Gloom Stalker Subclass Guide and Build

The Gloom Stalker is a Ranger subclass in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3). Check out our guide for how to unlock the Gloom Stalker subclass, its features, as well as its best build.

Ranger Subclasses Ranger Class Guide
Beast Master	Gloom Stalker	Hunter

Gloom Stalker Subclass Overview

Gloom Stalker Basic Information

Subclass Overview
	Gloom Stalker Emerging like a horrible gift from the envelope of darkness and shadow, you ambush and put down your foes before they can even scream.
Main Class	Ranger
How to Unlock	Reach Ranger Level 3.
Spellcasting Ability	Wisdom
Starting Subclass Features
・Grants access to Gloom Stalker Spells. ・Grants the Dread Ambusher Feature. ・Grants Superior Darkvision. ・Grants the Dread Ambusher: Hide Class Action. ・Grants the Umbral Shroud Class Action ・All Ranger Class Features.

Gloom Stalkers are ambush fighters, often having high initiative rolls to begin combat, while also possessing skills that allow them to drop out of sight despite being in the thick of the melee. Unlike their counterparts in the Assassin subclass, Gloom Stalkers are more than just first-turn fighters. During prolonged battles, they can retreat to the shadows, forcing enemies to face them at a disadvantage.

How to Unlock the Gloom Stalker Subclass

Available Once Your Ranger Reaches Level 3

The Gloom Stalker subclass will become available once your Ranger reaches Level 3. In order to earn EXP and level up in Baldur's Gate 3, players will need to complete quests, discover new areas, or defeat enemies they find in the world.

Gloom Stalker Subclass Features

Gloom Stalker Spells

In addition to your Ranger spells, Gloom Stalkers will give you 3 Always Prepared Spells at Levels 3, 5, and 9. These can be cast as long as you have the required action and spell slot level available.

Spellcasting Guide

Dread Ambusher

Gloom Stalkers get the Dread Ambusher feature at Level 3 which grants them a trifecta of opening combat bonuses. At the start of battle, Gloom Stalkers get:

• +3 Bonus to Initiative Rolls
• +3m movement speed on their first turn
• 1 extra attack that deals a bonus +1d8 of damage

While limited at first glance, this combination of bonuses offered by the Dread Ambusher feature pairs nicely with the accompanying stealth skills you get as a Gloom Stalker. At Level 3, you will be able to set up easy ambushes and surprise attacks.

At higher levels, you can even look to multiclass into the Assassin subclass for sneak attacks, first turn attack roll advantage, and guaranteed crits on surprised enemies.

Superior Darkvision

At Level 3 you gain Superior Darkvision which allows you to see in the dark at up to 24m. Since most of the Gloom Stalker features involve being in or attacking from the dark, it is a no-brainer that being able to see what you're hitting is a big bonus for this stealth-based subclass.

Additionally (since the game barely touches up on this during the early game) races and classes with no access to Darkvision get the Too Dark condition when trying to hit enemies at range.

When this condition is active, Attack Rolls will have Disadvantage. This means you miss more often than you hit. However, as a Gloom Stalker with Superior Darkvision, this problem is beneath you.

Dread Ambusher: Hide

Another great addition to this class is the Dread Ambusher: Hide action that you also get at Level 3. In essence, it functions the same way as the Cunning Action: Hide does for Rogues, allowing you to Hide while only consuming a Bonus Action.

In combat, this is very useful, since attacking while hidden or obscured gives you Advantage on your Attack Roll. This allows you to make the most out of your turn and at least minimize the hit or miss RNG that BG3 likes to throw at you.

Umbral Shroud

At Level 3, your Gloom Stalker also unlocks the Umbral Shard action. This is basically an invisibility spell with extra requirements.

Before you can cast Umbral Shroud, you will need to be in an area that is Lightly or Heavily Obscured. Otherwise, the action will not be available to cast.

Once you find a sufficiently shaded spot (indicated by the empty and half-filled circle indicators while Hiding) or after you use Darkness, you can cast Umbral Shroud to turn invisible for 10 turns.

However, do note that moving into a well-lit area dispels the effect. Additionally, your invisibility ends early if you attack, cast another spell, take an action, or take damage during the turn.

Iron Mind

At Level 7, your Gloom Stalker gains the Iron Mind feature, granting you Proficiency in Wisdom and Intelligence Saving Throws. This allows your Gloom Stalker to resist harmful mind-effects from spells like Charm Person, Crown of Madness, and Hold Person.

Stalker's Flurry

Once you hit Level 11, you can start turning your misses into hits using the Stalker's Flurry passive. When you miss an attack during your turn, you get to attack again for free.

Gloom Stalker Level Progression

Best Gloom Stalker Build

Baldur's Gate 3 Related Guides

Ranger Class Guide

All Ranger Subclasses

All Ranger Subclasses
Beast Master	Gloom Stalker	Hunter