Heracles (Berserker)

, Class Name , is the Berserker-class Servant of Illyasviel von Einzbern in the Fifth Holy Grail War of Fate/stay night. He is one of the Servants of Ritsuka Fujimaru of the Grand Order conflicts of Fate/Grand Order.
==Profile==
===Identity===
Heracles.png|thumb|During his life as seen in Fate/stay night Heaven's Feel, illustrated by Task Ohna.
Actual Archer Heracles.jpg|Heracles using his Hydra bow in life in Fate/Apocrypha, illustrated by Akira Ishida.
Heracles was the greatest hero in Greek mythology. He was a demi-god born from Zeus and a human woman (who herself, was the granddaughter of Perseus, a demigod son of Zeus). While he had superior talent in all areas, he had a number of personality issues. He beat his lyre instructor, to death after he reprimanded Heracles for making errors and then caned him with rods, so his mortal father (who himself, was a grandson of Perseus) sent him to tend his cowherds. He thus became a splendid man who accomplished several great deeds that caused the King of Thebes to grant Heracles his daughter, . They had two children, and he earned the right to succeed the king.
He was both young and strong and it seemed that there was no match for him among humans. His future seemed bright, having married the king's daughter and bearing two children, but Zeus's wife, , detested the child born between Zeus and a human. She meddled with his fate at every opportunity, and she started by sending madness to him that caused him to kill his family. Troubled by the sins he had committed, he received a sign that he should atone by becoming the slave of Eurystheus, the man who took away his promised position as king.
Eurystheus, jealous of the strong hero, gave him many difficult tasks, and claimed that Heracles would remain his slave until they were completed. These difficult labors were tasks impossible to complete with normal human skills that later came to be known as the famous . The number of labors originally chosen by the gods was ten, but Eurystheus added two more labors after denying the fulfillment of two of them. Heracles managed to complete even those tasks, so he was granted not only his freedom, but he also received an immortal body as proof of his great accomplishments.
This marked the beginning of the great hero Heracles, the greatest hero in Greece, who singlehandedly achieved great deeds equaling those of the Trojan War and the Argo Expedition. Despite that, Hera's hatred was endless, so the rest of his life was again full of madness. While he should have been immortal, he was killed by poison by one of his wives. Though he was a great hero equally matched with the sun god even as a human, he was slowly killed by Hera's persistent jealousy. He burned his own body, still contaminated with poison at the time of his death, and he entrusted himself to Zeus' judgment. The gods approved of his great deeds in a conference, prepared a seat in Olympus after his death, and acknowledged him as a god.
===Appearance===
Heracles is a colossal, statue-like man who is described as a "black giant." He gives off the impression of a monster, instantly marked as the Berserker-class Servant by Rin Tohsaka, in both appearance and presence. He is one of the few entities that can impart fear unto Shirou Emiya, freezing him in place. Had he not been summoned as a berserker, he would no longer have the projections on his arms, his muscles would become slightly softer, and his face would show more humanity since he would no longer be under the influence of Mad Enhancement, however, he would still retain his large size. 
===Personality===
Due to the Mad Enhancement, Heracles is completely void of thought for most of the story. His emotions have been sealed off, making it impossible to perform any actions with personal motivation, and the only thing not lost is the reason within the core of his being that not even the bondage of the Command Spells can overwhelm. This side is shown in the occasions when he is shown feeling something like the will to protect Illya. He faces even hopeless fights with his iron will, advancing to keep Illya from facing death. He can display general thoughts based on his instincts that Illya can interpret, and she responds as if having a normal conversation. Archer notes that he is one of the Servants completely satisfied with their Master.
He enjoys battle, and would have grieved that his match with EMIYA "deserved better" had he been sane. He would've matched sword techniques with Archer to his heart's content and passed a satisfying time. He speaks briefly, free of Mad Enhancement, before his death during the Fate route of Fate/stay night, asking about Caliburn and commenting on its surprising strength. He puts no emotion into his dying words, and simply crumbles away like sand.
For Heracles, who had gone berserk numerous times in legend, having beat his harp instructor to death when he was a child and many other episodes that involved killing people in rage without even hearing them speak, the Berserker Class is quite familiar and easy in which to adapt. After being Blackened by the Holy Grail in Heaven's Feel, he was able to halt the last strike of his Axe Sword before he died. He was able to do so due to the strength of his heart; a heart which suffered the pain of going berserk since his early days as a hero. He is identified as the most manly character in Fate.
====Relationships====
;Illyasviel von Einzbern
:Illya was Heracles' Master during the Fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War, during which the two enjoyed a healthy Master/Servant relationship. Whenever Heracles would react to his surroundings based on his instinct, Illya would often interpret it and respond as if they were having a conversation. Heracles feels very protective over his Master and always acts to keep her out of harm's way, no matter the cost to his well-being. EMIYA noted that he is one of the Servants completely satisfied with their Master.
;Chiron
:One regret in regards to the teacher. Even though Master Chiron may had been prepared for it when he had broken through the battlefield, to begin with, taking out the Hydra poison may had been too much…Fate/Grand Order material II Heracles' Profile, translated by Beasr's Lair User castor212.
;Jason
:An acquaintance, skilled with his mouth. That figure of his, being led around by the nose with the weight of his own destiny, overlap with his own. He just can’t leave him alone. Maybe Jason who “self-consciously” “ignores” that distress is also quite pitiful himself.
;Medea
:She was completely scary when above the Argo. Slightly shocked.
;Atalanta
:A fellow Argonaut. He would have loved to compete in the bows with her, but before he realized it she had already went off the ship.
