Leveling Build: Berserker with Axe and Shield to Level 40
Safe to level 40: Axe and Shield heals through Battle Cry, Twin Pulse and Ruthless Force, and the Warhammer later joins as a second weapon.
by RaidDex · Published: Nov 2, 2026 · Updated: Nov 4, 2026
Gear
Utility bag & quick slots
Mount
Weapons, perks & combos
Combat rotation
Skill values
Where Trait Points come from
- Active skill
- Passive
- Stats
- Learned
- 2Cost in Trait Points
Level
Stat Points
3 Stat Points per level-up. Class base + perks + allocated points; attack, health and other derived stats are deliberately not calculated.
Nui’s Blessing
Chains of light and heavy attacks. Locked steps need the named perk – learn it in the Perks tab.
Combat rotation
Build notes
Playstyle
Axe and Shield with healing and protection instead of pure damage: Perseverance, Ruthless Force (heals at 50% HP or lower), Battle Cry with Twin Pulse, Death Ward (Forceful Lunge, then block: 15 s Immortal) as the emergency brake. From 54 points on, the Warhammer joins.
Perseverance
Ruthless Force
Battle Cry
Twin Pulse
Death Ward
Forceful LungeRotation
- Forceful Lunge (W + heavy attack) into the pack, then light attack: Reckless Destroyer, up to five times with Fierce Breakthrough.
- Knocked-back enemies: heavy attack for Tremor Strike (free with Assured Blow), Overpower at 12 stacks.
- Block, then heavy attack: Battle Cry heals, grants Rally and can be repeated after crits through Battle Echo. With Twin Pulse, Ridge Shatter follows.
- Hold block, light attack: Shield Slam knocks down after a block (Shield Crash), then Stomp – Dominance restores SP on kills.
Reckless Destroyer
Fierce Breakthrough
Tremor Strike
Overpower
Rally
Ridge Shatter
Shield Slam
Shield Crash
StompWhile Leveling
- Up to 22 points (Diamond Shores): Reckless Destroyer, Perseverance, Death Ward, Heavy Hitter, Ruthless Force, Relentless Drive, Dominance, Assured Blow. Played: Reckless Destroyer, Tremor Strike, Battle Cry.
- Up to 48 (Gylden Ruins, Whalesong Shores): Rally, Shield Slam, Shield Crash, Twin Pulse, Fierce Breakthrough, Battle Echo, Brutal Crash, Steadfast, Fearsome Might at 49.
- Up to 90 (Astron Plains): Battleborn, Ridge Shatter, then the Warhammer up to Resonating Strike, Compression, Reconstruction and Rapid Casting.
- Up to 100 (Amaitan Highlands, quests): Crackling Flame, Reforge, Canned Heat, Blue Flame, Assured Ruin.
Heavy Hitter
Relentless Drive
Brutal Crash
Steadfast
Fearsome Might
Battleborn
Resonating Strike
Compression
Reconstruction
Rapid Casting
Crackling Flame
Reforge
Canned Heat
Blue Flame
Assured RuinGear per stage (the slider switches along): up to 22 Trait Points level 15 with Bloodfed Beast, up to 48 level 30 with Centurion's Axe, above that level 40 plus the Tarnished Ancient Crusher.
Stat Points: each level one into Strength and one into Constitution, the third in turn into Strength, Constitution and Endurance. Before level 30, three points into Talent (14).
Early Access: Diamond Shores, Gylden Ruins and Astron Plains hold 92 of the 100 Trait Points – at 92 the slider shows which perks wait for further regions.
Perks
Axe and Shield (54 points)
The whole tree with Perseverance, Dominance, Fierce Breakthrough, Rally, Shield Crash and Steadfast.
Warhammer (46 points)
Everything except Thundering Hurl. For bosses: Q, Tempered Blow twice, Devastating Blow, Galactic Impact, Lightning Collision, Resonating Strike. Reconstruction: at low HP, Power Surge held at Lv. 1 heals every second.
Thundering Hurl
Tempered Blow
Devastating Blow
Galactic Impact
Lightning Collision
Power SurgeStats
Distributed at level 40: Strength 51, Constitution 51, Endurance 12, Talent 3.
Gear
- Weapons: City Guard Axe, Ruthless Axe (Vesper the Ruthless, Fell Keep), from level 30 Centurion's Axe with Champion's Gladius Lunastone and Tarnished Ancient Crusher.
