Summary
The Ranger is one of the later additions to the class choices inDungeons & Dragons, and it was sidelined as a utility class at first that supported the healer or defender. Today’s Rangers are a much more popular choice and have more potential in terms of creative, unique, and overpowered builds.
Rangers are similar to Fighters in the sense that they have a generous amount of choices when it comes to physical weapons and a Fighting Style, but they also have access to several spells and abilities that can make them more like Druids or Clerics; their ability-improvement spells and healing skills are just a few examples. This class has overwhelming potential to fillvirtually any party roleand there are plenty of ways to make their already powerful abilities even more overpowered.
1The Ranger Assassin
Deadly Melee Damage
Although the name implies stealth, this Ranger can strike from the shadows or be a powerful force in melee combat. The Ranger’s versatility with a wide variety of weapons is what makes this build interesting.
Races
Any race that has an improvement to Dexterity is ideal,and creative players can varythis by going with a Strength-based build that focuses on melee power.
Ranger Conclave
There’s more than one option for this versatile build, and players can choose between a stealthy Ranger or one that fights on the front lines.
Feats
Fighting Style - Blind Fighting
In keeping with the spirit of the build, this style gives the Ranger better mobility and visibility on the battlefield. This Ranger can see even if Blinded or obscured by Darkness and can detect Invisible creatures within the same range unless they succeed in a role to hide.
Rogue Powers Without The Multiclass
Wisdom and Constitution are the most important factors in this build, which includes some spellcasting and melee-range fighting.
Ranger Conclave - Gloom Stalker
The Gloom Stalker Conclave is the obvious choice for this build. Most of the abilities used as a framework for this build start with this subclass choice, starting with certain spells at the third level. Iron Mind at the 7th level buffs the Ranger’s Wisdom and gives them resistance to any mind-controlling spells their target might use.
Fighting Style - Two Weapon Fighting Style
The Gloomstalkeris usually a master of dual-wielding, doing most of the damage in melee range with quick movement and stealth. However, this doesn’t always mean two swords. A player is free to experiment with a variety of weapons, in part thanks to the Ranger’s versatility in this regard.
Healing, Support, And Badass Sword Skills
Wisdom and Constitution are the driving forces of this build, whichis similar to a Clericwith support spells and weapon skills.
Ranger Conclave - The Hunter
The Hunteris the best fit for this build because it includes a lot of the defensive abilities that healers and support classes need. Defensive Tactics and Multiattack are two notable examples, and the Conclave is based on defending allies and stalking enemies.
Fighting Style - Defense
It’s a simple choice that gives the character a +1 to their AC, provided they’re wearing armor. It’s ideal for a healer or support class to give them some extra defense.
Magic And Physical Damage
Rangers aren’t often thought of as spellcasters but modern builds make this an exciting prospect.
Ranger Conclave
The Drakewardenis a nice choice that gives this Ranger a powerful companion to aid in their damage dealing. This companion appears at the third level, the same time this Ranger learns the Thermaturgy cantrip. As both pet and master progress in skill and size, the Drake companion can also be used as a mount.
This build depends on ranged damage, which includes physical and magical,so Feats should be chosenthat focus on piercing damage.
Fighting Style - Druidic Warrior or Archery
TheDruidic WarriorFighting Style gives the Ranger two choices of cantrips from the Druid spellbook. These function in the same way as Ranger spells by using Wisdom as their spellcasting modifier. For those who want more physical as opposed to magical damage,Archeryis the obvious second choice.
The Beastmaster Build
This build is more about Constitution than others, and most of these choices keep that in mind along with the usual Wisdom and Dexterity buffs.
The Beast Masteris the most obvious choice for this build, which gives the Ranger a permanent companion at the third level. More creative possibilities include theDrakewarden, for those who might be partial to dragons, andSwarmkeeperif this Ranger appreciates insects.
Fighting Style
The Beastmaster is a versatile build when it comes to the Fighting Style, and players can choose the best fit for their Ranger. If they stay in melee range, they can chooseBlind Fighting, while others can takeArchery.
