Ranger 5e Class Guide (2024 Rules)

What does a ranger do in D&D 5e?

A ranger is a hunter, scout and guide in one. You fight with a bow or two blades, mark one target for extra damage, cast a handful of nature spells, and keep the party alive in the wild with tracking, foraging and the right skills.

The ranger shines in campaigns with travel, wilderness and long days between rests. In a city-intrigue game it still fights well; it just uses fewer of its toys.

• Hit die: d10. A level 1 ranger has 10 + Constitution modifier hit points; each later level adds 6 + Con (fixed) or 1d10 + Con (rolled).
• Primary abilities: Dexterity and Wisdom. Wisdom powers your spells.
• Saving throws: Strength and Dexterity.
• Armor and weapons: light and medium armor, shields, simple and martial weapons.
• Skills: choose 3 from Animal Handling, Athletics, Insight, Investigation, Nature, Perception, Stealth and Survival.

A level 5 ranger with 14 Constitution averages 44 hit points; the HP calculator shows any other level.

What are the ranger's features by level?

From the 2024 Player's Handbook. "Favored Enemy" is the number of free Hunter's Mark casts per long rest.

Subclass features come at 3, 7, 11 and 15. Feats come at 4, 8, 12 and 16, plus an Epic Boon at 19. Every spell you can prepare is on the ranger spell list.

How does Hunter's Mark work for rangers?

Hunter's Mark is a level 1 concentration spell cast as a bonus action. For up to an hour, every attack that hits the marked creature deals an extra 1d6 force damage (3.5 on average), and you have advantage on Wisdom (Perception or Survival) checks to find it. If the target drops to 0 hit points, you can move the mark with a bonus action.

The 2024 ranger's Favored Enemy feature makes it a core class tool: it's always prepared and you can cast it without a slot twice per long rest at level 1, rising to six by level 17. Several later features build on it:

• Relentless Hunter (13): taking damage can't break your concentration on Hunter's Mark.
• Precise Hunter (17): advantage on attacks against the marked target.
• Foe Slayer (20): the mark's damage die becomes a d10 (5.5 on average).

Example: a level 5 ranger with 17 Dexterity fires two longbow arrows at a marked target. Each hit averages 1d8 + 3 + 1d6 = 11, so two hits average 22 damage.

The trade-off: Hunter's Mark takes your concentration. If you'd rather cast Spike Growth or Ensnaring Strike, the mark ends. Against a big group, the area spell is usually the better call; against a single tough target, keep the mark.

What are the ranger's other key features?

• Weapon Mastery (1): mastery properties for 2 weapons, changeable on a long rest. Longbow (Slow) and shortsword (Vex) are common picks.
• Deft Explorer (2): Expertise in one skill (Perception or Stealth is a strong pick) and two extra languages.
• Fighting Style (2): a Fighting Style feat such as Archery, or Druidic Warrior for two druid cantrips.
• Roving (6): +10 feet of speed and a climb and swim speed equal to your speed, unless you wear heavy armor.
• Expertise (9): Expertise in two more skills.
• Tireless (10): give yourself 1d8 + Wisdom modifier temporary hit points as a Magic action, and every short rest removes 1 level of Exhaustion.
• Nature's Veil (14): turn invisible until the end of your next turn as a bonus action, Wisdom modifier times per long rest.
• Feral Senses (18): blindsight out to 30 feet.

What changed for the ranger in 2024?

The 2014 ranger was the class most players called underpowered. The 2024 version rebuilt it around Hunter's Mark and gave it real combat features at every tier.

Which ranger subclass should you pick?

You choose at level 3. The 2024 Player's Handbook has four:

• Gloom Stalker: a boost to initiative, extra psychic damage on ambush strikes, and invisibility to creatures that rely on darkvision. The strongest combat pick.
• Hunter: extra damage and defensive options against groups or big targets. Simple and effective.
• Beast Master: a primal companion (beast of the land, sea or sky) that fights alongside you. Much better than its 2014 version.
• Fey Wanderer: psychic damage, charm resistance and a Charisma-flavored face for the party.

Is the ranger good for beginners?

It's a good second character and an acceptable first one. The combat loop is simple (mark, then attack), but you also track spell slots, concentration and a mix of exploration features. If a new player wants the archer fantasy without spells, a Dexterity fighter is easier; if they want a little magic and a lot of skills, the ranger fits.

What is a good ranger build?

Standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) plus a 2024 background bonus of +2/+1:

• Scores: Dex 17, Wis 15, Con 13, Str 12 or Int 12, the other 10, Cha 8.
• Gear: scale mail or studded leather, longbow, two shortswords or scimitars for melee.
• Fighting style: Archery (+2 to ranged attack rolls).
• Spells: Hunter's Mark is free; prepare Cure Wounds, Goodberry or Ensnaring Strike at level 1, then Pass without Trace and Spike Growth at level 5.
• Subclass: Gloom Stalker for damage, Hunter for simplicity.
• Feats: Sharpshooter or a Dexterity increase at level 4.

Generate a ready-made ranger with the D&D character generator and keep your spell slots and Hunter's Mark uses on the free character sheet. For the heavier, Charisma-based half-caster, see the paladin.

FAQ

Is the ranger good in 5e 2024?

Yes. The 2024 ranger gets spells at level 1, free Hunter's Mark casts, Weapon Mastery, Expertise, and extra speed with climbing and swimming. It fixed most of the complaints about the 2014 ranger, whose Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer rarely came up in play.

What is the best ranger subclass?

Gloom Stalker is the strongest in combat thanks to its initiative boost, ambush damage and darkness tricks. Hunter is a simple damage pick, Beast Master suits players who want a pet, and Fey Wanderer adds charm and social skills.

Does a ranger need Hunter's Mark concentration?

Yes. Hunter's Mark is a concentration spell, so it ends if you start another concentration spell or fail a Constitution save after taking damage. From level 13, Relentless Hunter stops damage from breaking it.

What is the difference between a ranger and a fighter?

A fighter has more attacks, more feats and Action Surge. A ranger trades those for spells, Expertise, exploration features and Hunter's Mark damage, making it better outside of combat.

Related

• DnD Character Generator
• Ranger Spell List 5e
• Hunter's Mark 5e
• HP Calculator 5e