;Medusa
:Truly, the gods are the worst...
;Asclepius
;Atalanta Alter
;Caenis
;Castor and Pollux
;Medea Lily
;Peleus
;Theseus
==Role==
===Fate/stay night===
Illya trying to control Herc.gif|Illya trying her first command seal to Berserker.
Herc draining Illya.gif|Berserker draining Illya of her Magical Energy due to him being forced to respond.
Berserker protecting Illya from the Wolves.jpg|Berserker protecting Illya from the Wolves.
Illya commands Herc to attack the wolves.gif|Illya commanding Berserker to kill the Wolves.
Illya Berserker.jpg|Illya acknowledging Berserker
Berserker is initially summoned by Illya in the Einzbern family castle two months before the start of the Holy Grail War. He is specifically summoned as Berserker, utilizing a slab of stone from a temple for a catalyst. Choosing him for his vast strength and choosing the class to have a puppet unable to betray them like Kiritsugu in the previous war, they begin to prepare Illya and Berserker as the strongest Master and Servant pair. Lacking any support from the Grail, Illya is forced to provide the entirety of his energy, keeping her in constant pain.
Part of their training involves abandoning them in the Einzbern wasteyard, where only Berserker can keep them alive. He attacks any enemies, and she bears the pain of his movements draining her life away. The process slowly becomes special to him without his knowing. She hates whining, so she insults him instead, scorning his ugliness and cursing his existence. His existence causes her to suffer, so she hates him and keeps him in constant madness as a form of revenge. He knows it is only her desperate opposition, a way to hide the fact that she is fated to have nothing.
The burden on her begins to lessen as the Grail begins to show signs of appearing. After a particularly desperate battle where his body is severely torn from fending off wolves, where she began to scream for his sake rather than her own and endure the pain of his movement for his sake, she acknowledges him with the words: "You're strong, Berserker." He is covered in the blood of the beasts and she is covered in her own blood, and seeing her resting on him while crying tears of anguish, he realizes that he is the only one she has talked to in the entire castle.
After arriving in Fuyuki, Illya and Berserker engage Lancer at some undetermined point. Lancer then leaves the battle unfinished in accordance with the command from his Master, Kirei Kotomine. They also attempt to storm Ryuudou Temple to slay Caster, but Berserker is forced back by Assassin and Caster's magecraft weighing him down.
====Fate====
Berserkerforestbattle.jpg|Saber and Berserker battle for the second time.
BerserkerRin.jpg|Berserker grabs Rin
Shirou, Saber, and Rin encounter Illya and Berserker for the first time when preparing to head home after leaving the church. Illya quickly has him attack after a brief introduction, and he meets Saber in battle. He easily overwhelms her with his power and speed, and she is left on the defensive the entire fight. Rin tries to damage him with her magecraft after Saber is thrown back by a brutal strike, but God Hand prevents it from doing any damage. As Berserker continues his rush, he lands a major blow that she cannot block.
He simply stands still afterward, awaiting Illya's orders. Confident in his strength, she casually reveals his identity as Heracles. She commands him to deal the final blow and cut off her head, but Shirou pushes Saber out of the way and has a large chunk taken from his stomach. Illya retreats afterward, disinterested in fighting any longer and confused by his actions. Illya later appears before Shirou without Berserker during the day, and she has her Servant kill Shinji Matou after the defeat of Rider. She kidnaps Shirou afterward due to her interest in him.
Berserker is sent to attack Saber, Rin and Archer when they arrive to rescue Shirou, but Archer stays behind to face him. While the others get away, Archer and Berserker battle, resulting in Berserker being grievously wounded after being killed six (five in the anime) times and Archer defeated. Illya's shock at an unknown hero being able to accomplish such a feat keeps her from acting until morning, and although Berserker believes even Excalibur cannot defeat him, he cautions her that he should still face Saber at full strength. It would take three days to fully heal, so Illya reprimands him and tells him that five lives will be enough.
Finally acting, the two proceed after their targets and quickly find them. Illya has Berserker utilize his full strength, and he once again meets Saber in combat. She faces him head-on, but quickly reaches the limits of her dwindling energy. Shirou tries to support her with an arrow, but Berserker continues to push her back without even taking notice. Saber finally manages to push him back, giving Rin a chance to use ice magecraft from a jewel. It manages to hurt him, but he destroys most of the ice, giving him an opportunity to grab her. Berserker is unable to crush Rin due to reinforcing herself with jewels on her stomach, and she unleashes four jewels at once to destroy his head.
Displaying the resurrection of God Hand, he resumes his grip on her after his head is restored. Saber and Shirou attack him, but they are unable to even cause him to loosen his grip, let alone harm him. Shirou projects Caliburn in desperation, allowing him to sever Berserker's arm. Berserker attacks him ferociously afterward, but another projected Caliburn is able to block the strikes. He is soon overwhelmed, but Saber also grabs onto the sword and utilizes it to smash through the Axe-sword, slash into Berserker's body (impaling the chest in the anime), and release a light that kills him seven times over.
Defeated and freed from his madness as he crumbles into sand, Berserker comments on the sword, noting that it was indeed simply an illusion brought forth by Shirou. As his chest splits open, he says that such an illusion should not be underestimated because of the unexpected damage it caused him. His existence then disperses into the air.
