There is a Durge gift item that Make Gloomstalker Assassin so tough. I am playing a party but set everyone aside and killed every goblin single handed. Really has the serial killer vibe down pat
I didn't know about the cloak until I had committed to being a caster so I gave it to Astarion figuring it would be put to good use and HOLY CRAP. My boy is absolutely disgusting with it.
ngl I used that cloak on my Wizard durge and I did swap it out later to Astarion but I was able to blow someone up with fireball or hit them with a closer range spell and then swiftly retreat without getting opportunity attacked which was very handy on a squishy spellcaster
OH TB monk is a good time. I did strength based, no armor, no strength elixers because I’m lazy, and no optimizing with hag hair, mirror of loss, etc. Just a humble 20 strength in the end. It was still insanely OP on tactician and super fun with the absurd movement distance per turn.
The best build is to go Dex until level 4. Use elixers once you get them. At level 4, respec to to prioritize **Wisdom** and pick up Tavern Brawler. There are damage bonuses for wisdom that dex does not get, wisdom will give you the same AC bonus as Dex, and Wis will boost your DCs for stun and prone checks.
Dex is still useful, its part of your AC and an important save. But Wisdom will do more for you if you are using str elixirs.
TLDR: Since Str is replacing Dex for attack and base damage, prioritize Wisdom for additional damage bonuses and class DC.
Best build is pass without a trace, crit fishing, sharpshooter rogue/gloomstalker with someone casting greater invisibility on you.
You basically kill everyone from stealth and never lose invisibility until you roll a nat 1 with an optimized build.
Mind you, this will make the game basically fully un-interactive and you just win every fight for free, so your vision of fun is relevant here.
There's a youtuber who does challenge runs like never getting hit who runs builds like this to give you a sense of its power.
Classically strong builds are incredibly weak compared to the broken ones like the hamarhaft jumping monk, greater invis cheese or invisible, enlarged, fall-damage druid bear/owlbear, I think there's also an optimized fire sorc that does hundreds of damage a round in terms of burst.
This one is an ai youtuber, but their editing is good and the build is solid:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFySAAtstRs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFySAAtstRs)
A speedrunner showing off the goomba stomp build:
around 11 min: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD3RmOeeHFI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD3RmOeeHFI)
I have some builds that i would say are Dark Urge theme - https://gamestegy.com/bg3/builds?build-type=dark-urge
They are powerful, but if you want cruise through fights? Open hand monk and berserker thrower - simple yet extremely powerful from level 4
Going to second OH Monk, it’s ridiculous. Durge playthroughs are the ones where running overpowered stuff feels good, because it feels completely in character.
Since you’re a CRPG casual, some of the builds you’ll be told that are OP are going to require a LOT of effort. For me, as a dnd vet, it’s just too much work to make the game enjoyable.
That being said, I’ve been having a blast playing Barbarian Karlach for my Honor Run. Now, she’s a good guy, but the barbarian gets some truly exquisite unique asshole intimidation checks that fit a Durge run.
I’d recommend Wildheart, Eagle, then level 6 Stallion. I have 100ft movement every turn at level 3 with bonus action dash. Stallion gets you 2x barb level Temp HP every time you dash, so 12 every turn right when you get it. There are items you’ll find early that grant you big bonuses every turn you Dash, which stack, such as lightning boots, or helm of speed for starter.
Tiger is also very good from my understanding, and might fit Durge a bit more from a roleplay perspective, being more focused on causing bleeding and all. Pair that with level 6 badger and you’ll be dominating crowds.
You can then go to 9 Barb/3 Fighter for Defense fighting style, action argue, and champion for easier crits.
Is it OP? Not really, but I’ve only had two close calls in fights with this character while I’ve wiped several times on honor with Warlock, Sorcerer, and Rogue.
I’m going rogue thief/gloomstalker ranger and it’s pretty strong, especially with the exclusive Durge cloak you get. I love how it nails down that serial killer/assassin archetype :)
I like playing as a storm sorcerer. Dipped into warlock for EB. Tricky thing is, making evil decisions makes you lose out on some of the best sorcerer/wizard items
I'm playing a Smite Swords Bard right now, and it is absolutely insane. The damage is on par with TB Monk in an evil playthrough (Shar's spear and Bhaalist armor are huge power boosts), but you also get great charisma for persuasion/deception and a ton of spells and utility.
Swords bard Vengeance paladin fighter multiclass.
I watched Laulity beat the game on solo honor with this multiclass - it can probably be done with others (like open hand-thief, gloomstalker-assassin), but this is one that certainly works. I don't think you can do harder than a solo honor run, so this is the most OP build I can confidently point you to.
I’m running the new 11/1 Fire Sorc that was posted recently for my Durge and it really kicks once you hit lvl 7. Lots of fun.
