The recent release of patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 introduced exciting new subclasses, sparking interest among players. While many may opt to explore different options like the Drunken Monk, the Swarmkeeper Ranger subclass particularly captivates those looking for an engaging gameplay experience.
As a Swarmkeeper Ranger, you have the fascinating ability to summon swarms of creatures that assist you during combat. Depending on the chosen swarm type, you gain access to unique abilities that can significantly enhance your combat effectiveness.
Whether you’re engaging with druids in the grove or preparing to face the Netherbrain, this build ensures you’ll navigate the challenges of Baldur’s Gate 3 effortlessly.
Optimal Character Creation for Swarmkeeper Ranger
Before delving into the specifics of your Ranger build—particularly abilities and leveling options—it’s essential to focus on character creation, which involves selecting your race, ability scores, and skills.
Emulating the Monkclass, prioritize Dexterity and Wisdom for your initial ability scores. Since your primary mode of attack includes ranged and dexterity-based weapons, alongside spells that leverage Wisdom as the spellcasting modifier, it’s crucial to consider this during your setup.
Ideal Race Selection
For your journey as a Swarmkeeper Ranger, I recommend two standout races:
- Wood Elf: Benefiting from Fleet Foot, Wood Elves experience an increase in movement speed, coupled with proficiency in archery, darkvision, and Fey Ancestry that grants an advantage on charm-related saving throws.
- Deep Gnome: With advantages in stealth checks, superior darkvision, and Gnome Cunning—which provides advantages in intelligence, wisdom, and charisma saving throws—Deep Gnomes also stand out for this build.
Another viable option is the Lightfoot Halfling, favored for its Lucky trait as well as its natural stealth abilities.
Top Background and Skills
When determining skills, focus on selections that complement your Ranger’s capabilities. I recommend prioritizing Nature and Animal Handling, as both contribute significantly to the Ranger’s knowledge of the environment. Alternatively, you might consider Perception if those skills don’t align with your playstyle.
For your background, Urchin and Outlander are excellent picks. The Urchin background provides benefits in Sleight of Hand and Stealth, facilitating maneuverability on the battlefield and opportunities for pickpocketing. The Outlander background, in contrast, offers Athletics and Survival, key skills beneficial for wilderness encounters.
Additionally, during character creation, the Ranger class allows for the selection of passive features. I personally lean towards Beast Tamer for the ability to use the Find Familiar spell, as well as Mage Breaker for access to the True Strike spell. Ultimately, your choices should reflect your preferred playstyle.
Choosing Ability Scores
Ability scores are fundamental to shaping your character’s performance. Focus on achieving high Dexterity and Wisdom, with the remaining scores based on your preferences.
| Ability | Score |
|---|---|
| Strength | 12 |
| Dexterity | 16 |
| Constitution | 14 |
| Intelligence | 8 |
| Wisdom | 16 |
| Charisma | 10 |
In my ideal setup, I allocate both Dexterity and Wisdom to 16. I also established my Strength at 12 for broader weapon versatility if needed, while ensuring my Constitution rests at 14 for added health. My Intelligence is set at 8 and Charisma at 10, as I place a greater emphasis on speechcraft over intelligence.
Swarmkeeper Ranger’s Abilities and Leveling Path
As you progress with your Swarmkeeper Ranger, you unlock various abilities that bolster your battlefield presence. Here’s a summary of available abilities:
| Ability | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prey’s Scent | 3 | Your swarm adds extra damage against creatures marked by Hunter’s Mark. |
| Gathered Swarm | 3 | Select the nature spirit swarm you’ve bonded with, changeable upon leveling up. |
| Subclass Spells | 3 | Mage Hand, Faerie Fire |
| Subclass Spells | 5 | Web |
| Writhing Tide | 7 | Condense your swarm into a mass that lifts you up, giving you a flying speed of 9 meters and immunity to surface effects. |
| Writhing Currents | 7 | Gain 3 Writhing Currents for casting Writhing Tide, replenished after a Long Rest. |
| Additional Current | 9 | Receive an extra Writhing Current. |
| Subclass Spell | 9 | Gaseous Form |
| Mighty Swarm | 11 | Your swarm strengthens, increasing regular attack damage to 1d8, adding a feature to special attacks, and improving armor class upon teleporting with your swarm. |
As you level up, bear in mind your spell choices and the Swarm you wish to adopt, with options available to adjust during future level-ups.
Swarm Type and Associated Abilities
Each Swarm option comes with distinct advantages, and the following summarizes their capabilities:
| Swarm Type | Abilities |
|---|---|
| Legion of Bees | Deals additional piercing damage upon attacking, can push away enemies, or teleport you for safety. |
| Cloud of Jellyfish | Delivers additional lightning damage, shocks enemies, or provides teleportation to safety. |
| Flurry of Moths | Inflicts additional psychic damage, capable of blinding enemies or teleporting you away safely. |
Among these options, the Flurry of Moths stands out for its ability to blind foes, making it the preferred choice. The Cloud of Jellyfish is also a strong contender due to its shocking abilities.
As you progress in levels, you will also have opportunities to select additional features like fighting styles and Feats. Your decisions here should align with your personal playstyle; Archery is a great fit for those preferring ranged combat, while two-weapon fighting suits duel-wielding enthusiasts.
Key Ranger Spells to Consider
While Rangers enjoy fewer spell options compared to classes like Wizards or Sorcerers, they still access a refined selection of powerful spells that can turn the tide in combat. Below are my top recommendations:
| Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 1st | Hail of Thorns, Ensnaring Strike, Cure Wounds, Speak With Animals, Goodberry |
| 2nd | Spike Growth, Barkskin |
| 3rd | Plant Growth, Lightning Arrow, Conjure Barrage |
Despite having fewer spells, Rangers possess several that prove exceptionally useful in combat, such as Spike Growth, renowned for its battlefield control capabilities. In many contexts, Rangers can outshine Sorcerers in terms of utility.
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