Forge Your Path in Darkness! Discover the optimal class options for Duergar, known for their resilience and mastery of metalwork.
These classes synergize with a Duergar’s abilities, offering thrilling gameplay choices from armored combat to intricate craftsmanship. Embrace the depths with these top picks!
Best Classes for Duergar
5. Druid
Primary Ability Score – Wisdom
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Dexterity
Spellcasting Ability – Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields (Druids won’t use shields or wear armor made from metal)
Weapons Proficiencies – Spears, Slings, Sickles, Scimitars, Quarterstaffs, Maces, Javelins, Darts, Daggers, Clubs
Why the Druid?
Duergar Druids will mainly have +2 Wisdom and +1 Dexterity or +1 Wisdom, +1 Dexterity, and +1 Constitution if you’re a Circle of the Moon Druid.
Druids don’t have access to Enlarge/Reduce or Invisibility, giving them two useful spells they can use on themselves or others.
Invisibility can be used to turn yourself invisible as a sneaky animal, or you can cast it on a Scout or Face in your party. Enlarge/Reduce can be used by Moon Druids as a combat buff or on other players to increase their damage.
Recommended Druid Circles
- Circle of Spores
- Circle of the Land
- Circle of the Moon
- Circle of the Shepherd
4. Ranger
Primary Ability Score – Dexterity
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Wisdom
Spellcasting Ability – Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Martial
Why the Ranger?
Duergar Rangers will opt for +2 Dexterity and +1 Wisdom in most circumstances since they’ll still be fighting from range.
Luckily, Enlarge/Reduce’s damage boost works for ranged weapons, increasing a Ranger’s damage output, especially in the late game.
Invisibility lets you act as the party’s Scout, but it’s also useful for general sneakiness and flanking. You’ll also be able to recast Invisibility with your spell slots.
Dwarven Resilience is a massive bonus to your durability, as Poison damage is one of D&D’s most common damage types.
Recommended Ranger Archetypes
- Drakewarden
- Gloom Stalker
- Swarm Keeper
3. Monk
Primary Ability Score – Dexterity
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution, Wisdom
Armor Proficiencies – None
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Shortswords
Why the Monk?
Duergar will either go for a three-score split (+1 in Dexterity, Wisdom, and Constitution) or a two-score split (+2 Dexterity and +1 Wisdom).
With Enlarge/Reduce, you add damage to your numerous attacks as a Monk, and Invisibility allows you to function as your party’s Scout.
Dwarven Resilience and Psionic Fortitude are good initially, but since Monks eventually become immune to poison, Dwarven Resilience will become useless.
Recommended Monastic Traditions
- Way of Shadow
- Way of the Open Hand
- Way of the Sun Soul
2. Paladin
Primary Ability Scores – Charisma and Strength
Secondary Ability Score – Constitution
Spellcasting Ability – Charisma
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Heavy, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Martial
Why the Paladin?
Duergar Paladins will go for +2 Charisma/Strength and +1 Charisma/Strength (+2 Charisma for spellcasting focused and +2 Strength for melee focused).
Paladins gain extra damage from Enlarge/Reduce for grappling and as a simple damage boost.
Invisibility will only be viable to Dexterity-based Paladins, but Dwarven Resilience and Psionic Fortitude will further increase a Paladin’s insane durability.
Recommended Paladin Sacred Oaths
- Oath of Vengeance
- Oathbreaker
1. Fighter
Primary Ability Score – Strength (STR-based), Dexterity (DEX-based)
Secondary Ability Scores – Constitution
Spellcasting Ability – Intelligence (For Eldritch Knight)
Armor Proficiencies – Light, Medium, Heavy, Shields
Weapons Proficiencies – Simple, Martial
Why the Fighter?
Duergar Fighters will either go Strength or Dexterity (Strength deals more damage, is more straightforward, and synergizes well with a Duergar’s features).
Enlarge/Reduce is a combat buff for Fighters, helping them land grapple/shove combos and increasing a Fighter’s damage on other attacks.
Dwarven Resilience and Psionic Fortitude stay useful throughout your entire campaign (unlike for Monks).
Invisibility will work best for Dexterity-based Fighters, where Enlarge-Reduce plays another significant role as the damage boost.
Recommended Fighter Martial Archetypes
- Echo Knight (Dexterity build)
- Eldritch Knight (To re-cast innate spells with spell slots)
- Rune Knight (Use Giant’s Might and Enlarge/Reduce to stack size increases)
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best class for your Duergar character in D&D 5e can significantly impact your gaming experience.
Whether you prefer the martial prowess of a Fighter, the martial arts of a Monk, the ranged precision of a Ranger, or the primal connection of a Druid, each class offers unique advantages and challenges.