Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Ranger Class Build

Rangers have three very distinct builds available to them in Baldur’s Gate 3: Hunter, Beast Master, and Gloomstalker. When it comes down to it, having more party members with more abilities to throw down in combat is often better than higher single-target damage. As such, the Beast Master is easily the best pure Ranger build in BG3.

Beast Master Rangers are able to summon a companion that’s far stronger, and far more useful, than the Find Familiar spell available to other classes. The Summon Companion skill is the bread and butter of this best Ranger BG3 build, as players are able to control a Bear to keep enemies under their control while firing off arrows from afar without a fear in the world.

Updated November 2, 2024 by Erik Petrovich: When going for the best Ranger build BG3 players can make, you need to also consider factors beyond your character. After all, even with the best Baldur’s Gate 3 Ranger build, it’s nearly impossible to beat BG3 without a balanced Ranger party composition. Unless you are going for a solo run, it’s a good idea to consider your companion options before journeying out into the world – more often than not, this best BG3 Ranger build is improved with the right companions. This guide to the best Baldur’s Gate 3 Ranger build has been updated to add a section covering our best BG3 Ranger build companion and party composition recommendations, as well as to clarify some details so players can more easily follow this BG3 Ranger build guide.

Ranger Class Introduction & Overview

The Baldur’s Gate 3 Ranger Class, Explained

Ranger Playstyle & Signature Abilities

“Rangers are unrivalled scouts and trackers, honing a deep connection with nature in order to hunt their favoured prey.”

Rangers are a damage-oriented class that can either focus on their ability to track, hunt, and kill targeted prey, or summon an Animal Companion as a controllable ally. Despite their name, Rangers aren’t limited to Ranged combat, but just about all of the major BG3 Ranger builds rely on Ranged skills for the majority of their damage.

Even if one doesn’t choose the Gloomstalker subclass, which grants a bit of spellcasting ability, Rangers can access a limited number of spells that can help control the battlefield from afar.

Rangers’ unique class features are the Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer traits, which grant bonuses and unique abilities depending on which options players select. These bonuses only apply in specific situations, but as Rangers level up, they gain the benefits of more and more selections. Rangers also are able to become Invisible at will while standing still later on, as well as avoid the negative slowing effects of Difficult Terrain.

Base Ranger Class Proficiencies: Armor, Weapons, Saving Throws, & Skill Choices

When you first start creating your Ranger Build, BG3 offers a selection of basic Class Proficiencies, and a choice of three Ranger Skill Proficiencies.

In addition to Armor, Weapon, and Saving Throw proficiencies that vary for each class, the pool of Skills you can choose from are different for each class. These cannot be changed once you get past character creation without resetting your build.

All Ranger Subclasses

There are a total of three BG3 subclasses Ranger players can try out, each of which focuses on different aspects of the class, and offers a selection of unique skills, proficiencies, and other features. As you level up in one of these BG3 Ranger subclasses, you will gain more abilities that are unique to your subclass choice.

Your choice of Ranger subclass can be changed by speaking with Withers, but you will start at Level 1 and have to make your BG3 Ranger build from scratch. Though this chart displays information for all subclasses, if you want to make best Ranger build BG3 has to offer, you should go for the Beast Master.

Ranger Class Features – Level By Level

The max level in Baldur’s Gate 3 is Level 12, and most of the time, each level you gain will grant something new for your Ranger build. On character creation you gain the basics for the Ranger class, then steadily gain Feat Choices, new spells and abilities, subclass features, and increase your Proficiency Bonus.

This chart displays everything you can expect to get at each Level-Up as a Ranger in your Baldur’s Gate 3 journey. The only level when you do not get anything Ranger-related specifically is from Level 8 to Level 9.

Ranger Spell Slots & Prepared Spells – Level By Level

BG3 Ranger Subclass Choice – Beast Master

Overview Of BG3 Ranger Beast Master Subclass

What Makes Beast Master the Best BG3 Ranger Subclass?

“Beast Masters bind themselves to an animal companion, sharing an intelligent bond that flourishes in and out of combat.”

The Beast Master Ranger is a hybrid ranged support and melee bruiser, capable of dishing out tons of damage and controlling enemy attacks with the Summon Companion ability. Beast Master Ranger is the best Ranger build in Baldur’s Gate 3 right now because it gives players a full-strength extra companion in the party – a Bear, for the purposes of this build.

During combat, Beast Master Rangers are able to take a turn for both their own character and their summoned animal. The Bear has the ability Goading Roar and a big pool of HP, making them the perfect distraction for melee enemies while the Ranger rains arrows (and other ranged attacks) from afar.

Hunters and Gloom Stalkers technically can do more damage, but players have to be fighting their preferred enemy types or in the right stealthy circumstances. Beast Master Rangers are much more versatile and provide both damage and support for a whole party through their companion and Ranger spells.

Beast Master Subclass Features – Level By Level

In addition to everything you unlock while leveling as a Ranger, your Subclass also determines what you unlock at certain levels. As a Ranger, you can select a subclass at Level 3.

