Vigoorian Berserker

Vigoorian Berserker/Knightmare
Race:	Fiends
Rank:	Elite Knight
Debut:	Ninja Gaiden (Xbox) Hurricane Pack 2

Vigoorian Berserkers are the Elite Knights of the Vigoorian Empire, serving the Emperor loyally. Their preferred weapon of choice is the Dabilahro, a giant sword that weighs at least 100 pounds.

Berserkers will normally make an entrance as a meteorite coming from the sky, and also have a "berserker mode" that they go into after taking a certain amount of damage. They have large amounts of health, and, along with the Ariochs, are considered some of the most difficult normal enemies in the game.

Appearance

A large demonic knight in white skeletal armor with horns, a reptilian tail and claws on both feet and hands, wielding a large sword. When going into the Berserker Mode, they will turn black and red (purple and green in Sigma), and their sword will emit a fiery glow.

Abilities and Powers

Meteorite Entrance: Berserkers generally enter battle by slamming into the ground from a sky in a meteorite form.

Fiendish Armor: their armor makes them immune to the Flying Swallow, as well any ranged weapons (shurikens, arrows, etc.)

Berserker Mode: they will enter this form once taking enough damage, becoming even more deadly and relentless in their attacks. They will ignite themselves upon entering this mode, which will damage Ryu if he's too close.

Counter Attack: they will often parry or counter most attacks, making a direct engage risky.

Swordmanship: the Berserkers employ various techniques using their swords, such as a flaming dash, 2 hit flame dash, an impaling dash, and a 2 or 3 hit combo. Most of their attacks will break Ryu's guard.

Pyromancy: they have two ranged attacks, which are only used if Ryu is far away: a Fireball Volley (where they will shoot various fireballs at Ryu) and a Fire Pit attack (which will erupt a pillar of flames on Ryu's location, regardless of distance).

Volcano Slam: similarly to Ryu's Ultimate Technique with the Dabilahro, the Berserkers will slam the ground with their swords, releasing a beam of flame. They will often use this attack if the player attempts to use Flying Swallow.

Appearances

Vigoorian Berserker going into Berserk Mode

Ninja Gaiden: originally special enemies for the Hurricane Pack 2 Phase 5, which later became the Eternal Legend in Mission Mode for Ninja Gaiden Black. They also appear in Ninja Gaiden Black/Sigma storymode on higher difficulties.

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword: They appear in the last few chapters, in the underworld. They are also one of the harder normal enemies in this game.

Strategy

• A direct assault will likely result into Ryu getting countered. Ideally, the player should bait for attacks, dodge and retaliate as their guard is down. Jumping on their heads (Wind Path) is also very effective as it'll throw them off-balance.
• The best way to defeat them is by using heavy weapons (such as the Dabilahro or Unlabored Flawlessness) and performing the Forward + Strong Attack (best used after a roll), which will deal high damage and inflict significant hitstun. Counter-Attacks are also effective against their 2 hit combo (the only attack that doesn't guard break).
  • With the Dark Dragon Blade it takes 5 hits in total to kill them on the Master Ninja difficulty. They will enter Berserker Mode after 2 hits.
  • Equipping the Sun Armlet and the Azure Dragon Helm can make the Dabilahro's Forward + Strong Attack kill in roughly the same time as the Dark Dragon Blade and is good for easier difficulties when Ryu does not have the Dark Dragon.
• Paying attention to their animations is key to properly retaliate. Only a few of their attacks can be blocked, such as the 2 hit combo where they perform an overhead attack followed by a thrust (only the first hit can be blocked). They also have a shoulder tackle followed by a rising slash, which can be countered.
  • On lower difficulties, they're less likely to do follow-up attacks.
• Counter Attacking works in some situations (however, most of their moves are guard breaking), use the Intercept Technique if you have Hurricane Pack 2.
• They can be easily taken down with Ultimate Techniques. Using Wind Path (jumping on their heads) and performing an on land charge is highly effective, as they will be stunned for some seconds. This is a safer strategy if equipped with the Armlet of Senerity.

  

  Ryu with the Dark Dragon Blade fighting a Vigoorian Berserker.

• In Ninja Gaiden Black, Berserkers who are off screen will not perform any attacks, including their ranged attacks. The player can manipulate the camera to stay out of their their field of vision. This doesn't work on Ninja Gaiden Sigma. 
• The Lunar Staff counter is particularly useful against them due to the long invincibility frames Ryu gets. This can even allow him to dodge attacks such as the Fire Pit used by other Berserkers.

Trivia

• Despite them wielding the Dabliahro, its model is different than the one used by Ryu.

Gallery

NG1: Berserker