====Unlimited Blade Works====
Berserkergraveyard.jpg|Berserker and Saber battle in the graveyard
Enkidu.jpg|Berserker resisting Enkidu with all his might
The first encounter with Berserker differs due to Archer not being injured at the time. Archer supports Saber by firing arrows at Berserker while she fights him at close range, but they are unable to pierce Berserker's skin. She is pushed back even with further support from Rin, and she is blown away by a powerful strike as part of a plan to overpower him. The fight moves towards the graveyard due to that, where she manages to get an advantage over Berserker by utilizing the gravestones as cover. While chopping through the gravestones is trivial for him, it provides the slight advantage she needs to overpower him.
The fight continues until Saber gets a chance to perform a decisive strike, but Archer fires Caladbolg II, planning to hit both Servants if possible. Berserker realizes the danger it poses to him, and he intercepts it before it can hit him. It causes a massive conflagration in the graveyard, but Berserker emerges unscratched. Illya is surprised by this interesting turn of events, so she decides to retreat because fighting them is no longer a boring chore that she wishes to get out of the way. She does not care about Saber, but finds Archer's ability to possibly damage Berserker interesting.
Many days later, after Caster has taken Saber and Archer, Rin and Shirou decide to look towards Illya and Berserker for an alliance, believing that Heracles knowing Medea from the Argo Expedition would make him her worst enemy. They instead find Berserker battling Gilgamesh under the orders of Shinji Matou, Berserker making a desperate death charge with no hope of winning. He can only charge through the torrent of weapons from the Gate of Babylon because Illya may die otherwise, expending his lives while slowly making his way towards his opponent.
It is evident to all, even himself in his maddened state, that he holds no chance of victory, but he still walks forward while ignoring the stream of weapons piercing his body. Gilgamesh eventually grows bored and plans to finish him off, but Berserker surprises him by continuing to advance even after that simply through willpower. It is a battle where Berserker will win upon reaching his enemy, killing him before he is killed by him. Approaching the enemy before his life ends, it is a battle where the one to accomplish their goal is the one to win.
Gilgamesh makes use of Enkidu, after Berserker has died ten times and is about to strike after a particularly desperate charge. Though it should be impossible, Berserker resists even the binding force from the chains, and even Gilgamesh acknowledges that it will not be enough. Illya tries to get him to retreat through the power of a Command Spell, but the chains keep him bound despite that. Gilgamesh makes the seemingly final strike, piercing Berserker with twenty-two weapons while still bound. As he dies, Berserker remembers his and Illya's first two months together, seeing her tears for the first time since then as she runs towards him.
After Illya is blinded and stabbed through a lung, Berserker summons his strength to break the chains as she continues to crawl towards him even in that state. Gilgamesh simply pierces his heart with Gae Bolg, and the attack truly kills him. Though he is out of power and should instantly fall, his remaining will allows him to comfort Illya in her final moments. Fighting all the laws destroying him, he watches her call out for him, standing strong as if to say he must remain invincible for her until the very end. She eventually reaches him and takes comfort in that he has not been defeated yet and that he is strong like always. She peacefully sleeps in comfort as Berserker fades away, and Gilgamesh rips out her heart.
====Heaven's Feel====
Berserker.jpg|Blackened Berserker
Berserkerstandoff.jpg|Shirou facing the Blackened Berserker
Shirou vs. Black Berserker.jpg|Shirou using Nine Lives Blade Works against the Blackened Berserker.
The first encounter with Berserker is the same as that of the Fate route. During the time Shirou spends bonding with Illya, she mentions that he sleeps most of the day and awakes at night, and she does not take him with her when they are not participating in battle. Shirou and Rin attempt to find Illya after the truth behind Sakura Matou and Zouken Matou is discovered, believing Zouken to be too dangerous an opponent to let Illya fight without any warning. They are too late, and the Shadow appears before the Einzbern Castle. Berserker, even without reason, is able to instinctively tell that the Shadow is not an opponent he can beat due to its advantage over Servants, so he tells Illya to run.
Illya is more afraid of losing her Servant to the command of the Shadow than actual defeat, so she attempts to flee with him. They are intercepted by Zouken and True Assassin, but Assassin has no chance to even fight before Berserker's intimidating presence causes him to back down. The Shadow and Saber Alter eventually arrive, bringing about a situation where Berserker must fight in order to protect Illya, even against her orders to retreat. Saber is able to fight Berserker directly, and her advantage increases as the Shadow begins to cover his body and restrain his limbs. Though Illya pleads for him to run, he continues battling in order to protect her.
He goes as far as ripping the Shadow from his legs and chest, but such a thing should not be possible. He is forced to rip his own flesh apart deep enough to show bone in order to remove it, and then proceeds to the final clash with Saber. Utilizing Excalibur Morgan, she meets his charge and overwhelms him, leaving him defeated for the Shadow to absorb. Due to Sakura gaining more control over the Shadow as she becomes more attuned to it, she does not absorb Berserker, trapping him within her like Saber. He is not cleanly blackened like her, instead emerging covered in mud and with the wounds from Saber untouched.
Berserker no longer has any of his little sense remaining, and he no longer has senses left within his eyes, nose, or mouth. He cannot see, leaving him to rage towards the target blindly, and he cannot even recognize Illya. He is a monster only capable of destruction, and he is let loose on Shirou and Kirei Kotomine as they attempt to rescue Illya. They are able to keep ahead of him due to his blindness because he is impeded by every tree he crashes through. Kotomine splits from them to engage Assassin, while Shirou and Illya are left without a way to escape after Berserker catches up with them.
