I couldn't miss the chance to practice my drawing!
Squall Leonhart under the Berserk status in Final Fantasy VIII.
Berserk (バーサク, Bāsaku?) is a recurring status effect in the Final Fantasy series. Generally, berserked units have increased attack power and speed and cannot be controlled, but they can only use physical attacks. In more recent games with action RPG combat, Berserk makes the afflicted powerful but makes them receive more damage in return.
The status is usually gained through a spell of the same name and an item called Bacchus's Wine. The job class Berserker is always berserked, and uses it for greater physical damage. Characters under Berserk usually glow red and in some games also emit steam from their head.
Inflicting Berserk on an enemy may interrupt powerful spells or final attacks, provided the party can mitigate the boosted physical damage.
Appearances[]
Final Fantasy II[]
Berserk increases the attack power of one or all allies in battle, allowing them to inflict more physical damage per hit. This increment increases with the Berserk spell's level and with the caster's Intelligence. The effect can stack; however, attack power is capped at 255 and further castings will have no effect.
Final Fantasy IV[]
A character afflicted with Berserk becomes uncontrollable and attacks automatically at every turn with a 50% bonus to attack power. In addition to the Berserk spell and Bacchus's Wine item, the Avenger sword makes the wielder permanently Berserked until it is unequipped. The Crystal Mail protects the user from Berserk, unless the Avenger is equipped.
The Psycho Edward bug in the Game Boy Advance port involves placing Edward under Berserk status.
Final Fantasy IV -Interlude-[]
The Berserk status returns as a status effect and it functions the same way as its predecessor.
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years[]
This section about a status effect in Final Fantasy IV: The After Years is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Final Fantasy V[]
The Berserker job is in a constant Berserk state and cannot be controlled. The Berserker also learns the state of Auto-Berserk as a passive trait that can be equipped to other classes. The Blue Magic spell Moon Flute inflicts berserk on the entire party. Via the Kiss of Blessing bug in the SNES version, the player can inflict berserk on targets that are meant to be immune to it. The Combines Power Shot, Power Burst, and Power Cannon also inflict berserk.
Berserk characters deal increased damage via the following formula:
The status can be removed with Dispel or the Mix Smelling Salts. Berserked characters are immune to confuse, the Flirt command, and the effects of the Lilith Rod. Enemies under the influence cannot be controlled or execute counterattacks. Berserked party members may still use Counter. In the 2013 version, berserk no longer resets a character's ATB bar.
Final Fantasy VI[]
A character affected with berserk will attack enemies uncontrollably with a physical damage bonus of +50%. Affected enemies will always use normal physical attacks. The affected character(s) can use Attack or any of the following commands if available: Attack, Mug, Jump, Rage, or Magitek. Attack appears twice; the first is always available, for instance where it allows the character(s) without the command to use it, and increases the odds for everyone else. Adding Berserk status to the Rage status does not seem to affect behavior as the character will continue to use whatever abilities the Rage makes available, but Berserk still provides the damage bonus. Adding Berserk status to the Dance status appears to have no effect. Any commands entered, but has yet to be executed before the status is inflicted, will continue normally, with the damage bonus taking effect if applicable. Berserk is cured at the end of battle.
Final Fantasy VII[]
Berserk status increases the unit's physical attack damage by x1.5 at the cost of losing control, only physically attacking a random enemy at every chance they get, never dealing critical hits.
Final Fantasy VII Remake[]
The Berserk status is granted by the spell of the same name, the Fury Ring accessory and Cloud's full melee combo in Punisher Mode. It increases both damage dealt and damage taken by around 30%.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth[]
Berserk increases damage dealt by 30%, but also increases damage received by 30%. Berserk is applied with 
Berserk, the Fury Ring accessory, and the "hold attack button" Punisher Mode/Prime Mode combos for Cloud. Berserk does not affect the bonus damage added by 
Elemental Materia when paired to a weapon.
Final Fantasy VIII[]
The Berserk status raises physical attack damage by 50%, but the afflicted only attacks random foes until the state is removed, though reaction abilities like Counter and Auto-Potion can still activate. The afflicted turns red with steam rising out of their head. The player can bestow it with Berserk, either as a magic spell or with ST-Atk-J, and with Mad Rush. It is healed with Esuna and Treatment. The status does not expire on its own but will not persist after battle.
Final Fantasy IX[]
The affected's attack is boosted by 50% and they are forced to use its default Attack on a random member of the opposing party. Removed by Gysahl Greens. It is caused by the Berserk spell, Freya's Luna, and is an effect in Duel Claws. There are no immunity abilities that protect against it.
