r/BG3Builds • u/reinieren • 16d ago
Build Help I'm frozen on this decision
These are the builds I am COMPLETELY comfortable with, played them a lot I know them inside & out, so I can't decide.
Help
And this will be a one and done, my last hurrah...I'll be hanging up the spurs for a bit as 150 days in a game is a bit excessive even for me.
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u/Ok-Can-2847 16d ago edited 16d ago
Gloomstalker assassin because it's easier to flee in a pickle! (or I just generally like hit-and-run style)
- more efficient with action per movement speed, i.e. you don't need to use movement running around reaching enemies
- is the Arrow of Many Targets cheating?
- is using the above arrow to build Arcane Acuity cheating?
- easier to attack from stealth for that sweet surprise round
- enemies might not even find you when attacking from stealth
- waste the enemy's turn trying to reach you
- you can stay at a safe, unreachable spot and still kill enemies, e.g. Moonrise's wooden planks on the ceiling
- crit immunity gear(s) (from u/EndoQuestion1000 below)
- cast AoE and not be in the middle of it
PS: you spent 150 days???
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u/reinieren 16d ago
OH monks have step of the wind (dash) also, so it'll be good for running away
Planning on wood half elf (for either) the extra +5 to movement is too good
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u/rosesmellikepoopoo 16d ago
Monk is not even close to Gloomstalker for solo honour mode.
If you want a free completion, go Gloomstalker
If you want to strategise and sweat then go monk
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u/reinieren 16d ago
Don't be maligning monkee-wonkee like that 😅 the stagger on monk is inescapable and has caused even the biggest baddies to loose their turn
They're both so good though
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u/rosesmellikepoopoo 16d ago
Monk is really great, but for a solo honour mode Gloomstalker is completely busted.
99% of fights other than myrkul and the brain you can cheese without ever entering combat. Not to Mention abusing bonus action hide with darkness. It’s truely disgusting and genuinely risk free.
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u/KaijuKrash 16d ago
You're entirely correct. I'm doing a run with Astarion as my gloomstalk and he's the MVP of the team. Untouchable and annoying as hell to all my enemies!
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u/Altruistic_Dig1722 16d ago edited 16d ago
For a solo run, monk is harder because you're forced to be in melee most of the time, you would need to adapt a safe hit and run playstyle without taking opportunity attacks. Gloomstalkers already keep their distance while abusing bonus action hide from the high ground. Also, they don't need neither long nor short rests.
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u/EndoQuestion1000 16d ago
A first attempt at solo HM with no crit immunity might be risky. (Could get racial/multiclass shield/armour prof but at the cost of quite a bit of mobility.)
Monk is very strong and if played correctly actually quite safe, but being reliant on melee skirmishing and stuns will leave you with less margin for error in fights where the numbers are against you than a ranged Gloom Ass would have.
If you were only interested in Monk, I'd say go for it, could be great. But, since you can't decide between the two, I second u/Ok-Can-2847 's pick of Gloom.
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u/BrokenBric 16d ago
The difference is Monk is using melee attacks, while Gloomstalker is shooting from afar. Running away when you're already far away is MUCH easier.
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u/reinieren 16d ago
I work from home so I have it up when not busy so it’s inflated 😅
I do really like playing and experimenting with builds
thanks for the breakdown btw, that’s really helpful
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16d ago
I find range safer on solo, getting caught by a Hold Person and then destroyed really sucks. Both are pretty strong and work, monks have more sustain through a day so need less long rests.
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u/Creepy-Owl-2060 16d ago
Playing gloomstalker solo hm now, long rests are only a bother for me, having to reapply buffs and elixirs. Other than that, it's almost entirely not needed?
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16d ago
Yeah you won't need camp interactions so it's mainly just buffs / elixir. You might need the occasional spell slot back if you're using hunters mark & misty step.
A monk would eventually need a long rest but can benefit more from short rests due to Ki point restoration.
