Worldly Denizens

Rangers specialize in interacting and fighting within the landscape around them. Some explore and wander freely, while others try to simply settle down and live in peace as best they can. Should they find themselves in combat, rangers have learned techniques that can readily adapt to deadly effect.

Thanks to their familiarity with the wilds and the need to survive, rangers tend to acquire the ability to cast spells that harness nature's power, much as a druid does. Some will say that it's a pale imitation, but it is just another tool to aid in survival. Regardless of origin, these abilities, like their combat abilities, emphasize speed, stealth, and the hunt.

Independent Adventurers

Though a ranger might make a living as a hunter, a guide, or a tracker, a ranger's true calling is to adapt to and master the physical world around them. In some places, rangers gather in secretive orders or join forces with druidic circles. Many rangers are independent almost to a fault, knowing that when a dragon or a band of orcs attacks, a ranger might be the first - and possibly the last - line of defense. Perhaps it may also the be the case that a ranger might be the instigator of such an event; their knowledge of the area enabling seemingly disadvantageous situations and terrain to become their boon.

This fierce independence makes rangers well suited to adventuring, since they are accustomed to life far from the comforts of a dry bed and a hot bath. Faced with city-bred adventurers who grouse and whine about the hardships of the wild, rangers respond with some mixture of amusement, frustration, and compassion. But they quickly learn that other adventurers who can carry their own weight in a fight against a merciless foe in the wild are worth any extra burden. Coddled city folk might not know how to feed themselves or find fresh water in the wild, but they make up for it in other ways.

Art by Arman Akoplan

Creating a Ranger

As you create your ranger character, consider the nature of the training that gave you your particular capabilities. Did you train with a single mentor, wandering the wilds together until you mastered the ranger's ways? Did you leave your apprenticeship, or was your mentor slain - perhaps by the same kind of monster that became a favored enemy? Or perhaps you learned your skills as part of a band of rangers affiliated with a druidic circle, trained in mystic paths as well as wilderness lore. You might be self-taught, a recluse who learned combat skills, tracking, and even a magical connection to nature through the necessity of surviving in the wilds.

Class Features

As a ranger, you gain the following class features.

Archery

You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged weapons.

Defense

While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.

Dueling

When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.

Two-Weapon Fighting

When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the attack.

Spell Slots

The Ranger table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell's level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest. For example, if you know the 1st-level spell animal friendship and have a 1st-level and a 2nd-level spell slot available, you can cast animal friendship using either slot.

Preparing and Casting Spells

The ranger table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your ranger spells. To cast one of your ranger spells of 1st level or higher, you must expend a spell slot of the spell's level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.

You prepare the list of ranger spells that are available for you to cast, choosing from the ranger spell list. When you do so, choose a number of ranger spells equal to your Wisdom modifier + half your ranger level, rounded down (minimunm of one spell). The spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.

Casting the spell doesn't remove it from your list of prepared spells. You can change your list of prepared spells when you finish a long rest. Preparing a new list of ranger spells requires time focusing inward and recalling your experiences: at least 1 minute per spell level for each spell on your list.

Spellcasting Ability

Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your ranger spells, since your magic draws on your attunement to nature. You use your Wisdom whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Wisdom modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a ranger spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.

Beast Master Magic

Starting at 3rd level, you learn an additional spell when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the Beast Master Spells table. The spell counts as a ranger spell for you and is always prepared.

Beast Master Spells

Ranger level	Features
3rd	command
5th	beast sense
9th	life transference
13th	charm monster
17th	rary's telepathic bond

Animal Companion

At 3rd level, you learn to use your magic to create a powerful bond with a creature of the natural world. With 8 hours of work, you call forth a Beast of the Air or of the Earth. You determine its appearance.

Bonded Predators. You add your Proficiency bonus to the beast's AC, attack rolls, and damage rolls, as well as to any saving throws and skills it is proficient in.

Natural Connection. If the beast dies, becomes lost, or leaves for being mistreated, you can spend 8 hours to bond with a friendly beast, though it does not have to be the same type of beast you had chosen previously. You cannot have more than one animal companion at any time.

