Rangers are a well-known class in Baldur’s Gate 3, specializing in ranged combat and survival skills. This versatile class is connected to nature, excelling at tracking, hunting, and killing prey. Rangers have limited spells available, useful both in and out of battle.
A combination of melee and magic, rangers are jack-of-all-trades during combat, typically from a distance. To quickly take down foes, this class requires a strong build. Your weapon of choice greatly impacts your character’s damage output. Use one of the weapons listed below for a more powerful ranger in Baldur’s Gate 3.
10 Firestoker
Increased Damage To Burning Foes
The Firestoker is an uncommon hand crossbow in Baldur’s Gate 3. This weapon deals extra damage to foes who are already on fire. If an enemy is Burning, they take additional Piercing damage.
Found in a chest in the Underdark during Act 1, it works decently if you have a spellcaster in your party who can deal out fire damage on the battlefield. While it’s not the best crossbow in the game, it’s decent for an early-game weapon for a ranger.
9 Joltshooter
Lightning Charges Included
Joltshooter is a rare longbow you can acquire earlier in the game. This special bow gives your ranger two Lightning Charges when you successfully attack an enemy. Lightning Charges provide a +1 to Attack Rolls and additional Lightning Damage.
If you save up five charges, you hit your foes with even more damage, making this a dangerous weapon to attack with continuously.
You must save Counsellor Florrick at Waukeen’s Rest to get this weapon as a reward.
8 Blightbringer
Gnome And Dwarf Killer
Blightbringer is a very rare bow that has a unique effect. The bow deals extra damage against gnomes and dwarves. It’s a fairly situational, but useful weapon. It also has Prey Decelerator, which Slows your target when you make a Critical Hit.
While you may not always face dwarves in combat, the ability to consistently Slow your foes and limit their advance is a nice perk for your ranger.
7 Giantbreaker
Reeling With Gaping Wounds
Giantbreaker is a rare, heavy crossbow, rumored to have defeated hill giants. Purchasable in Act 1, this crossbow has a special Heavy Hitter bonus, which can send your opponent Reeling for two turns. With a -1 penalty on their Attack Rolls, your foe will need to recover from the hit.
This strong crossbow debuffs enemies and causes damage with its Piercing Shot, leaving foes with Gaping Wounds. It’s a great option for rangers early in the game.
6 Bow Of The Banshee
Frighten Your Foes To Death
The Bow of the Banshee is a rare short bow with the ability to Frighten targets through the Blood-Curdling Emission feature. When an enemy is hit, they can become Frightened, giving them Disadvantage on Ability Checks and Attack Rolls.
This is one of the more powerful bows available for your ranger in Act 1. It can prevent the hit enemy from moving r to the source of their fright, and you have bonus damage against any Frightened foe.
5 Titanstring Bow
Modified Strength, Maximized Damage
The Titanstring Bow is a rare longbow, also available for purchase in Act 1. The Titan Weapon feature adds your Strength modifier to your damage output, making it a unique weapon choice in the game.
The great news is you can use temporary modifiers to increase the strength of this weapon, such as potions or spells. Anything that increases your ranger’s Strength modifier increases the damage of the Titanstring Bow.
Temporarily add extra power to this bow by drinking the Elixir of Hill Giant Strength.
4 Hellfire Engine Crossbow
Lightning Arrow Specialty
The Hellfire Engine Crossbow is a very rare, heavy crossbow that is craftable in Act 3. With a blueprint and multiple materials to find, it’s slightly more complicated than finding a weapon intact, but it’s worth the time spent creating it.
With a bonus Lightning Arrow once per Long Rest, it can take out multiple foes with Lightning Damage. Additionally, the crossbow has Reposition Malefactor, pulling a creature r to you if it fails a Dexterity Saving throw.
This crossbow requires three components to craft, found in the Steel Watch Foundry.
3 Gontr Mael
Radiant Damage For The Ranged Combatants
Gontr Mael is a legendary longbow found in Act 1. A great choice for ranged combatants, the Promised Victory feature allows your ranger to inflict Guiding Bolt on the target, adding Radiant Damage to your attack.
In addition, this bow grants Celestial Haste, providing five turns of additional action, and Bolt of Celestial Light, frightening your target. With an enchantment bonus of +3 and magical special features, it’s one of the more powerful bows in Baldur’s Gate 3.
2 Hellfire Hand Crossbow
Piercing And Burning Damage
The Hellfire Hand Crossbow is a very rare hand crossbow found in Act 2. The +2 weapon can inflict Burning on targeted enemies on top of the Piercing Damage through the Hellstalker feature.
Additionally, this crossbow also provides Scorching Ray Shot, a spell that hurls rays of fire at your foes. The extra Fire Damage this weapon deals out is a great bonus to your ranger, making long-range attacks more deadly.
The outcome of the quest “Kill Raphael's Old Enemy” impacts this weapon’s availability.
1 The Dead Shot
Doubled Proficiency Means More Critical Hits
The Dead Shot is a very rare longbow available in Act 3. The best weapon available for rangers, it increases your accuracy and chances of making a Critical Hit. When attacking with this weapon, your ranger’s proficiency bonus is doubled, increasing your damage output.
This is one of the deadliest bows for an archer, making you one of the strongest opponents on the battlefield when combined with various ranger feats and abilities, such as Sharpshooter. It ensures that every shot counts.
