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Though some subclasses inBaldur’s Gate 3can be chosen at Level 1, the Ranger chooses its subclass at Level 3. Of the three Ranger subclasses inBaldur’s Gate 3, the Beast Master subclass is arguably the best choice for those who don’t want to multiclass later on down the line. A major contributor to this subclass' strength is its ability to summon an animal companion.
InBaldur’s Gate 3, a very easy way to make combat easier is to increase the size of the party through summon abilities. This gives the enemy party more targets to choose from, generally reducing direct damage to players significantly. The Beast MasterRanger’s animal companion choicesdo a lot more than serve as a meat shield, though.
5Wolf
One of the advantages of using the Wolf companion over otherBG3Ranger companions is its high potential for direct damage in melee combat. Wolves begin with a high-damage Bite at Beast Master Level 3 alongside the Lunging Bite ability, which can knock enemies down, as well as Pack Tactics,a passive that guarantees Advantagefor the Wolf companion when an ally is within 3m of a target.
Later on, Wolves gain Infectious Bite, which can inflict the Septic status effect, as well as a short-range cleave through the Lupine Slash ability at Beast Master Level 11. Fans of Norse mythology andDark Soulswill particularly like this ability, as it sees the Wolf companion summon a spectral sword in their mouth for a wide-sweeping slash.
There are a few downsides to the Wolf companion, though. For one, Wolves don’t gain any particularly game-changing moves, and don’t have any especially useful tools for players to take advantage of. A Boar can Charge into combat, Ravens can Blind enemies, Bears get additional summons, and Spiders can inflict much more than just the Septic effect.
4Boar
Boars are a decent Ranger companion choice inBG3thanks to their brutality in close range and ability to close distance when out of position. Boars are also the only Ranger companion that can Rage, granting theability to attack as a Bonus Action. But perhaps the most useful of the Boar abilities inBaldur’s Gate 3is its Boar Charge. This ability sees the Ranger’s Boar companion charge to a specified location, dealing 1d4+1 damage and potentially knocking them prone.
This is invaluable when taking on melee fighters, who will be hard-pressed to attack allies on their next turn once knocked down. Later on, it can Kick Up Mud to reduce enemy AC and Movement Speed in a huge cone area of effect. This ability especially proves useful in the late game, when hitting enemies can be a tall order for the ungeared.
The downside of the Boar companion is that it just isn’t as strong, and doesn’t provide as much utility, as the best Ranger companions inBG3. It’s better than the wolf for its ability to knock down multiple enemies and reduce AC, but the Raven, Bear, and Spider each offer abilities that can turn the tide of combat far better.
3Dire Raven
The Raven, Bear, and Spider are ultimately all some of thebest choices for Beast Master RangersinBG3, and can be used interchangeably when needed. The Raven is arguably the weakest of the three, but its abilities are still incredibly powerful in and out of combat. For one, it’s the only Ranger companion that can Fly, granting its master vision of areas they would otherwise be unable to reach.
TheBG3Dire Raven abilities are all useful in different situations. It begins with the simple Rend Vision, which has limited use, but at Level 5 it picks up Bad Omen. Bad Omen is a ridiculously powerful ability because, when it hits, itdeals 2d8 damage and Curses the enemy, causing all attacks against it to have Advantage. Then, at Beast Master Level 11, players unlock the ability to summon two additional Level 3 Ravens to the Dire Raven’s side. Having many companions in the party is a great way to distract enemies, and they too have the ability to Rend Vision.
The downside of choosing the Dire Raven is that its On Black Wings ability only summons Level 3 Ravens. By Level 11 inBG3, players and the enemies they face are way, way too tough for a Level 3 companion to fight, let alone even hit. These two extra Ravens serve as great meat shields, but the Bear’s Level 11 ability is better in just about every respect.
2Bear
Bears are the tankiest option of the best Ranger animal companions, with the highest base HP and attacks that mostly cleave enemies or deal damage to several at once. At Level 3, the Bear can use Goading Roar, which imposes Disadvantage on attacks for a target if they fight anyone except the Bear. Claws are the Bear’s Cleave attack, which deals a small amount of damage in a cone right in front of the Bear.
At Level 5, Bears pick up Honeyed Paws, which will Disarm opponents on hit, and knock enemies that aren’t wielding any weapons (or weapons that can’t be knocked out of their hands) to the ground Prone. At Level 11, though, is wherethe Bear truly earns its keep in the party. The Ursine Reinforcements ability lets players summon another Bear – but whereas the Ravens' extra companions start at Level 3, Ursine Reinforcements lets players summon another Bear of the same level, with all the same abilities.
The Bear is a good defensive option at lower levels, but it really comes into its own in Act 3, where players quickly reach max level. Ursine Reinforcements not only gives enemies more targets to spread out damage, but the additional summon can hold its own just like the Ranger’s normal Bear. But still, the Wolf Spider reigns supreme, as it can do many things that other animals can’t while also having one of the best AC values of all available Ranger companion choices.
1Wolf Spider
The Wolf Spider is the best Ranger companion inBG3for a number of reasons. It starts out powerful with a litany of abilities to use, and continues to just get stronger and more useful to the party. At Level 3, it starts withthe Poison-inflicting Venomous Bite, the ability to create Webs at a target, and Darkvision (which other pets don’t have).
Then, at Level 5, it gains the Cocoon ability. Thisencapsulates a target in websand essentially Paralyses them until the Cocoon breaks or an ally helps out. It’s a great CC that other Ranger companions can’t really match. But then, at Level 11, it gains another great combat ability: Bursting Brood. This single-target skill inflicts the Infested status effect, which constantly deals 1d4 Piercing and 1d4 Poison damage every turn. Be careful, though, because the Infestation spreads to nearby creatures when their host dies, so keep Melee companions far away from combat if you plan to use this ability.
Baldur’s Gate 3is available for PC and PlayStation 5. A version for Xbox Series X|S is currently in development.
