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[AStranger]

Despite the fact I haven't played DoomRL in the past few months, I have been keeping up on reading the forum. I've recently noticed a slight surge in talk about the 'zerk bug. It seems that most people know it exists, but I can't seem to find if the cause of the bug was ever identified.

Does anyone know the current status? Can we expect this to be fixed in the next version, or is more investigation needed? I'd like to play again, but I rely too much on berserker for some of the diamond badges.

[Tavana]

Our best guess at the moment is that in some situations when a Berserk state is granted by the Berserk trait, the armor bonus is not granted. As to why this happens, there is nothing obvious in the code to suggest why this would happen. The Berserk trait should grant the exact same qualities as a berserk powerup, except for the shorter duration.

As for testing, it would be greatly appreciated if someone wanted to test out theories for circumstances where this "bug" happens. Currently the only real indicator that the armor isn't granted is by the amazing damage of the main man in the Unholy Cathedral. But, really, that could just be Gargulec whinging. ;)

[Gargulec]

My observations:

*zerk triggered does not always grant the armour, but it sometimes does. From my games, it appears that the trait works better on lower difficulties: on HNTR it triggered properly 2/3 of my UC visits, on HMP 1/3 (or 1/4 I don't remember perfectly).

*zerk triggered does not restore cautious status, and if you are running to being with, you will run while zerking. You also can start running while under triggered zerk.

*other zerk qualities (fastened move, melee damage) seem to work on triggered zerk.

*if you zerk due to trait while under effects of zerk globe, your will retain all zerk qualities, including armor.

[Fanta Hege]

As for testing, it would be greatly appreciated if someone wanted to test out theories for circumstances where this "bug" happens. Currently the only real indicator that the armor isn't granted is by the amazing damage of the main man in the Unholy Cathedral. But, really, that could just be Gargulec whinging.

I've experienced this bug a lot outside the UC and I personaly think it might have to do with either;

1. The armor you're wearing
2. Beeing on tired state

Most cause normally when I get the zerk armor bug, I usualy wear a damaged armor or am at end of running/tired state. Though it might be something else but thise are just my observations. But then again I haven't really played that much meelee lately anyway.

[RogerN]

I just experienced the bug twice in a row.  Phobos Base, Level 7, Ultra-Violence.  I was not wearing any armor.  I was already tired.  After using a medkit, I returned to cautious - but the zerk armor still wasn't working.

EDIT: It just happened to me again on level 10.  This time I was not already tired, and I was wearing red armor [48%].

[AStranger]

I think I found it. I made a simple sandbox level, give all the mobs 1d1 weapons and a toDam of 4. So each mob always did 5 damage for 10%. The player gets a 100d1 weapon and the mobs either had 100 or 500 hp. So far after ~5-10 minutes of playing it, 100% of the time if berserker triggers on the killing blow the armor bonus does *NOT* kick in. Luckily if the berserker triggers on a *NON*-lethal blow everything seems to work fine. I didn't test the damage output though.

It's also worth noting that once you start a bugged berserk, it can't be fixed by a good berserk or a berserk globe. The only cure is to wait it out.

[AStranger]

I just tried a bit more testing and it seems a bugged berserk doesn't give the armor or damage bonus. It does however seem to give the speed bonus and lets you change your tactics. The bugged berserk also does not restore a tired status to a cautious status. So really a bugged berserk is only good for speed and a red screen.

[RogerN]

I think I found it.  <snip> 100% of the time if berserker triggers on the killing blow the armor bonus does *NOT* kick in. Luckily if the berserker triggers on a *NON*-lethal blow everything seems to work fine. I didn't test the damage output though.

That's some great detective work.  Good job.