The Dark Urge origin. It gives us not only a phenomenal reason for multiple playthroughs but the chance to explore the darker side of playing a character in Faerun. As it is a narrative heavy feature, It is not recommended for a first playthrough.
Dark Urge aka Durge sets your background to The Haunted One and adds unique roleplaying, quest, and dialog opportunities throughout which alter the main plot as you discover your forgotten past. This origin comes complete with a powerful new cloak and The Slayer form. A Dark Urge playthrough doesn’t have to be evil per se, as you can do your best to fight said impulses, but it works well for one.
I’ve marked major Durge spoilers at the start of an entry, so let’s get into my top 5 Dark Urge builds!
5. Storm of Redemption (Sorcerer/ Paladin) By HoboZone *Video Contains Spoilers*
This video does spoil the Dark Urge origin storyline, so keep that in mind. However, for everyone who already knows, who doesn’t love a good redemption arc?
HoboZone starts the character with the canonical settings of a powerful Dragonborn Sorcerer before multiclassing into a Paladin designed to fight the dark aspects inherent to the character.
In the video, HoboZone points out where the build could be better optimized for damage output but sides with the theme. Love it!
Why Storm Of Redemption Is Great For Dark Urge:
- A Charisma based spellcaster makes for the perfect face of the party
- Balances character optimization with the great storytelling of a canonical build
- The power and combat efficiency of a Sorcerer / Paladin is hard to deny
Build details:
Origin: Dark Urge
Race: White Dragonborn
Attributes: Str 16 (+2 bonus), Dex 8, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 16 (+1 bonus)
Class:
- Lvl 1-7 Sorcerer (Subclass: Storm)
- Lvl 8-12 Paladin (Subclass: Oath of Vengeance)
4. Ultimate Sith Lord (Fighter/ Wizard) By ItalianSpartacus
This fantastic build set is for when you want to create a character that bends to the dark urges you are presented with. The theme is on point for someone who is secretly power-hungry and haunted.
ItalianSpartacus did not specifically design this one to be a Durge character, rather opting for a Guild Artisan Custom character. Still, it fits the theme so well that I had to include it. It is worth noting that proficiencies will be a little different because of the backstory.
An evil battlemage, with levels in Fighter and Wizard, is a fantasy classic for strong reasons. The ability to vary playstyle between ranged and melee is both fun and effective. You’ll be capable of throwing a wide array of spells and priming yourself for finesse-style close encounters.
Why Ultimate Sith Lord Is Great For Dark Urge:
- The iconic use of a power-hungry “ends justify the means” style character fits with the Dark Urge storyline
- A sinister battlemage makes a great addition to an exciting full-party
- The spread of Int and Cha allows you more chances to utilize and discover the roleplaying and dialog options throughout the playthrough
Build details:
- Ultimate Sith Lord video located here.
- Full EIP build details including spells, cantrips, and items located here. Be aware you will have to alter the Origin and the Background gets set automatically. (If you’ve never used EIP Gaming for BG3 build planning, it’s wonderful and comes with a recommendation!)
Origin: Dark Urge (ItalianSpartacus actually makes a custom character)
Race: Githyanki
Background: Auto sets to Haunted One (Deviates from Guild Artisan so adjust the skills)
Attributes: Str 8, Dex 15 (+1 bonus), Con 14, Int 14 (+2 bonus), Wis 8, Cha 12
Class:
- Lvl 1-5 Fighter (Subclass: Eldritch Knight)
- Lvl 6-10 Wizard (School: Divination)
- Lvl 10-12 Fighter
3. Bhaalist Assassin (Ranger/ Rogue/ Fighter) By Jay Dunna
For a theme closer to Faerun, we have a Crimson Mischief Bhaalist Assassin. This build relies heavily on Sneak Attack and critical damage, so Jay does take at least a few Illithid powers as you can see him use Luck of the Far Realms to guarantee a crit. I love a strong stealth-based build as that is my preferred playstyle.
This is built around the idea of wearing the Bhaalist Armour which is a gorgeous, very rare light armor that can be bought in Act 3. If you’re unfamiliar with this armor, follow this link.