Shirou manages to avoid a fatal blow by strengthening a Black Key, but he is thrown far away due to Berserker's strike. Illya is astonished by his form, his red eyes only emitting hostility, and fruitlessly attempts to get him to recognize her. Berserker immediately strikes down at her, and Shirou is forced to project his Axe-sword to save her in time without being overwhelmed. It proves to be an inferior copy, shattering instantly under Berserker's strength. They manage to get enough time to retreat, and Shirou makes a resolution to utilize Archer's arm to combat him. Shirou engages him from thirty meters away, reproducing the Axe-sword with Berserker's strength to keep from being overwhelmed by it.
Berserker recognizes him as a threat, charging at the opponent in his mind, Berserker thinks he's still fighting the battle with Saber, he charges to protect Illya despite being blind, insane and having a rotting body. Shirou utilizes Nine Lives Blade Works to deliver eight massive strikes that destroy 80% of his body, but it still doesn't stop his charge. Shirou is unable to land the final strike before Berserker's strike, but Illya gets him to halt his strike at the last moment by appearing before him, giving Shirou the opportunity to land the final blow and have Berserker crumble to dust without further resistance. His red eyes, focus on Illya, telling Shirou to protect her as they fade away.
===Fate/hollow ataraxia===
thumb|right|300px|Illya and Berserker facing against the shades.
===Fate/unlimited codes===
In Fate/unlimited codes, he is known as the .
BerserkerUCopening.jpg|Opening
BerserkerUCending.jpg|Ending
As he is summoned by Illya, Berserker's sanity is taken away and even he is uncertain of his real identity. All Berserker has is pure rage, except for one tranquil place in his heart whenever he sees Illya. The voice of Illya helps Berserker to remember his regrets and lamentation for not being able to protect his loved one. He desires to protect her, and his resolve is that of a hero who floats in the depths of madness.
Berserker and Illya later confront Shirou and Saber, and Berserker is blinded by Saber's silver radiance. He remembers fighting against this type of enemy before, and considers her to be a dangerous enemy. In addition, Illya is frightened of Saber, so he instinctively fights Saber and wins.
His final opponent is Gilgamesh. Illya is surprised to see that an eighth servant exists. Berserker knows Gilgamesh to be the most evil and the most powerful enemy he will face, and he can tell from Gilgamesh's eyes that he seeks Illya's death. He can tell that Gilgamesh isn't a normal enemy, and that he will have to prove his worth as a hero to surpass Gilgamesh. Berserker reacts to Gilgamesh's murderous intent, and enters battle. When the battle is over, his body is etched with countless wounds and it became hard to tell if it is his own blood or the enemy's. Illya touches Berserker and praises his strength, her voice reaching his heart, and Berserker knows that this is the end. A gentle warmth and peace console his bestial heart. He feels relief, a feeling that a hero has not enjoyed for a very long time. Illya thanks Berserker and says her farewell to him, using all her Command Spells to order Berserker to commit suicide by crushing his own heart. As he dies, he witnesses Illya wearing the Dress of Heaven, and laments as his consciousness fades: "So beautiful".
===Fate/tiger colosseum series===
BerserkerTCending.jpg|Berserker Ending
IllyaTCending.jpg|Illya Upper Ending
IriTCending.jpg|Iri Ending
In his story in Fate/tiger colosseum, Berserker unexpectedly regains sanity from the power of Holy Tiger Grail. He has a personality of a gentlemen which often shocks other characters. He is often seen carrying a rose in his hand. In his ending, Berserker wished to become Illya's butler and retained his sanity.
===Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA☆ILLYA===
When manifested, he has the same appearance as he normally does in the Berserker class. He does not have his axe-sword, instead only using his fists to fight and God Hand to revive. As he continues to battle, his elbow protrusions begin to grow into a number of spikes and similar protrusions begin to grow on his body. Miyu is completely overwhelmed by Berserker after she manages to kill him once with Gae Bolg. Installing the Saber Class Card is able to allow her to fight him back and strike with Excalibur, but it proves ineffective in fully killing him. Illya arrives before Berserker can finish Miyu off, and while Rin and Luvia briefly hold him down, Miyu and Illya use Kaleid Install with the Saber Class Card to finish him off.
===Fate/Grand Order===
====Prologue Singularity: Fuyuki====
Heracles is defeated by Artoria Alter and turned into a Shadow Servant. He is regarded as very dangerous by Cú Chulainn, as even Artoria Alter had problems with defeating him. However, he doesn't openly attack others and keeps to himself. Due to the threat he poses, the Ritsuka's party choose to not to go after him, leaving him alone.
====Third Singularity: Okeanos====
Heracles is summoned along with his fellow Argonauts: Jason, Medea, and Atalanta.Fate/Grand Order - Okeanos: The Four Sealed Seas of the End, Section 12: Defeat Heracles Even though he joins Jason's search for the Ark, he instinctively knows that sacrificing a god to it will result in the era's destruction.
Later, when the Argonauts meet up with Hector, Heracles and Medea board the Golden Hind to kill Ritsuka’s party on Jason’s order. The group kill Heracles, but he resurrects thanks to God Hand. Jason orders him to kill the group, but he goes after Euryale instead. Asterios protects her from him. When Heracles ignores his orders to not kill her, Jason orders Hector to use his Noble Phantasm. After Hector’s spear impales the two Berserkers, Jason orders Heracles to capture Euryale once he resurrects. However, Asterios uses the spear to keep hold of Heracles. He then plunges him and himself into the ocean while fading away.Fate/Grand Order - Okeanos: The Four Sealed Seas of the End, Section 10: World's Oldest Pirate Ship
Heracles resurrects by the time the Argonauts locate Ritsuka's party on an island. He ignores Jason's order to kill Artemis, Atalanta, and David (who were attacking Jason with their Noble Phantasms) to go after Euryale instead. Ritsuka's party lures him to the Ark, but he keeps his distance from it. They push him into the Ark after defeating him in battle, draining him of his magical energy unto his death.Fate/Grand Order - Okeanos: The Four Sealed Seas of the End, Section 13: Betting It All
=== Final Singularity: Solomon ===
Heracles was amongst the "Okeanos" Singularity Servants to aid Chaldea against Demon Gods Pillars.
