Rangers are versatile characters because they are good in long-range battles and prove useful up close. They can take various roles in the party, adapt to any environment, and navigate the Wilderness. You can take both a support role and that of the aggressive damage dealer. If you are the kind that loves to fight, then you need a Hunter subclass build of the Ranger in Baldur’s Gate 3.
They have good control over bows and arrows and are perfect for killing formidable foes from afar. They have further specializations to help them remove humungous foes and decimate entire hordes from the equation.
Starting Abilities and Skills for Ranger Hunter Build in BG3
The foundations for your Ranger’s Hunter build in Baldur’s Gate 3 are laid down at character creation. Your choices here will influence how your build will look in the end. You can get several bonuses that can make your job easier.
| Class | Ranger | – |
| Sub-Class | Hunter | – |
| Race | Drow/Wood-Elf | The best race for the Ranger’s Hunter build is Drow and Wood Elf. Wood Elf has good movement speed and dark vision. This allows them to see their target in the dark and get into a position to take enemies down. Drow has Superior Darkvision, which allows them to see further in the dark. |
| Ability Points Distribution | STR 8, DEX 17, CON 15, INT 8, WIS 16, CHA 8 | The main ability modifier for the Ranger class is Dexterity. |
| Skills | Animal handling, Nature, Insight | – |
Best Background
Choosing a background for your character is very important because it plays a huge role in your role-playing. You can also gain several proficiencies early on. The best backgrounds for Ranger Hunter build are Soldier and Folk Hero.
As a Soldier, you are trained and can easily survive in a harsh environment. In addition, you have combat experience that will suit perfectly with Ranger Hunter build.
Another background that would be suitable for Hunter is Folk Hero. You will have experience fighting monsters and tyrants. As a hero, you are a champion in people’s eyes, so it will be easier to persuade them. You also get Animal Handling and Survival as your bonus proficiencies with the Folk Hero background.
Best Feats for Ranger Hunter Build in BG3
Feats are special maneuvers and bonuses that unlock every four levels. You will find several feats where each does different things, like increasing your ability score, adding proficiencies, or aiding you in the battle. So, choose wisely to make the most of your Hunter build.
| Level | Feat | Description |
| 4 | Ability Improvement | Invest one ability point in Dexterity and Constitution each. |
| 8 | Sharpshooter | Even if you hit an enemy from low ground, you will not get a penalty. The ranged weapons you are proficient in will deal more damage, but you take a penalty to your attack rolls. |
| 12 | Ability Improvement | Invest both ability points in Dexterity to max it out at 20. |
Best spells for Ranger Hunter Build in Baldur’s Gate 3
While spells are not a strong suit for Rangers, these can help greatly in a time of need. Since Rangers are mostly support classes, their spells are mostly to aid their party members. From a long list, it is hard to select spells that will benefit Ranger’s Hunter build in Baldur’s Gate 3. Here are the best spells from each level that will suit this build perfectly.
| Level | Spell | Description |
| Cantrip | True Strike | With this spell, you will have an advantage on your next attack roll. |
| 1 | Ensnaring Strike | With this spell, you can produce vines to deal a 1d6 piercing damage to the target. It requires the concentration of the caster. |
| 2 | Spike Growth | This spell allows you to transform the terrain of a 6m radius into a field of spikes, where anyone will take 2d4 piercing damage, and their movement will be halved. It requires the concentration of the caster. |
| 3 | Protection from Energy | With a touch, you can give a creature resistance against cold, fire, thunder, acid, or lightning damage. |
Best armor and weapons
Helm: Leather helmet – Wearing this helmet will grant you a +1 bonus on your Dexterity saving throws.
Back: Cloak of Protection – You get a +1 bonus on your Armor Class and all Saving Throws.
Armor: Studded Leather Armor – Bludgeoning damage from enemies decreases by 1.
Shield: Glowing Shield – Upon short rest, you will get temporary hit points if your hit points are below 50%.
Hands: Gloves of Dexterity – Takes your current Dexterity and increases it to 18.
Ranged Weapon: Longbow +1 – A two-handed bow with 1d8+1 piercing damage to the enemy. You can use Brace (ranged), which allows you to deal more damage by spending 6m movement speed.
Ranger Hunter Build Level Progression in Baldur’s Gate 3
| Level | Unlocks | Description |
| 1 | Race, Background, and Ability Points Distribution. Choose your Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer. | Bounty Hunter as your Favored Enemy and Urban Tracker as Natural Explorer. |
| 2 | Fighting Style. | Archery for a +2 bonus on your ranged attacks. |
| 3 | Sub-class selection. Hunter’s Prey sub-class feature. | Choose Colossus Slayer to deal an additional 1-8 damage to the enemy whose HP is below maximum. |
| 4 | The first Feat unlocks. | Ability Improvement to increase your Dexterity and Constitution. |
| 5 | Pass without a Trace spell. Extra attack class feature. | Extra Attack allows you to perform an additional attack on the enemy per turn. |
| 6 | Select your second Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer. | Choose Ranger Knight as the Favored Enemy and Wasteland Wanderers: Fire as Natural Explorer to gain fire resistance. |
| 7 | Defensive Tactics sub-class feature. | Choose Multiattack Defense to put a –4 penalty on enemies’ additional attack rolls until your next turn. |
| 8 | The second Feat unlocks. Land’s slide: difficult Terrain class feature. | Sharpshooter feat to avoid low ground penalty. Land’s Stride allows you to move calmly in any terrain. |
| 9 | Level 3 spell slots unlock. | Go with the Lightning arrow to deal lightning damage to your enemies. |
| 10 | Hide in Plain Sight class action. Select your third Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer. | Hide in Plain Sight allows you to get a +10 stealth bonus for staying quietly in a place. Choose Keeper of the Veil as the favored enemy and Wasteland Wanderers: Cold for Natural Explorer to avoid cold damage. |
| 11 | Volley class action. Whirlwind class action. | Volley allows you to fire a volley of magical broadheads and bodkin arrows to deal 7-12 piercing damage. Whirlwind allows you to separately attack all nearby foes, casting an attack roll for each enemy. |
| 12 | The final Feat unlocks. | Ability Improvement to max your Dexterity ability. |
Is Ranger Hunter any good in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Hunter Rangers are good at dealing massive damage to enemies. They are very versatile when it comes to combat options. Hunters can use both ranged attacks and magic spells effortlessly. They are extremely good at traversing various terrains and tracking down enemies.
Compared to the Beastmaster rangers, they lack any bond with wildlife. Gloomstalker Rangers are best at stealth and fighting from shadows as compared to the Hunters who challenge their enemies openly.
Hunter rangers have lower HP when compared to other classes, and their spell-casting ability is very limited. All their spells require concentration, which adds an extra overhead.