- Armor: Razorwind Hat and Gloves, Dreadscale Robe, Grisly Predator's Greaves (Medium load), Howling Slayer Lunastone II (Max HP) three times.
- Jewelry: Hereafter Constellations (Max HP, Max SP, Potion Potency) with Diamond Hereafter Dice (DEF).
Utility Pouch & Quick Slots
- Utility Pouch (1–4): Lifeflow Potion, Refined SP Potion, Reinforced Miasma Flask and Reinforced Steel Javelin. Nui Statues refill it.
- Quick Slots (5–8): Flugel's Refined Glider and Bay Horse Certificate. Both must sit there, otherwise you cannot use them. Slots 7 and 8 hold the Diamond Shores Map and Gylden Ruins Map.
Professions & Mount
Exploration 5 (+10% monster EXP), Mining, Gathering and Butchering at 2 (−20% SP cost). Nui's Blessing 20 (+400 HP), Bay Horse.
Axe and shield + Warhammer
- Level
- 40
- Trait Points
- 100 / 112
- Stat Points
- 117 / 117
- Equip load
- 30.60 / 31.3 · Medium
- Nui’s Blessing
- 20 · +400 HP
- Carry limit (backpack)
- 200
Attributes
| Attribute | Base | Stat Points | Perks | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 18 | 51 | – | 69 |
| Agility | 6 | – | – | 6 |
| Intelligence | 4 | – | – | 4 |
| Constitution | 26 | 51 | – | 77 |
| Endurance | 25 | 12 | – | 37 |
| Talent | 11 | 3 | – | 14 |
Stats from perks: Fog ATK +20 · Physical Amplification +25 · Fire ATK +20
Gear
| Slot | Name | Lunastone | Lunagem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon #1in hand | Centurion's Axe +5 (stat bonus +66.3 %) | Champion's Gladius Lunastone | – |
| Weapon #2 | Tarnished Ancient Crusher +5 (stat bonus +42.5 %) | Gyldenlord's Arbiter Lunastone | – |
| Helmet | Razorwind Hat +5 (stat bonus +49.0 %) | Howling Slayer Lunastone II | – |
| Armor | Dreadscale Robe +5 (stat bonus +49.0 %) | Howling Slayer Lunastone II | – |
| Gloves | Razorwind Gloves +5 (stat bonus +49.0 %) | Howling Slayer Lunastone III | – |
| Shoes | Grisly Predator's Greaves +5 (stat bonus +49.0 %) | Howling Slayer Lunastone II | – |
| Necklace | Hereafter Constellations Necklacerolled: Physical DEF | Diamond Hereafter Token | – |
| Earrings | Hereafter Constellations Earringsrolled: Magic DEF | Diamond Hereafter Token | – |
| Ring | Hereafter Constellations Ringrolled: Physical DEF | Diamond Hereafter Token | – |
| Bracelets | Hereafter Constellations Braceletrolled: Physical PEN | Astron Hereafter Token | – |
Values with Centurion's Axe in hand · Random stats as the possible range (minimum–maximum) of all selected pieces and stones.
Tools, glider & backpack
| Slot | Name |
|---|---|
| Hunting Knife | Expert Hunting Knife |
| Logging Axe | Expert Logging Axe |
| Pickaxe | Expert Pickaxe |
| Sickle | Expert Harvesting Sickle |
| Glider | Flugel's Refined Glider |
| Bag | Apothecary's Bluesalt Rucksack |
Utility bag & quick slots
- Utility bag · 1Lifeflow Potion
- Utility bag · 2Refined SP Potion
- Utility bag · 3Reinforced Miasma Flask
- Utility bag · 4Reinforced Steel Javelin
- Quick slots · 3Diamond Shores Map
- Quick slots · 4Gylden Ruins Map
- Quick slots · 1Flugel's Refined Glider
- Quick slots · 2Bay Horse Certificate
Professions & mount
| Professions | Level | Profession bonuses |
|---|---|---|
| Butchering | 2 · Apprentice | -20% SP Cost |
| Exploration | 5 · Master | +50m Detection Distance · -30% Swim SP Cost · +50m Detection Distance · +10% Monster EXP |
| Gathering | 2 · Apprentice | -20% SP Cost |
| Mining | 2 · Apprentice | -20% SP Cost |
Mount: Bay Horse Certificate · Walk 3.25 · Run 9.0 · Sprint 14.75 m/s
Axe and shield · 54 Trait Points
Axe and shield - Death Ward
Death Ward
1 Trait PointActive skill
Grants Immortal and Stagger Immunity for 15 seconds.