On My Mark. The beast does not roll initiative, and instead acts on your initiative on your command, immediately after your turn. You may, however, choose to roll initiative for the creature if you wish.

Twin Hunters. Your companion can deal damage using your ranger's quarry feature against a target marked by you if you did not deal damage using the feature on your previous turn.

Struggler. If the beast is reduced to 0 hit points, they begin dying and make death saving throws as if they were a player character. When you complete a short rest, the beast regains hit points equal to half their maximum hit points. When you complete a long rest, they regain all their hit points.

Tandem Tactics

Starting at 7th level, you and your companion come to understand each other's skills and quirks. Your companion's attacks are considered magical for overcoming resistances and benefits from your skirmisher feature.

Additionally, if you or your companion would be able benefit from your skirmisher feature, the other may use its reaction to also immediately benefit from it.

Art by Cristi Balanescu

Beast of the Earth

Medium beast, Neutral

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• Armor Class 12
• Hit Points equal the beast's Constitution modifier + your Wisdom modifier + 5 times your ranger level.
• Speed 40 ft., climb or swim 40 ft. (your choice when you bond with the beast).

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	14 (+2)	15 (+2)	8 (-1)	14 (+2)	11 (+0)

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• Saving Throws: Dex +4, Con +4, Wis +4
• Skills: Perception +4, Stealth +4
• Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
• Languages: understands the languages you speak

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Abilities

Charge. If the beast moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a maul attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 1d6 slashing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a Strength saving throw against your spell save DC or be knocked prone.

Primal Rebirth. If the beast has died within the last hour, you can use your action to touch it and expend a spell slot of 1st level or higher. The beast returns to life after 1 minute with all its hitpoints restored.

Actions

Maul. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d6 +2 slashing damage.

Grave Warden Magic

Starting at 3rd level, you learn an additional spell when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the Grave Warden Spells table. The spell counts as a ranger spell for you and is always prepared.

Grave Warden Spells

Ranger level	Features
3rd	cause fear
5th	gentle repose
9th	fear
13th	death ward
17th	hallow

Art by Maciej Kuciara

Marked for Death

Starting at 3rd level, the gaze you throw your foes reminds them of their mortality. When you target a creature for your ranger's quarry feature, the target must make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or become frightened until it saves or is no longer marked. If the frightened creature is undead, it can't take reactions and has its movement speed halved. If a creature saves from this effect, it is immune to being frightened by this ability for the next 24 hours.

Whispers of the Dead

Also at 3rd level, You may cast the speak with dead spell at 2nd level twice a day without spending a spell slot or the need for material components. However, you ask a number of questions equal to your Wisdom modifier per casting (minimum 1).

Spectral Guidance

At 7th level, you gain the ability to call upon the knowledge and experience of the dead you have encountered across the lands. When you make an ability check or saving throw, you can use your reaction to add your proficiency bonus to the roll. If you use this feature and you already add your proficiency bonus to the roll, you have advantage instead. You may use this ability once per short or long rest.

Stygian Artes

Starting at 11th level, you learn how to draw vitality from those you ferry on. Once on each of your turns when you hit a marked creature with an attack, you may gain temporary hit points equal to the damage dealt to the target. If you gain temporary hit points from a targeted undead, you gain additional temporary hit points equal to your Wisdom modifier.

Lingering Will

Beginning at 15th level, you can stave away death and rally yourself from the brink. When you are reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. If you do, you gain temporary hit points equal to twice your ranger level. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a short or long rest.

Grim Authority

At 20th level, you learn what it means to govern the life of another. When you reduce a creature marked by you to 30 hit points or fewer with a weapon attack, it dies, if you so choose. You may immediately mark another creature using your ranger's quarry feature after killing a creature using this feature.

Variant: Grave Warden Spells

You may choose to replace the fear spell with the phantom steed spell or the speak with dead spell as your additional spell at the appropriate level. Discretion goes to your DM, as usual.

Skulker Magic

Starting at 3rd level, you learn an additional spell when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the Skulker Spells table. The spell counts as a ranger spell for you and is always prepared.

Slayer Magic

Starting at 3rd level, you learn an additional spell when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the Slayer Spells table. The spell counts as a ranger spell for you and is always prepared.

