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Discover the best Ranger subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3 ranked from best to worst, including the upcoming Swarmkeeper subclass in Patch 8.
The Ranger class in Baldur’s Gate 3 combines range damage, spellcasting, and high mobility. It is one of the most powerful classes in the game. Players should play a Ranger if they enjoy ranged combat with bows, medium armour, and limited spellcasting. The downside of the Ranger is, you don’t have heavy armour proficiency or many spell slots. Moreover, your main ability score is Dexerity, so charisma and influencing dialogue won’t be your strengths. Outside of that, the Ranger has everything you need to excel in combat.
In this guide, we will be ranking all subclasses of Ranger in Baldur’s Gate 3 from the best to worst, and tell you how the upcoming Swarmkeeper subclass will play out for the Ranger class.
What are Ranger subclasses in BG3? Explained
Ranger currently has three subclasses, Gloom Stalker, Beast Master, and Hunter. Each subclass grants access to unique features during level progress, allowing players to experience a new playstyle with Ranger and choose a certain playstyle for their build.
Here are all Ranger subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Hunter: The Hunter subclass is a specialization that focuses on dealing damage to enemies. It has high damage output, versatile combat options, is effective against a variety of enemies, good at tracking and surviving in the wild.
- Beast Master: The Beastmaster subclass is a specialization that allows the Ranger to bond with a beast companion. The beast companion provides additional damage and utility, and can be a fun and flavorful option.
- Gloom Stalker: The Gloom Stalker subclass is a specialization that focuses on fighting in dark and shadowy places. It is stealthier and more resilient in dark conditions, can surprise and take down enemies, and has several thematic abilities.
- Swarmkeeper: The Swarmkeeper subclass grants three different kinds of deadly swarms to assist you in combat. Each swarm allows you to deal certain elemental damage including lightning, psychic, and piercing. Moreover, each swarm provides you with teleportation.
Below, we have ranked the Ranger Subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3 from the best to worst order. Each corresponding section explains the role of the subclass and its progression.
Best Ranger Subclasses in BG3, Ranked
1. Gloom Stalker
The Gloom Stalker Ranger subclass is unique for its extra attack on turn one. This subclass is best for surprising enemies and getting an early kill. The Gloom Stalker subclass gains increased focus on stealth, darkness, and ambushing enemies. However, you retain the Ranger’s strength, which is weapon and armour proficiency, extra attack, and even spell casting.
The strength of the Gloom Stalker Ranger is the best turn-one class in the game. However, the downsides are that you don’t have heavy armor proficiency at the start and require consumable arrows for maximum damage.
Gloom Stalker Features
While levelling up, the following features are available for the Gloom Stalker subclass.
- Dread Ambusher (Level 3): You gain a +3 bonus to Initiative. On the first turn of combat, your Movement Speed increases by 3m, and you can make an additional attack that deals an additional 1d8 damage.
- Dread Ambusher: Hide (Level 3): Hide from enemies by succeeding Stealth checks. Stick to the dark and avoid enemy sightlines. Attacking or casting a spell will reveal your location.
- Umbral Shroud (Level 3): Use an Action to wrap yourself in shadows to become Invisible if you are obscured.
- Superior Darkvision (Level 3): You can see up to 24 meters.
- Misty Step Spell (Level 5): Surrounded by silver mist, you teleport to an unoccupied space you can see.
- Iron Mind (Level 7): You gain Proficiency in Wisdom and Intelligence Saving Throws.
- Fear Spell (Level 9): Project an image so frightening it makes targets drop everything and become Fearful. They will be easier to hit and cannot move. If the target ends their turn where they can’t see you, they can make another Saving Throw to shake off their fear. Affected targets become Fearful for 2 turns and Disarmed for 1 turn.
- Stalker’s Flurry (Level 11): When you miss a weapon attack, you can make another one for free.
2. Beast Master
The Beast Master subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a master of ranged combat and survival skills, blending the finesse of an expert marksman with an innate connection to the natural world. The key feature of the Beast Master subclass is the ability to form a strong bond with a loyal animal companion, which fights alongside the Ranger and aids them in various ways. The animal companion can be used for combat, exploration, and other activities.