For the purposes of this guide to the BG3 best Ranger build, choose the Beast Master when prompted to choose a Subclass.

Best Companions for a Beast Master Ranger

There are a lot of large animals that Rangers can choose from in the Beast Master build, but only one of them has an ability that forces enemies to focus on them: the Bear. The companion Bear has 19 HP base, which is upgraded to 39 at Level 5, as well as the Goading Roar (the Taunt) and Claws, which deals Cleave damage in a short range. The other companion animals can be more damaging or more useful situationally, but the Bear will generally provide the best utility to a Beast Master Ranger, especially if they plan to fight at a range.

Best BG3 Ranger Build Character Creation Choices

BG3 Ranger Build Race, Background, Proficiency, Feats, & Stat Choices

Best BG3 Ranger Race: Half Wood Elf

The Half Wood Elf is the best Ranger race in BG3 for players who don’t particularly like the idea of playing as a Gnome. The Half Wood Elf has one of the longest movement distances of any Race, and they gain proficiency in Stealth for free, which is really useful for skirting around combat to get the perfect ranged angle. This, plus improved perception from Keen Senses and abilities from Fey Ancestry, makes the Half Wood Elf particularly useful for the Beast Master build playstye.

The Forest Gnome is a viable backup choice for Rangers thanks to Talk With Animals. The Talk With Animals spell is free to cast at will for Forest Gnomes from Level 1, which would usually be one of the Ranger’s many options for a spell at Level 2. It’s great for talking with your companion or other animals out in the world of Baldur’s Gate 3 – plus, Forest Gnomes have the Gnome Cunning passive, granting advantage on INT, WIS, and CHA Saving Throws.

Best BG3 Ranger Favoured Enemy: Bounty Hunter

The Ranger’s Favored Enemy choice is tough, and it works differently than it did in the tabletop Dungeons and Dragons. Of the choices available, the Bounty Hunter is arguably the most useful Favored Enemy when paired with Summon Companion. When the Bounty Hunter Ranger Ensnares an enemy, they gain Disadvantage on their Saving Throw against being rooted, leaving them writhing in agony without being able to move more often. Simply send in your Bear to finish the job.

Best BG3 Natural Explorer Trait: Beast Tamer

The Natural Explorer traits for Rangers in BG3 have been changed from Fifth Edition D&D, too. There are three versions of Wasteland Wanderer granting different resistances, Urban Tracker for the Sleight of Hand proficiency, and Beast Tamer, which grants the Find Familiar ability. Having yet another companion in combat can be really helpful, but the summons available through Find Familiar aren’t very strong. Choose one with some utility, like the Raven or the Cat, who can inflict status effects on enemies or distract them instead of engaging in direct combat.

Best Ranger Backgrounds in BG3: Folk Hero or Outlander

The Folk Hero background grants proficiency in Animal Handling and Survival, both skills that are also choices for Ranger starting skill proficiencies. Typically, Folk Hero characters will earn Inspiration from performing feats of heroism, mostly in the form of saving NPCs or discussing your feats.

The Outlander background grants proficiency in Athletics and Survival, which leaves most every other Ranger skill proficiency up for grabs. This background triggers inspiration when conquering the wilds in various ways, including defeating or otherwise getting past powerful enemies, and exploring (and surviving) the various hostile areas players can get to.

Ultimately, either background will work just find for Rangers, but it depends on your personal playstyle. Folk Hero characters typically are better for players who like to engage in side quests and save others, while Outlanders are more oriented for players who like to perform great feats on their own.

Best BG3 Ranger Skill Proficiency Choices: Perception, Investigation, and Nature

Rangers get to pick three Skills from a large list of options, but depending on your background choice, some skills might not be available (because you’re already proficient in them).

Taking the Folk Hero background as a Ranger leaves Athletics, Insight, Investigation, Nature, Perception, and Stealth open to take (though Wood Elves get Perception and Stealth proficiency, too), while the Outlander background leaves everything but Athletics up for the taking.

Whether you are a Wood Elf or not, Perception is an important proficiency to have, so prioritize picking it up. Nature, Investigation, and Insight are all very useful in RP situations and for opening up new dialogue choices, too. Of these choices, Investigation and Nature arguably suit the Ranger best, but if you plan to interact with a lot of NPCs and dialogues, Insight can be a better choice.

Best Beast Master Animal Companion: Wolf Spider

From the moment players unlock their Battle Master Animal Companion, all five options are available, and no additional companion choices unlock at later levels. There is the Wolf, Bear, Dire Raven, Boar, and Wolf Spider – and of the five, the Wolf Spider provides the most utility and damage output.

The Wolf can deal decent single-target damage but lacks helpful abilities at later levels. Bears can be strong, but are a bit bland, and Boars can rage and charge into combat, but don’t offer much additional utility. Ravens can summon allies and cause status effects, but the Wolf Spider can poison enemies, summon an infestation, create webs, and provide meaningful CC to the party through the Cocoon ability.