Slayer Spells

Ranger level	Features
3rd	bane
5th	blindness/deafness
9th	slow
13th	staggering smite
17th	hold monster

Decisive Action

Starting at 3rd level, the first to act is the first to survive. You have advantage on initiative rolls.

Additionally, on your first turn of each combat, your movement speed is increased by 10 feet and your ranger's quarry die increases to 1d10.

Discerning Eye

Also at 3rd level, you can recognize subtle tells in your prey's behavior. You have advantage on Insight (Wisdom) checks made against a marked creature.

Supernatural Reflexes

At 7th level, you gain extra resilience against your prey’s assaults on your mind and body. Whenever the target of your ranger's quarry forces you to make a saving throw and whenever you make an ability check to escape that target's grapple, add your ranger's quarry die to your roll.

Huntmaster

Beginning at 11th level, your senses are honed to allow you to pierce through a target's defenses. You may add your ranger's quarry die to an attack roll you make rather than deal the additional damage.

Additionally, you score a critical hit against a creature marked using your ranger's quarry feature on an attack roll of 19 or 20.

Slayer's Counter

At 15th level, in the event your mark gets the upper hand, you can immediately dull that edge. When a creature marked by you forces you to make a saving throw, you can use your reaction to make one weapon attack against the quarry. You make this attack immediately before making the saving throw. If the attack hits, your save automatically succeeds, in addition to the attack’s normal effects.

Feral Assault

At 20th level, the thrill of a successful hunt emboldens your spirit. On each of your turns, if you reduce a creature marked by you to 0 hitpoints, you can use a reaction to take an additional turn on the same initiative immediately after the current one. This turn is not added to the initiative order and benefits from your decisive action feature as if it were your first turn of combat.

Marked?

A creature is marked by you when it is the target of your ranger's quarry feature.

Art by Alexandr Malex

Stormrider Magic

Starting at 3rd level, you learn an additional spell when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the Stormrider Spells table. The spell counts as a ranger spell for you, but it doesn't count against the number of rangers spells you know.

Stormrider Spells

Ranger level	Features
3rd	thunderous smite
5th	gust of wind
9th	thunder step
13th	storm sphere
17th	control winds

Living Conduit

Starting at 3rd level, you learn to channel the power of the great storm within the palm of your hands. You learn the shocking grasp cantrip; it counts as a ranger spell for you.

Leaping Plasma

Also at 3rd level, power arcs at the end of your strikes. Once per turn when you hit a creature marked by you, you may cause another creature within 15 feet of your target to make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 1d8 lightning damage. If there is no other target, the target of the attack makes the saving throw.

At 11th level, you can cause the lightning to arc to another creature within 15 feet of the secondary target.

Flash of Light

At 7th level, you learn how to traverse the realms by riding lightning itself. You gain resistance to lightning damage. Also, when you deal lightning or thunder damage to a creature, you may choose to teleport up to 15 feet using a bonus action.

Child of Thunder

At 11th level, the air hums with primeval thunder as sparks of energy swirl around your targets to culminate in a wild bolt of energy. You can use your action to have a target creature you dealt lightning damage to on your last turn and creatures within 5 feet of it to make a Dexterity saving throw. The target must be within 90 feet of you. On a failed save, a creature takes 4d10 lightning damage or half as much damage on a successful one. If you are outdoors in stormy conditions when you use this feature, the radius around a target creature increases to 10 feet and the damage increases by 1d10.

Art by Magali Villeneuve

Overcharge

At 15th level, you intensify the power of the storm to overwhelm your foes. When you would deal lightning or thunder damage to a target creature, you can choose to use a reaction to cause a target creature to make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the target is stunned until the end of its next turn. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier. You regain all uses at the end of a long rest.

Stormcaller

At 20th level, you no longer fear the storm, able to call it at will. You can call forth or dismiss stormy weather up to 5 miles by concentrating up to 10 minutes or by expending a 3rd level or higher spell slot. The weather behaves normally otherwise.

Additionally, when you would be dealt lightning damage, you instead gain temporary hitpoints equal to the lightning damage you would have taken. If the value of gained temporary hitpoints is at least 20, you come under the effects of the haste spell until the end of your next turn, but are not stunned once the effects end.

