The base Ranger is already a pretty great class (especially after the revisions in Tasha’s), but the subclasses still add a lot in terms of combat strategy and identity. Some add pets, some add a ton of extra damage, and others add very little at all.

The base Ranger is already a pretty great class (especially after the revisions in Tasha’s), but the subclasses still add a lot in terms of combat strategy and identity. Some add pets, some add a ton of extra damage, and others add very little at all.

The ranger: a shady cloaked outlander in the corner, muddy boots up on the table, arms resting on their pack filled with the tools of their trade. They’re scouts sent to navigate the wilderness, extra planar guardians tasked with seeking out fey and fiend alike.

The bulk of what makes Swarmkeeper great is contained in the 3rd level feature. Writhing Tide, Mighty Swarm, and most of their bonus spells are fairly unremarkable, making this a subclass that can be excellent to dip into for a few levels, but not something I’m crazy about sticking with.

Monster Slayers are a classic archetype; they’re armed to the teeth with tools for fighting mythical beasts that the unprepared could never approach. In D&D, the ranger class certainly is the perfect fit for them with their mix of magic and favored enemy mechanics highlighting them as forces of the natural world who thrive at killing the unnatural.

Hunter looks and plays better as you assemble the pieces into a coherent lane. Horde Breaker, Escape the Horde, Whirlwind Attack, and Stand Against the Tide clearly set up a martial bladesmith who thrives when outnumbered and surrounded.

While I love the fantasy of Horizon Walker, I don’t think the abilities come together fast enough to get me excited enough to use it over its competition. Planar Warrior and Ethereal Step both have huge problems that make them lackluster abilities within the ranger class.

Mechanically, Gloom Stalker is a “fixed” version of the Assassin rogue concept. You like working in the dark, striking with advantage on unsuspecting foes, and get mechanics that pay you off for navigating about in the dead of night and setting up successful ambushes.

Fey Wanderer is the ranger subclass that sells the wanderlust fey fantasy; traversing the woodlands in fashion and style with nothing but whimsy on the mind. To make this fantasy happen in the ranger class, they throw a BUNCH of features at the wall to see what sticks.

Drakewarden is an exceptionally well put together subclass. Every element of it grows and improves on itself in a way you’d expect it to while contributing to the typical ranger fantasy in meaningful ways.

The Beast Master ranger subclass was an infamously terrible ranger subclass that set up this tag team fantasy of warrior and beast fighting in tandem, claw and sword.