Rangers

A comprehensive guide to the Ranger class in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, detailing class features, kits like Archer, Stalker, and Beast Master, and spell progression.

This guide covers the Ranger class and its kits in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, detailing their unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.

Ranger Class Features:

• Can wear helmets and any armor/weapon.
• Two specialization slots for weapons and fighting styles.
• Starts with and can gain a third slot in Two-Weapon Style.
• Can select a racial enemy, granting +4 THAC0 and damage against that type (Vampire recommended).
• Charm Animal ability usable once per day at level 1, increasing every 2 levels.
• Can Hide in Shadows when wearing light armor.
• Can cast druidic spells from level 8.
• Alignment restricted to Good.
• HP progression: 10/level for first 9 levels, 3/level thereafter.
• Dual-class attributes: Strength, Dexterity, and Wisdom.
• Compared to Fighters, Rangers offer two free proficiency slots in Two-Weapon Fighting, minor spellcasting, and the racial enemy bonus. Charm Animal is generally less useful.

Ranger Spell Progression:

Level	1st	2nd	3rd
8	1	-	-
9	2	-	-
10	2	1	-
11	2	2	-
12	2	2	1
13	3	2	1
14	3	2	2
15	3	3	2
16+	3	3	3

Archer Kit:

• A dedicated marksman.
• +1 THAC0 and damage with missile weapons every 3 levels.
• Grand Mastery (five slots) available for longbows, shortbows, and crossbows.
• Called Shot ability usable once per day at level 1, gaining an additional use every four levels (e.g., 2 at level 5, 3 at level 9).
• Cannot wear metal armor.
• Can only achieve Proficiency (one slot) with melee weapons.
• Cannot use Charm Animal.
• Called Shot effects: -1 THAC0 (4th level), -1 save vs. Spells (8th level), -1 Strength (12th level), +2 damage (16th level). These bonuses stack. Reducing an enemy's Strength to 0 results in death.
• Considered the best Ranger kit due to high DPS potential from missile weapon bonuses and Called Shot.

Stalker Kit:

• Enhances Ranger stealth abilities.
• +20% to stealth skills.
• Can backstab with a lower damage multiplier than thieves (x2 at levels 1-8, x3 at levels 9-16, x4 at level 17+).
• At level 12, gains access to three arcane spells: Haste, Protection From Normal Missiles, and Minor Spell Deflection.
• Cannot wear armor heavier than studded leather.
• The backstab is decent, but other abilities are less impactful. Not ideal for fulfilling a fighter role.

Beast Master Kit:

• Focuses on affinity with nature.
• +15% to stealth skills.
• Can cast Find Familiar (pseudo dragon or fairy dragon).
• At 6th level: Animal Summoning I.
• At 10th level: Animal Summoning II.
• At 12th level: Animal Summoning III.
• Cannot use metal weapons (e.g., swords, morning stars, halberds).
• Cannot wear armor heavier than studded leather.
• Animal Summoning is useful, but the weapon and armor restrictions are crippling. A Fighter/Druid is often a better alternative.