Torchbearer Magic

Starting at 3rd level, you learn an additional spell when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the Torchbearer Spells table. The spell counts as a ranger spell for you, but it doesn't count against the number of rangers spells you know.

Torchbearer Spells

Ranger level	Features
3rd	fog cloud
5th	continual flame
9th	melf's minute meteors
13th	fire shield
17th	immolation

Ancient Rites

Starting at 3rd level, you gain the knowledge of the mythos behind an ancient burial rite and how to perform it. You learn the produce flame cantrip.

Additionally, you gain proficiency with calligrapher's supplies if you are not already proficient.

Lingering Flame

At 3rd level, you breathe embers into each strike, igniting on contact and burning deeply. Once per turn, when you deal damage to a creature, you deal an additional 1d6 fire damage. At the start of that target's next turn, it takes additional fire damage equal to half the fire damage rolled this way. At 11th level, this damage increases to 2d6.

Covered in Ash

Beginning at 7th level, your prolonged exposure to fire
and its remnants grants you insight into how to apply it and mitigate its effects. You gain resistance to fire damage, and any fire damage you deal ignores resistances.

Wildfire

Beginning at 11th level, flames under your power leap from foe to foe. When you deal fire damage to a creature as part of an attack or spell, you may have another creature within 10 feet of that creature you haven't damaged this turn take additional fire damage equal to your Wisdom modifer.

Ashwraith

At 15th level, you scatter a large clump of ashes and breathe magic into it, causing it to expand rapidly across the battlefield. You may cast the fog cloud spell at 3rd level centered on yourself without expending a spell slot. You can't do so again until you roll for initiative.

Additionally, you can see through thick fog, ash, falling snow, and other natural phenomena, both magical and nonmagical.

Pyre Havoc

At 20th level, you can summon forth a series of ethereal flames to engulf the area. You may choose to use your ranger's quarry feature to target a 5-foot cube you can see within range. You may have up to three points designated this way. Hostile creatures that start its turn or enters within 5 feet of a point designated this way takes 4d6 fire damage and are marked by your ranger's quarry feature
until the end of your
next turn.

Art by Joel Chaim Holtzman

Wildergard Magic

Starting at 3rd level, you learn an additional spell when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the Wildergard Spells table. The spell counts as a ranger spell for you and is always prepared.

Wildergard Spells

Ranger level	Features
3rd	entangle
5th	earthbind
9th	plant growth
13th	grasping vine
17th	contagion

Sylvan Harmony

Starting at 3rd level, you become deeply attuned to all
facets of nature. You gain proficiency in the Nature skill
if you do not already have it.

Additionally, you learn the druidcraft cantrip and two additional druid cantrips. These count as ranger spells for you.

Primal Conduit

At 3rd level, natural magic courses through you with ease, amplifying its effects while invigorating you. When you cast a spell that uses a spell slot, you may move up to half your movement speed without provoking opportunity attacks and make a weapon attack. This attack counts as magical for the purposes of overcoming resistances.

Blessing of the Earth

Beginning at 7th level, the land itself seems to fuel your power. You may cast each of the spells on the Wildergard Spells table without expending a spell slot or the need for material components once per short or long rest provided that you have the spell granted by the subclass and access to the respective spell slots.

Verdant Acolyte

Beginning at 11th level, you can call out to the land around you for aid. You may prepare up to two druid spells of your choice for which you have spell slots to cast with. These do not count against the number of spells you can prepare each day. You can change your prepared druid spells when you finish a long rest.

Gaia's Wrath

Starting at 15th level, you are now fully capable of harnessing streams of primordial energies to empower your strikes. You may use your primal conduit feature at the start each of your turns in which you are concentrating on a prepared ranger or druid spell.

Ancient Roots

At 20th level, the natural world restores your very essence over time if you will it. You may use your bonus action to enter a special trance for the next minute. Once you use this feature, you must finish a long rest before you can use it again. While in this state, you gain the following benefits:

• You regain a number of temporary hitpoints equal to your ranger level at the start of each of your turns.
• You have advantage on Constitution saving throws and against effects that would knock you prone or push you.
• At the start of each of your turns, the area within 5 feet of you becomes difficult terrain until the start of your next turn.