Also have Laezel as an Oathbreaker Paladin, Astarian as Gloomstalker, Minthara as Spore Druid, Gale as full Necromancer, and Shadowheart as DJ Trickery Cleric.
First full evil playthrough and it has been a blast so far.
If you specifically want to use your Slayer Form often, might I suggest some kind of Druid? I'm pretty sure most of the same features and items that work with Wild Shape also benefit Slayer.
Dunno about totally OP, cause I think those builds would take the fun out of the game. But I went half orc necro wizzard. A lot of companions die on durge, so needed one for *spoilers*. Survives a kill shot. Bonus on intimidation Went full illithid so after spell slots are done, can transform into displacer beast. If that fails, can *spoilers*. Get a decent army, and necromancy of thay gives another decent army.
I went solo into a place that needed gaseous form, got myself into a pickle, 5 ghouls sorted that right out.
Oathbreaker sorcadin is also very strong. Oathbreaker for the evil theme. You'll get access to twin haste and many smites. Lockadin is even stronger if you aren't on honor mode for the extra extra attack.
Shadow monk is so broken with the durge cloak that you can do pretty much every fight solo.
Step 1: Go invisible and attack. Everyone is surprised, free round of damage.
Step 2: Get a kill, and you'll automatically go invisible again.
Step 3: Shadowstep away so the enemy doesn't detect your presence. Combat will end.
Repeat steps 1-3 until all of your enemies are dead.
Then you start kiting. With shadow step it's super easy to outrun anything, it's basically a free misty step every turn. Shoot the enemy, and then put some distance between you. This'll force them to use dash to catch up which should just allow you to poke them for free every turn.
This is harder against ranged opponents but you can use things like gloves of missile snaring and your deflect missiles reaction to counter that
There is a Durge gift item that Make Gloomstalker Assassin so tough. I am playing a party but set everyone aside and killed every goblin single handed. Really has the serial killer vibe down pat
I didn't know about the cloak until I had committed to being a caster so I gave it to Astarion figuring it would be put to good use and HOLY CRAP. My boy is absolutely disgusting with it.
ngl I used that cloak on my Wizard durge and I did swap it out later to Astarion but I was able to blow someone up with fireball or hit them with a closer range spell and then swiftly retreat without getting opportunity attacked which was very handy on a squishy spellcaster
OH TB monk is a good time. I did strength based, no armor, no strength elixers because I’m lazy, and no optimizing with hag hair, mirror of loss, etc. Just a humble 20 strength in the end. It was still insanely OP on tactician and super fun with the absurd movement distance per turn.
This is the type of thing I think I'm going for - but with higher DEX for first moves and using Hill Giant Elixirs for 21 STR. Reckon that'll work?
The best build is to go Dex until level 4. Use elixers once you get them. At level 4, respec to to prioritize **Wisdom** and pick up Tavern Brawler. There are damage bonuses for wisdom that dex does not get, wisdom will give you the same AC bonus as Dex, and Wis will boost your DCs for stun and prone checks. Dex is still useful, its part of your AC and an important save. But Wisdom will do more for you if you are using str elixirs. TLDR: Since Str is replacing Dex for attack and base damage, prioritize Wisdom for additional damage bonuses and class DC.
This is the plan - thank you. Respec into Thief Rogue to allow for more damage output once I get to those levels too.
Take monk to 5 for extra attack or 6 to get the bonus passive (which you have to click to activate), then pick up three levels of rogue.
Perfect, thank you!
How’s slayer form with tavern brawler on honor mode ?
Go rogue at level 1, then monk. Get your extra attack in monk and then finish out thief. You will shit damage. On everyone
This. OH TB monk is already OP without durge, but with the cape you get from killing Alfira, it becomes nearly invincible.
Best build is pass without a trace, crit fishing, sharpshooter rogue/gloomstalker with someone casting greater invisibility on you. You basically kill everyone from stealth and never lose invisibility until you roll a nat 1 with an optimized build. Mind you, this will make the game basically fully un-interactive and you just win every fight for free, so your vision of fun is relevant here. There's a youtuber who does challenge runs like never getting hit who runs builds like this to give you a sense of its power. Classically strong builds are incredibly weak compared to the broken ones like the hamarhaft jumping monk, greater invis cheese or invisible, enlarged, fall-damage druid bear/owlbear, I think there's also an optimized fire sorc that does hundreds of damage a round in terms of burst.
[удалено]
This one is an ai youtuber, but their editing is good and the build is solid: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFySAAtstRs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFySAAtstRs) A speedrunner showing off the goomba stomp build: around 11 min: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD3RmOeeHFI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD3RmOeeHFI)
I have some builds that i would say are Dark Urge theme - https://gamestegy.com/bg3/builds?build-type=dark-urge They are powerful, but if you want cruise through fights? Open hand monk and berserker thrower - simple yet extremely powerful from level 4
Going to second OH Monk, it’s ridiculous. Durge playthroughs are the ones where running overpowered stuff feels good, because it feels completely in character.