Why Bhaalist Assassin Is Great For Dark Urge:
- Being an assassin of Bhaal is just deliciously evil in the Forgotten Realms
- It’s a great use of the Umbral Shroud class action to sneak up on your enemies and do significant amounts of Sneak Attack damage (Fog Cloud and Minor Illusion support this stealthy playstyle)
- This build ends up with high utility on the battlefield utilizing great AC for a light armor build, ranged capabilities, and limited crowd control in addition to solid close combat
Build details:
Origin: Dark Urge
Race: Drow
Attributes: Str 10, Dex 16 (+2 bonus), Con 14, Int 8, Wis 16 (+1 bonus), Cha 10
Class:
- Lvl 1-5 Ranger (Subclass: Gloomstalker)
- Lvl 6-8 Rogue (Subclass: Assassin)
- Lvl 9-12 Fighter (Subclass: Eldritch Knight
Gear: Bhaalist Armour
2. Bloody Storm (Fighter/ Rogue/ Sorcerer) By HoboZone *Video Contains Spoilers*
This video contains spoilers for the Dark Urge storyline.
The sibling to the Storm of Redemption except this build intends for someone to submit fully to the Dark Urge instead of rejecting it once they understand it. This build will similarly tell a canonical story of a character embracing the storyline.
This starts as a Fighter to establish fine skill with finesse weapons and will multiclass with Sorcerer and Rogue for control of the elements and stealth-based capabilities. You will create a character who is adept at controlling the battlefield with slippery elemental surfaces and sneaking in for that finesse Sneak Attack with a thematic set of daggers.
Why Bloody Storm Is Great For Dark Urge:
- It is a canonical storyline where you embrace the Dark Urge fully
- High battlefield control will make you feel empowered to assassinate your enemies using dual daggers
- Great use of Darkness and Minor Illusion will give you the feeling of being a master of manipulation
Build details:
Origin: Dark Urge
Race: White Dragonborn
Attributes: Str 8, Dex 16 (+2 bonus), Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 16 (+1 bonus)
Class:
- Lvl 1 Fighter
- Lvl 2-7 Sorcerer (Subclass: Storm)
- Lvl 8-12 Rogue (Subclass: Assassin)
1. Best Bard Updated (Lore Bard) By Cephalopocalypse *Entry Contains Spoilers*
*Update* As of patch 7, Alfira can now join your party as a playable companion! While I have not yet had the opportunity to try this out, from what I understand, this concept should still work as long as Alfira still dies.
There’s no avoiding the spoilers in this mashup. Essentially, you play as a “The Thing” like character infiltrating the party by killing Alfira. I have to give credit to HoboZone for the on-point character concept, but I’ve combined it with a powerful single-classed Lore Bard build from Cephalopocalypse. I’ve linked a video on how to create Alfira in Character Creation without mods in the Build Details.
This is a great build to explore Dark Urge’s The Slayer form as well. While you do have to allow for some suspension of disbelief as you're already part of the party before Alfira dies, it’s worth it for a Durge playthrough.
As this is likely not your first playthrough, Lore Bard works great for hitting those skill checks you’ve missed in previous playthroughs. If you love playing support while still being a capable fighter, this is a phenomenal build. Fully capable of utility and control, you’ll be creating Minor Illusions to distract your enemies, hiding in plain sight with Disguise Self, and summoning extraplanar beings with Conjure Elemental.
Be sure to take the Lute as your musical instrument!
Why Best Bard Updated Is Great For Dark Urge:
- Bards aren’t known as the Jack of All Trades Master of… All Trades for nothing - Lore Bards are amazing for a chance to succeed at skill checks
- Roleplaying as an infiltration-style monster replacing Alfira is inspiring
- Great concept for exploring The Slayer form without needing to rely on it
Build details:
Origin: Dark Urge
Background: Haunted One (Cephalopocalypse takes Guild Artisan so adjust the skills)
Race: Asmodeus Tiefling (Cephalopocalypse takes Githyanki)
Attributes: Str 8, Dex 16 (+1 bonus), Con 14, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 17 (+2 bonus)
Class:
- Lvl 1-12 Bard (Musical Instrument: Lute, Subclass: College of Lore)
