The Gloom Stalker sub-class of Rangers combines the best of what this class offers with a bit of flavor from the Rogue class. This sub-class specializes in ranged attacks and stealth mechanics. They also have abilities to change their appearance or turn invisible so that enemies will not notice them. To take full advantage of the Gloom Stalker, you must build it properly in Baldur’s Gate 3.
The process begins at level one and goes to level twelve when you hit the level cap. So, several choices will be made along the way during this build. Also, Gloom Stalker is one of the best builds for Minsc in Baldur’s Gate 3, so if you have Minsc in your party, this build becomes more important.
Starting Abilities and Skills for Ranger Gloom Stalker build in Baldur’s Gate 3
The Gloom Stalker build is all about taking down enemies in stealth. This means you must select the right race, ability points, and skills in character creation. This will give you a head start for your build by providing various bonuses. Below are some of our recommendations for the best Gloom Stalker build in Baldur’s Gate 3.
| Class | Ranger | – |
| Sub-Class | Gloom Stalker | – |
| Race | Wood Elf/Drow | Choosing Wood Elf, you will get stealth proficiency, which increases your stealth ability; your movement increases, and Darkvision, which increases the visibility in the dark up to 12m. Drow is the second-best choice because you will get Super Darkvision with an increased range to 24m. You also get the Dancing Light spell that lights up a dark area. |
| Ability Points Distribution | STR 10, DEX 17, CON 13, WIS 16, INT 10, CHA 10 | These will give you a balanced character that does not suffer from any penalties to their dice rolls. You can adjust these, but you need your Dexterity and Wisdom at their maximum as your main ability modifiers. |
| Skills | Survival, Instinct, Stealth | – |
Best Background
Choosing a perfect background for your character is crucial for your desired build. This will grant you various proficiency bonuses that will give you a headstart.
Outlander: Since the Gloom Stalkers is all about stealth and running in the Wilderness to track and kill off their enemy, Outlander will be best for you. As an Outlander, you will have proficiencies in skills like Survival and Athletics. Moreover, outlanders have experience in the wild and can adapt to harsh environments calmly, which is best for a Gloom Stalker build.
Soldier: Being a Soldier means you have done extreme training to survive in any environment and track down the enemy. If you chose soldier, you would have experience in combat, which helps you kill off your enemy easily. The soldier has Athletics and Intimidation as their skill proficiencies.
Best Feats for Ranger Gloom Stalker Build
Feats are talents that you can gain every four levels in Baldur’s Gate 3. There are many types of feats; some help in and out of the battle, and some give you an additional ability score. So, it is vital to choose your feat wisely so you can make the most out of your Gloom Stalker build. Below are the best feats we recommend you select.
| Level | Feat | Description |
| 4 | Crossbow Expert | This feat allows you not to be disadvantaged if you hit an enemy from melee range with a crossbow. In addition, hitting a piercing shot will inflict a Gaping Wound equal to 2 piercing shots’ damage. |
| 8 | Sharpshooter | If you attack an enemy from low ground, you will not get any penalty. It means you can hit an enemy without worrying about getting a penalty or missing your target. You will take a -5 penalty on your attack rolls, but you will gain a +10 damage bonus. |
| 12 | Weapon Master | You can choose any of the four weapons using this feat and add proficiency to them. Moreover, you will gain +1 in your Strength and Dexterity for a max bonus of 20. |
Best armor and weapons
Helm: Steelwatcher helmet – Wearing this helmet will increase your visibility even in the dark up to 12m. While wearing this helmet, your opponent cannot blind you.
Back: The Deathstalker Mantle – With this cloak, you turn invisible after you kill an enemy. In addition, you also get an advantage on your stealth checks.
Armor: Penumbral Armor – This is light armor. You will get a +3 bonus to your Stealth check if you hide while wearing it.
Shield: Gloomstrand Shield – It is an uncommon shield. After equipping it, you will get a +1 stealth bonus.
Hands: Gloves of Dexterity – Allows the user to increase their Dexterity and get a +1 attack bonus.
Ranged weapon: Jolt Shooter – a two-handed bow that deals 1d8 piercing damage to the enemy, and you gain a couple of lighting charges. It has a Hamstring shot as its proficiency, which means if you hit the enemy in the thigh, it will lower its HP and movement speed.
Ranger Gloom Stalker Build Level Progression in Baldur’s Gate 3
| Level | Unlocks | Description |
| 1 | Race, Background, and Ability Points Distribution. Favored Enemy and Natural explorer selection. | Choose from the ones we recommended above. Mage Breaker as favored Enemy to get True Strike. It gives you an advantage on your attack rolls in the next turn. Beast Tamer for Natural Explorer to obtain the Find Familiar spell. |
| 2 | Fighting Style selection. | Archer to take down your enemies stealthily from afar. |
| 3 | Sub-Class selection. | Gloom Stalker to unlock Dread Ambusher (sub-class feature), Superior Darkvision, Umbral Shroud, and Disguise Yourself. Umbral Shroud will turn you invisible if you hide and Disguise Yourself will completely change your appearance. At the same time, Superior Darkvision allows you to see anything within a range in the dark. Dread Ambushers increase your ability to take down your enemies easily. |
| 4 | The first Feat unlocks. | Crossbow Expert to hit enemies with ranged weapons from melee distance. |
| 5 | Extra Attack class feature. The Level 2 spell slot unlocks. | The Extra attack allows you to perform a free extra attack in the same turn. Prepare the Misty Step spell to teleport to any point within an 18m range. |
| 6 | Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer selection. | Ranger Knight for heavy Armor proficiency and Wasteland Wanderer: Fire to get resistance against fire damage. |
| 7 | Iron Mind sub-class feature. | It allows you to resist any mind spells from your foes. Furthermore, you will also get proficiency in your Intelligence and Wisdom saving throws. |
| 8 | The second Feat unlocks. Land Stride: Difficult Terrain class feature. | Sharpshooter to nullify low ground disadvantage. Land Stride allows you to traverse difficult terrains at the same speed as before. |
| 9 | Level 3 spell slot unlocks. | Prepare the Fear spell to terrify your opponents. Also, ready the Lesser Restoration spell to heal any creature from disease or blindness. |
| 10 | Hide in Plain Sight class action. Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer selection. | Hide in Plain sight allows you to turn invisible if you don’t move. Sanctified Stalker to get access to the Sacred Flame spell. Wasteland Wanderers: Cold to get resistance against cold damage. |
| 11 | Stalker’s Fury class feature. | With this feature, you could attack your enemy again if you missed previously. Prepare the Silence spell to prevent your foes from casting spells. |
| 12 | The final Feat unlocks. | Weapon Master to gain weapons proficiency. |
Is Gloom Stalker Ranger any good in BG3?
Gloom Stalker specializes in stealing the first turn during every combat scenario and dealing maximum possible damage from afar. The purpose of this build is to take down your enemies as fast as you can.
However, this build lacks AoE damage and only focuses on a single target. In case you fail to take down enemies in one turn, you need to brace the attacks for having low AC.
When compared to Beast Masters, they lack the ability to summon creatures like Fey or animals. We recommend that you multiclass this build with Rogue Assassin (8/4) for the maximum DPS.
