Can someone explain the frenzy feature for path of the berserker

This feature makes no sense to me, is it like hunters mark and triggers on all attacks or just the first one.

It's worded in kind of a strange way. Read in a very literal way, it applies to all attacks against the first target you attack on a turn. So, if you make multiple attacks against the same target on the same turn, it'll apply to all of them, but if you make two attacks against different targets, it only applies to the first one.

Assuming that's the intended interpretation, I think the idea is that it rewards you for focusing your attacks on a single target — which makes thematic sense — rather than spreading them around.

Quote from wagnarokkr >>

It's worded in kind of a strange way. Read in a very literal way, it applies to all attacks against the first target you attack on a turn. So, if you make multiple attacks against the same target on the same turn, it'll apply to all of them, but if you make two attacks against different targets, it only applies to the first one.

Assuming that's the intended interpretation, I think the idea is that it rewards you for focusing your attacks on a single target — which makes thematic sense — rather than spreading them around.

 Wut?

If you use Reckless Attack while your Rage is active, you deal extra damage to the first target you hit on your turn with a Strength-based attack. To determine the extra damage, roll a number of d6s equal to your Rage Damage bonus, and add them together. The damage has the same type as the weapon or Unarmed Strike used for the attack.

Literally says first target hit. So you can split your attacks against multiple opponents but the first one you hit gets the extra damage.

Ok, thanks!

Quote from Estaln >>

Quote from wagnarokkr >>

It's worded in kind of a strange way. Read in a very literal way, it applies to all attacks against the first target you attack on a turn. So, if you make multiple attacks against the same target on the same turn, it'll apply to all of them, but if you make two attacks against different targets, it only applies to the first one.

Assuming that's the intended interpretation, I think the idea is that it rewards you for focusing your attacks on a single target — which makes thematic sense — rather than spreading them around.

 Wut?

If you use Reckless Attack while your Rage is active, you deal extra damage to the first target you hit on your turn with a Strength-based attack. To determine the extra damage, roll a number of d6s equal to your Rage Damage bonus, and add them together. The damage has the same type as the weapon or Unarmed Strike used for the attack.

Literally says first target hit. So you can split your attacks against multiple opponents but the first one you hit gets the extra damage.

That's what I said, yes.

I’m playing a zealot with similar language “the first creature you hit with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike takes extra damage” I read it not as, you get to use it on every attack on that target. But more like, you have to use it the first time you hit. You can’t wait until your second attack and hope you crit and get some extra dice.

Though it is interesting that berserker says target instead of creature, so you’d get the extra damage vs objects as well.

Quote from Xalthu >>

I’m playing a zealot with similar language “the first creature you hit with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike takes extra damage” I read it not as, you get to use it on every attack on that target. But more like, you have to use it the first time you hit. You can’t wait until your second attack and hope you crit and get some extra dice.

My problem with that interpretation is that things that are intended to be read that way would usually say "your first attack" rather than "first target".

For Berserker, in particular, it seems like the point of it is to incentivize repeatedly attacking the same target (in a furious, berserk manner) rather than spreading it around.

Quote from wagnarokkr >>

Quote from Xalthu >>

I’m playing a zealot with similar language “the first creature you hit with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike takes extra damage” I read it not as, you get to use it on every attack on that target. But more like, you have to use it the first time you hit. You can’t wait until your second attack and hope you crit and get some extra dice.

My problem with that interpretation is that things that are intended to be read that way would usually say "your first attack" rather than "first target".

For Berserker, in particular, it seems like the point of it is to incentivize repeatedly attacking the same target (in a furious, berserk manner) rather than spreading it around.

 Oh, I like your reading better. It gives me more damage🙂. And it does help with scaling to get the extra damage at level 5. But it also seems excessive when you combine with something like PAM’s bonus action attack.

It is definitely possible they overtuned it a smidge when they overhauled it for 5.5e, but at least it doesn't give you levels of exhaustion when you use it anymore. I don't know whose idea that was, but I'm glad we left in the past.

Quote from Xalthu >>

Quote from wagnarokkr >>

Quote from Xalthu >>

I’m playing a zealot with similar language “the first creature you hit with a weapon or an Unarmed Strike takes extra damage” I read it not as, you get to use it on every attack on that target. But more like, you have to use it the first time you hit. You can’t wait until your second attack and hope you crit and get some extra dice.

My problem with that interpretation is that things that are intended to be read that way would usually say "your first attack" rather than "first target".

For Berserker, in particular, it seems like the point of it is to incentivize repeatedly attacking the same target (in a furious, berserk manner) rather than spreading it around.

