Now that Patch 8 forBaldur’s Gate 3has dropped, players can explore and experiment with the various exciting new subclasses. Every class in the game has a new specialty, and for Rangers, it’s the Swarmkeeper. This subclass depicts a rugged outdoorsy adventurer who has formed a deep spiritual bond with a type of swarming animal or insect.
This Ranger can command a swarm of bees, moths, or flying jellyfish, which grants them extra abilities when it comes to attacks, defense, and mobility. They have some extra spells related to their spirit animals, like Faerie Fire and Web, and eventually gain the ability to fly and take gaseous form. They still have all the other abilities that make Rangers great, like a wide range of armor and weapon proficiencies along with a few useful support spells, and now they also have a literal swarm of animals at their command.
Overview
The Swarmkeeper Ranger, Explained
When a Ranger reaches level 3, they can choose their subclass, and there are now a total of four. Others include Beast Master, Gloomstalker, and Hunter, and they all have the same abilities for armor class and weapon proficiencies. The Swarmkeeper is a Ranger who bonds with insects and adapts their powers.
Rangers value Wisdom, Dexterity, Strength, and Constitution. However, the player might adjust the following stats for the Swarmkeeper based on this Ranger’s specific party role.
Extra Spells
In addition to the usual collection of Ranger spells, Swarmkeepers can also cast spells related to their subclass.
Fighting Style
Like Paladins, Fighters, and certain subclasses of Bards, Rangers canchoose a Fighting Styleat level 2. This is more importantin determining their roleaside from choosing a subclass. There are a total of six fighting styles in the game, but Rangers have access to four, and every choice works well with the Swarmkeeper subclass.
The Swarmkeeper’s Signature Abilities
Swarmkeepers can choose to bond with one of three different insect spirits that grant different Reactions. Each offers several extra abilities that increase mobility, defensive, and offensive options.
Legion of Bees
This is the one choice out of three that deals physical damage (specifically, Piercing damage) instead of a magical type of elemental damage.
Races
Feats
The Feats a Ranger chooses three Feats at levels 4, 8, and 12, and the player’s choices depend on their party role and can vary widely.
Weapons
A Ranger’s Abilities Include Almost Everything
A Ranger’s weapon proficiencies are comparable to Barbarians and Fighters, allowing them to wield virtually anything. Rangers should look for weapons that help buff their most important Ability Score or augment an existing skill.