====Subspecies Singularity II: Agartha====
When the Agartha Singularity manifested, Heracles disappeared from Chaldea and ended up in the Singularity.Fate/Grand Order - Agartha: The Mythical Subterranean Society, PrologueFate/Grand Order - Agartha: The Mythical Subterranean Society, Section 1: Welcomed by the Subterranean World His Saint Graph was modified by Scheherazade and he was changed into a form later called Megalos.Fate/Grand Order - Agartha: The Mythical Subterranean Society, Section 9: Temporary Retreat
====Götterdämmerung: Eternal Ice-Flame Century====
Due to the deep connections he shares with the host body of Sitonai, Heracles manifests as a guardian in her dreams. He is the final obstacle that Ritsuka needs to overcome to speak with Sitonai, who had accidentally caused them to lose their sense of self when she forced a contract with them. Heracles puts up a ferocious battle, only withdrawing when Sitonai asks him to let Ritsuka pass, and he fades away from the dream.
He later appears at Village 23 in the physical world under Sitonai's command, just in time to block Surtr's Loptr Laegjarn from striking the earth. Backed up by Ortlinde's White Swan Mystic Code, Divine Shields summoned by Scáthach-Skadi and additional runes provided by Sigurd and Brynhildr, Heracles is able to buy enough time until Napoleon overloads his Noble Phantasm and destroys Surtr's head, delaying the king of giants' next blow. Heracles is subsequently missing for the following battles, presumably having once again faded away.
====Atlantis: Ancient Ocean of the Dreadnought Gods====
Before Chaldea's arrival, Heracles was summoned by the Counter Force alongside Jason and the Argonauts to help Chaldea once they have arrived. However, in a desperate attempt to protect his comrades, Heracles endured the attacks from Lostbelt Artemis. With the backing of defense buffs from Casters, it took two shots from Lostbelt Artemis's Noble Phantasm to destroy all twelve lives and kill him.Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Atlantis: Ancient Ocean of the Dreadnought Gods - Section 5: Setting Sail Anew!
====Interlude====
Oath of Heracles 
In France, Ritsuka, Mash, and Heracles rescue a nearby village from wild beasts. Afterwards, the group notice a scared girl, who Heracles runs towards. Initially worried that he was going after the girl, the group notice that he was going after to kill a beast that was behind the girl. After Mash has the girl run off to safety, the group soon become surrounded by enemies, which are soon slain by the group. Returning to Chaldea, Romani reveals Heracles didn't attack the girl from before due his Madness Enhancement being weak since it was lowered so not to consume so much Magical Energy. Ritsuka believes Heracles wouldn't have attacked the girl if he were truly mad, though Romani his doubts it.
The 13th Labor
Heracles, Ritsuka and Mash rayshift to the cavern of the Greater Grail due an odd response that Romani detected, which he suspects being remnants of the Singularity or a dimensional disturbance. However, the response turns out to be a trap left by Lev Lainur Flauros causing the group to fight enemies for three days and nights. Angry that they fell for Lev's trap, Romani further reveals that the exit is blocked by enemies, and that the group is trapped inside a magical dimension. He tells them that they need to restore Heracles' Madness Enchancement in order to have a chance of escaping. Romani continues that they need a large source of Magical Energy, and warns Ritsuka and Mash that tragedy always happened when Heracles went mad in life. Though Mash is against such a plan, Ritsuka decides to go with it, and asks Romani how to proceed. Romani tells Ritsuka to add the line for Madness Enhancement to the original summoning chant. But, a dragon appears before the group, which forces Ritsuka to speak the line for Madness Enhancement to restore Heracles' own Madness Enhancement. However, after slaying the dragon, Heracles continues his rampage, but he is stopped when Ritsuka faints from magical energy depletion. Despite this, he slays all the remaining monsters in order for the group to escape.
===Today's Menu for Emiya Family===
Berserker makes his debut in the 12th episode of Today's Menu for Emiya Family. He is tasked by Illya to retrieve a tree from outside to use for Christmas decorations, and upon his return, Illya offers him a poorly made cookie she made and a professionally made cookie Sakura made. To Illya's delight, he eats her cookie first. Unlike the other characters featured in the episode, Berserker does not get to enjoy the episode's featured meal cooked by Shirou.
===Other appearances===
Berser-Car.png|Berser-Car in Carnival Phantasm.
Chiron students Apocrypha.png|Heraclas with Chiron's students in Fate/Apocrypha, illustratedby Akira Ishida.
DG 狂戦士の英霊：バーサーカー.jpg| as he appeared in Collaboration.
He appears as in various parody stories like Illya's Castle in Fate/hollow ataraxia and Carnival Phantasm.
In the latter, Berserker is the central character of Episode 5. Sent on his first errand by Illya who has requested batteries, Berserker unwittingly wins the 5th Holy Grail War by defeating the other Servants, and through a one-sided friendship with Lancer, Berserker is able to use Lancer as a Noble Phantasm (Boomelancer) to defeat Archer. He fails to obtain the correct batteries, however. 
In chapter 52 of the Fate/Apocrypha manga adaptation, Heracles appears in Achilles' flashback when he remembers other students of Chiron.
