Rangers aren’t the most popular class choice inBaldur’s Gate 3, and that’s a shame because the survival-themed warriors have a lot to offer. Rangers inBG3work slightly differently from theirDungeons & Dragonscounterparts, with many of the issues that plagued the tabletop version ironed out wonderfully by Larian Studios. And, as with all classes, there are particular feats that will help bring out the very best in any ranger playthrough.
There are threeranger subclasses inBaldur’s Gate 3to choose from, each offering a different style of play. From the classic stealth-based archer to magic-wielding animal experts, rangers are a lot of fun to play and mold into different builds through the three feats they gain at levels four, eight, and 12.These feats offer a mixture of extra damage and utilityand are perfect whether recreating Drizzt Do’Urden or bringing Aragorn to Faerûn.
10Alert - Boost To Initiative Rolls
Jump To The Top Of The Initiative Order
Alert is a brilliant feat that works well for many different classes, particularly those crowd control or dealing damage. With Alert, the ranger willgain a whopping plus five bonus to their initiative rolls, pushing the Dexterity-focused character to the top of the initiative order. This extra boost can be very potent when combined with a Gloom Stalker ranger’s plus three bonus from Dread Ambusher.
Alert
Gain plus five bonus to initiative and cannot be surprised.
However, there’s another great reason for all rangers, especially Gloom Stalkers, to take the Alert feat: surprise.Alert prevents the ranger from being surprised by unseen enemies, which would prevent them from taking actions or reactions for a turn. This alone is worth taking the Alert for, as having the ranger sit out of combat for a turn can make the difference between victory or defeat, particularly on higher difficulties.
9Skilled - Learn New Skills
Gain Proficiency In Three New Abilities
Rangers have the choice to become proficient in some great skills at character creation, with useful skills like stealth, survival, perception, and insight all available. Narrowing that choice down to just three can be hard, especially when planning ahead for a second or third playthrough ofBG3. Skilled is a fantastic feat for player characters as it allows the ranger togain proficiency in three more skills.
Skilled
Gain proficiency in three skills.
Adding proficiency in three more skills can really help round out certain character builds and give much better odds when tackling challenging dialogue options.Persuasion or deception are always fantastic choices, especially for low Charisma player characters who are more likely to be the ones speaking with other characters. However, with rangers also benefitting from high Wisdom, animal handling is also a great option and very fitting for the class.
8Dual Wielder - More Weapon Options & AC Boost
Make The Most Out Of Two-Weapon Fighting
Not all rangers prefer to use a bow, and there are times when fighting with a ranged weapon isn’t the best option. To complete Drizzt’s icon look, Dual Wielder is the perfect feat. With this feat, the ranger canuse two weapons, even if the weapons aren’t light, such as longswords, rapiers, or even spears. This opens up the weapon options for both hands to any weapon that isn’t heavy.
Dual Wielder
Use two-weapon fighting even if weapons aren’t light (cannot be heavy). Plus one bonus to AC when wielding melee weapons in each hand.
Dual Wielder also gives the rangera plus one boost to their AC while using a melee weapon in each hand. To make the best use of this feat, it’s a good idea to choose the two-weapon fighting style for the ranger at level two to allow them to add their ability score modifier to their offhand attacks. But the boost to using two magical weapons in later acts more than makes this feat worth choosing.
Rangers are proficient in both simple and martial weapons, so they can use any weapon they find inBG3.
7Crossbow Expert - Better Crossbow Attacks
No Disadvantage For Attacks In Melee Range & Better Gaping Wounds
Of course, as helpful as feats buffing a ranger’s melee capabilities are, the iconic ranger character is one wielding a ranged weapon. Crossbow Expert is fantastic, especially with so many great crossbow options to choose from inBG3. With this feat, anycrossbow attacks made within melee range do not have a disadvantage,and this can make a big difference when facing some of the tougher enemies in the game.
Crossbow Expert
Point-Blank:Crossbow attacks within melee range do not have disadvantage.Wounding:Piercing Shot inflicts Gaping Wounds for twice as long.
Crossbows inBG3also have the weapon action Piercing Shot, which inflicts the Gaping Wounds condition on enemies, dealing an extra two points of piercing damage for two turns. Crossbow Expert enhances this already excellent attack bydoubling the number of turns targets are affected by Gaping Wounds. So instead of losing four hit points over two turns, targets will lose eight hit points over four turns.
Crossbow Expert’s Point-Blank passive only works if the enemy being targeted is the one in melee with the ranger.
6Medium Armour Master - Increase Dexterity Boost To AC
Better AC & No Disadvantage To Stealth
At character creation, rangers gain proficiency in medium armor, and Medium Armour Master is a great way to get the most out of that. Medium Armour Master is a simple feat that can make a huge difference, firstly byincreasing the bonus to AC from the ranger’s Dexterity modifier from plus two to plus three. Mostmedium armors inBG3will cap the bonus at plus two, and the extra boost to AC is really felt in Act 3 with tougher enemies.
Medium Armour Master
Medium armor doesn’t impose disadvantage to stealth and bonus to AC increased to plus three.
