Rangers are a Dungeons & Dragons class with a long-running reputation for being underwhelming compared to the residual. Still, even with their mixed reviews in D&D 5e, the ranger's current half-caster and one-half-combat setup are much improved from previous iterations of the course. Furthermore, newer additions brought by Xanathar'due south Guide to Everything and various Unearthed Arcana should requite players plenty of reason to give the Ranger form a try.

Rangers tin be built as an equivalent to the party's Fighter or Rogue, or in some cases, they can fifty-fifty be both thanks to the Ranger's power to cast spells and be a force in melee combat. Add some Druidic casting to the Fighter/Rogue mashup, and at that place'southward the Ranger. Information technology's a good choice for players torn between whatever of those classes, offering the opportunity to be proficient as both watch and striker. Rangers may not be as well-put-together as other classes, but given the right combination of abilities and bonuses, they're a force to be reckoned with.

Updated on November 25th, 2021, by Kristy Ambrose: Inspired by the literary character of Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings, the Ranger e'er emerges from the shadows to be more than than what they first seemed. Their lives tend to exist hard and isolated, constantly grappling with their called enemies and safeguarding the innocent citizenry of the wilderness. Their mysterious backgrounds make for some of the all-time role-playing options in the game, and that's why most players come to RPGs in the first place. At present that the expanded D&D universe includes more choices for customizing a Ranger, the class is experiencing yet another surge in popularity.

The Best Races For Rangers

elf ranger in D&D official art

When picking a race for Rangers with an optimal build, it'due south important to recall that the well-nigh important power scores for this class are Wisdom and Dexterity. Other ability scores volition vary depending on your character's office in the party.

  • Aarakocra. A +ii to Dexterity is a good showtime for a Ranger of whatsoever build or party role, and this elusive race also gets a +1 to Wisdom, the Ranger'south secondary stat.
  • Bugbear. Bonuses to Dexterity and Strength make this an ideal option for a Ranger that leans towards melee harm.
  • Drow. +one Dexterity. Besides known every bit a Dark Elf, celebrity D&D character Drizzt Practise'Urden is of this lineage and is a multiclass Fighter-Ranger.
  • Kenku. When information technology comes to RP and abilities that overlap nicely with the secretive Ranger, the Kenku is a great pick already, and bonuses to Dexterity and Wisdom make it fifty-fifty amend.
  • Human. The bonuses to every ability score, plus an extra language ability, make a Homo Ranger one of the most versatile options.
  • Forest Gnome. Equally the about elusive Gnome subrace, this could be the almost compelling pick for a Ranger that specializes in Stealth, and the Dexterity bonus is also helpful.
  • Halflings. With their +2 Dexterity and their ain 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, it's the unique abilities similar Hare-Trigger and Leporine Senses as opposed to ability scores that make this race a good Ranger.
  • Half-Orc. Skillful for a Strength-based Ranger with bonuses to Strength and Constitution. They also become Darkvision, Savage Attacks, and Relentless Endurance.
  • Variant Humans. This race is designed to work with anything with a few choices with floating power scores, so it's not difficult to customize the graphic symbol to conform this class.
  • Forest Elf. Their +i Wisdom and +two Dexterity bonus are absolutely perfect for a ranger, particularly combined with Fleet of Human foot and the Mask of the Wild power.

Ability Scores

Fighter (center) surrounded by images of melee weapons

There's a lot of variety in the Ranger ability scores, as some builds can be widely different in others. Dexterity is the most of import stat for nigh builds, followed by Wisdom.

  • Dexterity. This is the well-nigh important ability score for whatsoever Ranger, with the character'south adjacent three scores chosen depending on the build.
  • Wisdom. The Ranger has powers comparable to that of a Cleric when it comes to spirituality, which includes some limited healing powers.
  • Strength. Prioritize this stat only if the Ranger is a melee Fighter. Otherwise, Consitution is more than important.
  • Constitution. This stat the number of hit points a graphic symbol 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 sump stat this form has, but the stereotype of the scruffy, hating Ranger doesn't have to be the default setting.

Conclaves, The Ranger Subclasses

DD-Circle-of-Spores Druid subclass

The side by side step is choosing the Ranger'due south bracket, and this was significantly improved by the updated data in Xanathar's Guide to Everything. The original 5e's base D&D Role player's Handbook only offered only 2 Ranger archetypes. Thanks to Xanathar'southward Guide to Everything, there are a few more from which players can cull. Rangers also get to specialize in a Fighting Mode at level two, and some of those are meliorate in combination with some Conclaves than others.

Hunter

  • Source: D&D The Player's Handbook
  • Special Abilities: Fighting against threats like marauding orcs, roving gangs of thieves, or rampaging dragons.
  • Perks: An animal companion.
  • Ideal Fighting Style: Bullheaded Fighting, ideal for fighting in close quarters or dimly lit spaces.

