ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

First timer -got to 35 as a Berserker on Normal till Vor Armoury and...got my ass kicked. I was getting a bit cocky and suddenly it got real hard.

I think I needed to focus on magic defense, or elemental defense, or more defense etc. I'm thinking of trying another class, but now I'm bugged to start another Berserker.

Yeah, Vor Armoury is notorious for being a big difficulty spike. Berserkers have Unstoppable and hella damage, which is pretty good defense. That said, Sun Paladins or Mindslayers have more accessible defenses and somewhat similar playstyles. If you've unlocked either of those, I'd suggest giving them a try next.

My last really great character died that same way. I was so strong as to feel invincible, and then I opened the door to the dragon room... it turned out that my feeling of invincibility was after all only a feeling.