Foreword
Top 20 builds thread 
Top 20 Softcore builds, ft. HC approved section from RektbyProtoss! [1.2.0.5] (An Onion) - Grim Dawn / Classes, Skills and Builds - Crate Entertainment Forum is on the forum after extensive testing to determine top builds in GD. The topic provides save files, but if you don’t want to do it, or you want to try building it from scratch, this thread should provide some information and useful links. Basically, doing the same thing I did last time, honouring the traditions.
Top 20 builds
1. Korba Trickster
The end game build uses full Korba set and Alkamos rings, but you can make a decent Trickster with budget-friendly gear, and you havea number of suitable weapons for levelling, like Chillstrife and Malkadarr blade. You can check my beginner’s guide for cold Trickster, it’s old, but should still provide some useful tips.
2. Evoker Saboteur
Another great cold DW melee, you also have a number of weapon options. On top of that, Namadea helm is a crucial item, and you can target farm it. There are also a few other target farmable greens, and craftable blue rings, which make this build suitable for those, who wants to dabble in cold DW melee. You can check my beginner’s guide for this class.
3. Avenger Archon
End game build around Avenger set (which includes a weapon), but you can level up with Troll Bronecrusher weapon, farmed from these big trolls. You can’t miss them, they are big, after all. You can check the wonderful guide by the Coyote [1.1.9.2 - 1.1.9.4] Budget Physical Two-Handed Melee Savagery Archon - Grim Dawn / Classes, Skills and Builds - Crate Entertainment Forum
4. Chaos Saboteur
Just level it as cold, chaos have very little support for levelling a Saboteur, you will lack RR and your attack won’t do much damage.
5. Acid RtA Sentinel
For end game Sentinel, you need to craft a conduit, which removes the cooldown from Aegis skill. So you can level with Aegis on CD as acid damage or acid retal. You can farmr Ravna’s Claw weapon, Ronaprix’s sting amulet and Basilisk Fang medal. You can also check levelling guides, first is my super old acid Sentinel with shield and second is tqFan’s acid DEE.
6. Fire N&O Saboteur
Build is using Nex And Ortus and Ember sets. For levelling, you can try dual wielding Moltenclaw Slicers, since they support fire Sabo from earlier levels. I still would suggest cold, since it’s Sabo.
7. Blitz Warlord
One of the top options, if you want self-found build, which can take you afar. You have a number of target farmable greens in the end game char, Bargoll’s Root weapon is a great weapon. Milton’s helm and Warden’s shield can be farmed in act 1 of the game as well. And ofc Wendgio Glare medal and Bloodbriar amulet. You can check Ceno’s guide for shield blitz Warlord and Coyote’s Witchblade using the combo Blitz+Cadence.
8. Avenger Warder
Avenger set, but this time as Warder. You can build it similarly to the Archon’s levelling guide, or use Voldrak’s weapon + Cadence and this guide by Ulvar.
9. Venomblade Dervish
Build using Venomblade’s set, which also have 2x weapons. The good thing is, you have a good few options for weapons during levelling, especially Gannar’vakkar’s Sting. Without further ado, link for the Stupid Dragon’s guide.
10. Deathmarked Dervish
Another cold DW melee, starting to see a trend. Build is using full Deathmarked set and conduit, which provides damage, but also conversion to Righteous Fervour. But even without them, you have a strong base, consisting of RF+Nightbalde’s weapon pool skills (WPS). Any guide for DW melee should do the trick, since there are a number of similarities between all these cold DW melee builds.
11. Markovian Warlord
Build, using the full Markovian set, and it’s slightly different, compared to eco-friendly green Blitz, but that’s only for end game setup. Levelling is same.