The Beast Master Subclass is strong, because of summons you can call to fight on your sight. The Beast Master summoning helps do damage, stun opponents, and provide distractions. It’s a very fun and powerful playstyle especially later on in the end game max level of 12.
Beast Master Features
While leveling up, the following features are available for the Beast Master subclass.
- Summon Companion (Level 3): Gain a beast companion that accompanies you on your adventures and fights alongside you.
- Bear Companion: Endures heavy attack and can distract enemies with its Goading Roar attack.
- Boar Companion: Sweeps through the battlefield to knock enemies off their feet with its Charge attack.
- Dire Raven Companion: Flies around the area and blinds the enemies with its Rend Vision attack.
- Wolf Companion: Inflicts devastating wounds and knocks down enemies with its Lunging Bite attack.
- Wolf Spider Companion: Shoots webs at enemies with its “Webs” attack and inflicts Poison on enemies with its Bite attack.
- Companion’s Bond (Level 5): Your Proficiency Bonus Proficiency Bonus is added to its Armour Class, damage, and Attack rolls. Moreover, the hit points for your companion further increase along with its abilities and a new visual look.
- Exceptional Training (Level 7): Your companion is now able to Dash, Disengage, and Help as a Bonus action.
- Health Increase (Companion) (Level 8): The hit points for your companion increase.
- Bestial Fury (Level 11): Your companion gains an Extra Attack whenever they take the Attack action. Moreover, the hit points for your companion further increase along with its abilities and a new visual look.
3. Hunter
The Hunter subclass allows you to excel in ranged combat, control the battlefield, and adapt to various situations. It offers a versatile and exciting playstyle that can be highly rewarding, particularly for players who enjoy strategic combat and wilderness exploration.
The Hunter subclass features Prey Form, Defensive tactics, and two skills unlocked at level 11. Here are all the specific Hunter subclass features you get as you level up.
- Hunter’s Prey (level 3): You specialize in fighting specific threats.
- Colossus Slayer: Once per turn, your weapon attack deals an extra 1d8 damage if the target is below its Hit Point maximum.
- Giant Killer: If a Large or bigger creature attacks you, you can use your Reaction to make a melee attack.
- Horde Breaker: Target two creatures standing close to each other, attacking them in quick succession.
- Defensive Tactics (level 7): Advanced skills to help with defensive capabilities.
- Escape the Horde: Opportunity Attacks against you have a Disadvantage.
- Steel Will: Advantage on Saving throws against being Frightened.
- Multiattack Defense: When an enemy attacks you, they suffer a -4 penalty to additional Attack rolls against you until the start of their next turn.
- Volley (level 11): Fire a cascade of arrows upon nearby enemies, making separate ranged attack rolls against each target.
- Whirlwind Attack (level 11): Strike out at all nearby foes, making separate attack rolls against each target.
Patch 8 New Ranger Subclass Swarmkeeper
The Swarmkeeper subclass grants three different kinds of deadly swarms to assist you in combat. Each swarm allows you to deal certain elemental damage including lightning, psychic, and piercing. Moreover, each swarm provides you with teleportation.
Note: The actual properties of Swarmkeeper subclass features are unknown at this point. The following explanation below in a general overview and playstyle of Swarmkeeper Ranger.
The Swarmkeeper subclass provides Rangers with three kinds of deadly swarms to assist them in combat. The Cloud of Jellyfish deals extra lightning damage – potentially shocking your enemy. The Flurry of Moths deals Psychic damage, giving you the potential to Blind your enemy. The Legion of Bees deals piercing damage and forces the enemy to make a strength-saving throw or be knocked back 15ft. Each swarm also has the ability to provide you with teleportation capabilities!
FAQs about Ranger Subclasses in BG3
1. Question: How many Ranger subclasses are there in BG3?
Answer: Currently, there are three subclasses available for Ranger in Baldur’s Gate 3. It includes the Gloom Stalker, Beast Master, and Hunter. Moreover, a fourth subclass was announced for the Ranger class called Swarmkeeper which will be available in Patch 8, coming out in early 2025.
2. Question: Which is the strongest Ranger subclass in BG3?
Answer: Gloom Stalker is the strongest Ranger subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 for now. It focuses focuses on fighting in dark and shadowy places. It is stealthier and more resilient in dark conditions, can surprise and take down enemies, and has several thematic abilities.
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