History BerserkButton / TabletopGames

** In ''TabletopGame/WerewolfTheApocalypse'' the Nuwisha (were-coyotes) can magically learn just the right statement to set off someone's ''berzerk button''.

* ''TabletopGame/PsionicsTheNextStageInHumanEvolution'': Two examples in the game's fluff. Don't accuse Tim of using his psychokinesis unethically and God help you if you tell Mama Bear that you've hurt her friends.

** While the Diamond Sharks would rather [[ArmsDealer sell you weapons than shoot you with them]] if you attack their mercantile interests or civilians you are in for a beating. When the Draconis Combine was trying to acquire advanced technology after most of their production centers were destroyed in the Jihad, they went to the Sharks. The local warlord gave them a continent to set up shop but a few of his senior officers took offense to this "Clan occupation" and killed a few hundred civilians. By the time the warlord managed to call his subordinates off, the Combine had lost two regiments.
** For most Clans they consider having non-warrior castes taking up arms as abhorrent, when it is discovered that Clan Blood Spirit one of the smallest clans was using armed militia to bolster their forces, the remaining clans call for the Blood Spirits annihilation.

* {{GURPS}} has multiple was of simulating this on a character, the most common of which is simply called Berserk.
* ''Old World of Darkness'' - If you ever cross paths with a member of the Sabbat on the ''Path of Honourable Accord'', don't ever, ever, ever, '''EVER''' accuse them of breaking their word. They will pursue you with the full fury of a raging vampire until you either apologize, die, or kill them.
** Clan Brujah has this as their [[PlanetOfHats hat]]. Almost every Brujah vampire has something that throws them off in some way... or in some cases, almost ''[[HairTriggerTemper everything]]'' [[HairTriggerTemper pisses them off]]. Some are more easily pushed than others, but even the calmest elder of the clan has ''something'' that pisses them off -- and you don't want to be ''anywhere'' in the general vicinity if that button gets pressed.
** In ''TabletopGame/VampireTheMasquerade'', the existence of [[TheBeautifulElite Clan Toreador]] is pretty much a BerserkButton for [[LooksLikeOrlok Clan Nosferatu]].
** [[TabletopGame/MageTheAscension The Progenitors]] are, as [[TheMan Technocrats]] go, rather laid-back, friendly, and focused on making the world a better place rather that controlling it... but they view the promotion of homeopathy, New Age remedies, and other forms of alternative medicine pseudo-science as literal war crimes, and it's the reason they're by far the most gung-ho of the Conventions about wiping out [[InsistentTerminology Reality Deviants]].

* To make lycanthropy less predictable, ''TabletopGame/{{Ravenloft}}'' encourages {{Game Master}}s to link werebeasts' involuntary transformations (and subsequent Berserk Button rampages) to phenomena other than the full moon, such as the tides, exposure to a particular odor, food or substance, or stressful situations such as feeling hemmed in by a crowd.

** Black Templars: Shoot one their battle brothers, the ''entire squad'' comes charging at you. This had led to comparisons with Berserkers of Khorne (to who, technically, ''everything'' is a BerserkButton (but Slaaneshi followers even more so)).

* The [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils Demon prince]] Graz'zt is probably the least likely demon lord to rip you apart just for existing, even opening his layers of the abyss for trade. Mention that he actually fell in love with Iggwilv, that Malcanthet turned him down, or call his domain "The Little Hells," and he will feed you to the predatory plants in his gardens.
** In 4th Edition, suggesting that a half-orc was a ChildOfRape in earshot of one is a quick way to get your teeth punched out.
* Do NOT talk about [[FantasticRacism dragons around a behir]].

** [[TabletopGame/MageTheAscension The Progenitors are, as [[TheMan Technocrats]] go, rather laid-back, friendly, and focused on making the world a better place rather that controlling it... but they view the promotion of homeopathy, New Age remedies, and other forms of alternative medicine pseudo-science as literal war crimes, and it's the reason they're by far the most gung-ho of the Conventions about wiping out [[InsistentTerminology Reality Deviants]].

