About the berserk pack

[Amuscaria]

Did the berserk always last an entire map? Or was it changed by some later port? While reading through some old Ultimate Doom manual, it says the Berserk was time-based? O_o It's been so long since I've not used a port - i don't even recall the original behaviors of the game(s).

[Xaser]

Some versions of the manual were incorrect. The berserk pack has always lasted the entire map -- if a port acts differently, it's in the wrong.

[Big C]

The question is whether that was a bug or a feature.

[Xaser]

Feature for sure -- the Doom 2 manual later corrected it.

Notice how the powerup fades out differently than all others -- it had to have been intentional, or else they would've gave it the same blink-out style powerup fade as all the other temporary items.

[Gez]

The gradual fade is there to make the red tint less annoying because, let's be honest, it would be a very annoying item if it colored your screen for the rest of the level.

[Big C]

At least it doesn't molest your eyes as badly as the invulnerability effect. Then again, what does?

[Enjay]

It wouldn't surprise me it it was a bug that became a feature. Either way, it is effectively a level-long weapon upgrade that comes with a nice health boost too. Indeed, the way that many mappers provide a berserk pack these days is more to provide the weapon enhancement that the health benefits.

I don't suppose that the behaviour makes too much sense, but there is plenty in Doom that doesn't.

[NeuralStunner]

The DooM 1 manual I have lists the duration as "One Level". Amusingly, the DooM 2 manual I have (from the Doom95 edition) says it's "Time Based". Suckage osmosis maybe?

Manuals are notorious for oopses (usually things that changed between sending it off to the printer and releasing the game). Hexen's manual, for instance, lists the Silver Helm as being equally good for all classes (but in actuality it varies), and the Dragonskin Bracers as time based (but they are in fact permanent).

[Enjay]

Just checked my old 1993 manual I received with my registered copy of Doom.

Berserk Packs heal you, plus act as a super-adrenaline rush, enormously boosting your muscle power. Since you're already a pretty meaty guy, this enhanced strength lets you tear ordinary dolts limb from limb, and you can even splatter those demons without too much trouble. However, you've got to use your Fist attack to get the benefit of the Berserk attack bonus. When you become Berserk, your screen will briefly turn red.
Duation: One Level

So, there we have it. Even the early manuals list the duration as one level. Although there can be disparity between manuals and the game, this does seem to tie in and indicates that the one-level effect is intentional.

[NeuralStunner]

So, there we have it. Even the early manuals list the duration as one level. Although there can be disparity between manuals and the game, this does seem to tie in and indicates that the one-level effect is intentional.

Thinking over DooM 2's saying "Time Based"... Perhaps they were going to change it to a duration powerup, but at the last minute decided to leave it alone? Or perhaps they just forgot it?

Would be interesting to ask the old Id devs about.

[InsanityBringer]

The way Berserk is coded, to the best of my knowledge, suggests that it could be made to be time-based, but I have my doubts that they wanted to. Seems like the effect would be lessened in general if this was the case, heh

[DoomRater]

Hexen's manual, for instance, lists the Silver Helm as being equally good for all classes (but in actuality it varies)

Look at the helmet's rating for helping the classes moreso than the amount of armor it adds. For fighter and mage it is third best armor but for the cleric it is worst for armor. Th Falcon shield is also like this for armor rating: it is second best armor for fighter and mage but best for cleric.

Heh, I had thought originally that would work as a better explanation but it really isn't!

[printz]

Manuals are notorious for oopses (usually things that changed between sending it off to the printer and releasing the game). Hexen's manual, for instance, lists [...] the Dragonskin Bracers as time based (but they are in fact permanent).

The '''dragonskin bracers''' are a powerup in Hexen. They temporarily grant the player an additional four points to their armor class.

[Xaser]

Did you even try them in-game? They're "temporary" in the fact that they eventually go away when enemies hit you.

[NeuralStunner]

[Doom Wiki quote]

... So what's your point?

These Bracers give you a temporary (time-based) boost of 4 points to your Armor Class.