(300 second cooldown) - Reckless Destroyer
Reckless Destroyer
1 Trait PointActive skill
Performs a 3-hit combo after Axe Smash.
Inflicts Knockback and increases the enemy's Poison gauge. Grants Stagger Immunity during the attack. - Overpower
Overpower
1 Trait PointActive skill
Reckless Destroyer grants Overpower for 30 seconds on hit.
At 12 stacks, Tremor Strike consumes all Overpower to deal heavy damage over a wide area and inflict Knockdown without costing any SP. Grants Stagger Immunity during the attack.
Tempest also grants Overpower stacks. - Reel In2
Reel In
2 Trait PointsActive skill
Hurls a chain that hooks into the target and pulls them in, inflicting Root for 4 seconds. Only works on human-type enemies. Does not affect bosses.
(15 second cooldown) - Brutal Crash2
Brutal Crash
2 Trait PointsActive skill
After Shield Slam, charges forward, dealing damage and inflicting Knockback.
Reduces damage taken and grants Stagger Immunity during the charge.
Can combo into Tremor Strike.
(10 second cooldown) - Shield Slam3
Shield Slam
3 Trait PointsActive skill
Bashes with the shield and inflicts Knockback. Consumes a large amount of SP, but restores some on hit.
- Heavy Hitter3
Heavy Hitter
3 Trait PointsActive skill
The third attack of Barbaric Strike can now be charged.
Fully charging increases the damage dealt and breaks guard. Grants Stagger Immunity while charging. - Ridge Shatter3
Ridge Shatter
3 Trait PointsActive skill
Consumes Twin Pulse to deal area damage and inflict Knockdown. Reduces damage taken and gains Stagger Immunity during the attack.
- Giant's Bellow
Giant's Bellow
1 Trait PointPassive
Battle Cry reduces damage taken and increases Physical Amplification for 8 seconds.
- Triumphant Cry
Triumphant Cry
1 Trait PointPassive
Battle Cry can be used with [Right Mouse Button] after the third attack of Barbaric Strike hits.
- Rally2
Rally
2 Trait PointsPassive
Battle Cry increases damage dealt for 12 seconds.
Applies to self and nearby party members. - Resounding Roar2
Resounding Roar
2 Trait PointsPassive
Increases Battle Cry damage while HP is 70% or higher.
This effect stacks with Brutality. - Clash2
Clash
2 Trait PointsPassive
A critical hit with Axe Smash changes the next [Left Mouse Button] to Reckless Destroyer.
- Shield Crash
Shield Crash
1 Trait PointPassive
If Shield Slam hits shortly after a successful block, it deals additional damage and inflicts Knockdown.
- Battle Cry - Poison
Battle Cry - Poison
1 Trait PointPassive
Battle Cry increases the enemy's Poison gauge.
- Ruthless Force2
Ruthless Force
2 Trait PointsPassive
While HP is 50% or lower, increases Reckless Destroyer's damage and restores HP based on damage dealt.
- Relentless Drive2
Relentless Drive
2 Trait PointsPassive
Inflicting Knockback with Axe skills restores SP.
- Dominance2
Dominance
2 Trait PointsPassive
Stomp deals increased damage, with an even greater increase against non-boss enemies.
Stomp restores SP on kill. - Steadfast
Steadfast
1 Trait PointPassive
Increases Stagger RES for 8 seconds upon using Battle Cry.
- Assured Blow2
Assured Blow
2 Trait PointsPassive
Tremor Strike no longer costs SP.
- Fearsome Might2
Fearsome Might
2 Trait PointsPassive
Inflicting Poison with Axe skills or attacking Poisoned enemies with Poison-inflicting skills grants Twin Pulse.
- Final Act2
Final Act
2 Trait PointsPassive
Barbaric Strike's third attack deals increased damage against enemies with HP at 50% or below.
