Reckless. At the start of its turn, the berserker can gain advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls during that turn, but attack rolls against it have advantage until the start of its next turn.
Actions
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d12 + 3) slashing damage.
How many berserkers for a fight?
A berserker is worth 450 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many berserkers fit each difficulty for a party of four characters of the same level. A dash means even one would be over the budget.
Party level
Low
Moderate
High
2nd
—
1
1
3rd
1
2
3
4th
2
3
4
5th
4
6
9
6th
5
8
12
7th
6
11
12+
8th
8
12+
12+
9th
11
12+
12+
Budgets add up every monster’s XP, so you can swap some for other creatures of the same total. Try other party sizes and mixes in the encounter calculator.
How the berserker compares at CR 2
Against the 42 other challenge 2 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the berserker has more hit points than 37 of them, which makes it one of the toughest at its CR. See every CR 2 monster.
Statistic
Berserker
CR 2 average
Armor Class
13
12.9
Hit points
67
46
Best attack bonus
+5
+5
Berserker 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the berserker, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
New in its stat block: Bloodied Frenzy.
Gone from it: Reckless.
Armor Class
13 (hide armor)
Hit Points
67 (9d8 + 27)
Speed
30 ft.
Challenge
2 (450 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
16 (+3)
12 (+1)
17 (+3)
9 (-1)
11 (+0)
9 (-1)
Senses
passive Perception 10
Languages
Common
Gear
Greataxe, Hide Armor
Traits
Bloodied Frenzy. While Bloodied, the berserker has Advantage on attack rolls and saving throws.
