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Prey’s Scent is a subclass feature that adds to the damage done by a Swarmkeeper Ranger’s Gathered Swarm in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is set to receive a major update with Patch 8, introducing 12 new subclasses to take the Sword Coast by storm. Or in the case of the new ranger subclass, by swarm! The Swarmkeeper Ranger subclass forms deep bonds with hive-minded spirits to deal bonus damage, increase mobility, and debuff enemies. The Gathered Swarm feature allows the ranger to choose from three different types of swarms to aid them in battle.
The Swarmkeeper, like other rangers, relies on Hunter’s Mark as a key ability. Hunter’s Mark and Gathered Swarm synergize through Prey’s Scent, which allows the swarm to deal extra damage to enemies targeted by Hunter’s Mark. While it may appear to be the same ability favored by Beast Master Rangers, a Swarmkeeper’s Prey’s Scent has a few key distinctions.
What Is Swarmkeeper Prey’s Scent in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Prey’s Scent is a passive subclass feature that the Swarmkeeper Ranger unlocks at level 3. The ability increases the damage the ranger’s swarm deals to Hunter’s Mark targets by 1d6. The type of damage dealt because of Prey’s Scent depends on the type of Gathered Swarm chosen by the Swarmkeeper.
Gathered Swarm includes Legion of Bees, Cloud of Jellyfish, and Flurry of Moths. Legion of Bees summons a swarm of bees that can either attack your target with piercing damage, push the enemy away, or teleport the Swarmkeeper to a safe location.
The Cloud of Jellyfish attacks with lightning damage, can Shock an enemy instead of pushing them away, and can also teleport the ranger. Flurry of Moths performs similar functions, except that it deals psychic damage and blinds the enemy. The Swarmkeeper can frequently change the swarm type as they level up.
All of the swarms initially deal 1d6 of their respective damage type, which is increased to 1d8 with the Mighty Swarm subclass feature unlocked at level 11. The Swarmkeeper’s Prey’s Scent adds 1d6 additional damage of the chosen swarm’s damage type.
For example, if the Swarmkeeper chooses the Legion of Bees at level 3, Prey’s Scent will add 1d6 Piercing damage to the bees’ 1d6 base piercing when they attack an enemy targeted by Hunter’s Mark. If the Cloud of Jellyfish were chosen, Prey’s Scent would add 1d6 Lightning damage instead of piercing damage. For a Beast Master Ranger, Prey’s Scent always adds 1d6 Slashing damage.
How Good Is Swarmkeeper Prey’s Scent in Baldur’s Gate 3?
The game will prompt the Swarmkeeper to choose between their swarm’s three abilities as soon as they make a weapon attack against a marked target. Prey’s Scent applies only if they choose the third option, which deals flat damage.
Therefore, at level one, the Swarmkeeper’s damage against a marked enemy would be: weapon damage + 1d6 (Hunter’s Mark) + 1d6 (swarm) + 1d6 (Prey’s Scent). Hunter’s Mark is a core ability for the ranger, and the additional swarm damage with Prey’s Scent contributes to the headhunter playstyle preferred by the class.
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