==Abilities==
Heracles is an exceptional Heroic Spirit, considered to be the most famous of all Heroic Spirits by Illyasviel von Einzbern and close to the strongest of them. Among the many great heroes of Greek legend, he boasts fame and power that ranks next if not above Achilles'. He can be said to be on par with Cú Chulainn and King Arthur when all are summoned in Europe, and unlike the other two who would obtain the height of their abilities in their home countries' Cultural Spheres, his own fame is such that he will display excellent strength throughout all of western Europe and Greece.Fate/Apocrypha Volume 1: Apocrypha: Great Holy Grail War - Chapter 1 As such, he is said to undoubtedly be a rank A Servant who has mostly rank A abilities from reputation alone, and likely the strongest in the Fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War in regards to fame.Fate/stay night - Fate route - Day 4: Partner - Contract Established Illya believes there should only be one or two others in existence capable of matching him.Fate/stay night - Fate route - Day 11: DragonSlay - Interlude 11-1: Dawn in the ruins Being stout of heart, body, and mind, he is an excellent warrior who has mastered all weapons. He displays qualifications corresponding to six classes, Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Assassin, and Berserker, only lacking the necessary knowledge and skills in magecraft to be Caster. As an Archer Class Servant he'd be able to demonstrate his true power the most, thanks to it being a pretty comfortable class to someone who overcame many trials with knowledge and resourcefulness and having specialized with the bow.
As a Berserker-class Servant, the level of all his abilities has been raised in compensation for losing most of his sanity, but it also has the effect of sealing a variety of sword techniques and skills, including part of his Noble Phantasms. While other classes may have allowed for more Skills and Noble Phantasms, the Einzberns wanted him to have more power, and as they had been constantly betrayed, felt it was best to have a "loyal dog that'd do only what they told it to do." Heracles as a regular Heroic Spirit would have many advantages in his own right, but the possibility of cooperative friction between the Master and the heroic part of him is too strong for them to take that chance. Although having lost much of the technical prowess and being limited to simple direct melee, he can undoubtedly be called the strongest amongst the Servants summoned for the Fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War. Even Artoria believes she would have a hard fight at her full power and claims that it may be impossible for any Servant to overcome his strength. However, his strength has some clear limitations. As seen in the Norse Lostbelt when he was momentarily summoned by Sitonai, the amalgamation of three Divine Spirits, he struggles to block Surtr's Loptr Laegjarn. Even with the back up of Scáthach-Skadi who used her Primordial Runes to simultaneously summon a large number of Divine Iron Shields, Ortlinde's White Swan Mystic Code, and Sigurd's and Brynhildr's runes are unable to reinforce Heracles enough to block Surtr's sword. The difference between the numbers of the power of each side is so absurd, that even if Mash had joined them it would only have given them a minuscule boost. They simply lacked anything to turn the tide in their favor in a frontal clash.Fate/Grand Order: Cosmos in the Lostbelt - Götterdämmerung: Eternal Ice-Flame Century - Section 15: Bringing Twilight Here Once Again (End)
He would have the ability to cancel the control of Command Spells in the case of a normal Master, but Illya is able to control him due to her Command Spells being special as the person acting as the Holy Grail. She still focuses on her ability to control him outside of combat, so she suppresses the rank of Mad Enhancement. She even does so in combat against opponents that she believes inferior, specifically strengthening him only as necessary. The original version of Fate/stay night had it so that she had not utilized the raised parameters of Mad Enhancement at all, but it was changed within Realta Nua having him truly become wild in his fighting.
===Combat===
Berserker fending off Saber.gif|Berserker fending Saber.
Berserker kicking Saber (manga).png|Berserker kicking Saber.
Berserker throwing Saber like a rag doll (movie).gif|Berserker throwing Saber like a rag doll.
Berserker overpowers Saber.gif|Berserker punches Saber.
Heracles gravely injured Mash.jpg|Heracles slashes Mash's stomach.
Heracles possesses none of the rationality or concepts like notions of detailed tactics of his normal very adept and skilled self. He is an existence that can only utterly defeat the enemy from the front as directed by Illya while leaving everything to his physical ability and brandishing his weapon to strike. Even in this state, he still manages to demonstrate hand-to-hand combat abilities superior to every Servant. Although he lacks technique, his abilities are so beyond normal standards in power and speed that there is no room for the idea in the first place. "Technique" in battle is something invented by humans to compensate for their natural weaknesses, so such is unnecessary for he who possesses none.Fate/stay night - Fate route - Day 3: long day, long night - The Strongest Enemy Despite his monstrous size, he has the highest rank of Agility, so cornering him in battle is difficult. With the Noble Phantasm God Hand providing great defense against attacks, he is able to fight without even thinking of defense. However, due to his lack of motor skills, it is possible to use the terrain to gain an advantage over him. Using gravestones as cover, Saber is able to use the brief intervals where he is forced to slice through them to strike at him without worry of directly intercepting the blows. The gravestones are only a slight hindrance to him, but are still enough to allow for a decisive turn in the battle. Upon being Blackened, Shirou and Kirei Kotomine are able to outdistance him due to his blindness forcing him to take a straight path even through trees.
