Baldur's Gate 3 - The Burning Rage (Karlach Build)

Hi all! Today we have the first of my Origin Build line-up! We're starting with Karlach, as she is my favourite character, and is also the one that I had the strongest idea in my head of what to build with her. This is my personal build that I have used in my own playthroughs, and is super fun and super powerful!
Burning Rage (Karlach Build)
Berserker Barbarian 3/Four Elements Monk 9
Grab Ethel's Boon and the Potion of Everlasting Vigour for +3 STR
Feats:
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Weapons:
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then/or
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Armour:
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or
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or
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Accessories:
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[@jacktheripperVII]

My current Karlach is a raging monk and deticated lockpicker because cats grace. Her voicelines are on point. Never knew she had lines like: cant we just smash it? When trying to lockpick

[@user-mu8dm4rk7g]

Lmao

[@MoonsongReverb]

Lol, i never tried that because my Bard Main characters are mostly good enough at Lockpicking. I just love her voice lines if you let her attack something, especially the "Poor f***er", which is on point, too. Where Karlach hits, no grass grows :D

[@jametsu]

My favourite line by far is “yoink”

[@matheuskerr9222]

you should see the lines Shadowheart has if you put her as a rogue-thief

[@MrHattor]

Wow, the fire graphics for the monk attacks match so well with Karlach’s whole deal. It seems so weird to me now that you’re totally right, her fire theming really isn’t used at all in most builds!

[@alicelufenia3648]

I'm still just level 5, but I've been running this build on my Chosen of Eilistraee playthrough and it's already SO fun! Karlach yelling out with each axe and punch swing is hilarious, but I've also done something unique to help with the MAD and bc I didn't plan to get either Ethel's hair OR strength potion. I'm using strength elixirs, but flavoring them as pain killers/coolants to let Karlach use her full strength (21 and eventually 27!) it's fun to decide whether she uses an elixir this day, bc she still functions with a dex battle-axe, but she needs to suppress the pain from the engine to fight for real (and flatten everyone with thrown javelins/chairs/goblins)

[@chronosvonflowersby7680]

Love this series concept. Very happy that you had the forethought to not require the boon or the potion of everlasting vigor on multiple characters- a common problem with sourcing other videos.

[@hammock329]

Yes origin builds! Another durge build as well, super stoked!

[@hammock329]

Remember to put a spoiler warning for Shart!

[@MrHattor]

Please don’t change Shadowheart’s subclass! I would love to see someone actually build a trickery cleric. I know it’s underpowered, but there’s a lot of niche utility. For example, she can use disguise self at will and that makes her the perfect “speak with dead” person, which is also very on theme. And her blessing of the trickster is extremely useful for giving, for example, an assassin rogue (astarion?) advantage on stealth checks and ensuring a surprise round. And it is *also* cast at will. Her channel divinity kinda sucks, but that can be used for turn undead most of the time anyway. I know other subclasses are more optimal, and I wouldn’t recommend trickery for a PC, but nothing else really feels like *Shadowheart* the way trickery does

[@crankymonkey100]

Great build for Karlach, though a downside with the hellfire great axe is that you can't use the special attack while raging. Ran into that issue on a play through I did with a similar fire themed build

[@HoboZone]

Well that's dumb.

[@crankymonkey100]

@@HoboZone yeah it's really annoying, hoping it gets changed. Along with the axe not being able to be sheathed

[@yhnujmik987]

As a Barbarian you have the option of adding your Con to your AC instead of Wisdom. You should drop Wisdom and focus on Str/Dex/Con. Stunning Strikes doesn't actually use Wisdom for its DC. Fangs of the Fire Snake feels like the only worthwhile 4E spender and you don't need Wisdom for that one. The problem with the scorching ray, burning hands, and the other spell clones is that they don't actually do very much damage. Even at 9th level, the scorching ray is only going to average 28 points of damage if all 4 rays hit. You can easily do 14 damage per attack when you consider that tavern brawler is doubling your strength, or if you used a weapon you might be getting +2 or +3 from it. There's additional damage sources from things like gloves, etc. Lead off with Fangs and you will definitely do more damage. I feel like the main thing you will lose tanking Wisdom is the bonus damage to unarmed attacks with the boots of kushigo, but its worth it to consolidate your stats more.

[@johnbarry3869]

Great build. Love the throwing builds and Karlach is my favorite character in the game.

[@user-mu8dm4rk7g]

Same

[@notCalle]

Leaning further into the infernal, snacking on Soul coins should stack even more fire damage.

