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Summary
- The Gloomstalker Assassin build excels in delivering high physical damage and offers exceptional combat versatility.
- Dexterity is crucial for both Rangers and Rogues, while Wisdom is vital for the Ranger's spellcasting capabilities.
- Select racial abilities, backgrounds, and gear that enhance Dexterity, Wisdom, or Constitution to optimize this build.
Multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3 allows players to craft unique and powerful characters, and combining the Ranger and Rogue classes, especially with the Gloomstalker and Assassin subclasses, results in a formidable build. This combination leverages the high Dexterity both classes rely on, alongside essential skills such as Stealth, lockpicking, and trap-disarming, making it versatile enough to fill multiple roles within a party. Rangers bring additional weapon proficiency and supportive spells, while Rogues contribute devastating melee capabilities, together creating a synergy that significantly enhances Stealth effectiveness.
Updated on December 24, 2024, by Kristy Ambrose: While Larian Studios has announced no plans for DLCs or sequels to BG3, the upcoming Patch 8 in 2025 will introduce new subclasses, opening fresh avenues for players to explore innovative and potentially game-changing character builds. For the Ranger and Rogue, Dexterity remains the key ability score, but don't overlook the importance of Wisdom for the Ranger's spellcasting abilities. Additionally, consider choices in Backgrounds, Feats, weapons, and Gear to fully customize your character.
The Gloomstalker Assassin Build
Savage & Stealthy Damage In Any Environment
- This build combines the relentless hunter instincts of a Ranger with the lethal precision of a Rogue, creating a formidable survivalist and mercenary.
The Gloomstalker Assassin excels in delivering physical damage, whether in melee or ranged combat. Both Rogues and Rangers are equally adept at short and long-range engagements, and the effectiveness of this build depends on the specific skills, abilities, and gear choices players make. Shared traits like Stealth, Sleight of Hand, and proficiency in Dexterity make this multiclass build a natural fit. Additionally, Rangers offer supportive spells, and certain races provide access to Cantrips, allowing for some spellcasting integration into this combat-focused build.
Ability Scores
Dexterity For Rogues, Wisdom For Rangers
- Prioritize physical damage and resilience, but don't neglect the potential benefits of spellcasting.
Both Rangers and Rogues rely heavily on Dexterity for their Sleight of Hand, Stealth-related abilities, and weapon proficiency. For Rangers, Wisdom is crucial as it serves as their spellcasting modifier, aiding in Perception checks and spell accuracy.
- Dexterity: Essential for both classes' combat effectiveness and skill checks.
- Wisdom: Vital for Rangers to cast spells accurately and enhance Perception.
- Constitution: Important for increasing hit points, given the build's combat focus.
- Strength: Less critical but can be prioritized if focusing on melee damage.
- Intelligence: Generally a 'dump stat' for this build, as it's more relevant to arcane spellcasters.
- Charisma: Not a primary focus but can be creatively used in certain scenarios.
Race
| Race | Subrace | Abilities |
|---|---|---|
| Drow | Lloth-Sworn | Both subraces share Superior Darkvision, Drow Weapon Training, Fey Ancestry, and spells like Faerie Fire and Darkness. Lloth-Sworn are typically evil due to their dedication to the dark spider goddess. |
| Seldarine | ||
| Elf | Wood Elf | Ideal for this build, offering enhanced Stealth, increased movement speed, Elven Weapon Training, Darkvision, and Fey Ancestry. |
| Half-Elf | Drow Half-Elf | Combines Drow and human traits, providing better weapon and armor proficiency through Civil Militia, and retains some elvish casting abilities. |
| Wood Half-Elf | Includes Elven Weapon Training and Civil Militia, enhancing gear and role flexibility. | |
| Human | na | Offers Civil Militia, increased movement speed, and higher carrying capacity. |
| Githyanki | na | Excellent for both classes, providing improved movement speed and spells like Enhanced Leap and Misty Step. Martial Prodigy grants proficiency in medium armor, shortswords, longswords, and greatswords. |
| Halfling | Lightfoot | Adds Brave and Halfling Luck, with an advantage on Stealth checks. |
| Gnome | Forest | Leans towards the Ranger side with Speak with Animals and improved Stealth abilities. |
| Deep | Features Superior Darkvision and Stone Camouflage, granting an advantage on Stealth checks. |
Backgrounds
The Ranger Rogue Connection
- This build thrives on a blend of wilderness survival, a connection to nature, and a life on society's fringes.
| Background | Skill | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Outlander | Athletics, Survival | Perfect for a Ranger who was raised in isolation and frequently travels through the wilderness. |
| Charlatan | Deception, Sleight of Hand | Ideal for a charming and cunning individual, more focused on guile than violence. |
| Soldier | Athletics, Intimidation | Represents a disciplined Ranger or a patient Rogue, possibly with a history as a smuggler or militia member. |
| Folk Hero | Animal Handling, Survival | Suits the archetypal Rogue or Ranger who becomes a hero despite their rugged exterior. |
| Urchin | Sleight of Hand, Stealth | Common for Rogues, indicating a start in thievery from a young age. |
| Criminal | Deception, Stealth | Fits both Rogues and Rangers operating in urban environments, emphasizing stealth and subterfuge. |
Feats And Related Scores
The Finer Details Of A Unique Build
- With 12 levels available, players can select six Feats to fine-tune their multiclass character.
When splitting levels between Ranger and Rogue, ensure each class reaches at least level 3 to access their subclasses. A common split might be 10 levels in Ranger and 3 in Rogue.
| Feat | Description |
|---|---|
| Ability Score Improvement | Increase one Ability Score by 2 or two by 1, enhancing both Dexterity and Wisdom. |
| Alert | Prevents being Surprised and grants a +5 bonus to Initiative rolls. |
| Athlete | Increases Dexterity or Strength by 1, reduces recovery time from Prone, and boosts Jump distance. |
| Crossbow Expert | Crucial for ranged builds, removes Disadvantage on melee attacks with crossbows, and extends the duration of Gaping Wounds. |
| Dual Wielder | Enables wielding two non-Heavy weapons simultaneously and provides a +1 bonus to AC. |
| Magic Initiate: Cleric | Grants Rangers additional support or healing spells from the Cleric spellbook. |
| Mobile | Increases movement speed by 10, ignores Difficult Terrain when Dashing, and avoids provoking Attacks of Opportunity in melee combat. |
| Resilient | Boosts any Ability by one and grants Proficiency in that Ability's Saving Throws. |
| Spell Sniper | Enhances casting ability at various distances, offering a selection of cantrips that use Wisdom or Dexterity as the casting modifier. |
Gear Recommendations
Anything That Buffs Dexterity, Wisdom, Or Constitution
- The Gloomstalker Assassin can utilize a broad range of gear, from simple clothing to medium armor, depending on the build's focus.
While Rogues are limited to clothing and specific weapons, Rangers have no such restrictions, allowing for versatile gear choices.
- Nimblefinger Gloves boost Dexterity by 2 for Halflings or Gnomes.
- The Helmet Of Autonomy provides proficiency in Wisdom saving throws.
- The Darkfire Shortbow offers Fire and Cold Resistance and the ability to cast Haste once per Long Rest.
- Acrobat Shoes enhance Dexterity saving throws and provide a bonus to the Acrobatics skill.
- The Graceful Cloth increases Dexterity by +2 and grants the Cat's Grace ability.