Beast Primary

  • Source: D&D The Player's Handbook
  • Special Abilities: Befriending and commanding animals.
  • Perks: An animate being companion that likewise helps in gainsay.
  • Ideal Fighting Fashion: Archery or Thrown-Weapon Fighting, so you lot can attack from a altitude while your pet takes the melee route.

Drakewarden

  • Source: Fizban'southward Treasury of Dragons
  • Special Abilities: A sometime or current fellow member of a secret order of Rangers with connections to dragons, this Ranger has powers like Thaumaturgy and Natural language of Dragons.
  • Perks: These Rangers can take on the form of a draconic spirit, which tin also manifest as a drake companion.
  • Ideal Fighting Style: Melee or ranged magical damage. From level iii, the Ranger can summon their drake companion and choose the type of elemental damage it will wield.

Gloom Stalker

  • Source: Xanathar's Guide to Everything
  • Special Abilities: Optimized for doing the most in the offset round of battle. This Conclave too has abilities that dip into the Rogue's skillset and magic similar Fright and Greater Invisibility.
  • Perks: Become an extra spell at certain levels.
  • Ideal Fighting Style: Blind Fighting, Defense

Fey Wanderer

  • Source: Tasha'due south Cauldron of Everything
  • Special Abilities: A steward of both the real and mystical Fey realm.
  • Perks: These Rangers can infuse their weapon with Fey magic for actress damage.
  • Platonic Fighting Style: Dueling, 2-Weapon Fighting

Horizon Walker

  • Source: Xanathar's Guide to Everything
  • Special Abilities: Oriented more towards mobility. This conclave has some of the best bonus spells a ranger can become, including Misty Step and Haste.
  • Perks: Use portals to move between ii locations.
  • Ideal Fighting Manner: Defence force, Dueling

Monster Slayer

  • Source: Xanathar'due south Guide to Everything
  • Special Abilities: Trained in supernatural techniques to overcome vampires, dragons, evil fey, fiends, and other magical threats.
  • Perks: Gets actress spells at certain levels.
  • Platonic Fighting Fashion: Deuling, Druidic Warrior

Swarmkeeper

  • Source: Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
  • Special Abilities: The ability to command a swarm, which tin human activity as protection or as a companion.
  • Perks: Learn the magic of the Swarmkeeper from the 3rd level and get a Mage cantrip from the 1st level.
  • Ideal Fighting Style: Druidic Warrior, Archery

Skills, Feats, & Backgrounds

Skills

Dungeons and Dragons Ranger Beast Master Cropped

Every single Ranger, regardless of build or political party role, needs sure Skills in society to exist effective. Others are a matter of pick depending on the build. The following are essential for the grade.

  • Perception. Wisdom-based. This is the nearly commonly rolled ability in D&D, and also makes sense for Rangers of whatever build.
  • Stealth. Dexterity-based. This is 1 of the Skills that allows the Ranger to exist the Rogue of the party if needed.
  • Acrobatics. If the Ranger is Dexterity-based, this Skill is highly recommended.
  • Athletics. If the Ranger is Forcefulness-based, Athletics would have the place of Acrobatics.
  • Insight. Wisdom-based. Apply this to determine the truthful intentions of whatever creature, exist they friend or foe.
  • Survival. Wisdom-based. Focuses on skills to help in wilderness survival, like tracking, an obvious choice for a Ranger.

Feats

elven ranger in mtg art

When it comes to choosing feats, the selection will likely depend on what type of weapons the Ranger has chosen for their own unique build.

  • Sharpshooter. Ranged attacks ignore some cover and do not carry Disadvantage at long range. Chance to have -5 to hitting for +10 on ranged damage.
  • Resilient. +1 in one ability. Gain proficiency in saving throws when using this ability.
  • Corking Weapon Primary. Extra attack after a melee disquisitional hit. Cull to take -5 to attack curl to add +ten to damage with a heavy weapon.
  • Polearm Mastery. Make an extra set on with a polearm weapon. Make an Opportunity Set on (OA) if a creature enters your reach.
  • Crossbow Expert. Ignore the loading property of crossbows. No Disadvantage when in contact with a creature when you shoot.
  • War Caster. Advantage on saving throws to maintain Concentration. Cast some spells as part of an OA past spending a Reaction.
  • Alert. +5 to Initiative rolls and can't be surprised. Creatures you don't see don't proceeds Advantage on assail rolls.

Backgrounds

ranger-dnd

Finally, players tin top off their Ranger will 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 post-obit suggestions.

  • Outlander. The graphic symbol's Athletic and Survival skills have been developed after years in the harsh wilderness. Includes guides, nomads, trappers, exiles, and outcasts.
  • Sailor. These Rangers are Athletic and Perceptive denizens of marine vessels. They are pirates, privateers, and whalers.
  • Far Traveler. They are every bit the proper name suggests and oft come from a afar, even mythical country. These Rangers are explorers, storytellers, and mercenaries.
  • Uthgardt Tribe Member. An interesting selection for a Ranger that'south looking for a backstory rooted in Shamanism or Folk Heroes.

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