[@quorrtahn7670]

Love the idea and the fire theme. 🔥 Karlach is (once again) in my team for my new tactician run (honor mode will be with my brother ! :D) so your video is on time ! ✨ My MC is a bard, champion on Eillistrae (kudos to you of course ❤). Looking forward to see your next origin build !

[@xenomaster1773]

I like this I’m excited for the shadowheart builds for both routes

[@EbonScribe]

I been using a similar build since release because of her footwork animation. I go more Barbarian though but definitely will go more monk after this playthrough. Keep up the build videos.

[@wand3ringmagpie897]

Glad to see you're doing this, I've been enjoying all your builds and I struggle to build my origin companions 😅 I'm excited to give these a try

[@DrippyWaffler]

Would love to see "honour mode lore accurate origin character" builds through the acts!

[@SquashyMcSquash]

Currently using this build for my karlach origin tactician run. I took 2 points out of wis for better charisma checks, but its mostly the same, and its been quite fun. My only gripe is that for the early levels only having 2 rages per long rest has been painful. It definitely makes me think a lot harder about when to use it. The tavern brawler trick is a really cool way of keeping the build effective despite the unconventional stat line

[@MoonsongReverb]

Looks like a nice build and given the game is a bit stingy with Greataxes for Barbarians, Monk seems a good alternative so you don't have to worry about weapons^^ What i did with companions so far, i respecced evceryone as follwing: Karlach: Berserker Barbarian/ Fighter which was pretty tough with the complete Bonespike equipment and the Executer Greataxe later. My favorite tank with still good damage Lae'zel: Kept her as a fighter, just made a few tweaks regarding attributes and feats. Otherwise she was good as she is so far for me Shadowheart: Sooner or later i always rebuilt her as either a) pure Light Domain cleric or b) Cleric/ Paladin, it just fits if you let her convert to Selune later :) Astarion: Ranger (Gloomstalker)/ Rogue (Assassin)/ Archfey Warlock. I think it unites his past being a high elf and present being a vampire pretty well. Plus, even if non-ascended, his damage was still great :P Gale: I love to keep him as an Evoker Wizard, just made a few tweaks on attributes also. With Warcaster and Spellsniper feat, it grants him a free Eldrich blast without needing Warlock levels even. With the Sparkswall Robes from the UD he was good to go. In act 3 i got all the Weave items and the staff from Ramaziths tower for him. Plus he looks way cooler in those than letting him run around in the Starters Robes till the end. And i dyed everything Boreal Blue: Mystrans don't wear purple, they wear blue^^ Wyll: Also just made small tweaks and either left him as a pure Fiend Warlock or mixed as a Sorcerer/ Warlock. Fun fact : if you only try to change his class completely, listen closely. I swear, i could hear Mizora laughing in the background :D I know, some poeple like to give Shadowheart or Astarion bard levels. But i don't need it, because i love to play various bard combos as my main character myself ;) Just my two centss and waht i did so far. I'm excited to see what you make of our origin friends :)

[@midnightjudicator6551]

I'm curious what your level spread would he for that Astarion build because it sounds really fun.

[@gothicshark]

yeah, that feels very on point for her.

[@RabidPigeon-kx9tq]

Great video, great to across! Might be a bit late to party! Also like how you’ve given alternatives for acts too!

[@TheMysteriousDumbaz1]

Think im gonna try this on my dragonborn. Torn between making him a barb/fighter or barb/monk, think this build solidified my choice.

[@chloenelson3951]

Been binging your videos today, and thought it might be interesting to see a Heat build specifically for Karlach now that you've Warmed up to the Heat mechanic with some of your later builds. Just a thought XD

[@Mnykyu]

Love it, i will use it soon. Also not sure if this is the correct video to do a request, but i was trying to find online a Sung Jin Woo build the MC from Solo Leveling, but aside from some people asking in reddit could not find any. And i think is a great idea considering the manhwa is super famous, and next month it will be aired the Anime. If we do a quick summary he is a dual wielder dagger necromancer. Hope it looks interesting to you Hobo, and thanks for all the great content

[@user-mu8dm4rk7g]

That last throw was VICIOUS lmao

[@zaynkor2670]

I was worried I wasn't going to be able to do this correctly when I found this build after using Auntie Ethel's boon on my Tav, but then I remembered Elixir of Hill Giant Strength is a thing. It'll let me use the +2 Strength potion on someone else too.