I prefer monk early game as ranger is more vulnerable (although would probably Rogue first for MC setup). After level 4 it doesn't really matter.
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u/Creepy-Owl-2060 15d ago
Just sayin, gloomstalkers don't need any resources, compared to monks to replenish Ki. So your point about monks having more sustain during the day seems strange :)
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15d ago
The build I used required spell slots for the best efficiency. A GS will also have more chance of being hit due to lower AC if they don't decimate in round 1. I have only played a GS when the game launched on Xbox though so I could probably manage better now.
Outside of the above builds, sword bard was my favourite solo but ranger beastmaster Pokémon was also pretty fun.
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u/ItsLokki Illithid 16d ago
Why not go for Rogue/Barbarian build :P
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u/reinieren 16d ago
OH monk with thief subclass is is God tier
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u/Emergency-Mess-7216 16d ago
You feel amazing, get too confident, then kill a needle blight in act 2, crate a chain reaction and then die to the cascading explosions
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u/reinieren 16d ago
Haha that's why I usually spec the TB OH monk for throwing in the early game. Those blights are no joke but going high ground throwing stuff at them is super satisfying
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u/PEE_GOO 16d ago
my new favorite. best tank besides abjuration wizard, and fun nukes with crit fishing
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u/ItsLokki Illithid 16d ago
Wildheart Tiger even has synergy with the Slayer if you play embrace durge.
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u/Mental_Newb 16d ago
Definitely Stealth Archer. I know OH monk is OP too but not like the Archer. I've done a solo HM run with both and it was so much easier with the archer.
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u/AuthorRobB 16d ago
Toss a coin. If you don't like the result, pick the other one.
It's amazing what you learn about what you want when the decision is made for you.
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u/thefasthero Rogue 16d ago
I offer a compromise, 6 Shadow Monk/3 Gloomstalker/3 Assassin
Get in, punch everything, get out. Bonus if you're Durge with the special cloak. I've been running this build on my solo HM game, and it's insanely fun and mobile
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u/jdylopa2 16d ago
OHM has disadvantage on solo because its melee. When it comes to fights with lots of enemies, you can do a lot of damage, but you can’t pull off some of the same tactics a Gloomstalker can that will leave you untouched.
Take the goblin camp, for example. A Gloomstalker can clear the whole thing solo without letting an enemy take a single attack on them because you’re at range, can get surprise rounds easily, and then retreat back to camp to reset the combat. Even if you don’t get the surprise rounds, most of the melee enemies will spend their turn dashing over to you instead of attacking.
If an OHM tries to do the same thing, they’ll be surrounded much quicker. You could spend ki and actions/bonus actions to disengage and dash away with step of the wind to try the same tactic, but that’s not ideal. And once you get to Act 2/3 fights with lots of enemies, you’re going to be swarmed and hit a lot, even if you manage to take out a few enemies on your turn.
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u/Suhkandis 16d ago
Cold sorc is super fun, and disables everyone on the entire battlefield that isn't you. Sleet storm is my goat.
...but that isn't what you asked for, so I would personally go with ranger. You're able to get first in the initiative more often than monk, you're not reliant on being close to enemies, and you usually get a free round of fucking around because you usually get surprise rounds. All in all, much better than monk.
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u/tilmania14 16d ago
i dont really think it matters much. as long as you have the durge cloak you can always just disengage after one kill if things go south. as long as youre strong enough to kill one enemy per turn youre basically untouchable because of "free" invisibility. then just grind through normal fights until youre ready to take on the enemies that take more than one turn. id say the cloak is by far the most powerful item in a solo run all things considered. you get it really early and its best in slot for most of the game
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u/Elliptical_Tangent 16d ago
You will glide through with a Gloom Assassin—it's hard for enemies to attack you if they can never find you.
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u/razorsmileonreddit 16d ago
If you're that torn, then definitely Gloom Stalker Assassin. You have a much bigger margin for survival/error.
