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Rangers inBaldur’s Gate 3are teased for being one of the worst classes on paper. Unfortunately for the other classes, the Hunter Ranger has access to one of the strongest attacking feats in the game. Paired with the ability to wield the most overpowered weapon, and you’ve got a recipe for an unstoppable Volley-machine.
Setting up for this class is also, thankfully, far less painful than most other classes (especially those pesky spellcaster builds). We’ve got the full run-down here to help simplify things from the moment you begin at character creation until the day you finally get your hands on the illustrious Gontr Mael.
Best Hunter Ranger Races And Backgrounds
The Hunter Ranger is the bread-and-butter subclass of the Ranger, specializing more in physical range damage than any particular fancy feat or spellcasting like other Ranger classes or multiclasses.
For this build, yourrace doesn’t necessarily matter,but for the added movement range, thebest race we canrecommend is the wood elf.Additionally, it has some synergy with the class from a roleplay perspective.
As for Backgrounds, theUrchin is one of the better backgroundsfor this build (Stealth and Sleight of Hand). Otherwise, we can recommend:
Multiclassing As A Hunter Ranger
This build is best operated as a straight build withone level dip into Cleric.This isbest taken at either Level Six or Level 12, depending on your needs.
Either way, the Cleric dip shouldfocus on War Cleric,allowing you to use a bonus action tomake an additional weapon attack using your bonus action. This is important for making the most out of Volley as well as preserving bonus action spell slots for extended campaigns.
Three
Lightning Arrow, Conjure Barrage
When you begin as a Ranger, you’ll only haveaccess to spells from Level Two Ranger. Youwon’t have access to cantrips, and your spellcasting options will be limited and based off of Wisdom.
Hunter’s Markis an absolute mustfor this build and setting up damage throughout normal gameplay. Beyond this spell, however, werecommend takingSpeak with Animalsfor its immense usability in standard gameplay.
You will receive a choice of cantrips from your Cleric dip. Whatever you choose, we highly recommend one of these cantrips beingGuidance. The rest are up to you. Additionally, your Cleric prepared spell should beHealing Word, allowing you to Bonus Action cast it for Broodmother’s Revenge when you cannot heal with the Ring of Regeneration.
For the upper levels, you shouldtake eitherSpike Growthfor a Level Two spellor wait forPlant Growthwhen you receive Level Three spellcasting.
Either way,Lightning Arrow is a mustfor fighting enemies like the Steel Watch later or any enemy that may resist your normal method of damage.
10
–
16
20
+2 Ability Score Upgrade, +1 Auntie Ethel’s Hair, +1 Mirror of Loss
8
14
Dexterity is the cruxof this build, and it should be invested in with fervor. With this as the highest stat,Wisdom comes afterthanks to the Wisdom-based spellcasting of the Ranger, andConstitutionis for the ability to hold Concentration (like Hunter’s Mark) and increase your healthpool (either can be given 14 or 16 on preference).
Strength and Charisma are of very little importance, but keeping them neutral will help prevent negative saving throws.Intelligence is an unnecessary dump stat.
Werecommend taking Sharpshooterduring your first feat, and theAbility Score Improvement can come laterat Ranger Level Eight. If you’re struggling to hit things, however, prioritizing the Ability Score Improvement can come first.
Otherwise, the ranger presents aslew of feat optionson normal level-ups. Not all of these are important, so we’ll cover the ones that are:
Circlet of Hunting
2
Gain +1d4 to attack rolls made on creatures marked withHunter’s Mark,True Strike,Guiding Bolt, or Faire Fire.
Mask of Soul Perception
3
+2 to Attack Rolls, Initiative Rolls, and Perception skill checks. Gain one use of Detect Thoughts.
In a chest on the second floor of the Devil’s Fee near theHouse of Hope portal.
The Graceful Cloth
Increases Dexterity score by +2 (up to 20) and gives +1 bonus to Dexterity Saving Throws. Jump distance increased by 1.5m.
Bhaalist Armor (optional; evil route)
Gain +2 to Initiative and make enemies within 6m Vulnerable to Piercing damage.
Armor of Persistence (good route)
GainBlade WardandResistancefor free. Static 20AC and negate 2 damage of any type.
1
Flawed Helldusk Gloves
Inflict an extra 1d4 Fire damage on weapon strikes and receive a +1 bonus to Strength Saving Throws.
Give Infernal Iron to Dammon at Last Light Inn.
You can replace this item instead with Dark Justiciar Gauntlets, found in Gauntlet of Shar on top of crates near Yurgir or by killing the Nightsong) for 1d4 Necrotic damage instead.
Helldusk Gauntlets
Receive a +1 bonus to Strength Saving Throws, Spell Attack Rolls, and Spell Save DC. Inflict an extra 1d6 Fire damage with a weapon attack or 1d6 Necrotic damage with an unarmed strike, potentially causing Bleeding. Acquire a complimentary casting of Rays of Fire.
