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Gamers are no doubt familiar with the Berserker class, but you may not know (at least, I didn’t) that the Berserker was real. History of the World fills us in:
When the going got tough among the Vikings of yore, the tough got… well… certifiably nuts. As in “berserk”, which has been translated as “bare of shirt” or “bear-skinned.” Both descriptions may have been applicable to a group of Viking warriors who became known as Berserkers. These guys often went into battle without armor and sometimes even without clothes. But they were so pumped up with murderous rage that they were said to take on the spirit of a bear or a wolf and possess superhuman strength – which, some folklorists say, is the basis of the werewolf legend.
Berserkers were usually so caught up in battle that they didn’t feel pain and could continue fighting even with what would be a fatal wound to most. We’re still not sure how they got into such a state, but there are basically two schools of thought: either they had a really amazing pre-fight ritual that got their adrenaline really skyrocketing, or they were using some sort of a hallucinogenic or psychadelic substance that altered their state.
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Hey! That’s a question from the dojo!
posted by Amy D on 10-22-2008 at 10:51 am
Nowadays they’ve mostly devolved into pompous nerds…
posted by Southern Buddhist on 10-22-2008 at 11:39 am
Boy I would love to see more trivia(l) pages regarding MMORPGs. MMORPGs I’ve always thought of as the most intellectual (ok nerdiest) type of gaming, because of the number generators, statistics, and customization available with RPGs, and also the degree of coordination, teamwork, and social atmosphere by the MMO. I used to be an avid World of Warcraft gamer, but of late have been dabbling in EVE online and Warhammer Age of Reckoning.
posted by Joel on 10-22-2008 at 12:18 pm
So with the thought of going into battle with less than normal clothing, do you think these great warriors devolved into the shirtless goons whooping it up at northern football games?
Seriously though, there are definite reports of modern soldiers taking horrific wounds and fitghting on. I would be the adrenalin from fighting for your life definitely pumps stronger in some people.
posted by bucsfan on 10-22-2008 at 1:10 pm
i dont really agree with joel on the fact that MMOs are the most \”nerdiest\” types of games.
Each game tests and stresses different areas of knowledge. While you may be calculating the effects of a +15% boost in morale, I\’m in the middle of a firefight trying to decide if i drop my M4A1 Carbine for the G36C. Take in to mind that range, firepower, accuracy, rate of fire, reload time, and secondary fire capabilities are not brought up in a menu that you can leisurely gaze upon (like you can in MOST MMOs) to determine which weapon will suit you best.
My point is. While MMOs are very intellectual, most people need to take another look and see that even shooters can strain your brain.
Oh. And yeah… Why arent there more game related posts? I soak up most of what this site has to offer, and it would be nice to see a rise in video game related articles
posted by Josh on 10-23-2008 at 8:55 am
Also. Regarding the title of this post.
Would the s in MMORPGS really be capital? S doesnt stand for anything.. right?
posted by Josh on 10-23-2008 at 9:06 am
i do not beleive that the berserker state was caused by drugs or other substances for i have also experienced the berserker state temporarorly and i do not take any drugs, except for the ones i take for medication
posted by curran on 12-8-2008 at 11:11 am