Final Fantasy X[]
Berserk is considered a status ailment, as it can only be inflicted by enemies and is listed under "Immunities" when scanning. The status can be cured with Esuna or a Remedy. Berserked targets still attack uncontrollably for increased damage, but allies are generally targeted in scenarios where physical attacks become less effective in battle (examples being against Malboro's Bad Breath or the physically resistant Black Element).
Despite this, some enemies use the Berserk ability to increase the strength of their own physical attacks. The status increases all damage by 50%, not just physical, but there is only one case where this can be seen: when a Guado Guardian casts Berserk on an Evil Eye, it increases the damage of their magical Gaze attack. Provoke and Threaten will also remove the Berserk status from an enemy.
Final Fantasy X-2[]
Dresspheres that normally cannot attack (Songstress, White Mage, Black Mage) can do so while under the Berserk status. Any commands that are queued before being afflicted with Berserk will still go off. Berserked party members also receive a 25% boost from recovery items.
| Game Element | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Soul Swipe | Flimflam | Inflicts Berserk. |
| Assault | Swordplay | Grants Berserk, Shell, Haste, and Protect to the party. |
| Kogoro Shock | Kogoro | Inflicts Lightning-elemental damage as well as Berserk. |
| Pesky Ghiki | Ghiki | Inflicts non-elemental damage and Berserk. |
| Berserk | Instinct | Grants Berserk as well as increasing Attack power. |
| Berserk Knife | Cutlery | Inflicts non-elemental damage and Berserk. |
| Mad Seeds | Fallalery | Inflicts non-elemental magic damage and Berserk. |
| Berserk Missile | Machinations | Inflicts physical damage and Berserk. |
| Crazy Wing | Dextral Arts | Inflicts non-elemental magic damage and Berserk. |
| Cat Nip | Accessory | Gives the wearer the SOS ??? ability. In the International and HD Remaster versions, Cat Nip gives the wearer Auto-Berserk and Auto-Slow. |
| Bloodlust | Accessory | Gives the wearer Auto-Berserk and Auto-Poison, but boosts Strength. |
Final Fantasy X-2: Last Mission[]
Berserk causes the character to uncontrollably move towards enemies and attack them with increased physical strength, without being able to take any other action. Some fiends inflict the status with their regular attacks. The Berserker's ability Berserk allows the character to enter the status at will. The auto-ability Berserkproof makes the character immune to the status.
Final Fantasy XI[]
Berserk is a beneficial status gained from a job ability used by Warriors. Rather than having the character attack relentlessly, it increases Attack power and simultaneously reduces Defense power.
Final Fantasy XII[]
The character has given in to rage, fighting relentlessly with heightened attack power. Remove by casting Dispel.
Description
Berserk increases the speed at which ATB charges to 200% of the normal speed, and attack damage to 150% of normal damage, while forcing the victim to attack nearby targets uncontrollably. A character in Berserk cannot be controlled as a party leader and cannot use Quickenings. The effect is temporary.
The formula for the duration is:
The Berserk spell and Bacchus's Wine item inflict the Berserk status, with the accuracy of the latter buffed in the Zodiac versions. The Avenger weapon can also inflict Berserk on an enemy, while certain monsters' attacks and Befuddling Gas traps can inflict the status on party members. The Zodiac versions introduce the Berserker Bracers accessory, which generate a constant Berserk status for the user.
The effects of Berserk can stack with those of Bravery and Haste. Berserk shares other similarities to positive status effects in that the status has a blue font, is removed with Dispel rather than Esuna, is not blocked by Ribbons, and persists even if a Save Crystal is touched. Though, unlike other buffs, it can be resisted and thus miss, similar to Decoy. Enemies and traps will also inflict it maliciously against the party.
Units with Berserk are immune to Confuse, though Befuddling Gas traps are an exception, as they inflict both statuses simultaneously.
At one point, Fran automatically enters Berserk while fighting Vossler.
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings[]
Berserk can be used by Ba'Gamnan, who learns the spell of the same name at level 12.
Final Fantasy XIV[]
Berserk causes all attacks to be critical and direct hits. It is granted by the 
Warrior ability 
Berserk.
Final Fantasy XV[]
Status that significantly increases attack and magic, but reduces vitality and spirit to zero.
Description
Berserk is exclusive to some enemies, such as the mindflayers. The status can also be inflicted on monsters in Totomostro with the Horn of Madness.