Art by Tomasz Jedruszek

1st Level

• Absorb Elements
• Alarm
• Animal Friendship
• Beast Bond
• Cure Wounds
• Detect Magic
• Detect Poison and Disease
• Ensnaring Strike
• Fog Cloud
• Goodberry
• Hail of Thorns
• Jump
• Longstrider
• Snare
• Speak with Animals
• Zephyr Strike

2nd Level

• Aid
• Animal Messenger
• Barkskin
• Beast Sense
• Cordon Of Arrows
• Darkvision
• Enhance Ability
• Find Traps
• Gust of Wind
• Healing Spirit
• Lesser Restoration
• Locate Animals or Plants
• Locate Object
• Magic Weapon
• Pass Without Trace
• Protection from Poison
• Silence
• Spike Growth

3rd Level

• Blinding Smite
• Conjure Animals
• Conjure Barrage
• Daylight
• Flame Arrows
• Lightning Arrow
• Meld into Stone
• Nondetection
• Plant Growth
• Protection from Energy
• Speak with Plants
• Tongues
• Water Breathing
• Water Walk
• Wind Wall

4th Level

• Conjure Woodland Beings
• Dominate Beast
• Freedom of Movement
• Grasping Vine
• Guardian of Nature
• Locate Creature
• Stoneskin

5th Level

• Awaken
• Commune with Nature
• Conjure Volley
• Greater Restoration
• Steel Wind Strike
• Swift Quiver
• Tree Stride
• Wrath of Nature

June-September, 2020

• General wording and formatting updates.
• Added Stormrider Conclave.
• Reworked base class features at 1st level, 6th level, and 14th level.
• Tweaked subclass features.

March, 2020

• Updated Title Page art - Source of previous art has ended.
• Art Credits updated.
• Buff to Hunter's Senses, removed blinded penalty - still debating.
• Buff to first responder to grant advantage on initiative rather than a bonus at 5th level.
• Separated wayfarer feature into two smaller skills.
• Renamed swift repositioning to skirmisher.

February, 2020

• Reworked ranger's quarry feature to function like the hunter's mark spell rather than the slayer's prey feature.
• Tweaks to Slayer, Beastmaster, Skulker, and Wildegard subclasses.
• New subclass: Grave Warden, Torchbearer, Horizon Walker

December, 2019

• Moved capstone abilities into the subclasses.
• Added Fleet of Foot feature to main class.
• Started adding more images - sources needed.
• Reworked Subclasses into: Slayer, Beast Master, Skulker
• New Subclass: Wildengard
• Added Spell list; removed Hunter's Mark

October/November, 2019

• Changed Primal Flurry feature to Ranger's Quarry feature.
• New features implemented (skirmisher, Hunter's Senses, Survival Instinct, Seasoned Traveler)
• Reworked subclasses again to tie into Ranger's Quarry feature.
• Changed Fighting Style options to include Druidic Warrior.

September, 2019

• Taking the frame work of my ARRNAF ranger, I reconstructed the combat feature of the base class and subclasses (link to this ranger: here)

Disclaimer

This is unofficial fan content that was made for recreation by No Laifu (u/the15thpaladin; Discord: No Laifu#7941). None of the images used are owned by me in any capacity, nor do I claim to have permission to use them for financial gain. These images are used purely because the aesthetic and theme are appropriate for descriptions. Artists have been named next to the picture, and again, including links, in this credits section. Thank you, artists, for your time and effort on these works.

Art Sources

• "Archer" by Arman Akopian. Source here.
• "Mercenary" by Alexandr Malex. Source here.
• "Falconer" by Cristi Balanescu. Source here.
• "Ge Jiaer Scouts" by jiaojifeng. Source here.
• "Primal Druid" by Tomasz Jedruszek for Magic: the Gathering. Source here.
• "Grisly Salvage" by Maciej Kuciara for Magic: the Gathering. Source here.
• "Knight of Wantds - Khazar Bagathur" by Joel Chaim Holzman. Source here.
• "Narset, Parter of Veils" by Magali Villeneuve. Source here.