RangerinBaldur’s Gate 3is a versatile class that can take up multiple rolesin a partydepending on how they’re built. Tanks, healers, summoners, or ranged DPS are the roles that Rangers most excel at.
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Rangers are not dedicated spellcasters, but they do get access to some uniquespellsonly available to them. And since they’re limited in what spells they can acquire, knowing which spells to take at every level up is incredibly important to play effectively as a Ranger.
10Sacred Flame
The very firstcantripyou’ll get as a Sanctified Stalker Ranger is also one of the better ones to have in your spell list.Sacred Flameis an instantaneous cast that can be applied to any enemies in your line of vision.
Enemies hit by Sacred Flame need to succeed in a DEXsaving throwor receive radiant damage equal to 1d8 at level 1 (it goes up as it levels). Sacred Flame shines when targeting enemies behind the cover. Since this spell doesn’t need to travel in a straight line like most ranged spells, it can target these enemies quite easily.
9Cure Wounds
Rangers are also great battlefield healers in the absence ofClericsandDruids. Their spell list doesn’t have as extensive a pool as other spellcasting classes, but if you choose, you can opt for a couple of healing spells here and there.
Cure Woundsis the best healing spell available to Rangers mid-battle. Using a level 1 spell slot, it can heal targets for 1d8 plus your spell-casting modifier. It can heal even more if upcast with a higher tier spell slot.
8Goodberry
Goodberryis perhaps the most efficient use of a spell slot for healing, at least in the early game. Available to Rangers right from the start of the game, casting Goodberry creates four berries in your inventory that can heal for 1d4 health each when consumed.
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When you need to split the healing between multiple party members and something like Cure Wounds is too expensive an investment, Goodberry comes in handy. The berries also last until yournext long rest, so you don’t need to worry about them expiring out of the blue.
7Hail Of Thorns
Hail of Thornsis a ranged area of effect damage options for rangers if they have enemies grouped together in a small area. The AoE is not very large, but depending on your gear, the damage can be massive. It costs a spell slot, an action, and a bonus action to cast.
This spell takes into account what ranged weapon you’re holding, and the spell’s power increases if the ranged weapon is more powerful. Something like theJoltshooterorHaroldcan help your Ranger deal extra damage with Hail of Thorns.
6Fog Cloud
Fog Cloudcreates a cloud of white smoke that obscures vision and persists on the battlefield for 10 turns or as long as the Ranger can maintain his concentration. This cloud of fog blinds enemies and obscures things within it, so they can’t be targeted by ranged spells as long as they’re not AoE.
Fog Cloud is best paired with aGloomstalkerwho can maintain his concentration by constantly hiding in the shadows. But since it’s aconcentration spell, you’ll only want to use it when controlling the battlefield is more important than dealing single-target damage.
5Longstrider
Longstrideris aritual spellthat increases the movement speed of the target it is cast on by 3 meters. It’s an incredible buff for your party since it persists until your next long rest without needing concentration to maintain it.
If you find yourself not using your level 1 spell slots that much, consider buffing your entire party with Longstrider as soon as you leave camp at the start of the day. This way, your entire party will have an extra 3 meters of movement speed for the duration of that day.
4Speak With Animals
Speak With Animalsis one of the most importantutility spellsin the entire game, allowing you to converse with the wildlife and uncover what they have to say about the goings on around them.
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Speak With Animals is also a ritual spell, so it will last until your next long rest, meaning it doesn’t need to be cast every time you want to talk to an animal. But since it’s a self-cast-only spell, you’ll want it on your face character at all times.
Silencecreates a dome of noise cancellation that persists for 100 turns or as long as the concentration is maintained. It’s an incredible utility spell that sees use both inside and outside of combat.
In combat, it can nullify spellcasters almost entirely if they’re relying on verbal casting, and it negates Thunder damage as well. Outside of it, it can be useful to pass by unnoticed. A door blocking your way in a busy street? Cast Silence on it and throw a Fireball to destroy it. Since no noise escapes the dome, nobody hears anything.
2Ensnaring Strike
Ensnaring Strikeis a level 1 conjuration spell that can both be a melee or ranged attack. It adds your weapon damage to the base damage of the spell, depending on which version of the spell you are casting. Ranged Ensnaring Strike takes your ranged weapon’s damage, and Melee Ensnaring Strike takes your melee weapon’s damage.
When cast, it creates thorns that ensnare your target if they save a Strength check. It can be used to proc Colossus Slayer, but it’s incompatible with Hunter’s Mark or Fog Cloud, meaning only one of these spells can be cast at a time since they’re all concentration spells. Casting this spell costs an action, a bonus action, and a level 1 spell slot.
1Hunter’s Mark
Hunter’s Markis the perfect complement to a Ranger’s toolkit. Casting it on a target marks that target, and every time your Ranger deals damage to that target, it takes an extra 1d6 slashing damage. The Hunter’s Mark only works for Rangers and their summons (Beast Master subclass); your party members do not deal extra damage.
When cast, this spell persists until the next long rest, and if the target it is cast on dies, it can be cast again without expending a spell slot. This means that if you can maintain your concentration throughout the day, you can keep casting this spell for free in every battle. Consider taking the War Caster feat for this reason.