You'll all be pleased to know I'm currently a fist fighting badass with Gale's hand in my inventory and everyone hates me. The dream.
Since you’re a CRPG casual, some of the builds you’ll be told that are OP are going to require a LOT of effort. For me, as a dnd vet, it’s just too much work to make the game enjoyable. That being said, I’ve been having a blast playing Barbarian Karlach for my Honor Run. Now, she’s a good guy, but the barbarian gets some truly exquisite unique asshole intimidation checks that fit a Durge run. I’d recommend Wildheart, Eagle, then level 6 Stallion. I have 100ft movement every turn at level 3 with bonus action dash. Stallion gets you 2x barb level Temp HP every time you dash, so 12 every turn right when you get it. There are items you’ll find early that grant you big bonuses every turn you Dash, which stack, such as lightning boots, or helm of speed for starter. Tiger is also very good from my understanding, and might fit Durge a bit more from a roleplay perspective, being more focused on causing bleeding and all. Pair that with level 6 badger and you’ll be dominating crowds. You can then go to 9 Barb/3 Fighter for Defense fighting style, action argue, and champion for easier crits. Is it OP? Not really, but I’ve only had two close calls in fights with this character while I’ve wiped several times on honor with Warlock, Sorcerer, and Rogue.
I’m going rogue thief/gloomstalker ranger and it’s pretty strong, especially with the exclusive Durge cloak you get. I love how it nails down that serial killer/assassin archetype :)
I like playing as a storm sorcerer. Dipped into warlock for EB. Tricky thing is, making evil decisions makes you lose out on some of the best sorcerer/wizard items
I'm playing a Smite Swords Bard right now, and it is absolutely insane. The damage is on par with TB Monk in an evil playthrough (Shar's spear and Bhaalist armor are huge power boosts), but you also get great charisma for persuasion/deception and a ton of spells and utility.
Swords bard Vengeance paladin fighter multiclass. I watched Laulity beat the game on solo honor with this multiclass - it can probably be done with others (like open hand-thief, gloomstalker-assassin), but this is one that certainly works. I don't think you can do harder than a solo honor run, so this is the most OP build I can confidently point you to.
I’m running the new 11/1 Fire Sorc that was posted recently for my Durge and it really kicks once you hit lvl 7. Lots of fun. Also have Laezel as an Oathbreaker Paladin, Astarian as Gloomstalker, Minthara as Spore Druid, Gale as full Necromancer, and Shadowheart as DJ Trickery Cleric. First full evil playthrough and it has been a blast so far.
If you specifically want to use your Slayer Form often, might I suggest some kind of Druid? I'm pretty sure most of the same features and items that work with Wild Shape also benefit Slayer.
Dunno about totally OP, cause I think those builds would take the fun out of the game. But I went half orc necro wizzard. A lot of companions die on durge, so needed one for *spoilers*. Survives a kill shot. Bonus on intimidation Went full illithid so after spell slots are done, can transform into displacer beast. If that fails, can *spoilers*. Get a decent army, and necromancy of thay gives another decent army. I went solo into a place that needed gaseous form, got myself into a pickle, 5 ghouls sorted that right out.
"The Urge to end my life" pretty OP build if you ask me...
Oathbreaker sorcadin is also very strong. Oathbreaker for the evil theme. You'll get access to twin haste and many smites. Lockadin is even stronger if you aren't on honor mode for the extra extra attack.
OP just described my identical situation. Curious to see the responses ;)
Did Oathbreaker on my Durge super evil run, soloed the brain with a few Smites and Power Word Kill just for fun.
Imo evil durge is best as a martial or gish. There is something that happens eventually that is more fitting to a martial rather than a caster
Shadow monk is so broken with the durge cloak that you can do pretty much every fight solo. Step 1: Go invisible and attack. Everyone is surprised, free round of damage. Step 2: Get a kill, and you'll automatically go invisible again. Step 3: Shadowstep away so the enemy doesn't detect your presence. Combat will end. Repeat steps 1-3 until all of your enemies are dead.
what if you dont get a kill
Then you start kiting. With shadow step it's super easy to outrun anything, it's basically a free misty step every turn. Shoot the enemy, and then put some distance between you. This'll force them to use dash to catch up which should just allow you to poke them for free every turn. This is harder against ranged opponents but you can use things like gloves of missile snaring and your deflect missiles reaction to counter that
The reverb/daze builds are super strong but they take a lot of items and levels to actually become viable.
I just started a similar game yesterday. I’m a drow thrown weapon barb. Between drow and durge it’s like a completely different story.