Final Fantasy Tactics[]
When a unit is berserked, they acquire a bright red tint and a red star in a speech bubble above their head. The status can be inflicted through the Templar's Spellblade or Mystic's Fervor, an Orator's Insult, and the special abilities Mind Blast by Mindflayer or Grand Cross by Ultima. Berserk lasts for the duration of the battle. It can be cured by the Monk's Purification or Dragonkin's Dragon's Gift.
When berserked, a unit's effective PA is equal to [PA * 3/2]. The unit is uncontrollable, and always uses the ATTACK command. They cannot use reaction abilities and certain move abilities, such as Move-HP Up and Move-Get Exp. They also tend to attack in front of the opponent.
Equipping Magick Ring, Barette or Ribbon prevents berserk.
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance[]
The Defender job class can learn the reaction ability Last Berserk, which causes the Defender to self-Berserk when in HP Critical status. The Juggler job class can learn the ability Firebomb, which berserks and deals damage. The Soldier job class learns Provoke, which berserks the target. Animists learn the ability Catnip, which berserks the target.
The Berserk status is especially useful when there is a law prohibiting the Fight command. Placing enemy units under Berserk forces them to use Fight, thus allowing them to get sent off.
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift[]
Berserk can be inflicted through the Trickster ability Snigger, the Soldier ability Provoke, the Animist ability Catnip, the support ability Critical: Berserk, or through the use of the enemy ability Tomato Ketchup.
The Berserk status makes the afflicted uncontrollable and the unit will only use the Fight command.
Final Fantasy Dimensions[]
The affected turns red and emits steam. Berserk boosts ATK, but the unit can only attack. This status also gives Attack a cast time. It wears off after a fight.
Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008)[]
Whenever the player engages any piece on a stage, all battle pieces adjacent to the player become Berserk and the player must engage them instantly, unable to customize their character or use any skills before the battle.
Some battle pieces start in Berserk, and fight the player if they place their piece adjacent to them. Berserked battle pieces glow red. The effects of Berserk can be nullified once by using the Blink skill, or all the time, including all the next stages of the story, with the Invisible skill.
Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia[]
This section about a status effect in Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Final Fantasy Record Keeper[]
This section about a status effect in Final Fantasy Record Keeper is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]
This section about a status effect in Final Fantasy Brave Exvius is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Mobius Final Fantasy[]
This section about a status effect in Mobius Final Fantasy is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.World of Final Fantasy[]
Berserk forces the afflicted to only use the "Attack" command on enemies uncontrollably but with increased damage.
| Game Element | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Berserk | Active Ability | Inflicts Berserk on a single target. |
| Dance with me! | Active Ability | Inflicts Berserk on all targets. |
| Moon Flute | Active Ability | Inflicts Berserk on all targets. |
| Destroyer | Active Ability | User gains Berserk/Haste. |
| Howling Moon | Active Ability | User gains Berserk/Haste/Evasion ↑. |
| Walnut Frenzy | Active Ability | User recovers HP and gains Regen/Berserk. |
| Kozuka | Active Ability | Inflicts neutral Physical damage/Berserk to random targets. Hits three times. |
| Kuparrr! | Active Ability | Inflicts neutral Physical damage/Berserk to random targets. Hits multiple times. |
| Resist Berserk | Passive Ability | Protects the user against Berserk. |
| Overheat | Passive Ability | User will sometimes be bestowed Berserk upon taking Fire damage. |
| Overclock | Passive Ability | While Berserk, user gains Agility ↑ but causes HP to drain. |
| War Gong | Item | Sometimes inflicts Berserk to a single target. |
| Tranquilizer | Item | Removes Berserk from a single target. |
| Remedy+ | Item | Removes all status ailments from a single target. |
| Berserk Mirajewel | Mirajewel | Allows Lann or Reynn to use Berserk. |
| Resist Berserk Mirajewel | Mirajewel | Raises Lann or Reynn's Resistance to Berserk to 100. |
| Berserk Seed | Ability Seed | Allows a Mirage to use Berserk. |
| Resist Berserk Seed | Ability Seed | Raises a Mirage's Resistance to Poison to 100. |
Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances[]
Bravely series[]
Berserked units in Bravely Default and Bravely Second have raised Physical Attack by 50% but the afflicted attacks random enemies if there are multiple.
Chrono Trigger[]
A character under the Berserk status randomly attacks an enemy without input from the player. They deal more damage than normal and have boosted defense. Characters under the status are red, in the same manner of Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI.
Gallery[]
This gallery is incomplete and requires Final Fantasy X (PS3), Final Fantasy X-2 (PS3), Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings and Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift added. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by uploading images.