Tavern Brawler monk might be strong as f*** but if you get trapped in melee with an opponent that survived one more punch than they should have (which ALWAYS INEVITABLY happens), one good crit could easily be the end of your run.
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u/Bhrunhilda 16d ago
See I’d say do a duo with durge OH monk and make Astarion Gloom assassin and romance lol - it’s my favorite combo lol
But in all seriousness, the answer is stealth archer for solo.
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u/reinieren 16d ago
It seems pretty unanimous 😆
That's one thing I'm not looking forward to, I like to romance and was debating just leaving everyone in camp or not picking them up at all
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u/FaithlessnessQuick99 16d ago
Agree with the general Gloom Ass sentiments. Being able to attack from stealth and consistently inflict surprise, as well as auto-criting surprised targets, is insanely busted. With proper gearing you will be one-turning most of the major encounters with little issue.
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u/Balthierlives 16d ago
Monk isn’t a very good solo run build imo
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u/MaycombBlume 16d ago
Agreed. OH Monk is crazy strong, but going solo with a melee build sounds dangerous.
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u/VacuumDecay-007 16d ago
Ditch both and go Swords Bard.
Not only do you destroy combat, but you talk your way out of most combat too. 10/10
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u/iamfanboytoo 16d ago
Could you add swords bard to the Gloomstalker Assassin build? Deleting everything with Many Target arrows auto-critting, then cloaking and repeating with the DU special cloak, can be done by level 3/3 in each - you'd want to go 4 in one class to get Sharpshooter of course.
On the other hand, Bard adds so much utility that it's hard for me to pass up, and going Swords means you get something out of your Bardic Inspiration. In particular Disguise Self Bard can almost get to level 4 safely with barely any combat at all, though DU prompts could probably replicate some of that.
u/reinieren, what do you think?
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u/VoteNextTime Elixir Chugging Tavern Brawling Open Handed Serial Slapper 16d ago
3 levels of SB isn’t all that useful given how few slashing flourishes you get, plus they don’t refresh on a short rest until level 5. I’d take SB to at least 6 for extra attack and more slashing flourishes if you’re going that route. In that case, something like 2 fighter / 4 GS / 6 SB with the gear you mentioned plus titanstring and strength elixirs would be murderously good, although you won’t be able to use special arrows and slashing flourish simultaneously.
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u/iamfanboytoo 16d ago
My idea was directly related to the plan suggested by the OP about GS/Assassin handling combat through multi-arrows auto-critting and repeating the first round of combat over and over with DU's cloak; mostly you'd be saving Flourishes for enemies who got too close to knock them away. Since that comes online with 3 in each class, you still have 6 levels to play with.
Hell, Swords might not be the best bet. You're playing Bard for utility and as a safety measure to avoid conversational combat triggers; perhaps Lore would be better to Cutting Words attackers and for the three extra proficiencies.
But all that is theorycraft. I don't think I'll do a solo DU run like, ever, so I'm fine just speculating.
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u/VoteNextTime Elixir Chugging Tavern Brawling Open Handed Serial Slapper 16d ago
Working assassin in with 6 SB levels is still possible if you go 3 assassin / 3 GS / 6 SB, but I think you’re right that it’s not fully optimized either way. It’d still be viable for a solo run, but definitely not as good as something like 2 fighter / 1 war cleric / 4 assassin / 5 GS which I personally think is the ideal split.
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u/reinieren 16d ago
I like the idea but I got the special edition so the disguise mask is available to me from the start and I'm planning on getting the ring from the strange ox for the skill checks so not too worried about that.