[@valacarno]

Yay! Great series. 👍Let's go! 😻

[@travisc.7231]

Have you done any builds off the top of your head with the Dancing Breeze Glaive? It's a finesse Glaive, which is already cool. I'm planning on starting a Dexterity based Ancients Paladin with it just for the theme alone. And I'm not completely sure, but I think you can use Smite on every enemy hit with the unique move it comes with.

[@HoboZone]

My Loki build suggests using it but I've never really made a build around it.

[@TheDarkMarionette]

Karlach is a BONK! Hell yea!

[@Heartless-Sage]

If you get the chance, I wouldn't mind seeing some Lone Wolf builds, builds meant to solo the game, let your meta knowledge fly a bit. :)

[@HoboZone]

Not something I've yet considered. Especially since I haven't done lone wolf yet.

[@Heartless-Sage]

Me neither and I may do it on DOS2 as its got a perk for it.

[@KaioGomes-sn3wo]

Perfect timing as i'm about to go into my second playthrough

[@pinnskie]

I love this Build but only think i swaped are the gloves for Flawed Helldusk Gloves

[@soullight7003]

This is genius I’m doing an origin with this build

[@lindseyariegel7703]

currently running my mama K as monk and she is a menace.

[@vivikitty4629]

I don't know if it's a combo that has a lot of synergy, but i'd love to see your take on a Bardbarian

[@SleepyOwley]

Not me in the middle of a modded honor run using this build on her XD

[@dregnoff9361]

Imma try this out U really sold it with the kung fu Karlach sounds U didn't say where to get the 2nd Axe btws

[@HoboZone]

All equipment is linked in the description

[@earningknight2326]

Can anyone recommend what to do if I don’t take the potion of everlasting vigor? I don’t want to force Astarion to bite her. Also Ethel’s Boon, I may have killed her immediately…

[@CarlosMendoza-cp4ds]

En el acto 3 hay una lanza que si la arrojas hace 2d8 de relampago en area ademas de su daño normal, y vuelve automaticamente a tu mano. Se consigue robandole un objeto al Genio de la ruleta en el circo, al inicio del acto 3...... con dicho objeto dejas de perder a la ruleta, el genio se enfada y te manda a un lugar selvatico con velocirraptors. Justo al final, junto al portal que te lleva de vuelta, hay un cofre con dicha lanza..... Perfecta para personajes que juegan a arrojar armas.

[@wild_crux]

rad build!

[@andersfrieden567]

Your monk bonus action unarmed kick is usually more powerful on tavern brawler than any other class strike.

[@vincenthamelin5511]

I dont have acces to the boot or the glove could i use bracer of defence and for the boot what could you recommand

[@skripniker5414]

Think that build is rly on theme for Karlach. Nice job. But how the hell did you manage to get the "unarmed attack" button on your panel, while she has an weapon equipped?

[@HoboZone]

You get it as a bonus action when you attack with a monk weapon, that or patch 5 changed something and I didn't notice.

[@skripniker5414]

​@@HoboZone I knew that you get that Bonus action. If its not a mod, i have to check that my monk run

[@HoboZone]

I think you might be referring to Fist of the Unbroken Air. Its the only thing I can see that looks like the unarmed strike panel

[@skripniker5414]

@@HoboZone OK. Never played an element monk. Sigh... thought theyd patched this in...

[@Pav94an]

Been using this build for Karlach on my 2nd playthrough. Currently running around the Underdark and she is a powerhouse and so on theme. My Main character already used Ethel's boon on themself, but I recently found the club of hill giant strength (boosts strength to 19) So I got rid of Karlachs 2 handed weapon and have her dual wielding a that club and a generic axe. The strength bonus really boosts her unarmed strikes, I rarely use the weapons to attack unless it's to finish a low hp enemy or use avenues smite.

[@SelineSnape]

This a really cool build for her, I went with a barbarian/monk with my Durge (without the fire theme though) and have an amazing time! A question though regarding the abiulity score. Why are you using those permanent buffs for a still low Strength score, when you could stack up some Giant Hill potions instead? Auntie for example sells 3 of them in the Grove for every level up, I'm in Act 3 now and still have over 20 of them after picking up some along the way as well. No idea what is about to come, but I'm optimistic about not running out of them before the end of the game :D

[@HoboZone]

I've made it a point to not base builds on a limited resource. Not everyone likes having to rely on those things, myself included.