- Battleborn2
Battleborn
2 Trait PointsPassive
A critical hit with the first attack of Barbaric Strike makes the next Barbaric Strike start at the third attack.
- Battle Echo2
Battle Echo
2 Trait PointsPassive
Critical hits with Reckless Destroyer grant Battle Cry for 3 seconds. While active, Battle Cry costs less SP and can be used repeatedly.
- Perseverance3
Perseverance
3 Trait PointsActive skill
Reckless Destroyer reduces damage taken for 3 seconds.
- Twin Pulse3
Twin Pulse
3 Trait PointsActive skill
Battle Cry grants a Pulse stack for 30 seconds. At 3 stacks, Pulse becomes Twin Pulse.
Twin Pulse periodically restores HP and significantly increases Battle Cry's HP recovery. - Fierce Breakthrough3
Fierce Breakthrough
3 Trait PointsActive skill
Replaces Axe Smash with Reckless Destroyer.
[Left Mouse Button] now executes Reckless Destroyer, striking up to 5 times. Each attack triggers Tempest or Perseverance. - Fog ATK +20
Fog ATK +20
1 Trait PointStats
- Physical Crit
Physical Crit
1 Trait PointStats
| Skill | Cost | Cooldown | Range | Hits | Phys. | Mag. | Duration | Reaction & effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brutal Crash | 75 SP | 10.0 s | 0–15 m | 5 | 1.000.0 % | 850.0 % | 1.0 s | Knockback, Damage Taken Reduction +60 % |
| Death Ward | – | 300.0 s | 0–15 m | – | – | – | 2.4 s | – |
| Heavy Hitter | 95 SP | – | 0–5 m | – | – | – | 1.0 s | – |
| Reckless Destroyer | 50 SP | – | 0–6 m | 4 | 503.2 % | 387.2 % | 2.5 s | Knockback |
| Reel In | 80 SP | 15.0 s | 0–15 m | 1 | 10.5 % | 8.1 % | 2.1 s | Root |
| Shield Slam | 50 SP | – | 0–15 m | 5 | 629.0 % | 484.0 % | 1.4 s | Knockback |
Warhammer · 46 Trait Points
Warhammer - Surging Heat
Surging Heat
1 Trait PointActive skill
Combos from Shattering Blow.
Increases the enemy's Burn gauge on hit. Briefly grants Stagger Immunity. - Canned Heat2
Canned Heat
2 Trait PointsActive skill
Unleashes a chain of explosions after Surging Heat, with each blast growing progressively larger.
- Resonating Strike2
Resonating Strike
2 Trait PointsActive skill
Can be used in a combo.
Available only while Meteor Hammer is active. Consumes Meteor Hammer on use, increasing the number of attacks based on its level. - Rapid Casting3
Rapid Casting
3 Trait PointsActive skill
Earth Shatter's second hit combos into Surging Heat.
- Galactic Impact3
Galactic Impact
3 Trait PointsActive skill
Can be used in a combo.
Tempered Blow and Devastating Blow cannot be used, but deals high damage more quickly.
Reduces damage taken and grants Stagger Immunity while in use. - Lightning Collision3
Lightning Collision
3 Trait PointsActive skill
Charges toward an enemy and increases the enemy's Shock gauge on hit. Reduces damage taken and grants Stagger Immunity.
- Crackling Flame3
Crackling Flame
3 Trait PointsActive skill
Can be used in a combo. Deals low damage but increases the enemy's Burn gauge.
- Assured Ruin3
Assured Ruin
3 Trait PointsActive skill
After the third attack of Pulverize, Devastating Blow can be used at the cost of HP instead of SP.
- Meteor Hammer2
Meteor Hammer
2 Trait PointsPassive
Tempered Blow temporarily grants Meteor Hammer on hit, increasing Physical PEN and Exhaust Trigger.
Removed immediately upon sprinting or swapping weapons. - Forged
Forged
1 Trait PointPassive
Surging Heat temporarily grants Forged.
While Forged is active, Fire ATK is increased and Shattering Blow triggers an additional attack that increases Burn gauge. - Meteor Hammer II2
Meteor Hammer II
2 Trait PointsPassive
Landing Tempered Blow or Devastating Blow while Meteor Hammer is active grants Meteor Hammer Lv. 2, further increasing Physical PEN and Exhaust Trigger.
