Alternative Nord challenge-The Berserker

This is my take on the Nord challenge that was posted some time ago. A pure berserker challenge, with the goal of becoming a screaming, murder-fueled death machine. Screaming at the screen whilst battling is optional but reccommended.

Introduction

Odin´s men rushed forwards without armour, were as mad as dogs or wolves, bit their shields, and were strong as bears or wild oxen, and killed people at a blow, but neither fire nor iron told upon them. This was called Berserkergang.
Snorri Sturluson, Ynglinga saga.
So you want to be a berserker, a human that is not, a frenzied murderer unaffected by fire nor sword, that is the living embodiment of fear. You wish for the skalds to sing of your exploits, for veteran warriors to whimper at your wake.
RUN. KILL. LOOT. EAT. REPEAT.

Starting out

Of course, a berserk needs to build up some strenght first.

First, you must create your character to be good at 2handers, and if there are any spare wep points left, use them on throwing skill. Max strength and agility, and put iron flesh and power strike at the same level. Spare points must go into weapon master, athletics or any other skill designed to let you murder more efficiently. Looting and inventory management will certainly help in the long run, since looting will be one of yor main sources of income.

Appearance wise, you must choose messy hair and long beard. Muscular body.

Google viking names and select the one that suits your tastes the most.

Start out in Sargoth, the Nord´s Kingdom capital. Complete the tutorial and then go about killing stuff.

And remember, not a step back.

Rules

Not a step back: No standing still in battle, you must always be running towards some poor victim, or from a big enough threat that your own insanity can´t handle it.
No pew pew: Melee is where a berserker shines. No bows, no crossbows, no javelins. Possible exceptions include throwing axes that can be used in melee.
No pain, no worries: Iron flesh has priority, maxing health is a must. No points put into charisma or intelligence, those are of no use for a berserk.
I am death: Focus on maximizing damage. Thus, power strike is a must. Priority on par with Iron flesh.
Mindless rage: No matter how impossible are the odds, you must fight. 1vs100? There is one, and only one answer: RAAAAAAAAAAAAGH
Tactics? What´s dat?: No formations, no forming a line, you and your murderous company have one fool proof tactic: "I run at them, then I kill them."
I dont need no cover: No using shields. They make you run slower.
Two hands can swing bigger weapons: If possible, choose a 2handed weapon. Size matters.
Ruthless: Routed enemies must be pursued, and killed. Those who run from battle shall receive no mercy.

Equipment

Nord weapons, nord armor, everything nord.

Huscarl´s armor is best, as in the Nord Challenge.

Hardcore mode: No body armor.

Troops

Only melee nord units. Itll be hard at first, but wait until you get some huscarls.

Income sources

Historically, berserks fought for their liege as vassals, as bodyguards of sorts. Thus, your main (reliable) income source will be taxes from your fiefs.

Of course, loot fom battle is also profitable, specially when you´re fighting lords. And there´s almost nothing that can stop an army of huscarls. Maybe more huscarls.

And in pure viking fashion: raiding. Set those villages aflame, and don´t worry about the relationship loss, you don´t need any recruit other than the nord.

[-chix]

Berserkers didn't take mushrooms nor herbs before fighting. That's just a myth, and wouldn't it be impractical to take shrooms before fighting?

[AttilaLaDank]

I thought Norse Berserkers did use jav

[CapnSnowflake]

Good point, but it still would be possible just very limited

[DeZako]

As much as I´d love to, the lack of diplomatic options in this game makes it impossible...

[CapnSnowflake]

You should do a gentlemen one :3

[DeZako]

I didnt know how to apply that, so I just stuck with the raving crazy warband image. But yeah, that rage was autoinduced before battle through a mix of herbs and mushrooms. So they were a bunch of fearless motherfuckers who killed everyone in sight whilst high as fuck

[Riley BlackBlood]

One thing to note with this is that Bersrkirs werent always in the throes of rage so you cold easily rp a coolheaded strategist and a ragefueld fighter once the battle starts

[DeZako]

What about the god of berserkers? Or a former berserker made the nordic god of pillage, destruction and rape?

[Linz]

Sorry, to say this, but berserkers are not good enough. I am a god.

[DeZako]

There are some graphic records of berserkers using spears, but since the way the game handles spears isn´t very.. savage, to say the least, I´ve chosen to leave them out. I mean, in M&B, if armed with a spear, you are pretty much forced to strafe and move in a direction that doesn´t directly correlate to that of pure destruction and death.