Fate-axesword.png|Heracles' Axe-sword
Rockslab.png|Ascension
Heraclesaxe.png|Heracles' axe
His main weapon isn't a Noble Phantasm, but rather a simple made of rock. It was originally carved from the foundations of a temple and was used as a catalyst for summoning him. He brandishes it with ease due to his extreme strength, and he causes large amounts of destruction with each swing. He is able to easily push back even strong opponents who are capable of blocking his strikes, and he is able to fling Saber dozens of feet away even when she manages to properly block his stronger strikes. It is a brutish weapon more like a rock than an axe, and it can only be considered a weapon due to his extreme strength that allows him to wield it, suiting him perfectly despite being unconventional. It works on the same principle as prehistoric flint weapons unearthed in Northern Europe in that stone weapons broke easily because they were inherently brittle, had low lethality, and did not see widespread use, but Heracles compensates for the shortcomings with the sheer mass of the stone. Under the Ascension system, the Axe-Sword gains several protrusions, and then he instead gains a proper, golden axe. Each of his attacks is a fatal blow that needs to be blocked or dodged. Despite his large body and sword, he is easily able to overwhelm Saber under Shirou with speed exceeding her own.
===Skills===
====Class Skills====
*Mad Enhancement (B Rank): The Class Skill that characterizes Berserker, it strengthens ones parameters the cost of reason. As Heracles' possesses the skill at Rank B, in compensation for losing most of his sanity, the levels of all his abilities rise. Heracles beat his harp instructor to death when he was a child, and had many episodes when he killed people in his rage without even hearing them speak so Mad Enhancement was an easy for him to adapt to. During the Fifth Fuyuki Grail War, Illya lowered the rank of this skill to better control him outside of combat. Nevertheless, he's considered to be an untouchable monster thanks to this skill. Originally, the Skill Mad Enhancement is something used to forcibly strengthen a weak Servant. With a Heroic Spirit on Heracles’ level, even only using Mad Enhancement on him consumes a vast amount of magical energy. He would not be able to stay manifested unless the rank of the Mad Enhancement is made lower compared to the other Berserkers and the magical energy consumption is restrained. That being said, Heracles being summoned as Berserker yet still behaving with a slight reasoning ability intact is by no means only due to the rank of Mad Enhancement being low. World’s foremost famous hero, he possesses a strong reason that does not get swallowed up by the Class’ special characteristic of Mad Enhancement. While he is a Berserker, he still maintains a calm eye for strategy. In any case, with him already having a high status of a Heroic Spirit to begin with, being Mad Enhanced would unmistakably turn him into a monster beyond control.Fate/Grand Order material II - Heracles translated by castor212
====Personal Skills====
*Battle Continuation (A Rank): A Skill that allows for the continuation of combat after sustaining mortal wounds. It will also reduce the mortality rate from injury. The best result is achieved when a resilient body is combined with this skill. Cú Chulainn’s Battle Continuation represents “never give up no matter what”, while Heracles’ represents the ability to survive. 
**Indomitable (A Rank): Upgrade from Battle Continuation in Fate/Grand Order.
*Valor (A+ Rank): With his brave and daring spirit, Heracles is able to neutralize mental interference such as suppression, confusion, and charm. However, under the influence of Mad Enhancement, this skill is unable to take effect. While operating correctly, Valor also increases the damage inflicted upon the opponent during melee combat. This skill allowed Heracles to defeat several monsters empty-handed.
*Divinity (A Rank): Being a mixed-race child of a god, the King of Gods Zeus and a human, and becoming a god himself after death thanks to his great deeds, Heracles naturally possessed the highest level of the Divinity skill. It is theorized that due to Heracles having the blood of the gods, one would need a divine mystery of the same level to even affect him.Fate/stay night - Fate route - Day 5: New life - Vela Gulf This skill ultimately proves to be fatal when faced with the complete entrapment of the Chains of Heaven, Enkidu, more dangerous to him even than the powerful Excalibur, but his strength and determination allow him to overcome even those binds.
*Mind's Eye (Fake) (B Rank): A danger avoidance ability based on Intuition/Sixth Sense, gained through many ordeals and adventures. Even though Heracles’ sanity was lost due to Mad Enhancement, this skill remained effective due to it being nearly an instinct. When crossing swords with a seasoned swordswoman like Artoria, he would not fall for half-hearted feints. It is such a troublesome ability for his opponents.And as shown in the Unlimited Blade Works anime that like Sasaki Kojirou he can see Excalibur even though it is still hidden within Invisible Air.Fate/stay night [Unlimited Bladeworks] - Episode 3: "The First Battle"
===Noble Phantasms===
HeraclesFirstLabour.png|First Labour: Nemean Lion, illustrated by Shinjirou.
HeraclesSecondLabour.png|Second Labour: Lernaean Hydra, illustrated by Shinjirou.
HeraclesThirdLabour.png|Third Labour: Ceryneian Hind, illustrated by Shinjirou.
HeraclesFourthLabour.png|Fourth Labour: Erymanthian Boar, illustrated by Shinjirou.
HeraclesFifthLabour.png|Fifth Labour: Augean stables, illustrated by Shinjirou.
HeraclesSixthLabour.png|Sixth Labour: Stymphalian birds, illustrated by Shinjirou.
HeraclesSeventhLabour.png|Seventh Labour: Cretan Bull, illustrated by Shinjirou.
HeraclesEightLabour.png|Eight Labour: Mares of Diomedes, illustrated by Shinjirou.
HeraclesNinthLabour.png|Ninth Labour: Belt of Hippolyta, illustrated by Shinjirou.
HeraclesTenthLabour.png|Tenth Labour: Cattle of Geryon, illustrated by Shinjirou.
HeraclesEleventhLabour.png|Eleventh Labour: Golden Apples of the Hesperides, illustrated by Shinjirou.
HeraclesTwelfthLabour.png|Twelfth Labour: Cerberus, illustrated by Shinjirou.