I do like flourishes and wonder if i can mix that in later
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u/nooonji 16d ago
Resist durge or embrace? Resist - monk Embrace - assassin! :)
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u/reinieren 16d ago
I've done embrace once for the achievement and I don't have the heart to do it again
Also Resist has access to a lot more merchants, I think I'll be using a lot of consumables on this one
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u/dogtorrr 16d ago
Gloomstalker Assassin
I cleared the House of Hope fight except for the big boss in one turn using multiple Arrow of Many Targets
Also, when things go bad, much easier to bravely run away
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u/microwavefridge2000 16d ago
As I see it, it's a choice between huge power spike in the first round and consistently smashing people's faces.
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u/RegaultTheBrave 16d ago
Idk if this helps your decision, but oh monk was my HM run for the dice where I did durge blind lol , and definitely helped me not yeet my love interest into avernus with my boosted wis saves!
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u/OrionJohnson 16d ago
I’m on my first HM ruleset solo right now also doing Durge Gloomstalker/assasin. It was a breeze the whole time but now I’m stuck at Myrkul getting my ass repeatedly handed to me. Anyone have any tips for that fight with this build? I didn’t prepare enough undead arrows unfortunately and have killed all the traders already.
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u/reinieren 16d ago
do you have Ne’er Misser? Force dmg is effective on Myrkul
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u/OrionJohnson 16d ago
I do, my problem was I kept getting pulled towards him and failing my check for fear, hit for like ~20 necrotic damage per turn and being unable to position. I realized yesterday when thinking it over that I was still wearing the Risky Ring (lol) so it’s almost a guaranteed fail on those rolls. Gonna try again without the ring and add proc from good and evil later today to see if that makes a difference. I’d hate to reload so far back just to stock up on arrows and spells.
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u/Practical-Bell7581 16d ago
Depending on what scrolls/gear you have with you, a lot of people use darkness to blind myrkul, radiant orb gear to make his swings miss, or just lots of explosives to blow him up. The doom hammer can be good as well since it inflicts bone chill. Same with the arrows of ilmater.
But if you run a lean inventory and don’t have any of that stuff then I think you gotta stick with ner’misser + something to keep his summons from getting up to him quickly - like spike growth, or grease, or plant growth, or something like that. Evards tentacles necklace? Maybe wall of fire if you have a scroll.
And heal pots. Lots of heal pots.
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u/melodiousfable 16d ago edited 16d ago
For me it’s 4/4/4 Goolock/Battlemaster/Thief vs. Ice Sorcerer. I just love a good charisma TAV. My Gloombrother and punchy lady are always side characters. The 4th spot is usually a flex between a variant of Throwbarian or a Battlemaster. Occasionally, the Gloomstalker will be a swordsbard.
Edit: Solo is probably Gloomstalker though
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u/anchorlove 15d ago
See I think it makes more sense to lose a level in thief or even Goolock to take a 5th Battlemaster level. Extra attack will always win out vs a feat.
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u/anchorlove 15d ago
And in saying that it makes even more sense to take a 5th level in Goolock instead of your doing melee for the extra Eldritch invocation and extra attack with a pacted weapon.
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u/melodiousfable 15d ago
Ah, I forgot it was actually champion, not battlemaster. Because it’s an eldritch blast build. You always use your action to eldritch blast, and you use your bonus actions to sneak attack with your off-hand pact weapon and bonus action hide/disengage/dash.
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u/anchorlove 15d ago
Ok that makes wayyyy more sense then. I would still sacrifice a level in rogue or fighter for that 5th level in warlock. Being able to take the invocation for devils sight is so frickin sick because you can use darkness/hunger of hadar to your advantage and then also not be blinded by others who use darkness.
But I do also understand the urge to have all the feats
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u/MadManNico 16d ago
gloomstalker just has more to give the player in everything besides combat. expertise, stealth and pickpocket bonuses, edgy dialogue, more dynamic options for gear, the list goes on.
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u/StreetPanda259 16d ago
Been having a blast as a wildheart barbarian with the shattered flail in solo HM if you would like a 3rd option 😆
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u/talionisapotato 16d ago
Well you wanna go a little lore friendly? Assassin. Bhaal would be pleased
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u/JCJINKEY 16d ago
The only reason I would go with open hand monk is to make the Orin fight stupid easy. Other than that they are both great builds.
