Berserker

While not as much of a shielding boost as Shield Monkey, Berserker increases your shields at the cost of some speed loss. This skill costs 5 skill points per level and gives +5% Max Shields, +3% Shield Recharge, and -1.5% Speed for heavy fighters and +4% Max Shields, +2% Shield Recharge, and -1% Speed for other ships.

Some think that this skill is improperly named (berserker means a frenzied and reckless warrior), and suggest that a more apt name would be something like Guardian because the skill allows you to take a beating.

NEW BERSERKER:

-Combat Focus (+2% shield max, +1% damage in heavy fighters, +1% shield max in others)

-Berserker Class (+2% hostility, 15% MF [100% MF is one extra shot])

-Impervious Armor (+2.5% all resists, -2% speed)

-Ordinance Supremecy (+10% energy, +1% damage)

-Arsenal Expertise (5% MF, +2.5% weapon hold, equipped weapons take -2.5% space)