Heracles' first Noble Phantasm is God Hand, which represents the immortality he received after death thanks to completing the Twelve Labours, which has exceptional compatibility with Battle Continuation. With God Hand Heracles' body turns into a tough suit of armour and nullifies all attacks Ranked B or lower, regardless of the type or power of the attack. It also has the effect of automatic resurrection after death. Because the resurrection effect has 11 uses, Heracles cannot perish unless killed 12 times. With Illya as his Master, he is able to also regenerate lost lives over time. Thanks to this Noble Phantasm, Heracles is able to charge without even breaking to think about defense, ignoring various attacks that are unable to harm him even when aimed at vital spots like his temples. He is still instinctively able to tell that a dangerous attack is incoming. He ignores EMIYA's Caladbolg II at first after having shrugged of his earlier attacks but immediately intercepts it after sensing the danger to him. Powerful attacks such as Excalibur or Caliburn can take multiple of his lives with a single strike.
His willpower is such that he can even temporarily sustain himself after going through his stored lives and even the energy sustaining him, pushing past the powers trying to eliminate him, the laws of magic that constructed him, the regulations of the World that attempt to destroy inconsistencies, and even his own body that is crumbling away like sand. Though his mind is dead, his willpower that should no longer exist supports his invincible body until it finally fades away.
Regardless of how powerful the Noble Phantasm that defeated Heracles is, it would be completely nullified after he resurrects. However, Artoria Pendragon Alter is able to overcome his resistance by increasing the power of her attacks with the Mana Burst Skill to the point where each of them look like a Noble Phantasm. As such, she easily corners and overwhelms Heracles even in a direct battle before activating the True Name of Excalibur Morgan.Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel II. lost butterfly
As a Heroic Spirit, Heracles' most trusted Noble Phantasm is Nine Lives, however, it cannot be used in the Berserker class under normal circumstances due to a lack of motor skills. It is still ingrained into his technique and history, allowing Shirou Emiya to project the Axe-Sword and technique to utilize Nine Lives Blade Works. Rin Tohsaka also mentions that one Noble Phantasm she thinks he would likely normally carry would be the .Fate/stay night - Fate route - Day 11: DragonSlay - Twelve Labors Qualifying for the Saber class with ease, he would best be able to display his "glorious, exquisite swordplay" and Nine Lives.
==Forms and Alternate Versions==
===King Giant Heracles===
 is a version of Heracles modified by the Mallet of Fortune appearing in the Little Big Tengu event of Fate/Grand Order
====Appearance====
King Giant Heracles is bigger than Megalos from the Agartha Subcategory Singularity. According to Mash Kyrielight, he could be classified as a Giant.
====Personality====
King Giant Heracles has gone so berserk he doesn't even remember Jason anymore.
====Abilities====
King Giant Heracles retains the Noble Phantasm God Hand making him immune to attacks ranked B or below as well as granting a total of eleven resurrections. Jason states that there's no chance Kiichi Hougen and Summer Medb could beat him. Heracles was invincible to begin with, and Jason can't possibly imagine how much stronger he will be now given his size.Fate/Grand Order - Little Big Tengu: Farewell to Kamakura, Section Six: To New York? (2/2)
King Giant Heracles' stomach is a separate World inhabited by Demons, monsters, and a mini version of him. Defeating the small Heracles returns King Giant Heracles to his original form.
==Development==
===Creation and Conception===
Berserker's original role in Fate/Prototype was similar to his final design in Fate/stay night, but he didn't appear in the animated short. There were a number of changes throughout the design process. His Master was originally Sancraid Phahn, a murderous maniac sent by the Church, but Takeuchi suggested a young girl instead. They were originally experimenting with his design to make him seem "inhuman", and the elbow spikes are a remnant of that process. Rider originally recognized him as Heracles at first glance due to their shared background in Greek mythology. She would have rammed him to death once or twice with Bellerophon before being killed.
The original concept of God Hand held the ability , so that he would be able to easily defeat the six other Servants and still have victories left over. Against Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasm at the time, which was "will absolutely survive", the two concepts of the abilities clashed and the paradoxical situation had to be resolved. Berserker eventually died even though he won, while Gilgamesh lost but survived. After designing Illya as his Master, they originally planned on having them both share lives. As long as Berserker lived, she was immortal and unable to be killed even if other Servants tried to avoid Berserker to strike at his Master. The idea was scrapped after they thought it was too strong.
Heracles was illustrated by Azusa in Fate/Grand Order
==References==
it:Eracle (Berserker)
Category:Characters in Fate/hollow ataraxia
Category:Characters in Fate/tiger colosseum
Category:Characters in Fate/stay night
Category:Characters in Fate/unlimited codes
Category:Servants
Category:Servants with Divinity
Category:Divine Spirits
Category:Characters in Fate/Grand Order (Part 1)
Category:Berserker-class Servants
Category:Greek Servants
Category:Heroic Spirits
Category:Humans
Category:Chaotic Mad Servants
Category:Heaven Attribute Servants
Category:Qualifies for Assassin-class
Category:Qualifies for Rider-class
Category:Qualifies for Saber-class
Category:Qualifies for Lancer-class
Category:Qualifies for Archer-class
Category:Argos-Related
Category:Blackened Servants
Category:A+ rank Strength Servants
Category:A rank Endurance Servants
Category:A rank Agility Servants
Category:A rank Mana Servants
Category:B rank Luck Servants
Category:A rank Noble Phantasm Servants
Category:Introduced in 2004
Category:Summoned by a Noble Phantasm
Category:Voice - Tadahisa Saizen
Category:Heracles (topic)