Rangers in Baldur’s Gate 3 are very versatile combatants. They can engage in melee combat with dual wield or two-handed weapons, or attack from range with both projectile weapons and spells. To make the most of your Ranger, you will need to choose one of those avenues, however, because while Rangers are a solid class, they quickly fall off on power if you try to do too many things at once.
Baldur’s Gate 3 – Ranger Best Build Guide
Table of Contents [hide]Baldur’s Gate 3 – Ranger Best Build GuideBeast Master Ranger Build SummaryLevel 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 6Level 7Level 8Level 9Level 10Level 11
For my money, the best Ranger build in Baldur’s Gate 3 is Beast Master. This specialization gives you the Ranger’s Companion spell, which allows you to summon an additional party member to aid you in combat. From tanking bears, to damaging wolves and a whole lot more, splitting focus in Baldur’s Gate 3 can give you breathing room that can spell the difference between winning and losing.
I opted to focus on a build that avoids multiclassing for this guide, but if you want to multiclass, I do have recommendations, and you’re able to respec and change classes when you see fit, which is a nice bonus.
Picking up a few ranks in Fighter can be great to gain weapon and armor proficiency, as well as their very flexible, multi-attack Battle Master sub-class feat. This is especially true if you are doing a melee build. Bard or Rogue are solid options for adding more functionality, and Cleric or Druid are great if you want to branch out and learn more spells.
Beast Master Ranger Build Summary
You have some options as you level up, so we’ll highlight the best choice first (to lean into our preferred range weapon Beast Master build), but also highlight some other great options for those who want to do different versions of Beast Master, which includes melee fighting options.
As mentioned in my Ranger Class Guide, Elf (Wood Elf sub-race) is the best pick for Ranger, with starting bonuses to Longbows, Shortbows, Longswords, Shortswords, and more.
You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.
Click To Unmute Baldur's Gate 3 Is A Massive And Hilarious RPG ShareSize:640 × 360480 × 270
Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?
Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos. This video has an invalid file format. 00:00:00Sorry, but you can’t access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031Year20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900
By clicking ‘enter’, you agree to GameSpot's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Level 2
Spells
Ensnaring StrikeHunter’s Mark
Fighting Style
ArcheryTwo-Weapon Fighting
Level 3
Spell (1 New)
Speak with Animals (if you don’t already have it)Cure Wounds (If you don’t have a healer or want more healing
Subclass
Beast Master (Ranger’s Companion)Gloom Stalker (More Rogue-like with assassination and stealth bonuses)Hunter (Horde Breaker for crowd control and multi-target damage, Colossus Slayer for single target damage)
Level 4
Feat
Ability Improvement (2 to Dex or 1 Dex 1 Wis if you use spells)Sharpshooter (Ranged builds)Dual Wielder (Melee builds)Heavy Armour Master (Melee builds)
Level 5
Spells
Lesser Restoration (Healing utility)Silence (Shutting down casters)
Level 6
Favoured Enemy
Bounty Hunter (Investigation Proficiency, buff to Ensnaring Strike)Sanctified Stalker (Religion Proficiency, Sacred Flame cantrip which is good against Undead)
Natural Explorer
Urban Tracker (Sleight of Hand bonus)Wasteland Wanderer: Fire / Poison
Level 7
Spells
Spike Growth (Good for ranged builds)
Defensive Tactics
Escape the Horde (ranged builds)Multiattack Defence (melee builds)
Level 8
Feat
LuckySavage Attacker (Melee / Dual Wield builds)ChargerAbility Improvement (+2 Dex)
Level 9
Spells
Lightning Arrow (Damage)Plant Growth (Crowd Control)
Level 10
Favoured Enemy
Bounty Hunter / Sanctified Stalker / Ranger Knight / Mage Breaker (If you haven’t taken them yet)
Natural Explorer
Urban Tracker (If you need Sleight of Hand bonuses) or Wasteland Wanderer: Fire/Poison (whichever you haven’t taken yet)
Level 11
Spells
Any of the previous spells we mentioned that you haven’t taken yet
Feats
Ability Improvement (+2 Dex)
Baldur’s Gate 3 is filled to the brim with activities and mysteries. You’ll no doubt be part of an adventure that can take countless hours to complete. For other tips, you can visit our BG3 guides hub.