Quick Links
Rangers have three verydistinct builds available to theminBaldur’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 inBG3.
Beast Master Rangers are able to summon a companion that’s far stronger, and far more useful, than the Find Familiarspell available to other classes. The Summon Companion skill is the bread and butter of this best RangerBG3build, 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 May 15, 2025 by Erik Petrovich:With the release ofPatch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3, Ranger builds have gained another subclass option to choose from: the Swarmkeeper. Though this new subclass offers a new way to play this class, the best BG3 Ranger build that takes advantage of the class' strengths the most uses the Beast Master subclass. As you journey through Baldur’s Gate 3, the best Ranger builds can benefit greatly from picking up a few permanent buffs. Though these often require you to go out of your way, the best permanent buffs can grant powerful stat upgrades and new abilities that push the best Ranger build to its limits. This guide has been updated to include brief information on the new Swarmkeeper Ranger subclass, as well as a new section that covers the best Ranger permanent buffs and stat upgrades that are worth hunting down.
Ranger Class Introduction & Overview
The Baldur’s Gate 3 Ranger Class, Explained
“Rangers are unrivalled scouts and trackers, honing a deep connection with nature to hunt their favoured prey.”
Ranger Playstyle & Signature Abilities
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’re able to 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 threeBG3subclasses 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 theseBG3Ranger 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 buildBG3has to offer, you should go for the Beast Master.
(new with Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8)
Ranger Class Features – Level By Level
The max level inBaldur’s Gate 3is 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 yourBaldur’s Gate 3journey.
The only level when you do not get anything Ranger-related specifically is from Level 8 to Level 9.
+2
+3
+4
-
–
2
3
4
5
6
7
BG3 Ranger Subclass Choice – Beast Master
Overview Of BG3 Ranger Beast Master Subclass
“Beast Masters bind themselves to an animal companion, sharing an intelligent bond that flourishes in and out of combat.”
What Makes Beast Master the Best BG3 Ranger Subclass?
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 inBaldur’s Gate 3right 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 enemieswhile 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 theBG3best 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.
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 inBG3for 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 otheranimals out in the world ofBaldur’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 tabletopDungeons 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 inBG3have beenchanged from Fifth EditionD&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 playersunlock 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 becomeavailable 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.
ThisBG3build 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 Ranger Ability Scores & Stat Distribution
To create the bestBG3Ranger 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 inBG3is 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.
10
16
8
14
-1
Best BG3 Ranger Leveling Choices
Best Ranger Spells, Feats, & Other Choices At Every Level
Typically,Baldur’s Gate 3classes like the Ranger that don’t rely heavily on spellcasting don’t have as many choices to make while leveling. However, thanks to the sheer number of class features available to thisBG3Ranger build and the class' ability to use low-level spells (like a Paladin), Rangers actually have quite a lot to choose from as they level up.
This table displays recommendedBG3Ranger build choices for every level, including recommended spells, Class feature choices, and more to suit the gameplay of this build. There is a lot of variety in the choices that Rangers get to make while leveling, but these recommendations should work well for most combat situations, enemy types, and environments.
Hybrid damage & support class that complements Ranger builds well
Melee damage
Buffed Rage & access to Soul Coin damage buffs
Wizard
Ranged Damage
Access to all Spells makes Gale the most versatile starting companion
The best Ranger companions inBG3are Halsin as a fellow support and damage role, Karlach as your primary melee Tank and bruiser, and Gale as a ranged spellcaster dealing damage and controlling the battlefield from afar.
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.
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.