- Blue Flame2
Blue Flame
2 Trait PointsPassive
While Forged is active, Shattering Blow grants a Forged stack. At 5 stacks, Forged briefly becomes Blue Flame.
While Blue Flame is active, your next [Left Mouse Button] instantly activates Surging Heat, triggering two additional explosions from Canned Heat. Blue Flame is removed after the skill is used. - Unstoppable Force
Unstoppable Force
1 Trait PointPassive
Pulverize's initial attack refreshes the duration of Meteor Hammer Lv. 3.
- Unstoppable Force II2
Unstoppable Force II
2 Trait PointsPassive
Pulverize's initial attack grants a shield for a short duration.
- Electro Release2
Electro Release
2 Trait PointsPassive
While Forged is active, Crushing Slam consumes Forged to deal continuous damage to nearby enemies. Also increases enemy Shock gauge.
- Tough Skin
Tough Skin
1 Trait PointPassive
Inflicting Shock with the warhammer briefly increases Physical and Magic DEF.
- Electric Cluster2
Electric Cluster
2 Trait PointsPassive
Devastating Blow greatly increases Lightning ATK for a short time.
- Reforge2
Reforge
2 Trait PointsPassive
Crackling Flame triggers one additional hit. Grants Forged on hit.
- Reconstruction2
Reconstruction
2 Trait PointsPassive
While below a certain HP threshold, maintaining Power Surge at Lv. 1 restores HP every second.
- Masterpiece3
Masterpiece
3 Trait PointsActive skill
Inflicting Burn or landing Devastating Blow while Meteor Hammer Lv. 2 is active grants Meteor Hammer Lv. 3, further increasing Physical PEN and Exhaust Trigger.
- Compression3
Compression
3 Trait PointsActive skill
Power Surge charges faster up to Lv. 1.
- Fire ATK +20
Fire ATK +20
1 Trait PointStats
| Skill | Cost | Cooldown | Range | Hits | Phys. | Mag. | Duration | Reaction & effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assured Ruin | 150 HP | – | 0–6 m | 5 | 4.712.5 % | 3.247.0 % | 5.5 s | Knock Down, Damage Taken Reduction +60 % |
| Canned Heat | 5 SP | – | 0–15 m | 1 | 119.1 % | 82.1 % | 2.2 s | – |
| Crackling Flame | 65 SP | – | 0–6 m | 8 | 406.4 % | 280.0 % | 3.3 s | Sway |
| Lightning Collision | – | – | 0–6 m | 9 | 1.175.0 % | 809.8 % | 3.5 s | Knockback, Sway, Damage Taken Reduction +60 % |
| Rapid Casting | 70 SP | – | 0–6 m | 1 | 238.2 % | 164.1 % | 3.2 s | Knockback |
| Surging Heat | 70 SP | – | 0–15 m | 1 | 238.2 % | 164.1 % | 3.2 s | Knockback |
Build planner
Plan your own Berserker build
Free and without an account – saving and publishing need an account.
- Two weapons with weapon swap
- Equip load, rolls and Lunastones
- Perk trees of every class weapon
- Share by link, variants for levelling and endgame
More Berserker builds
- S Thunderclap: Berserker with Warhammer
- A Frenzy: Berserker with Axe and Shield
- B Hammer & Anvil: Berserker with Axe, Shield and Warhammer
Guides
-
Best Class in ArcheAge Chronicles: Which Class Fits Your Playstyle?Nov 3, 2026
-
ArcheAge Chronicles Early Access: Checklist for Your StartNov 3, 2026
-
ArcheAge Chronicles Servers and Launch Times: Regions, Transfers, StatusNov 2, 2026
News
-
ArcheAge Chronicles maintenance complete: tutorial and Krogal fixesNov 4, 2026
-
ArcheAge Chronicles maintenance today at 9 AM PT, about two hoursNov 4, 2026
-
ArcheAge Chronicles: launch issues, ready fixes and workaroundsNov 4, 2026
Free · independent
Adventurer's Pouch
Legendary offering · all games
- News on every patch
- Databases and planners stay free
- No paywall, no subscription
Enjoying RaidDex? Your donation goes straight into servers, data updates and new content.
"Even heroes need a coffee now and then."
Voluntary and with nothing in return – RaidDex stays the same for everyone. Learn more
Comments
Loading comments …