Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Build Discussion Why are Ranger's rated so poorly?

Mostly the problem is, as far as combat goes, whatever Ranger can do, others do better.

IMO, where Ranger shines is a great skill proficiency access. Starting out with as much as 9 skill proficiencies is really good for a game like BG3, where there are so many skill checks all around outside combat.

Gloomstalker Ranger is as far as is goes when it comes to combat, simply because its extra attack on turn 1 and Misty Step are really useful and heck you can play human without second thought too because you get a freebie darkvision too. But that's it - level 5 you're done and better off multiclassing into something else. Others? BM at least has some utility with pets that do conditions and don't die in 1 hit and Hunter is plain worthless - 1d8 once per turn, bruh.

So that plus a ton of skills is really great, but for combat same 5 levels of Fighter are easily better with Action surge, Heavy Armor and Maneuvers (or Crit range if you want that). Misty step you can get from other sources plenty. Heck slap level 6 and get extra feat as Fighter too!