Best Ranger Builds In D&D 5e

Not quite a Rogue, and without the casting powers of a Druid, the Ranger’s current half-caster and half-combat setup are much improved from previous versions of the class. The Ranger class of Dungeons & Dragons has evolved from a support class to a versatile and complex party member.

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Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Ranger Class Build

The Ranger subclass Beast Master makes for one of the strongest Ranger Builds in Baldur’s Gate 3 thanks to its Summon Companion feature.

Rangers in the present version of D&D can be built as an equivalent to the party’s Fighter or Rogue, or in some cases, they can even be both thanks to the Ranger’s ability to cast spells and be a force in melee combat, depending on the build. Newer additions brought by Xanathar’s Guide to Everything and various Unearthed Arcana should give players a better incentive to try playing a Ranger.

Updated November 21, 2024 by Kristy Ambrose: There’s more motivation now than ever before for choosing a Ranger in a D&D game. The Ranger class offers players the opportunity to be proficient as both a scout, a melee fighter, and a ranged striker.

There are many important factors to consider when creating the best possible Ranger build, starting with the Ability Scores, filling them out with details like Feats and Backstory, and then finally giving them the best equipment possible depending on their level and specific skills.

Rangers can be bound to a strict moral code or act as more of a mercenary, be bound to a deity, or be dedicated to cold hard facts. Their lives tend to be difficult and isolated, constantly grappling with their chosen enemies and safeguarding the innocent denizens of the wilderness. Their mysterious backgrounds make for some of the best role-playing options in the game.

The Best Races For Rangers

Focus On Dexterity, Constitution, And Wisdom

A_centaur_and_a_human_by_John_Anthony_Di_Giovanni cropped WotC official art

Remember that the most important ability scores for this class are Wisdom and Dexterity. Other ability scores will vary depending on your character’s role in the party.

Species Name	Description
Aarakocra	A +2 to Dexterity is a good start for a Ranger of any build or party role, and this elusive race also gets a +1 to Wisdom, the Ranger’s secondary stat.
Centaur	A species from Mythic Odysseys of Theros, they get a +2 to Strength and +1 to Wisdom, which are two important stats for Rangers, especially of the melee variety.
Bugbear	Bonuses to Dexterity and Strength make this an ideal choice for a Ranger that leans towards melee damage.
Drow	+1 Dexterity. Also known as a Dark Elf, celebrity D&D character Drizzt Do’Urden is of this lineage and is a multiclass Fighter-Ranger.
Kenku	When it comes to RP and abilities that overlap nicely with the secretive Ranger, the Kenku is a great choice already, and bonuses to Dexterity and Wisdom make it even better.
Glasya Teifling	Get a +1 to Dexterity, a vital Ranger stat, and ideal for a ranged build. Another advantage is the innate ability Legacy of Malbolge, the ability to cast the Minor Illusion cantrip.
Githyanki	Added with Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes and popularized in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Githyanki have improved Jump and Mage Hand along with boosts to Strength and Agility, making for a nimble and versatile Ranger.
Hill Dwarf	Ideal to start a melee build, Dwarves get a +2 to Constitution along with a +1 to Wisdom for the Hill Dwarf variant, along with the advantages of Darkvision and Toughness.
Human	The bonuses to every ability score, plus an extra language ability, make a Human Ranger one of the most versatile options.
Forest Gnome	As the most elusive Gnome subrace, this could be the most compelling option for a Ranger that specializes in Stealth, and the Dexterity bonus is also helpful.
Halflings	With their +2 Dexterity and their innate Lucky ability, combined with Brave and Halfling nimbleness, a Halfling Ranger won’t frighten easily.
Harengon	A new race from Wild Beyond the Witchlight, has unique abilities like Hare-Trigger and Leporine Senses as opposed to ability scores for the best Ranger build.
Half-Orc	Good for a Strength-based Ranger with bonuses to Strength and Constitution. They also get Darkvision, Savage Attacks, and Relentless Endurance.
Variant Humans	This race is designed to work with anything with a few choices with floating ability scores, so it’s not hard to customize the character to suit this class, even for healing.
Wood Elf	Their +1 Wisdom and +2 Dexterity bonus are perfect for a Ranger, especially combined with Fleet of Foot and the Mask of the Wild ability.

D&D Races That Would Make Baldur’s Gate 3 Even Better

Baldur’s Gate 3 includes a ton of races for players to choose from, but there are a couple of Dungeons and Dragons races that did not make the cut.

Ability Scores

Dexterous And Wise

Dungeons and Dragons: Second Edition Artwork Wizards of the Coast

Some builds can be widely different from others when it comes to Rangers. Dexterity is the most important stat for most builds, followed by Wisdom.