Disintegrating Nightwalkers(optional)
Gain free cast of Misty Step and cannot slip. Wearer cannot be Enwebbed, Ensnared, or Entangled.
Helldusk Boots
Immune to forced displacement and unaffected by challenging terrain. Can opt to automatically succeed on a failed Saving Throw using a reaction. Possesses the ability to freely teleport within line of sight, inflicting Fire damage upon arrival.
After killing an enemy, become Invisible for 2 turns.
Reward forkilling Alfira as the Dark Urgeafter meeting her and Long Resting once.
Strange Conduit Ring
Deal 1d4 Psychic damage with attacks while concentrating on a spell.
Inside a chest near Vlaakith’s portal in the Inquisitor’s Chamber of theCreche in Rosymorn Monastery.
Heals wearer at the start of each turn for 1d4.
Sold by Lorroakan’s Projection or by Rolan (if killed Lorroakan) at Sorcerous Sundries.
Broodmother’s Revenge
After being healed, coat weapon with poison, dealing 1d6 Poison damage on your next attack.
Amulet of Greater Health(optional alternative)
Increase Constitution to 23 and gain advantage on Constitution (by extension, Concentration)
Found in the House of Hope in theArchives with the Orphic Hammer.
Gain Momentum for two turns after striking with this weapon.
Found on a dead body on the Risen Road before reaching the Tyr outpost.
Duelist’s Prerogative
Reduces Critical Hit minimum to 19. Gain an additional reaction each turn. When hitting with a melee attack, deal 1d4 Necrotic.
Bloodthirst
Lower Critical hit damage by 1 and gain True Strike when an enemy melee attack misses. AC +1.
Bow of the Banshee
Possibly inflict Frightened on struck enemy and deal 1d4 extra damage on frightened enemies.
Sold by Corsair Greymoon at Grymforge if chose not to fight Gekh Coal on the boat in.
Gontr Mael
Gives free 5 turnHastewith no downsides, a cast of Guiding Bolt with each attack, and Bolt of Celestial Light special ability.
Loot reward fordefeating the Steel Watcher Titanat the Steel Watch Foundry.
The weapons of the Hunter Ranger shouldprimarily focus on increasing outgoing damage and hit chance.As you’ll be backlining as ranged support for most of the game, focusing on AC is mostly unnecessary.
Additionally, we’ve focused on increasing the types of damage on a weapon and lowering the required Critical Hit cap to do as much damage as possible. With the optimized build above, you can deal Critical Damage on a 17 or higher, giving a 15 percent chance on any hit).
Important gloves to keep in mind are theBonespike Gloves, looted from Strangler Luke at the Temple of Bhaal.He must be killed before the Farslayer is defeatedto find these gloves. They allow weapons to ignore resistances to weapon attacks, important for fights like Ansur’s. They should be swapped with the Helldusk Gloves for fights whereSlashing, Piercing, and Bludgeoning damage are resisted.
TheGontr Mael bow is the most important itemof this build and likely one of the last you’ll find. However, it’s so overpowered that it cannot be avoided.
Withfive turns of free Hasteat your disposal and the additional bonuses of theBolt of Celestial Light, you won’t be able to pass it up. In the meantime, however, theBow of the Banshee is a nice way to pass the time.
10 (0)
20 (+5)
14 (+2)
8 (-1)
99
17-19
15
Hunter’s Mark,Speak with Animals,Ensnaring Strike,Spike Growth,Silence, Lightning Arrow
Feats
Sharpshooter, Archery (Fighting Style), Escape the Horde, Bounty Hunter, Wasteland Wanderer (All), Colossus Slayer, War Priest
The point of this Hunter Ranger build in the endgame is toprimarily rely on Volley(Ranger 11 feat). By building buff stacks, increasing weapon attacks, increasing overall output damage, and lowering Critical Hit thresholds, this build primarily focuses on dealing as much damage as possible over several strikes.
It isnot intended for front-line use, but it is capable of hitting and retreating where the situation calls for it. Spike Growth and Plant Growth can also mitigate enemies approaching your personal bubble.
For increased ability to run away, we recommend investing into the Illithid tadpole tree and taking Force Tunnel.
To get the most out of this build, you’llbegin any round by casting Celestial Haste.Either the ranger or a supporting healer (preferable)heals as soon as possible, coating the weapon of the ranger.
Attack with Bolt of Celestial Light first. Then,follow-up with rounds of Volleysone after the other each turn of combat until all enemies are defeated.
It is unlikely that any group of enemies with this build struck with repeated Volleys will live to see more than two rounds of combat with the god-like ranger you’ve just built.