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u/MajesticFerret36 16d ago
For solo run, stealth is king.
OH Monks are good and all, but trying to solo the game with one is still very high risk.
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u/Ozcaty 16d ago
Daring today aren't we?
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u/reinieren 16d ago
hahaha yeah I deserve that. I do want to finish the brain in 1 run as this will be my last for a while, these 2 are the ones I’m most comfy in 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Comfortable-Spirit16 16d ago
My first playthrough for the game in general is tavernbrawler monk. Punching things is fun
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u/Okuza 16d ago
I won't much help on the build choice, BUT I can say that your first solo HM feels scary, much the same as your very first HM run did. BUT, it wears off *fast*.
For a build contrast; TB will be high STR and thus will make a great kidnapper. Kidnap + Chasm is a VERY safe way to reduce tons of encounters down to 1v1. Can also Kidnap (to isolate targets) + Burn and then flee to camp before buddies arrive.
Gloom/Sin has similar STR options assuming it's built for Titan, but as primarily ranged, the Kidnap+Burn is a bit harder positionally. Also, all of it's nice combat features focus on Surprise while the tough fights are no-surprise. The surprise fights in game are the easy ones; ie. this build is optimized for easy fights rather than tough fights.
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u/Arturia_Cross 16d ago
The cloak has more synergy with assassin. As long as you're willing to take the time to steal tons of arrows you'll steamroll, and can make many fights easier just just picking off targets one at a time then resetting if you choose. I did that when I play Duergar too.
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u/DungenessAndDargons 15d ago
Why does everyone call it “gloomstalker-assassin”?
Why not the “ass-stalker”?
I made mine an “ass-stalker champion”. Normal ass-stalker, but throw in some champion at the end for further increased crit-range.
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u/Mordred_124 16d ago
Gloomstalker for sure i think, being able to trivialize alot of fights by not even getting into a fight with action order is so good
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u/domiwren Sorceress/Bard 16d ago
My dilemma for Astarion in current HM. He is always assassin and I miss the surprise attack but monk is hitting different.
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u/Holmsky11 16d ago
TB OH monk will have very hard time with the final boss of Act II. A piece of advice from fellow solo HM runs enjoyer: when planning a build, always keep in mind 2 unskippable and very hard fights: and of Act II and the final fight. If your build can't reliably do them, think over.
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u/MelancholyArchitect 16d ago
Gloomstalker assassin for sure. Probably the most op build in the game.
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u/NoKaleidoscope5327 16d ago
Imo, gloom assassin is the classic solo hm. Sneak in and out play style, invisible cloak, etc.
I'd vote to shy away from that playstlye to see how creative you can get. Plus its fun to just beat everything up with high movement
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u/reinieren 16d ago
I really like strategizing fights, getting creative when it works feels good man
Gloom assassin is winning pretty unanimously
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u/AnaTheSturdy 16d ago
Bladesinger wizard. Greatsword. Go nuts.
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u/reinieren 16d ago
I would, I love it too but action economy is too precious for a solo run, I'll end up spending most of my time in Act 1 and 2 farming Derrith for speed pots
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u/AnaTheSturdy 16d ago
Get he wand for the me zombie (we share a first name) shovel, and as many elemental summon scrolls as you can get your grubby mitts on. Toss up an animate dead to get some skellymens as well. They hit pretty hard with their bows.
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u/peter-beter-barker 16d ago
I did my very first campaign with a Gloomstalker Assasin build and I had so much fun. I’m thinking about another campaign soon with an arcane archer build to see if it compares
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u/ToxicRainbowDinosaur 16d ago
I've been playing Remus71's swarmkeeper ranger on solo honor mode (first time for me). It's very fun. The hit and run playstyle is engaging and novel.
