InFate/Samurai Remnantplayers will often be able to take on “Digressions.” These are side stories that often involve Rogue Servants and allow players to learn more about the game world and the various factions participating in the Waxing Moon Ritual. Players should definitely take these on whenever they can since they also offer a variety of rewards and can even unlock Rogue Servants as allies that can be called on in battle.
The first Digression players unlock inFate/Samurai Remnantis called “Guardian of Yoshiwara” and requires players to face off against Rogue Berserker. This terrifying foe with long golden hair deals an incredible amount of damage and has a ton of health too, making him a very dangerous opponent when this Digression first becomes available. Players have until the end of Chapter 1 to complete this Digression so here’s how to take Berserker down.
When to Fight Rogue Berserker
Ideally, players should wait until they’ve gained a few levels fighting less deadly foes before challenging Rogue Berserker. Sometime after the first Spirit Font Battle/Leyline Battle is usually about right.Players can fight Berserker at any time during Chapter 1by heading for Yoshiwara but if they take enough damage and choose to retreat they will have to wait until the next in-game day to try again. As such, players should save the game before heading to fight Berserker so they can change their minds and go prepare without locking themselves out of the fight for a bit if they find themselves overwhelmed.
How to Beat Rogue Berserker
Rogue Berserker is a close-range powerhouse that attacks with punches, kicks, grabs, and ground slams. Berserker starts all of his attacks with a wind-up allowing players to predict which attacks he could use after a bit of practice.
Normal Attacks
When he swings his arms so that his right arm is behind him and his left arm is up near his head, rotating his torso to the right as he does so, he is preparing a brutal uppercut that launches rocks into the air. As long as Iori isn’t in front of him when he performs the uppercut players can take advantage of a brief vulnerability window right after the uppercut. The rocks will fall down in random positions indicated by red circles on the ground so players should make sure not to stand in those circles.
When he raises both arms in front of himself and then swings them down behind him, Berserker will use a charging attack and grab Iori if he manages to run into him. If he successfully grabs Iori he’ll suplex him into the ground for a huge amount of damage so players should back away and circle around him when he does this attack.
When Berserker draws his right fist back behind him, he’ll perform a forward punch that sends an explosive wave forward. Iori can, much like Berserker’s other attacks so far, dodge this by moving to either side and not being in front of Berserker.This is a great opportunity for a perfect dodge and riposte if players are confident in their timing.
When Berserker moves his right hand behind him quickly, players should back away fast to avoid getting grabbed. If he grabs Iori or Saber he will jump into the air and throw them into the ground causing a shockwave. If Saber gets grabbed, players should jump as Berserker throws Saber down to avoid getting hit by the shockwave.
Berserker can also perform a quick forward punch with his right arm, followed by a second punch with his left, and then finish with a backhand with his right arm. Dodging back and to the side will allow Iori to avoid this combo and players can also land a riposte by perfectly dodging one of the swings, assuming they’ve unlocked the skill.
Deadly Attacks
When Berserker glows with a red aura and raises both hands above his head, he is preparing his shockwave attack.An Affinity attack can stun him and cancel the attack, otherwise, he’ll slam his hands down and create a shockwave that must be jumped over. He will then perform a second shockwave slam, followed by a final, more powerful, slam. The final shockwave travels much further than the previous two so players should be wary even if they were out of range for the first two.
When Berserker crouches into a tackling stance while enveloped in a red aura, he is preparing for a charging attack. Berserker will charge toward the player trailing shockwaves behind him. Getting hit by Berserker or the Shockwaves will deal a lot of damage, and he will turn to face the player again whenever he hits the edge of the arena repeating his charge several times before finishing. Players can easily avoid this by circling around to his sides as he charges. Players can also interrupt his attacks with Affinity attacks from Saber or the Firebird magecraft. It is worth noting that Link Strikes will also stun Berserker so keep an eye on Saber throughout the fight and take full advantage.
When it comes to actually defeating Berserker, players need to carefully time their attacks to hit him during his vulnerability animation after each attack and make good use of Saber to crack open his Shell gauge and deal damage to him. He will replenish his shell once he reaches around half his HP at which point players will need to break the Shell again and deplete the rest of his HP to end the fight and get a very important item for a later optional event.
Fate/Samurai Remnantis available for PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