Ranger Ability Scores, Ranked In Order Of Importance

Dexterity. This is the most important ability score for any Ranger, with the character’s next three scores chosen depending on the build.
Wisdom. The Ranger has powers comparable to that of a Cleric, which includes some limited healing powers. Their spellcasting is based on their Wisdom score.
Strength. Prioritize this stat only if the Ranger is a melee Fighter. Otherwise, the Constitution is more important.
Constitution. This stat determines the number of hit points a character has, and Rangers typically have a higher Constitution.
Intelligence. Helpful for investigation checks and the Ranger’s Favored Enemy abilities.
Charisma. This is the closest to a dump stat this class has, but the stereotype of the scruffy, antisocial Ranger doesn’t have to be the default setting.

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While long, detailed Dungeons & Dragons campaigns are a blast, sometimes it’s nice to wrap up a plot in session, and these one-offs provide just that.

Conclaves – The Ranger Subclasses

A Variety Of Choices For A Versatile Build

Loxodon_Smiter by Ryan Barger official WotC art

The next step is choosing the Ranger’s subclass, and the latest sourcebooks and changes to D&D have added several new options.

Rangers also get to specialize in a Fighting Style at level 2, and some of those are better in combination with some Conclaves than others.

Name of Conclave	Sourcebook	Special Abilities	Perks	Ideal Fighting Style
Hunter	The Player’s Handbook	Fighting against threats like marauding orcs, roving gangs of thieves, or rampaging dragons.	An animal companion	Blind Fighting; ideal for fighting in close quarters or dimly lit spaces.
Beast Master	The Player’s Handbook	Befriending and commanding animals.	An animal companion that also helps in combat.	Archery or Thrown-Weapon Fighting, so you can attack from a distance while your pet takes the melee route.
Drakewarden	Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons	A former or current member of a secret order of Rangers with connections to dragons; powers include Thaumaturgy and Tongue of Dragons.	These Rangers can take on the form of a draconic spirit, which can also manifest as a drake companion.	Melee or ranged magical damage. From level three, the Ranger can summon their drake companion and choose the type of elemental damage it will wield.
Gloom Stalker	Xanathar’s Guide to Everything	Optimized for doing the most in the first round of battle. This Conclave also has abilities that dip into the Rogue’s skillset and magic like Fear and Greater Invisibility.	Get an extra spell at certain levels.	Blind Fighting, Defense
Fey Wanderer	Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything	A steward of both the real and mystical Fey realm.	These Rangers can infuse their weapon with Fey magic for extra damage.	Dueling, Two-Weapon Fighting
Horizon Walker	Xanathar’s Guide to Everything	Oriented more towards mobility. This conclave has some of the best bonus spells a Ranger can get, including Misty Step and Haste.	Use portals to move between two locations.	Defense, Dueling
Monster Slayer	Xanathar’s Guide to Everything	Trained in supernatural techniques to overcome vampires, dragons, evil fey, fiends, and other magical threats.	Gets extra spells at certain levels.	Deuling, Druidic Warrior
Swarmkeeper	Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything	The ability to command a swarm, which can act as protection or as a companion.	Learn the magic of the Swarmkeeper from the 3rd level and get a Mage cantrip from the 1st level.	Druidic Warrior, Archery

Dungeons and Dragons characters using a Longbow (left), Hand Crossbow (top right), and Heavy Crossbow (bottom right)

D&D: Best Martial Ranged Weapons

Dungeons and Dragons players have access to a large selection of ranged weapons; here are the best martial ranged weapons available.

Skills

Favor Anything Dexterity Or Wisdom-Based

Hank and Diana from the Dungeons & Dragons TV show fighting a dragon on the Dragon of Stormwreck Isle cover WotC art

Best Ranger Skills

Skill	Ability Score	Description
Acrobatics	Dexterity	The Ranger can traverse difficult terrain and has a better chance of making long jumps or climbing ropes.
Animal Handling	Wisdom	This skill determines the user’s intuitive ability to discern an animal’s mood or intentions, from common housecats to wild beasts.
Athletics	Strength	If the build is more Strength than Dexterity-based, this Skill is recommended instead of Acrobatics.
Insight	Wisdom	Use this to determine the true intentions of any creature, be they friend or foe.
Perception	Wisdom	This is the most commonly rolled ability in D&D, and also makes sense for Rangers of any build.
Sleight of Hand	Dexterity	The Ranger can act Rogue of the party if needed, picking locks, sneaking around, and disarming traps.
Stealth	Dexterity	The Ranger rolls according to their Dexterity to determine whether they can pass unseen.
Survival	Wisdom	Focuses on skills to aid in wilderness survival, like tracking, which is an obvious choice for a Ranger.

D&D: Best Martial Melee Weapons

There’s a wide array of weapons for players to choose from in Dungeons & Dragons. For users of martial melee weapons, these are the best options.

