Berserkers (RTW unit)

Berserkers are extremely ferocious, aggressive, indomitable warriors with no thought for personal safety once the rage of battle comes upon them.

Berserkers (RTW unit)
Class	Light Infantry
Unit Size	48 men
Weaponry	Axe
Morale	16
Melee Attack	19
Ranged Attack	N/A
Defence	7
Charge Bonus	7
Accuracy	N/A
Range	N/A
Ammunition	N/A
Region	Global
Recruitment Cost	930
Upkeep Cost	120
Turns to Build	2
Unit Limit	Unlimited
Building Requirements	Sacred Circle of Donar
Technology Requirements	None
Attributes	Can go berserk Frighten Infantry Can hide in forests

Overview

Berserkers are extremely ferocious, aggressive, indomitable warriors with no thought for personal safety once the rage of battle comes upon them. They will use chants, strong drink, potions, rituals and even self mutilation to whip themselves into a fighting frenzy. Once the madness is upon them, little can stop them - their blood-crazed dash into the thick of combat is deeply disheartening (at best) to any who stand against them. They may try to cut their enemies to pieces in this state, but will think nothing of trying to gouge, bite, head butt and kick opponents to death as well.

They disdain armor as a sign of weakness, along with mercy, common sense and knowing when to stop fighting. They are supremely dangerous foes in close combat.

Details

Berserkers are among the strongest infantry units in Rome: Total War. Like typical barbarian units, Berserkers have much higher attack than defense statistic. In the case of these units, this attack and morale of Berserkers are among the highest of any infantry in the game. They are also recruited from the Sacred Grove of Donar which can only be built in small cities. Having a high recruitment cost and taking two turns to recruit further limits Berserkers accessibility to Germania.

Berserkers have the distinction of being unable to be contained. It is almost impossible to control a Berserker when it prevents him from battle, as the Berserker will charge without warning. In combat, Berserkers will literally send their enemies flying. It isn’t long before they go berserk and enter a “Heroic” state where Berserkers cannot be ordered to do anything and will hack away at anyone opponent who dares come near. Due to lowering enemy infantry’s morale by virtue of having the pleasure to kill them, Berserkers can be found chasing routed and unrouted men anywhere around the map.

Despite their abilities, Berserkers face two serious weaknesses. Since missile attacks ignore the defense skill factor, Berserkers have a defense statistic of 2 against missile attacks. In comparison, Barbarian Peasants have a defense statistic of 3 against missile attacks, which illustrates how much of a drawback the susceptibility of missile fire is to Berserkers. The second liability is that most cavalry have a higher charge bonus in comparison to infantry, and Berserkers simply do not have the defense to be able to successfully cope with fighting against oncoming cavalry.

Factions

Germania