12. Belgothian Infiltrator
Belgo Bladmeaster is an eternal classic in Grim Dawn, but this is Infiltrator, ugh. You can still check the Stupid_Dragon’s guide for BM and make some minor adjustments. You don’t have Soldier’s WPS skills, but you gain resistance reduction (RR) from Pain, OA/physical resistance from Conviction and some extra racial damage. So, Infiltrator is an option. The main problem for levelling/budget setup is lack of dedicated auto-attack without Belgo set or Soldier’s Cadence. You need to use Beronath’s Strike from component, and you will have troubles to convert it. I suggest levelling pierce DW Infiltrator only as last resort or personal challenge.
13. Lightning Retaliation Archon
Ah shit, here we go again. End game only build requiring Conduit of Divine Whispers, removing the cooldown from Aegis. And also Skybreach shield, Scion of Burning Vengeance pistol and Dawnshard’s helmet. For leveling, it’s hard to recommend lightning retal, you can do fire with Colossal Defender, but that’s a different build.
14. Voidsoul Sentinel
Another build using Aegis conduit (such a strong item). For levelling, you can still go chaos with Lagoth’s Voidbinding medal, but you will lack RR. I suggest levelling with CD Aegis, using fire, acid or even physical damage. There are few green MI items for each damage type and also Sentinel class supports them.
15. Lightning CT Druid
One of my favourite builds in the game. It’s not great idea to level with it, since you won’t have access to Stormseer’s Sapphire amulet (level 94 craftable, recipe is random drop) and lightning CT has almost no +skills from early/mid-levels. Still Kymon’s badge medal+2H weapon, and it’s at least possible to create something similar.
16. Cold N&O Saboteur
Slightly different, compared to Evoker Sabo, but that’s only the end game setup. Levelling, check the same guide.
17. Light’s Defender Purifier
Number of good target farmable items for lightning SJ Purifier, like Ulraprax’s amulet (life steal to SJ is yummy) and Overseer’s off-hand for extra damage. One issue is lack of conversion mod, outside ot Light Defender set, but damage should still be good enough without it, especially in normal/veteran and elite. Check this guide by teppieteptep
18. Ludrigan Druid
Cool caster using Ludrigan end game setup. For levllig you can try adjusting my Vindicator guide. Use Totems+Devils combo and Star Pact as exclusive skill. Devotions, focus on defensive ones and maybe good for hard health regen numbers.
19. Vitality RE Oppressor
You can level it as RE build using Bonespike weapon (drop like candies) and Magi Celestial Helm and have a good time. You can check my old guide for RE Oppressor (before the introduction of magi’s item) as well.
20. Pyran Shieldbreaker
Fire Mortat Trap caster, utilizing health regen for survival. Use fire gear + Gollus MI rings and Dreeg’s pants for regen. You can also check this SSF topic for fire Mortars by Dabuwa87
Or better, check the new guide written by modal: [1.2.1.2] Beginner Mortar Trap Shieldbreaker - Grim Dawn / Classes, Skills and Builds - Crate Entertainment Forum
Additional resources
- Beginner compendium for additional guides: Beginner build guides Compendium (for AoM + FG expansions) - Classes, Skills and Builds - Crate Entertainment Forum
- My collection of beginner builds and sketches:
Nery’s beginner builds collection - Grim Dawn / Classes, Skills and Builds - Crate Entertainment Forum - Carnival of animals, Maya’s extensive guide about pets: The Carnival - A Guide to Pets - Grim Dawn / Classes, Skills and Builds - Crate Entertainment Forum
- previous ‘‘how to level top 20’’ thread
How to level top 20 (softcore) builds in Grim Dawn topic - Grim Dawn / Classes, Skills and Builds - Crate Entertainment Forum - Baseline stats for your end game character. Should help you for what to aim after you reach max level. Guide: Recommended stats for end game - Grim Dawn / Guides and Tutorials - Crate Entertainment Forum
- Guide about speed-leveling Companion Guide to RektbyProtoss’s Alt Speed-leveling videos - Grim Dawn / Guides and Tutorials - Crate Entertainment Forum
And remember, unlike onion, your build shouldn’t be made out of glass. 
and new players really like up-to-date (1.2) builds.
- and edit: please ignore the point accidently invested in Might of the Bear)