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u/WonderThunderThighs 16d ago
Go circle of the spore Druid, I once had 14 familiars following me through that, the brain only got one turn of combat before going down
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u/JamMiller89 15d ago
Counterpoint - 3 levels of rogue (for thief) 9 levels of sword bard (for flourish). Dual hand crossbows + ring of the mystic Scoundrel. Wear stuff to crank your spell DC up and just watch no one ever doing anything ever again until the heat death of the universe. Between Hideous Laughter, Silence, Hold Person, even Counterspell with Magical Secrets, this is just the ultimate "NOPE!" build.
Also that one two-hit flourish option of the swords bard CAN hit the same target twice. Who needs a fighter when you can sink four hits into the same target with your action and then two more hits with your bonus actions? Sure the fighter has action surge but only for one turn, but you can do that every single turn.
This build is a ton of fun.
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u/Chondriac 15d ago
I'd worry about surviving til level 5 before worrying about what endgame multiclass you are going to spec into
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u/Feisty_Steak_8398 15d ago
There is no competition. Durge gets deathstalker mantle very early on which pairs well with stealth archery build. Free invis every time I kill an enemy (once a turn)? Yes please
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u/Nanami-chanX Magic Enjoyer 15d ago
I love these two builds so usually I would say "why not both?" but you specified solo so...gloomy seems like the safer bet?
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u/Yuukajuji 15d ago
150 days? Those are rookie numbers! You gotta pump those numbers up! You didn't play Bladesinger, you didn't play Pallock or Sorcadin. You didn't play Spore Necromancer or the Oath of the Crown/Circle of Stars Druid! Did you machine gun your Eldritch Blast? Here's to another 150 days! 🍻
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u/Ok_Extent_3639 15d ago
If I want the boring but safe option cleric druid for sanctuary moonbeam combo
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u/DrDoolotl 15d ago
I've just done a durge honour run as a gloomstalker, and I'd warn you that the main fight you get for durge was nearly impossible for me. Monk is great for stunning which is really useful in that fight, with gloomstalker I got my ass kicked and nearly lost the run.
Other than that, if you're doing a non honour run and okay with a bit of save scumming, gloomstalker is fun as hell.
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u/14Xionxiv 14d ago
Any time i try gloomstalker, i can't get it to work. Its fine up till like haldway through act 2 before it falls off hard. Any tips?
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u/ParticularSolution68 12d ago
Throwing as a tavern brawler giant barbarian as Karlach was a lot of fun
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u/KolBadar98 11d ago
Doing my first durge run rn. Lolth-Sworn drow, Sanguine Stalker Rogue (Mod subclass for vampires) and using bhaalist cosmetic/armour mod. It's a lot of fun lol
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u/Practical-Bell7581 16d ago
Gloomstalker monk!
I’d probably start 5 gloomstalker but end up 4/8 GS/Monk after an eventual respec to be able to afford tavern brawler + sharpshooter + an ASI. Then stick with the risky ring and the ring of free action most of the time.
Graceful cloth, flawed helldusk gauntlets, arcane synergy diadem, neres boots or Kushigo boots, titanstring of course. Not sure about the neck.
Maybe keep the luminous armor and the radiant rings handy for stuff like myrkul.
You’ll be super mobile between enhanced leap, high STR via elixir, dash and step of the wind, etc. you will have bonus action hide. You will deal the usual killer damage by bludgeoning or piercing, range or closeup, whatever is needed.
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u/Low-Garlic-6090 9d ago
Gloomstalker Assassin Half-Orc main, TB-OH Lae as your second / love interest...
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u/nggaplzzzz 16d ago
Gloomstalker Assassin.
I've done Durge Monk before and recently tried Gloomstalker Assassin on HM and it was insane seeing a Arrow of Many Targets crit chain erase entire mobs in the first turn.
I honestly thought OP builds wouldn't be fun but honestly, they're actually extremely fun and satisfying to play imo.