Best BG3 Ranger Fighting Style for the Beast Master Subclass: Archery

Of the four Fighting Styles that become available to Rangers at Level 2, one makes the most sense for the Beast Master build. Because Beast Master Rangers don’t get into the melee side of things too much, players should choose Archery for their Level 2 Fighting Style.

This BG3 build thrives when the Ranger stays far away from the fight, firing arrows and casting the occasional spell, while their companion Wolf Spider keeps melee enemies’ attention. Pick up this style to empower the Ranger’s ability to deal reliable ranged damage, as the other options just don’t do much for this type of playstyle.

Best BG3 Ranger Feats: Alert, Sharpshooter, Savage Attacker

• Alert Effects: You gain +5 to Initiative and can’t be Surprised
• Sharpshooter Effects: Grants two new abilities, Sharpshooter: Low Ground, and Sharpshooter: All In
  • Low Ground nullifies High Ground rules for ranged attacks made below a target
  • All In reduces your Attack Rolls with Ranged weapons (that you are Proficient with) by 5, but increases their damage by a flat 10
• Savage Attacker Effects: When making Melee Weapon attacks, roll all damage dice twice. The higher of the two results is used.

Best Ranger Ability Scores & Stat Distribution

To create the best BG3 Ranger build, we recommend putting the majority of points into your Dexterity, followed by Constitution and Wisdom. The primary stat for most Beast Master Ranger spells and abilities in BG3 is Dexterity, but Wisdom and Constitution should follow closely behind for survivability and secondary combat bonuses. Charisma, Strength, and Intelligence are not essential for the Beast Master Ranger build.

Best BG3 Ranger Leveling Choices

Best Ranger Spells, Feats, & Other Choices At Every Level

Best Ranger Build Companions & Party Composition

Best Companions For Beast Master Ranger Builds

The best Ranger companions in BG3 are X, X, and X. Though you can change the class and specialization of any of your companions, these three come with strong pre-determined class and spec combos to balance out your Ranger party composition.

• Halsin: A Circle of the Moon Druid, Halsin is a great hybrid party member who will serve as your primary source of buffs and healing as well as a melee support for Karlach
• Karlach: Best suited for the Berserker subclass, Karlach is capable of dealing some of the most consistent, highest-hitting melee attacks on her own, and with two supports you won’t be at a loss for HP or dispels
• Gale: An Evocation Wizard, Gale can learn any Spell in Baldur’s Gate 3, is able to adapt to most situations, and is thus the most versatile ranged damage-dealing companion.

If you are dead set on including a character in your party, simply talk to Withers to respec them to one of the optimal Ranger companion classes listed above. This way, you won’t miss out on that character’s questline, and you won’t have to suffer from an improperly balanced party.

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Ranger Build Equipment

Get The Best BG3 Ranger Gear In All Three Acts

This section covers the best equipment for Beast Master Rangers in BG3 across all three Acts. Some pieces from early Acts may still be powerful in later ones, though, and will remain equipped through several Acts.

• Items with bolded names are new options for the build in each Act, and may replace older pieces of equipment.
• Items with unbolded names must be acquired in earlier Acts, but are strong enough that they don’t need to be replaced in Acts 2 or 3.

Best Beast Master Ranger Items & Equipment: Act 1

Best Beast Master Ranger Items & Equipment: Act 2

Best Beast Master Ranger Items & Equipment: Act 3

Best BG3 Ranger Multiclass Choices

Maximize Your BG3 Ranger Build With Complimentary Ranger Multiclass Options

Players can choose to Multiclass beginning at Level 2. Look for the “Add Class” button on the top right of the level up overview menu – this will open up a new menu where players can allocate the level to any other class in
Baldur’s Gate 3
when selected.

Rogue Multiclass – Ranger 9/Rogue 3

The Ranger and Rogue multiclass build makes for an exceptionally powerful combination, as long as a character chooses the Gloomstalker and Thief subclasses for each class. The Gloomstalker subclass for the Ranger grants lots of stealth-related abilities, but not Sneak Attack. By multiclassing with the Rogue class, the Gloomstalker gains this powerful Rogue skill, which receives a damage improvement at Level 3.

At Rogue Level 3, players also get to choose their subclass. The best option is the Thief subclass, which grants an extra bonus action – perfect for getting into the right position for a Sneak Attack, or for casting spells like Misty Step.

Fighter Multiclass – Ranger 10/Fighter 2

A multiclass Ranger build that invests two levels into the Fighter class will gain a lot more than it loses from levels 11 and 12. At Fighter 2, a character will gain the Action Surge ability, which costs a Bonus Action and grants an extra standard Action that turn. This ability can be used once per short or long rest, and gives the Ranger a third attack as early as character level 7 (5 points in Ranger, and 2 in Fighter).

At levels 11 and 12, Rangers would normally get their final subclass feature and a choice of Feat (or ability score improvement). It’s worth dipping into Fighter a little bit for the one extra attack, but players can even go as far as Ranger 7/Fighter 5 to get an extra attack every turn, though this mean losing out on more high-level Ranger abilities.