every 9 Fury gained while Wrath of the Berserker is active adds 1 second to the duration of the effect.

Arreat's Wail

[e] Activating Wrath of the Berserker knocks back all enemies within 12 yards and deals 550% weapon damage to them.

Mountainous Form

[e] Increase the bonus dodge chance granted to 60%.

Note: Information is based on a level 60 character and rank 7 runestones.

Skill Design

This skill turns the Barbarian into a furious killing machine with bonuses to physical damage-dealing stats, and it also adds defensive bonuses as well. It provides a way of disposing tough monsters quickly, such as bosses or minibosses. One could argue that this skill is a very good demonstration of the design philosophy of the Berserker skill tree, where there is no such thing as too much power.

Synergies

Base Skill

The following Barbarian passive provides a benefit to Wrath of the Berserker, runed or not:

• Boon of Bul-Kathos - Reduces the skill's cooldown always.

Slaughter

The following Barbarian passives provide a benefit to Slaughter:

• Bloodthirst - The Barbarian gains life based on the amount of damage he deals always.
• Weapons Master - Provides a damage bonus when the Barbarian is wielding a sword or dagger.
• Berserker Rage - Inflicts additional damage while the Barbarian is at maximum Fury.
• Brawler - Increases the Barbarian's damage when he is swarmed.

Arreat's Wail

The following Barbarian passives provide a benefit to Arreat's Wail:

• Bloodthirst - The Barbarian gains life based on the amount of damage he deals always.
• Weapons Master - Provides a damage bonus when the Barbarian is wielding a sword or dagger.
• Berserker Rage - Inflicts additional damage while the Barbarian is at maximum Fury.
• Brawler - Increases the Barbarian's damage when he is swarmed.

Development

Wrath of the Berserker first appeared in the BlizzCon 2009 demo at Tier VI in the Berserker Skill Tree, and stuck around for BlizzCon 2010 as a Tier 7 skill. Unfortunately, in both demos Barbarians didn't have a high enough level to select it.

Skill tiers were removed for the July 2011 Press Event, and Wrath of the Berserker became a level 29 skill. It was, however, demonstrated at the event. Kutako.com mentioned it in their hands-on report:[1]

We see the Barbarian's Wrath of the Berserker, a special ability that transforms him or her into a dark giant beast capable of slicing through Diablo's minion hordes.

Media

Wrath of the Berserker can be seen in action on video here:

• Video: August 2011 Barbarian Skill Animations

You can find pictures in the Diablo III screenshot and picture gallery:

• Diablo III screenshots and pictures
• Wrath of the Berserker specific gallery contents

References

• BlizzCon 2009 Full Barbarian Skill Trees and Stats
• BlizzCon 2010 PvP Hands-on Report
• Zediono's translation of JudgeHype's pre-beta report -- IncGamers 1st Aug 2011
• Kotaku.com Hands On with the Diablo III Beta -- 1st Aug 2011
• Barbarian Active Skills -- Diablo III 13th Sep 2011

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer primary

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer secondary

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer corpses

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer bloodandbone

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer reanimation

Template:Skill navbox Necromancer curses