The Gloom Stalker, a build largely ignored in the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition TTRPG, has been brewing up a storm in Baldur’s Gate 3. This Gloom Stalker Build in BG3 is a subclass that has featured in quite a few assassination plots across Faerûn. Let’s discuss some builds that make the Gloom Stalker feel impactful in Baldur’s Gate 3.

What is the Gloom Stalker in BG3?

The Gloom Stalker is the Ranger’s stealth archetype, focusing entirely on sticking to the shadows and performing exceptionally during the first turn of combat.

The Gloom Stalker is unlocked by advancing the Ranger class to level three in Baldur’s Gate 3. It can be your starting class, or you can multiclass into Ranger—either way, as long as you get to Ranger level three, you’ll be allowed to pick the Gloom Stalker subclass.

The Dread Ambusher feature grants the Gloom Stalker higher initiative, a bonus attack that deals extra damage, and more movement speed when combat begins. The rest of the archetype focuses on its superior mobility, darkness options, and ability to reroll missed attack rolls.

When most players discuss the Gloom Stalker, it is usually because of how well it performs outside of fights and during the first turn of combat. Its extremely impressive third level provides five different abilities, and it only improves from there.

Gloom Stalker Ranger level progression in BG3

This list will not include baseline Ranger class features, such as Favored Enemy, Natural Explorer, Fighting Style, or Extra Attack. It just includes the features that players get when they select Gloom Stalker and further level up their Ranger.

• Level Three
  • Dread Ambusher. +3 to Initiative. During the first turn of combat, +10ft (3m) of movement speed and gain one additional attack that deals an extra 1d8 points of weapon damage.
  • Superior Darkvision. The character may see up to 120ft (24m) in the dark. This does not stack with racial Darkvision or Darkvision obtained through other means, such as the Devil’s Sight Invocation.
  • Dread Ambusher: Hide. You may Hide as a bonus action, instead of an action.
  • Umbral Shroud. Functions as Invisibility, the spell.
  • Disguise Self. You learn Disguise Self for free.
• Level Five: Misty Step. You learn Misty Step for free.
• Level Seven: Iron Mind. You gain proficiency in Wisdom and Intelligence saving throws.
• Level Nine: Fear. You learn Fear for free.
• Level 11: Stalker’s Flurry. Once per turn, when you miss a weapon attack, you may make another attack.

We personally think the Gloom Stalker makes for a very impactful Ranger, though it has fierce competition with the Beast Master.