Ranger FAQ

What is a Ranger in D&D?

A Ranger is a d10 martial half-caster built around weapons, exploration, tracking, and Wisdom-based primal magic. In the 2014 rules, Rangers begin with Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer, gain Fighting Style and Spellcasting at 2nd level, choose a Ranger Archetype at 3rd level, and gain Extra Attack at 5th level. Dexterity and Wisdom are the most common priorities, although Strength-based Rangers are possible.

A Ranger is a martial explorer who combines weapon skill, wilderness expertise, tracking, and limited primal spellcasting. The 2014 Ranger sits between a dedicated martial class and a full spellcaster. It has a d10 Hit Die, broad weapon proficiency, a Fighting Style, Extra Attack, and 5th-level maximum spellcasting. Its base exploration identity comes from Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer.

Core class profile

The 2014 Ranger uses a d10 Hit Die.

The class is proficient with:

  • light armor;
  • medium armor;
  • shields;
  • simple weapons;
  • martial weapons.

Saving throw proficiencies are Strength and Dexterity.

Dexterity and Wisdom are the most common primary abilities.

Dexterity supports ranged weapons, finesse weapons, initiative, and many exploration skills.

Wisdom powers Ranger spellcasting and supports Perception, Survival, and Animal Handling.

A Strength-based melee Ranger is also possible.

Favored Enemy

At 1st level, Favored Enemy represents specialised knowledge about certain creature types.

The Ranger chooses a favored enemy category or qualifying humanoid choices under the 2014 rules.

The feature improves tracking and recalling information about those enemies and can grant an associated language.

Additional favored enemies are gained later.

Favored Enemy does not automatically add damage to attacks in the base 2014 Player's Handbook version.

That is an important distinction from some older editions, optional features, and common assumptions.

Natural Explorer

Natural Explorer gives the Ranger expertise-like benefits on certain Intelligence or Wisdom checks related to a chosen favored terrain and provides several travel advantages after spending sufficient travel time in that terrain.

These can include improved navigation, foraging, tracking, stealth while travelling alone, and moving through difficult terrain at the group-travel level described by the feature.

Additional favored terrains are gained later.

The feature can be very strong in adventures that use travel procedures heavily and almost invisible in campaigns that skip wilderness travel.

Fighting Style

At 2nd level, the Ranger chooses a Fighting Style from the options available to the class.

The original 2014 Ranger supports styles such as:

  • Archery;
  • Defense;
  • Dueling;
  • Two-Weapon Fighting.

The Style should match the character's actual combat plan.

Spellcasting

Also at 2nd level, Rangers gain Wisdom-based spellcasting.

The Ranger is a half-caster and eventually gains spell slots up to 5th level.

Unlike the 2014 Paladin, the Ranger normally knows a limited number of Ranger spells rather than preparing a new list after every long rest.

This makes spell selection an important long-term build decision.

The Ranger spell list includes:

  • tracking;
  • mobility;
  • survival;
  • weapon enhancement;
  • battlefield control;
  • healing;
  • stealth;
  • nature magic.

Ranger Archetype

At 3rd level, the Ranger chooses a Ranger Archetype.

The 2014 subclass progression grants Archetype features at:

3rd 7th 11th 15th

Hunter specialises in selecting combat techniques against particular kinds of threats.

Beast Master fights alongside an animal companion under the original subclass rules.

Later pre-2024 books add Gloom Stalker, Horizon Walker, Monster Slayer, Fey Wanderer, Swarmkeeper, and Drakewarden.

Primeval Awareness

At 3rd level, Primeval Awareness allows the Ranger to expend a spell slot to sense whether certain creature types are present within a large area.

The base 2014 feature does not reveal exact location or number.

The range expands in favored terrain.

This is an information feature rather than a combat detector with pinpoint accuracy.

Extra Attack

At 5th level, the Ranger gains Extra Attack.

The character can attack twice whenever taking the Attack action.

This makes weapons the Ranger's repeatable combat foundation even as spellcasting improves.

Exploration progression

At later levels, the Ranger gains features such as Land's Stride, Hide in Plain Sight, Vanish, Feral Senses, and Foe Slayer.

These reinforce movement through natural terrain, stealth, awareness, and fighting favored enemies.

The exact value of some exploration features depends heavily on how the campaign handles travel and terrain.

Party role

A Ranger can function as:

  • ranged martial damage;
  • melee skirmisher;
  • scout;
  • tracker;
  • wilderness guide;
  • survival specialist;
  • secondary healer;
  • mobile half-caster;
  • companion-focused character through certain subclasses.

The Ranger should not be reduced to “the bow class.”

The base chassis supports several weapon styles and a broad exploration identity.

In short

A 2014 Ranger is a d10 martial half-caster with a strong exploration theme.

Weapons provide reliable offense.

Wisdom-based magic adds utility and support.

Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer provide specialised travel expertise.

The Ranger Archetype determines whether the character becomes a hunter, beast companion specialist, supernatural stalker, planar hunter, swarm keeper, drake companion user, or another type of wilderness warrior.