* ''{{Exalted}}'': Even if an Exalt fills their Limit meter, it's not necessarily enough for them to go into a [[HeroicBSOD Limit Break]]. Rather, each Break comes with a trigger condition, such as "Annoyed at the childish nature of the world" or "Witness an act of suffering that you could easily stop." A good example of this trope in its pure form is the Red Rage of Compassion break, which typically involves a normally kind-hearted and compassionate Solar going into an UnstoppableRage after seeing one too many innocents cut down.

* To make lycanthropy less predictable, ''{{Ravenloft}}'' encourages {{Game Master}}s to link werebeasts' involuntary transformations (and subsequent Berserk Button rampages) to phenomena other than the full moon, such as the tides, exposure to a particular odor, food or substance, or stressful situations such as feeling hemmed in by a crowd.

* Of the various [[ProudWarriorRace Clans]] in ''BattleTech'', the Ghost Bears are frequently considered to be the most laid back and least aggressive. Unless you attack their capital, Alshain. Or use nuclear weapons. Or they have any reason whatsoever to even suspect that you might be associated with Clan Wolverine. Doing any of the above makes them angry. [[UnstoppableRage That's very, very bad.]]

** While Friend Computer is generally merciful to those who were mutated by foul Commie sabotage of their cloning tanks, registering your Machine Empathy mutation is [[TooDumbToLive not recommended]], as it will not only get you terminated but lead to [[DeaderThanDead the erasure of the genetic template from which you were made]].

** Clan Brujah has this as their hat. Almost every Brujah vampire has something that throws them off in some way... or in some cases, almost ''[[HairTriggerTemper everything]]'' [[HairTriggerTemper pisses them off]]. Some are more easily pushed than others, but even the calmest elder of the clan has ''something'' that pisses them off -- and you don't want to be ''anywhere'' in the general vicinity if that button gets pressed.

* ''TabletopGame/Earthdawn''. Each ork has certain specific things (situations, topics of conversations, actions, etc.) that can trigger a terrible rage in them, which usually leads to violence. Some examples of this type of trigger (called a "gahad") are slavery, infidelity, family loyalty, competence at a profession, pastimes or favorite hobbies, possessions, who's really in authority, Horrors, politics and the Theran Empire.

* {{GURPS}} has multiple was of simulating this on a character, the most common of which is simply called Berserk.
* The "Consumer On the Brink" archetype from the ''TabletopGame/FengShui'' supplement "Seed of the New Flesh" is not very powerful in terms of skills. But attack him or put him in close proximity to his irritant, which is a Berserk Button or something else that pisses him off to no end, and he gets 4 bonus points that he can distribute however he wishes between his Body and Reflexes stat, which can affect his combat [=AVs=].
* To make lycanthropy less predictable, ''{{Ravenloft}}'' encourages {{Game Master}}s to link werebeasts' involuntary transformations (and subsequent Berserk Button rampages) to phenomena other than the full moon, such as the tides, exposure to a particular odor, food or substance, or stressful situations such as feeling hemmed in by a crowd.
* In ''TabletopGame/{{Paranoia}}'', avoid being a Communist. Friend Computer will allow mutants to register their powers, and may even be lenient on traitors. But if you are a Commie (or made to look like one), you WILL be terminated.
** While Friend Computer is generally merciful to those who were mutated by foul Commie sabotage of their cloning tanks, registering your Machine Empathy mutation is [[TooDumbToLive not recommended]], as it will not only get you terminated but lead to [[DeaderThanDead the erasure of the genetic template from which you were made]].
* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'': Dwarves take their beards VERY seriously. The [[InsistentTerminology War of Vengeance]] kicked off when a Dwarven emissary was shaved by the overly arrogant elven king for his own amusement, which was the final straw leading to the breakdown of already-strained relations between the Elves and Dwarves in general. By the way, it is also not recommended to refer to that particular war by its elven term, "the War of the Beard", within dwarven earshot.
** The [[LizardFolk Lizardmen]] have as many of these as they do lizards, including (and not limited to): [[GoldFever taking their gold tablets with messages from the old ones]], [[KubrickStare looking at the Slaan mages funny (with or without murderous intent)]], [[MyMasterRightOrWrong disagreeing with said Slaan mages]], and [[TheDeterminator getting in their way]].
* In ''TabletopGame/UnknownArmies'', the Rage Passion that all characters have is that thing that really sends a character into pissed-off rage mode. As Passions are perhaps the deepest part of an Unknown Armies character and the character goes all spooky-intense when put into situations that trigger one of the Passions, the Rage Passion is very much a dramatic Berserk Button.
* ''{{Exalted}}'': Even if an Exalt fills their Limit meter, it's not necessarily enough for them to go into a [[HeroicBSOD Limit Break]]. Rather, each Break comes with a trigger condition, such as "Annoyed at the childish nature of the world" or "Witness an act of suffering that you could easily stop." A good example of this trope in its pure form is the Red Rage of Compassion break, which typically involves a normally kind-hearted and compassionate Solar going into an UnstoppableRage after seeing one too many innocents cut down.

