When Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition was first released, the Ranger class didn't get a lot of positive attention. It seemed like the Wizards of the Coast had taken everything that was fun and powerful about the class and broke it. For a while, interest waned in these sad, underpowered Rangers, but a few homebrews and some supplemental materials later, and interest in the class is coming back. You can build a great character using the Ranger class. They're meant to excel at ambushes and quick skirmishes, which can be a lot of fun to plan and carry out. Plus, Rangers have a lot of really useful, if situational, abilities that add to their utility.

RELATED: Dungeons & Dragons: The Best Feats For A Ranger

The following guide can help to squeeze the most use of a Ranger as you put together your own 5e OP Ranger build. Most players favor Dexterity-based builds over Strength-based for their Rangers. A famous example would be Minsc, the Ranger from the Baldur's Gate series, who clearly uses force more than finesse. Dexterity is the ability score of choice for Ranged attackers and for those using weapons like daggers or rapiers. Regardless of your choice, Dexterity is still the stat that governs your Armor Class and is probably a good choice for at least a second highest trait. There's also your Fighting Style to consider, which is a skill every Ranger chooses at 2nd level.

Updated August 23, 2021 by Kristy Ambrose: The versatility of the Ranger is bringing a whole new player base to the game. This class has a handy set of skills and abilities that can be overpowered as long as you know how to put them together. Dexterity is still the Ranger's most important stat, followed by the spellcasting ability score Wisdom, and your saving throw is based on your Strength. All of which is important to bear in mind regardless of your Ranger's ultimate build. There are other factors during the leveling process that your Dungeon Master can help guide you through, but in the meantime, the following steps will help with your initial steps to building your OP Ranger.

3 Races

Art of fantasy character holding bow

Any race that has bonuses to Dexterity and Wisdom is going to be your first choice. The following are some handy suggestions from both the D&D Player's Handbook and supplemental materials from the vast D&D library. Homebrewed creations are also a possibility depending on your Dungeon Master and what module you're playing.

Wood Elf

  • Source: D&D Player's Handbook
  • Ability Bonuses: +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom

This is the most obvious choice for a Ranger. The Wood Elf makes a lot of sense not only because of the helpful racial bonuses but also for the backstory potential. Wood Elves are a subrace of Elves, which also includes High Elves and Drow, but this is the only race that adds a Wisdom bonus to the usual Dexterity bonus. As the name implies, their home environment is anywhere in the vast woodlands of Faerûn and Greyhawk, and their natural and ancestral connection to the forests that they call home makes the Wood Elves natural Rangers.

Stout Halfling

goldmeadow stalwart halfling rogue art
Goldmeadow Stalwart by Wayne Reynolds
  • Source: D&D Player's Handbook
  • Ability Bonuses: +2 Dexterity, +1 Constitution

The second most popular choice for a Ranger, the Halfing has a lot going for it that might even make it better than a Wood Elf. The Halfling has a high damage output and extra weapon skills, plus Halfling Nimbleness which is great for a skirmisher. Halflings have access to the trait Lucky, which is borderline OP all on its own, giving you the ability to reroll natural 1 rolls. The other Halfling subrace, the Lightfoot Halfing, would be interesting if you're building a Ranger with extra stealth or burglary capabilities. On the other hand, the Lightfoot subrace gets a Charisma bonus and would be a better choice for a Bard or Warlock multiclass. Another benefit is that Halflings are small-sized creatures, which means they can comfortably ride beasts of medium size.

Aarakocra

  • Source: Elemental Evil Player's Companion
  • Ability Bonuses: +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom

This fascinating and mysterious race exists outside of the regular PHB, but if your Dungeon Master permits it, the Aarakocra race makes ideal Rangers. Not only do they have the required ability score bonuses, but they also have some interesting potential when it comes to roleplaying and backstory. The Aarakocra live in the high mountains, in regions that are only accessible via flight, and yes these characters do have the power to fly. In local lore and legend, this race isn't even of the material plane, and when they do venture into the lower realms it's as travelers, scouts, and Rangers.

