Durge Baradin

Ability Score (Dex Build)

• Strength 8
• Dexterity 16 +2
• Constitution 14
• Intelligence 10
• Wisdom 10
• Charisma 16 +1

You can also swap out to a strength variant if so desired. Alternatively you can put 17 into Charisma if you want to go for Auntie Ethel’s Hair to boost Charisma to 18.

If you choose to go with Auntie Ethel’s Hair Second Feat at level 10 can be used to increase Dexterity or another stat of your choosing.

Oaths

Oath of The Crown: Solid Option but can be hard to keep in some scenarios.

Oath of Vengeance: My Preferred oath to run especially as Durge.

Oath Breaker: Can work as a viable option if reclaiming Oath of the Crown is out of the budget or just want to spice up the experience.

Race Selection

S Tier

• Half-Orc
• Halfling
• Useable on Astarion

A Tier

• Wood Elf
• Half-Wood Elf
• Githyanki

Honorable mention

• Gale (Origin)

Equipment

Helmet

• Helmet of Arcane Acuity Used as a way to stack Spell Save DC
• Grymskull Helm Act 1 Helmet from defeating Grym at the Adamantine Forge
• Helm of Balduran Replaces Grymskull Helm if not using Helmet of Arcane Acuity

Cloak

• Cloak of Protection
• The Deathstalker Mantle Used During Durge Playthrough

Chest Armor

• Armor of Persistence Good Heavy Armor option. Gives Perma Blade ward and Resistance
• Luminous Armor Act 1 Medium Armor Found at the Selûnite Outpost in the Underdark
• Adamantine Scale Mail Medium armor alternative to Luminous Armor in the early game: Crafted in Act 1 at the Adamantine Forge

• Armor of Agility Alternative Medium armor if you are playing Durge since it doesn’t give disadvantage of Stealth checks
• Helldusk Armor Another good alternative if not already used by other party members
• Bhaalist Armor Light armor good for making enemies Vulnerable to Piercing Damage via Aura of Murder

Gloves

• Gloves of Missile Snaring Early game Gloves to reduce ranged damage
• Wondrous Gloves +1 to AC and gives Bardic Inspiration for another Flourish Charge
• Luminous Gloves Synergies with the Luminous Armor
• Helldusk Gloves Overall Great Gloves option for melee classes
• Gloves of Battlemage’s Power Used as an Alternative way to gain Arcane Acuity
• Gloves of Belligerent Skies Used to get Reverberation stacks from Divine Smite or Alternative Smites that fit the elements listed

Boots

• Disintegrating Night Walkers Act 1 Boots makes you immune to surface effects (Not Difficult Terrain) and Gives Misty Step
• Evasive Shoes
• Boots of Stormy Clamour useable with the Illithid Power Ability Drain

Amulet

Amulet of Greater Health Sets Consitiution to 23 so can Respec to add points to strength or other desired stats once obtained

Rings

Band of the Mystic Scoundrel used for Illusion Quickening

Killer’s Sweetheart Guaranteed Crit after Defeating an enemy via Executioner (once per long rest)

Weapon/Shield

1-Hander

Infernal Rapier

Phalar Aluve

The Sacred Star used mostly for a Strength based Variant. Also synergizes with the Luminous Armor and Luminous Gloves

Bloodthirst Alternative way to add Piercing Vulnerability and reduces Crit requirement by 1

Knife of the Undermountain King Reduces Crit requirement by 1 also effects of Shadow Blade

2-Hander

Nyrulna Can be thrown for AOE damage also another good weapon for Strength based Build. Benefits from Bhaalist Armor Piercing Vulnerability

Balduran’s Giantslayer Double Damage from Strength Modifier + Advantage on Large or Above enemies

Shield

Viconia’s Walking Fortress BIS Shield Use any others till you get this if going for 1-hand+shield setup