Helmet
Dropped by a variety of enemies, but also can be purchased from Dammon
Deathstalker Mantle
Only available to Dark Urge origin characters, after Alfira joins the camp
Sold by a number of merchants throughout Act 1
Beastmaster’s Chain
Looted from a chest inside the Shattered Sanctum in the Goblin Camp
Purchased from Derryth in the Myconid Colony of the Underdark
Bow of the Banshee
Purchased from Corsair Greymon in the Grymforge just before the Adamantine Forge
Gloves of Archery
Purchased from Grat the Trader in the Goblin Camp (Act 1)
Drops from True Soul Nere in the Grymforge (Act 1)
Surgeon’s Subjugation Amulet
Drops from Malus Thorm (the surgeon) in the House of Healing
Killer’s Sweetheart
Found on the ground after the Self-Same Trial in the Gauntlet of Shar
Ring of Protection
Steal the Druid Idol in the Emerald Grove for Mol (Act 1)
Purchased from Corsair Greymon in the Grymforge just before the Adamantine Forge (Act 1)
Legacy of the Masters
Purchased from Dammon, once he reaches the Lower City
Unflinching Protector Amulet
Drops from Ptaris in The Lodge (after giving Esther the Githyanki Egg) upon defeat
Found on the ground after the Self-Same Trial in the Gauntlet of Shar (Act 2)
N/A
Best BG3 Ranger Build Consumables & Permanent Buffs
InBaldur’s Gate 3, Ranger builds can be enhanced further with the use of specific consumables. Certain potions, like the Elixir of Vigilance, will grant combat-oriented bonuses for this best Ranger build, while others, like the Potion of Speed, will give Rangers more to do in turn-based gameplay.
If you spot any of these useful Ranger consumables as world loot or enemy loot, in trader inventories, or otherwise, be sure to pick them up and store them in a bag for later use.
Consumable Effects
Elxir of Bloodlust
Once per turn, when you kill an enemy, restore 5 Temporary HP and gain an additional Action that turn.
Elixir of Heroism
Grants +1d4 to your Attack and Saving Throw rolls. Grants +10 Temporary HP.
Grants +5 to Initiative and prevents you from being Surprised.
Elixir of Viciousness
Reduces the number required to achieve a Critical Hit by 1. Can stack with other similar effects.
Potion of Speed
Grants Hastened for 3 turns, increasing AC by 2 and granting Advantage on DEX saving throws and an additional Action, and increases movement by 30ft.
Best BG3 Ranger Build Permanent Buffs
ThroughoutBG3you will find numerous ways to permanently increase your stats, gain permanent passive bonuses, or otherwise grant your character a permanent buff. To push the bestBG3Ranger Beast Master builds to the next level, keep an eye out for these five best Ranger permanent buffs as you adventure through the Sword Coast and beyond:
Auntie Ethel’s Hair
Grants +1 to any Ability Score of your choice
Must complete Mayrina’s quest in Act 1, but don’t kill Auntie Ethel. When she reaches low HP, she will offer to be spared. Accept her deal and you will gain Auntie Ethel’s Hair.
Awakened
All Illithid Powers now cost 1 Bonus Action instead of an Action
You must succeed all three Saving Throws inside the Githyanki Creche’s Zaith’isk to get this buff.
You may also absorb this skill when playing as Laezel by passing a DC 30 Arcana check (which will usually require a nat 20 roll) to take the power for your own.
Lovitar’s Love
Grants +2 to Attack Rolls and Wisdom Saving Throws when under 30% HP
Speak to Abdirak in the Shattered Sanctum inside the Goblin Camp. Ask him about being a follower of Lovitar, then pass two Intimidation checks.
The Tharchiate Codex
Once per Long Rest, gain 20 Temporary HP
Find and read “The Tharchiate Codex” within the Sorcerous Vault, which can only be accessed via Sorcerous Sundries in Baldur’s Gate City. You must use the Remove Curse spell to read it.
Mirror of Loss
Grants +2 to one Ability Score of your choice
Find the Mirror of Loss in the Cloister of Sombre Embrace within the House of Grief, found toward the end of Act 2.
Either offer the Necromancy of Thay (and the buff it grants) or pass a DC 25 Religion check to get +2 to any ability score of your choice.
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 inBaldur’s Gate 3when 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.