Feats

Name	Description
Alert	+5 to Initiative rolls and can’t be surprised. Creatures you don’t see don’t gain Advantage on attack rolls.
Crossbow Expert	Ignore the loading property of crossbows. No Disadvantage when in contact with a creature when you shoot.
Dual Wielder	Take advantage of the Ranger’s ability to use virtually any weapon.
Fey Touched	+1 to either Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma and the ability to cast Misty Step. Most Rangers will choose the Wisdom buff.
Great Weapon Master	Extra attack after a melee critical hit. Choose to take -5 to attack roll to add +10 to damage with a heavy weapon.
Mobile	Dash through Difficult Terrain, get another 10ft of movement speed per turn and don’t provoke Opportunity Attacks within melee range.
Polearm Mastery	Make an extra attack with a polearm weapon. Make an Opportunity Attack (OA) if a creature enters your reach.
Resilient	+1 in one ability. Gain proficiency in saving throws when using this ability.
Sentinel	When the Ranger is in melee range of an enemy moving past them or attacking an ally, they get an Attack of Opportunity.
Sharpshooter	Ranged attacks ignore some cover and do not carry Disadvantage at long range. Chance to take -5 to hit for +10 on ranged damage.
War Caster	Advantage on saving throws to maintain Concentration. Cast some spells as part of an OA by spending a Reaction.

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Players new to Dungeons & Dragons may want to keep in mind the following combat tips before starting a new game.

The Best Gear For Rangers

Choices Can Vary

Dragonborn, ranger, cleric D&D WotC official art

Rangers are limited with AC but can use virtually any weapon

Another benefit to Rangers is their aptitude with weapons of any and all kinds. Life in the harsh wilderness has given the Ranger a weapon proficiency with a wide and impressive range, usually limited only by an individual character’s Strength score.

Name	Source	Stats/Abilities
Moon Touched Sword	Xanathar’s Guide to Everything	When drawn in a dark area, it radiates light up to 15 feet away from the wielder.
Oathbow	Player’s Handbook	Use a special ability to mark a foe as a sworn enemy, and they take an extra 3d6 damage if hit.
Scimitar of Speed	D&D Free Rules (2024)	+2 bonus to all attack rolls and an extra attack as a Bonus Action if the wielder has proficiency.
Boots of Elvenkind	D&D Free Rules (2024)	Bonuses to Stealth and Dexterity checks are completely quiet regardless of the surface.
Nature’s Mantle	Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything	Can only be attuned by a Druid or Ranger, allows the wearer to hide in even a slightly obscured area.

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Backgrounds

Roleplay Details For The Player And DM

Dungeons And Dragons Alarielle Aasimar Cleric of Amaunator by Lily Abdullina

Players can top off their best Ranger build with a well-suited Background. There’s a lot for a Ranger to work with depending on the adventuring module and the campaign the Dungeon Master is trying to create, so don’t feel confined to the following suggestions.

Name	Sourcebook	Description
Criminal	Player’s Handbook	Deception is based on Charisma, which might be a miss depending on the build, but the Thieves Tools and stealth, a Dexterity-based ability, are worth it.
Far Traveler	Sword Coast Adveturer’s Guide	They are as the name suggests and often come from a distant, even mythical country. These Rangers are explorers, storytellers, and mercenaries.
Folk Hero	Player’s Handbook	A natural choice for a Ranger that depends on a high Wisdom score and also includes Animal Handling and Survival along with a good backstory.
Outlander	Player’s Handbook	The character’s Athletic and Survival skills have been developed after years in the harsh wilderness. Includes guides, nomads, trappers, exiles, and outcasts.
Marine	Ghosts of Saltmarsh	Proficiency with land and sea vehicles along with a Hardship Endured trait, which is chosen by a 1d6 roll. Possible examples include Nearly Drowned, Sacrifice, or Stowaway.
Sailor	Player’s Handbook	These Rangers are Athletic and Perceptive denizens of marine vessels. They are pirates, privateers, and whalers.
Shipwright	Ghosts of Saltmarsh	A Ranger of the open seas, this one builds and patches their vessels as much as they navigate and haul sail.
Urban Bounty Hunter	Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide	A hunter of cities and other civilized locations, a Ranger from this Background would likely choose Stealth (Dexterity) and Insight (Wisdom) for their bonuses. They also get a gaming set, a musical instrument, and a set of Thieves’ Tools.
Uthgardt Tribe Member	Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide	An interesting choice for a Ranger who’s looking for a backstory rooted in Shamanism or Folk Heroes.
Urchin	Player’s Handbook	A wise choice for the best build if the character is a Dexterity-based Ranger; includes stealth and Sleight of Hand along with some handy Thieves Tools.
Wildspacer	Spelljammer: Adventures in Space	Exclusive to the Spelljammer module, these are explorers of the Astral Plane and are experts in Athletics and Survival.

Dungeons & Dragons

Created by: E. Gary Gygax , Dave Arneson
Creation Year: 1974
Movie: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

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Best Ranger Builds In D&D 5e

Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Ranger Class Build

The Best Races For Rangers

Focus On Dexterity, Constitution, And Wisdom

D&D Races That Would Make Baldur’s Gate 3 Even Better