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2 Conclaves - The Ranger Subclasses

Fantasy character aiming bow art

Once they reach third level, the Ranger class chooses a Conclave, also known as a subclass. Each class has different abilities, spells, and other benefits. Some of them work better with some Ranger builds than others. Not all of the following options are found in the regular PHB, but your Ranger will have access to all of the Fighting Styles listed regardless of the subclass they choose, which can in turn influence the utility of their Conclave-related abilities.

Hunter

  • Source: D&D Player's Handbook
  • Fighting Styles: Defense, Archery

Rangers are renowned hunters and one of their features gives them bonuses to hunting a specific prey. The Hunter's Prey feature allows you to choose one from among beasts, fey, humanoids, monstrosities, or undead as your primary enemy. In other words, pretty much the most common enemies you'll be facing in any campaign. Once you pick a favored enemy, you not only get an advantage on rolls to track them or recall information on them, but also a flat +2 bonus to any damage rolls against them.

Beast Master

GW2 - Druid (ranger) official art
  • Source: D&D Player's Handbook
  • Fighting Styles: Blind Fighting, Defense

In 5e's first incarnation of the Ranger, the Beast Master archetype felt distinctly underpowered, which was a shame since an animal companion is a big part of a Ranger's draw. The Revised Ranger gives us a much more powerful Beast Conclave. Now your animal companion doesn't use up your own attacks and gets its own level of progression as you gain levels and it's actually worth it to bond with a beast, even if they aren't the strongest in the animal kingdom because you don't need to trade out your actions for theirs.

Swarm Keeper

  • Source: D&D Player's Handbook
  • Fighting Styles: Two-Weapon Fighting, Defense

A creative spin on the Beast Master aesthetic, these kinds of Rangers command a swarm of beasts as opposed to one. That doesn't have to mean bugs, either. Your swarm can be anything from a cluster of fairies to a gang of raccoons. This subclass is the ideal choice if you're a Ranger that wants to do a lot of damage and have some powerful crowd-control and area-of-effect abilities. To make this even more OP, Swarmkeeper Magic also includes the use of a few Cantrips, which Rangers don't normally get.

1 Multiclass Options

D&D Rangers

Modern role-playing games are all about personal customization. The Ranger is getting more attention these days for that reason, and they have just as much potential as multi-class and dual-class options. They share their primary ability scores and saving throws with a number of other classes, plus they bring a lot to the table in the form of a Fighting Style and other natural Ranger abilities. Bear in mind that your Ranger must have Dexterity and Wisdom scores of at least 13 before they can multiclass, and only Human characters are given the option to dual-class.

RELATED: Dungeons & Dragons: How to Multiclass As a Ranger

Ranger/Rogue Build

  • Shared Ability Scores: Dexterity
  • Ideal Race: Halfling

Dexterity benefits both classes when it comes to skills like tracking or perception, so it's a worthy combination right from the initial rolls. Abilities like Cunning Action and Expertise, along with even more skill proficiencies, can make this combination into an overpowered multiclass. Either subclass of Halfing is an excellent choice here, it all depends on whether you're building a sneaker, prettier Halfing as opposed to a more resilient one.

Ranger/Cleric Build

  • Shared Ability Scores: Wisdom
  • Ideal Race: Aarakocra

Clerics choose their Domain at level one, along with some impressive casting options that include an extra Cantrip, so this option has a lot of benefits for both dual and multiclass characters. Another major advantage is the ability to wear heavy armor, an upgrade for a Ranger who normally has a lower AC than other classes. This versatile build can be used as the framework for the party healer or damage dealer, depending on other details like Feats or Fighting Style.

Ranger/Fighter Build

  • Shared Ability Scores: Dexterity and Strength
  • Ideal Race: Human, Half-Elf

Multiclassing into Fighter is probably one of the best opportunities to boost your damage output in combat, and if you take enough levels, it gives some excellent control options as well. Some of the most useful benefits are Extra Attacks and Action Surge, giving you so many more attack actions per turn it's a little unreasonable. You can also get Second Wind to help buff your health and pick up an extra Fighting Style while you're at it.

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