 Oh, I like your reading better. It gives me more damage🙂. And it does help with scaling to get the extra damage at level 5. But it also seems excessive when you combine with something like PAM’s bonus action attack.

 I didn't see that interpretation of the rules until I read it twice, but now I can't unsee it. As someone playing a Berserker Barbarian right now, I love that reading. I suppose that is really going to depend on the generosity of the DM though. I think it does make a lot of sense, mechanically and thematically (as stated above). A stronger hunter's mark, but weapon damage instead of force.

I respectfully disagree with the interpretation that the extra damage applies to every hit against the 'first target.' The phrasing 'the first target you hit on your turn' is almost certainly just clunky wording meant to indicate the first successful attack you make on your turn. If it truly applied to every hit against the same creature, a dual-wielding Berserker with Dual Wielder could easily be making four attacks per turn (all at advantage), adding a total of 8d6 extra damage on top of everything else for no resource cost, all at advantage — and that’s before we even talk about crits. That level of burst damage feels far beyond the intended design of the subclass. I believe the conservative and more balanced reading (first successful hit per turn) is the correct one.
But I'm interested to hear from tables that ruled it otherwise: How did the other players react?

I was reacting to "it applies to all attacks against the first target you attack on a turn" which is misleading, it applies to the fist one that hits, not all against the first target.

Otherwise it is a bit over the top in extra damage.

Quote from Estaln >>

I was reacting to "it applies to all attacks against the first target you attack on a turn" which is misleading, it applies to the fist one that hits, not all against the first target.

That appears to be a common interpretation, but it's not what it actually says. Typically when something like that is intended, they'll phrase it something like "the first time you hit a target with an attack on your turn, it deals extra damage".

Quote from Bonerbarbados >>

I respectfully disagree with the interpretation that the extra damage applies to every hit against the 'first target.' The phrasing 'the first target you hit on your turn' is almost certainly just clunky wording meant to indicate the first successful attack you make on your turn. If it truly applied to every hit against the same creature, a dual-wielding Berserker with Dual Wielder could easily be making four attacks per turn (all at advantage), adding a total of 8d6 extra damage on top of everything else for no resource cost, all at advantage — and that’s before we even talk about crits. That level of burst damage feels far beyond the intended design of the subclass. I believe the conservative and more balanced reading (first successful hit per turn) is the correct one.
But I'm interested to hear from tables that ruled it otherwise: How did the other players react?

 I can see what you are saying but taking Dual Wielder will forever lock the Barbarian into two 1d6 weapons and permanently reduce their strength bonus. For that kind of trade, I would think there should be some kind of incentive. Your interpretation requires heavy investment with very little payoff from what I was able to see. It appears that will only offer an average of 4 extra damage over my Longsword Frenzy Barbarian at level 5. That doesn't even consider that Light magical items will be a fight (and likely prioritized) to the party's Dex fighter at later levels. Basic weapon damage might be all a barbarian is likely to see for some time.

Level 5 Happy Frenzy + Dual Wielder
Attack – Scimitar (Light, Nick) – 1d6(Weapon)+4(Strength)+2d6(Frenzy) = Average of 13
Attack 2 – Scimitar (Light, Nick) – 1d6(Weapon)+4(Strength)+2d6(Frenzy) = Average of 13
Light Attack – Shortsword (Light, Vex) – 1d6(Weapon)+2d6(Frenzy) = Average of 9
Bonus Attack (DW) – Shortsword (Light, Vex) – 1d6(Weapon)+2d6(Frenzy) = Average of 9
Total Average = 44

Level 5 Sad Frenzy + Dual Wielder
Attack – Scimitar (Light, Nick) – 1d6(Weapon)+4(Strength)+2d6(Frenzy) = Average of 13
Attack 2 – Scimitar (Light, Nick) – 1d6(Weapon)+4(Strength)= Average of 7
Light Attack – Shortsword (Light, Vex) – 1d6(Weapon) = Average of 3
Bonus Attack (DW) – Shortsword (Light, Vex) – 1d6(Weapon) = Average of 3
Total Average = 26

Level 5 My Barbarian Frenzy
Attack – Longsword/Shield (Sap) – 1d8(Weapon)+4(Strength)+2d6(Frenzy) = Average of 14
Attack 2 – Longsword/Shield (Sap) – 1d8(Weapon)+4(Strength) = Average of 8
Total Average = 22

If my math is off or if I am forgetting something, please let me know. As it is, I can't imagine giving up a shield and Sap for just 4 extra damage. I can, however, be convinced to toss the shield and longsword for twice my anticipated damage once I get to level 5.