[@taylorbattle6464]

How do you have everything in act one what are the mods you're using

[@xenomaster1773]

I’ve been wondering what I should do since I don’t like throwing builds myself I can’t figure out what gear to use

[@murderycatdoll1380]

Oh FFS, where is my respec Gold 🤘🤘😇😅

[@ticky7817]

If im not using Ethels on Karlach, would you still take tavern brawler?

[@HoboZone]

Yeah. It's still worth it even if you don't max out STR.

[@ticky7817]

Thx bro

[@personagrand5674]

Hey! This might be late as I only got into Baldur’s Gate a few weeks ago If you don’t get Ethel’s boon and still wanna have a decently high strength, you could do what I did and mix up the Wisdom and Strength scores. Then use the Ability Score Increase on Wisdom to get it to 14. If you plan on using the potion of everlasting vigor yourself instead of Karlach, you could use the Mirror of Loss in Act 3 to get a + 2 Bonus that way.

[@ticky7817]

​@@personagrand5674awesome! Funny I never used this for long because I loved her as open hand monk, but New Build today and trying it finally and going to use your tips so thanks!

[@only_sven9268]

Can you do this build with Heat focus?? I really want to use karlach as Monk/barb with full on heat. But i dont know how to build it properly. I think i need to put 1 level of ranger into it to make her immune to burning damage and i need to mix stuff up. Cause i like the idea of kalrach using fire spells while raging.

[@HoboZone]

I'm my opinion, Heat isn't really worth it. You can certainly try, but this build is somewhat reliant on its equipment

[@HezkaH]

YEEEEESSSS

[@guilhermeredtfox]

This build is amazing, thanks for tips and nice video, hey, I made something for you! Do you have any socials where can I send it? :)

[@HoboZone]

I have a Twitter. I think it's linked on the channel. If not, it's @HoboZone_

[@guilhermeredtfox]

I send you there :)@@HoboZone

[@guilhermeredtfox]

I send you a tweet :)@@HoboZone

[@HoboZone]

@guilhermeredtfox what's your @? so I know it's you. Twitter is bad with notifications

[@guilhermeredtfox]

Is @trueredtfox :)@@HoboZone

[@threadbearr8866]

"As if the Hulk was on fire" ...so the Red Hulk.

[@HoboZone]

Red Hulk had fire powers?

[@threadbearr8866]

@@HoboZone Pretty sure red hulk gets hotter as they get angrier.

[@V1d3o]

Aside from using the Boots of Kushigo, couldn't you swap that out and just focus on Strength, Dexterity, and Con? Would it less powerful, or just as powerful?

[@HoboZone]

No because you need Wisdom for the four elements spells.

[@V1d3o]

@@HoboZone ah. I thought they scaled with the Dexterity stat. 😂 I have like close to 500 hours in the game and I'm still learning things

[@RaymondTheCat]

what if i already used ethels scalp on another character? should i keep tav brawler or ditch it for another feat?

[@HoboZone]

Tavern Brawler is what makes this build strong. You'll need to re adjust the stats

[@RobThePrincess]

Wait i have a playthrough AS Karlach. I respecced her out of barbarian. Am i missing out on content?? Should i change her back??

[@HoboZone]

My understanding is that you lose a few dialogue options.

[@noel7769]

I don’t really want to force Astarion to bite this woman… can I just give Karlarch those DEX gloves and invest in her STR ?

[@HoboZone]

That's up to you.

[@noel7769]

@@HoboZone oh so it would still work ? thx you for the answer, love your videos ♥

[@vk1340]

But put more points in strength much profitable than in dex. What's the point of increasing dex above 14?

[@HoboZone]

Armour Class and initiative

[@harchierplebbington9397]

Blending four elements monk and barbarian is an incredible build I would never think of but unfortunately tavern brawler strikes exclusively scale with strength if it is higher than dexterity

[@bear0wolf171]

I am hoping you didn't forget about this "series" and you do one for Astarion, Shadowheart / healer

[@HoboZone]

Yeah those are coming out soon

[@bear0wolf171]

@@HoboZone awesome I was looking around for builds and I was like nah, nah, nah, nah and seen you're and I love me some lore like builds and I had never used anything to do with the monk because I thought it was gonna be meh I mean I'm only level 5 but I still did up to that and honestly I kinda fuck with it 👀 then went through the playlist and didn't see a continuation and was like darn but now I'll have to keep an eye out with that Bell on

[@ryanmarkling445]

No strength just chugg potions homie