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Baldur\'s Gate 3: Gloomstalker Assassin Build

Author : Eric Update : Feb 10,2025

Mastering the Gloomstalker Assassin in Baldur's Gate 3: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide details a powerful multiclass build combining the Ranger's Gloomstalker and the Rogue's Assassin subclasses in Baldur's Gate 3. This lethal combination excels at both ranged and melee combat, leveraging stealth and high damage output.

This build capitalizes on the synergies between Rangers and Rogues, particularly their shared reliance on Dexterity for core abilities and their proficiency in stealth, lockpicking, and trap disarming. Rangers contribute weapon skills and support spells, while Rogues offer devastating melee capabilities. Their combined stealth capabilities are truly formidable.

Updated December 24, 2024, by Kristy Ambrose: While Larian Studios has confirmed no DLC or sequels for BG3, Patch 8 (2025) introduces new subclasses, opening exciting possibilities for character builds. For this Ranger/Rogue combination, Dexterity remains paramount, but Wisdom is crucial for the Ranger's spellcasting. Careful consideration of Background, Feats, weapons, and Gear is essential.

Unleashing Savage Stealth: The Gloomstalker Assassin Build

This build merges the deadly precision of an assassin with the survival skills of a Gloomstalker, resulting in a versatile and lethal character effective in both ranged and melee combat. The choice between close-quarters or long-range fighting depends on your chosen skills, abilities, and gear.

Shared skills like Stealth, Sleight of Hand, and Dexterity proficiency solidify the natural synergy between these classes. The inclusion of Ranger support spells and potentially Cantrips (depending on racial choices) adds another layer of tactical depth.

Ability Scores: Dexterity and Wisdom Dominate

Prioritize physical damage and resilience over heavy spellcasting, but don't neglect spells entirely.

Dexterity: Critical for Sleight of Hand, Stealth, and weapon proficiency for both classes.
Wisdom: Essential for Perception checks and Ranger spellcasting (if utilized).
Constitution: Boosts hit points – a medium priority for this combat-focused build.
Strength: Less important unless focusing on melee DPS.
Intelligence: The "dump stat" – neither class heavily utilizes Intelligence.
Charisma: Relatively unimportant, though creative players can find uses for it.

Race Selection: Optimizing Racial Abilities

Race	Subrace	Abilities
Drow	Lloth-Sworn	Superior Darkvision, Drow Weapon Training, Fey Ancestry, spells (Faerie Fire, Darkness)
	Seldarine	Superior Darkvision, Drow Weapon Training, Fey Ancestry, spells (Faerie Fire, Darkness)
Elf	Wood Elf	Improved Stealth, increased movement speed, Elven Weapon Training, Darkvision, Fey Ancestry
Half-Elf	Drow Half-Elf	Drow and human advantages, weapon/armor proficiency, Civil Militia
	Wood Half-Elf	Elven Weapon Training, Civil Militia
Human	na	Civil Militia Feat, increased movement speed and carrying capacity
Githyanki	na	Increased movement speed, spells (Enhanced Leap, Misty Step), Martial Prodigy
Halfling	Lightfoot	Brave, Halfling Luck, advantage on Stealth checks
Gnome	Forest	Speak with Animals, improved Stealth
	Deep	Superior Darkvision, Stone Camouflage (advantage on Stealth checks)

Backgrounds: Shaping Your Character's Past

Background	Skills	Description
Outlander	Athletics, Survival	Ideal for a Ranger, raised outdoors and experienced in wilderness travel.
Charlatan	Deception, Sleight of Hand	A skilled manipulator, fitting for a Rogue with charm and guile.
Soldier	Athletics, Intimidation	A disciplined fighter, blending Ranger survival skills with Rogue patience.
Folk Hero	Animal Handling, Survival	A legendary hero, embodying the gritty nature of both classes.
Urchin	Sleight of Hand, Stealth	A young thief, a common background for Rogues.
Criminal	Deception, Stealth	Suitable for both Rogues and Rangers operating in urban environments.

Feats and Ability Score Improvements: Fine-Tuning Your Build

Twelve levels allow for six Feats. Consider a 10/3 or similar Ranger/Rogue split.

Feat	Description
Ability Score Improvement	Increase one Ability Score by 2 or two by 1 (boost Dexterity and Wisdom).
Alert	Prevents the Surprised condition, +5 bonus to Initiative.
Athlete	+1 Dexterity or Strength, faster recovery from Prone, increased Jump distance.
Crossbow Expert	Removes Disadvantage for ranged attacks, doubles Gaping Wounds duration.
Dual Wielder	Use two weapons (non-heavy), +1 to AC.
Magic Initiate: Cleric	Grants access to Cleric spells.
Mobile	+10 movement speed, unaffected by Difficult Terrain while Dashing, avoids Attacks of Opportunity in melee combat.
Resilient	+1 to any Ability, proficiency in that Ability's Saving Throws.
Spell Sniper	Enhanced ranged spellcasting.

Gear Recommendations: Enhancing Your Abilities

Rogues are limited to clothing, but Rangers have more freedom.

Nimblefinger Gloves: +2 Dexterity for Halflings or Gnomes.
Helmet of Autonomy: Proficiency in Wisdom saving throws.
Darkfire Shortbow: Fire and Cold Resistance, casts Haste once per Long Rest.
Acrobat Shoes: Bonus to Dexterity saving throws and Acrobatics.
Graceful Cloth: +2 Dexterity, Cat's Grace ability.

This comprehensive guide provides a solid foundation for building a powerful Gloomstalker Assassin in Baldur's Gate 3. Remember to adapt and refine your choices based on your playstyle and the challenges you encounter.