* Of the various [[ProudWarriorRace Clans]] in ''BattleTech'', the Ghost Bears are frequently considered to be the most laid back and least aggressive. Unless you attack their capital, Alshain. Or use nuclear weapons. Or they have any reason whatsoever to even suspect that you might be associated with Clan Wolverine. Doing any of the above makes them angry. [[UnstoppableRage That's very, very bad.]]
** While the Diamond Sharks would rather [[ArmsDealer sell you weapons than shoot you with them]] if you attack their mercantile interests or civilians you are in for a beating. When the Draconis Combine was trying to acquire advanced technology after most of their production centers were destroyed in the Jihad, they went to the Sharks. The local warlord gave them a continent to set up shop but a few of his senior officers took offense to this "Clan occupation" and killed a few hundred civilians. By the time the warlord managed to call his subordinates off, the Combine had lost two regiments.
* ''TabletopGame/Earthdawn''. Each ork has certain specific things (situations, topics of conversations, actions, etc.) that can trigger a terrible rage in them, which usually leads to violence. Some examples of this type of trigger (called a "gahad") are slavery, infidelity, family loyalty, competence at a profession, pastimes or favorite hobbies, possessions, who's really in authority, Horrors, politics and the Theran Empire.

** While the Diamond Sharks would rather [[ArmsDealer sell you weapons than shoot you with them]] if you attack their mercantile interests or civilians you are in for a beating. When the Draconis Combine was trying to acquire advanced technology after most of their production centers were destroyed in the Jihad, they went to the Sharks. The local warlord gave them a continent to setup shop but a few of his senior officers took offense to this "Clan occupation" and killed a few hundred civilians. By the time the warlord managed to call his subordinates off, the Combine had lost two regiments.

** Cowardice is [[WarGod Khorne]]'s BerserkButton. Slaughter defenceless women and children too much? He'll think you're a spineless pussy and set his hounds on you.

* {{GURPS}} has multiple was of simulating this on a character, the most common of which is simply called [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Berserk]].

* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'': you do NOT shave a [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame dwarf]]...as the High Elves [[ScrewYouElves learned the hard way]] during the [[InsistentTerminology War of Vengeance]]. Referring to that war as "the War of the Beard" in dwarven earshot is also not recommended.

** Eldar: In peace, they're gentle, logical, at-one-with nature, etc, with peaceful, quiet occupations. In war, they turn into furious killing machines, losing their identity to the overwhelming desire to annihilate the enemy.

* Old World of Darkness - If you ever cross paths with a member of the Sabbat on the ''Path of Honourable Accord'', don't ever, ever, ever, '''EVER''' accuse them of breaking their word. They will pursue you with the full fury of a raging vampire until you either apologize, die, or kill them.

*** Also concerning the Tau, [[HumansThroughAlienEyes Gue]]'[[TheQuisling vasa]] auxiliaries are a BerserkButton for the Imperium.
*** [[GameplayAndStoryIntegration So much so]], that Imperial units get a close combat bonus against them.

** While the Diamond Sharks would rather [[ArmsDealer sell you weapons than shoot you with them]] if you attack their mercantile interests or civilians you are in for a beating. When the Draconis Combine was trying to acquire advanced technology after most of their production centers were destroyed in the Jihad, they went to the Sharks. The local warlord gave them a continent to setup shop but a few of his senior officers took offense to this "Clan occupation" and killed a few hundred civilians. By the time the warlord managed to call his subordinates off, the Combine had lost two regiments.