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.

Updated April 6, 2025 by Erik Petrovich : Patch 8 for Baldur's Gate 3 is right around the corner, and though lots of the new subclasses seem like a lot of fun to play, the base game still offers some very powerful options for the best Ranger build in BG3. The Beast Master Ranger is still the best Ranger build in BG3 – but that could change with the release of Patch 8. Until then, stick with this Beast Master Ranger guide to learn the best Ranger build tips, what makes the Beast Master such a powerful subclass for the Ranger, and other information that will help you min-max your Ranger Character Optimization. This Ranger build guide has been updated to add in-game flavor descriptions of the class and subclass, as well as a new small section with the best consumables for the Ranger, including both potions and elixirs, in the Equipment section.

Astarion : Best suited for the Thief subclass, Astarion lets you access hidden, locked areas more easily and is capable of setting up complex combat strategies without attracting attention with Stealth.

Here's a list of all the Evocation Spells in Baldur's Gate 3. Click on the Spell in the table below to learn more about each individual item. Each post shows a tooltip with more information including Spell properties and other helpful information.

Here is a list of all the weapons that you can find in Baldur's Gate 3. Click on the Weapon Name/Icon in the table below to learn more about each individual item. Each post shows a tooltip with more information including Weapon properties and other helpful information.

Magically Charm a humanoid to gain Advantage on Ability Checks in dialogue and prevent it from attacking. Enemies have Advantage on Saving Throws against being Charmed. When the spell ends, the target might accuse you of Charming them.

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.

Protect a creature against aberrations, celestials, elementals, fey, fiends, and undead. The target can't be Charmed, Frightened, or possessed by them, and when these creatures attack it, they do so with disadvantage. Inflicts Protection from Evil and Good

Curse a creature so it takes additional damage whenever you attack it and to inflict Disadvantage on Ability Checks with an Ability of your choosing. If the target dies before the spell ends, you can use a bonus action to hex a new creature.

Here's a list of all the Enchantment Spells in Baldur's Gate 3. Click on the Spell in the table below to learn more about each individual item. Each post shows a tooltip with more information including Spell properties and other helpful information.

Your attack summons thorny vines, dealing Weapon Damage and possibly Ensnaring your target. Ensnared creatures cannot move and take 1d6 Piercing damage at the start of each turn. An ally can use its help action to try and tear away the vines.

Conjure a flaming scimitar in your hand that deals 3d6 Fire damage and sheds bright light in a 3m radius and dim light in a 6m radius. The blade can be unequipped and equipped again, but has to stay on the spellcaster's person.

Your weapon flares with white-hot intensity. It deals an extra 1d6 Fire damage and marks the target with Searing Smite. A target with Searing Smite takes 1d6 Fire damage every turn, until it succeeds on a Constitution Saving Throw. If the spellcaster misses the initial Attack, the spell slot and Bonus Action are not consumed.

Your weapon flares with white-hot intensity. It deals an extra 1d6 Fire damage and marks the target with Searing Smite. A target with Searing Smite takes 1d6 Fire damage every turn, until it succeeds on a Constitution Saving Throw. If the spellcaster misses the initial Attack, the spell slot and Bonus Action are not consumed.

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.

Ward yourself or an ally against enemy attacks. Until the affected entity attacks or harms another creature, it cannot be targeted by enemy attacks. However, it can still take damage from spells that influence a large area.

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.

Aside from these powerful bonuses, though, Githyanki also gains the incredibly powerful Astral Knowledge ability. Until the next Long Rest, the player will gain Proficiency in all skills related to a specific Ability (like Athletics and Strength skill).