Ranger is a class that relies on archery to fight against enemies. While choosing a race for Ranger class in Baldur’s Gate 3, we must remember its play style. We are mainly looking for races that provide dexterity and constitution. Proficiency with bows is also desirable.
Wood Elf provides the highest movement speed and proficiency in stealth and bows. Drows have a significant advantage in darker areas due to their dark vision while also providing Crossbow proficiency. Lightfoot Halflings are an excellent race option for Ranger in Baldur’s Gate 3 if you prefer a stealthy playstyle, while humans are an all-rounder race.
Drow
The best choice for the Beast Master Ranger build is Drow. With its natural connection to animals, this build gets unique bonuses from the Drow race, like ranged weapons, which help it overcome its weaknesses.
- Increased movement speed up to 9m per turn.
- Drow Weapon Training: You gain proficiency with rapiers, Shortswords, and Hand Crossbows.
- Fey Ancestry: You can’t be put to sleep and get resistance against being Charmed.
- Superior Darkvision: Can see up to 24m in the darkness.
- Keen Senses: You gain proficiency with Perception checks.
- Drow Magic: You gain dancing Lights (cantrip) at level 1, Faerie Fire (spell) at level 3, and Darkness (spell) at level 5. All these spells prove extremely useful while navigating dark areas and during stealth.
Wood Elf
The best match for the Ranger Hunter build is the Wood Elf race. This build focuses heavily on using melee and ranged weapons while avoiding detection. Wood Elf’s stealth bonus plays an important role here besides their fast movement speed.
- Darkvision: Can see up to 12m in the darkness.
- Keen Senses: You gain proficiency in Perception checks.
- Fey Ancestry: You can’t be put to sleep and gain an advantage on saving throws against being charmed.
- Elven Weapon Training: You gain proficiency with Longswords, Shortswords, Longbows, and Shortbows.
- Fleet of Foot: You gain 10.5m movement speed per turn.
- Mask of the Wild: You become proficient in Stealth skill.
Lightfoot Halfling
The small stature of this race makes it exceptional for a stealthy playstyle. You can move through many areas undetected as a Lightfoot Halfling, which makes it perfect for a Gloom Stalker Ranger build. Thanks to Halfling’s small size, you also get bonus movement speed.
- Lucky: Upon rolling an unlucky 1 for attack, ability checks, or saving throws, you get a chance to roll the dice again.
- Naturally Stealthy: You have an advantage on the Stealth checks.
Human
Humans are the best all-around race in Baldur’s Gate 3. They have proficiency with selective weapons and armor and can become proficient with all the skills of an ability per long rest. This allows you to experiment with your Ranger builds as much as you want.
- Your movement speed increases up to 9m per turn.
- Human Versatility: You can select an additional skill to your liking.
- Civil Militia: You gain proficiency with Light Armor, Shields, Halberds, Glaives, Pikes, and Spears.