Medium Armour Master alsoprevents medium armor from imposing disadvantage on stealth checks, against something very simple that can have a big impact. Rangers, just like rogues, benefit from operating from the shadows, and there are somerogue/ranger multiclass buildsthat rely on stealth to function. Removing the disadvantage of stealth opens up far more armor options, meaning that rangers won’t have to choose between stealth and AC.
5Mobile - Extra Movement Speed
More Movement & Avoid Attacks Of Opportunity
Whether playing as a classic bow-wielding ranger or melee-based, rangers benefit from being able to move freely around a battlefield. Mobile is a fantastic feat as itincreases the ranger’s movement speed by three meters/10 feet, giving that extra bit of movement to reposition in combat. Mobile also means that when a ranger has used the dash action on their turn, difficult terrain won’t slow the ranger down to half speed, which can often make it feel as though the turn has been wasted.
Mobile
Increases movement speed by three meters/10 feet.Evade Difficult Terrain:Difficult terrain doesn’t reduce speed when dash action is used.Evade Opportunity Attack:Moving after making a melee attack on a target won’t provoke an opportunity attack from the same target.
Finally, Mobile ensures thatthe ranger won’t provoke an attack of opportunity from a target when moving out of melee range, so long as they have made a melee attack against that target. This is perfect for dealing damage to an enemy before moving to higher ground or providing backup for a party member.
4Lucky - Gain Advantage On Dice Rolls
Better Odds In & Out Of Combat
Lucky is one of the best feats for player characters inBaldur’s Gate 3,and can help out in a few different ways in and out of combat. Lucky gives the character three Luck Points, which recharge every long rest and can be used togain advantage on rolls in the player’s favor, such as attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws. This is perfect for important dialogue options or when needing to hit a particularly troublesome enemy.
Lucky
Gain three Luck Points to gain advantage on attack rolls, ability checks, or saving throws, or to make an enemy reroll their attack roll. Luck Points recharge on long rest.
However, Lucky has another trick up its sleeve, as Luck Points can also be used against enemies. Spending a Luck Point in this way willforce an enemy to reroll an attack rolland is perfect for negating crits. Best of all, gaining advantage or forcing a reroll with Lucky is a reaction but doesn’t cost a reaction, meaning attacks of opportunity can still be used.
3Athlete - Better Movement Options
Increased Jump Distance & Makes Standing Up Easier
Athlete is another all-around good feat for characters that need to be quick on their feet. As well as allowing the ranger to increase their Strength or Dexterity ability score by one,Athlete also lets them use significantly less movement when standing up from prone. Prone can really cause problems in combat, letting enemies take melee attacks with advantage, and cost half a character’s movement just to stand up.
Athlete
Increases Strength or Dexterity by one, to max of 20. Stand from prone uses less movement. Jump distance increased by 50%.
But I think the best aspect of Athlete is that itincreases a character’s jump distance by 50%. This is massive and can really help with exploration and repositioning in combat. Jump distance is calculated by Strength but rangers can further increase theirs with aBG3ritual spellthey gain at level two, by usingenhance leapwhich triples their jump distance and stacks with the increase from Athlete.
Prone doesn’t cause targets to miss their turn; however, they can only use their movement to stand. Unfortunately, if a target is made prone during their turn, then their turn will automatically end.
2Defensive Duellist - Boost To AC
Use Proficiency Bonus For Extra Protection
As primarily Dexterity-based attackers, rangers are often best-usingfinesse weapons inBG3, as they allow them to use their Dexterity rather than Strength for attacks. Defensive Duellist is a fantastic feat for any character using finesse weapons, particularly rangers who prefer melee weapons. With Defensive Duellist,as a reaction when attacked with a melee attack, the ranger can add their proficiency bonus to their AC.
Defensive Duellist
While wielding a finesse may use reaction to add proficiency bonus to AC. May be used once per turn.
This is brilliant, especially at higher levels wherethe proficiency bonus leaps up to plus four. Best of all, this ability recharges every turn, letting any melee ranger keep themselves out of trouble for a little longer. The feat only works while the character is holding a finesse weapon they are proficient in and is only available for those with a Dexterity score of 13 or higher.
1Sharpshooter - Better Attacks & Damage
Make The Most Out Of Ranged Weapons
Lastly, for anyone playing as a ranger, Sharpshooter is a must-have feat. It is best known for its toggleable passive ability All In, which allows the ranger tochoose to take a minus five penalty to their attack roll in exchange for dealing out an extra 10 points of damageon a hit. A consistent plus 10 damage is not to be sniffed at and can really pack a punch when combined with other bonuses and weapon buffs.
Sharpshooter
Low Ground:Ranged weapon attacks not penalized for high ground rules.All In:Can choose to take minus five penalty to attack roll for extra 10 points of damage.
However, what makes Sharpshooter the best ranger feat inBaldur’s Gate 3is its Low Ground feature. This passivestopsBG3ranged weaponattacks from being penalized for high ground rules, which impose a minus two penalty when attacking a target from below. Just how much this can change how a ranger operates on the battlefield cannot be overstated, as it completely opens up new positions and tactics for the party.
