As a dedicated player who's spent countless hours exploring Rivellon, I can confidently say that the Ranger remains one of the most satisfying and powerful builds in Divinity: Original Sin 2, even years after its release. For players who prefer to dominate the battlefield from a distance, there's simply no substitute for the thrill of picking off enemies from the high ground. The core fantasy of being a master archer, raining down arrows while your frontline tanks absorb the hits, is absolutely timeless. In this guide, I'll walk you through how to build the most effective Ranger possible, blending classic Huntsman prowess with a fiery secondary skillset for maximum impact.

Let's kick things off by talking attributes. Your stat distribution is the foundation of your build, and getting it right is non-negotiable. The game's default starting stats are a decent launchpad, but to truly min-max your Ranger, you need to focus on three key attributes: Wits, Finesse, and Intelligence. Every time you level up and get those precious attribute points, you should be dumping them primarily into this holy trinity.

Here’s the lowdown on why these stats are so crucial:

Attribute	Why It's a Game-Changer
Wits	This is your initiative stat. Pumping Wits means you always go first in a fight, letting you set the tempo. It also boosts your Critical Damage, which is where a huge chunk of your late-game damage will come from. Talk about a win-win!
Finesse	This is your bread and butter. Since bows are Finesse-based weapons, this stat directly increases all your weapon damage. More Finesse equals bigger numbers flying at your enemies. It's that simple.
Intelligence	Now, this one might seem odd for an archer, but hear me out. Our secondary skill tree is Pyrokinetic, and Intelligence scales your fire spell damage. Having decent Int means those supportive fireballs and buffs aren't just for show—they pack a real punch.

Now, let's talk abilities. The beauty of Divinity's system is its flexibility, but for a classic, powerhouse Ranger build, we're sticking to a proven formula. As you gain ability points, here’s where to invest them:

• Ranged: Your primary weapon ability. Every point gives you a 5% damage increase and a 1% Critical Chance boost. Max this out ASAP.

• Huntsman: Your core skill tree. Leveling this unlocks more powerful Huntsman skills and increases the high ground damage bonus by 5% per level. Getting the high ground isn't just a suggestion; it's your entire strategy.

• Pyrokinetic: Our chosen secondary. This unlocks fire spells and increases their damage by 5% per level. It provides fantastic utility and area control.

• Sneaking (Optional): A non-combat skill that synergizes incredibly well with a specific Huntsman skill (Assassinate) and lets you position yourself perfectly before a fight starts. It's a sneaky, underrated pick.

Your skills are where the magic happens—or rather, where the arrows start flying. Most of your toolkit will come from the Huntsman skill tree. These skills are the bread and butter of your rotation, offering everything from single-target nukes to crowd control.

Essential Huntsman Skills:

Skill	What It Does & Why You Need It
First Aid	A lifesaver in the early game. It heals and removes nasty statuses like Crippled or Poisoned. Don't leave Fort Joy without it.
Pin Down	A powerful shot with a 120% damage modifier and a chance to Cripple the enemy, reducing their Action Points. A fantastic opener.
Ricochet	The perfect tool for grouped-up enemies. Fires a bouncing shot (90% damage) that can hit multiple targets. Great for whittling down crowds.
Barrage	Fires three arrows at once, each dealing 60% damage to potentially different targets. Excellent for spreading damage or finishing off weak foes.
Tactical Retreat	An absolute must-have. This skill lets you teleport to safety or, more importantly, to the high ground, and applies Haste. Your get-out-of-jail-free card.
Marksman's Fang	A piercing shot that can go through multiple enemies in a line, even ignoring armor. Perfect for lining up enemies.
Assassinate	If you took Sneaking, this is your payoff. Deals 115% damage, and if fired from stealth, it gets a massive 50% damage bonus. The ultimate alpha strike.
Arrow Storm	Your glorious, cinematic ultimate. Calls down a storm of arrows on a large area. The damage scales with your Finesse. Use it to turn the tide of battle.

Now for the spicy part—the Pyrokinetic skills. This secondary tree gives you incredible versatility and support options that complement your archery perfectly.

Key Pyrokinetic Skills:

1. Peace of Mind: A top-tier support buff. It increases Strength, Finesse, Intelligence, and Wits for a target and removes mental debuffs like Charmed. Use it on yourself or your party's main damage dealer.

2. Fireball: A classic for a reason. It sets enemies on fire and creates a small explosion, perfect for creating hazardous surfaces or finishing off wounded foes.

3. Spontaneous Combustion: A simple, reliable single-target spell that sets an enemy ablaze.

4. Flaming Tongues: A great defensive/area denial spell. It creates a ring of fire around you, damaging enemies who get too close. Perfect for protecting your squishy backline position.

Talents are the cherry on top of your build, offering unique passive effects. You don't get many, so choose wisely!

• Arrow Recovery: A must-have. Gives a 33% chance to recover any special arrow you shoot. This is a huge quality-of-life and resource-saving talent.

• Elemental Ranger: Arrows shot at enemies standing on elemental surfaces (like fire or water) will deal damage of that element. It's like getting free elemental arrows!

• Duck Duck Goose & Opportunist: A dynamic duo for survivability. Duck Duck Goose lets you avoid attacks of opportunity, while Opportunist lets you make them. Even though you're a ranged specialist, melee enemies will close the gap. These talents ensure you're not a sitting duck when they do.

Finally, let's talk gear. While random loot can be good, the unique gear is where you'll find build-defining items. Here are some of the best pieces to hunt down for your Ranger:

Best Unique Bows:

Bow	Location	Key Effects
Darling Bow	Fort Joy (dug up near a leafy tunnel entrance).	+1 Finesse. A great early-game boost.
Vard d'Layal	Mordus' house in Driftwood.	+2 Finesse, +1 Necromancer, +15% Life Steal. Solid mid-game option.
Deiseis Riveil	Sold by trader Non on the bridge to Arx Cathedral.	+3 Finesse, +2 Huntsman, +1 Ranged, +25% Cleave. A beast of a bow with a bleed chance.
Into Thin Air	Sold by an elven trader in front of Arx Cathedral.	+3 Finesse, +3 Memory, and applies random debuffs. Excellent utility.

Best Ranger Armor Pieces:

Armor	Location	Key Effects
Second Skin (Gloves)	Fort Joy, from a squirrel's tip after defeating Void Salamanders.	+1 Finesse, +1 Huntsman. A perfect early-game find.
The Shadow Prince's Signet (Ring)	Looted from the Shadow Prince on the Nameless Isle.	+3 Finesse, +3 Wits. A massive stat-stick ring.
Racht Muvora (Chest)	Sold by Papa Thrash in the Black Bull tavern, Reaper's Coast.	+2 Finesse, +1 Ranged, +1 Sneaking. Good all-around armor.
Kallisteis (Boots)	Sold by a trader on the bridge to Lucian's Temple in Arx.	+3 Finesse, +2 Wits, immunity to Slow/Cripple. Fantastic mobility boots.
Nazad Hunola (Chest)	In Sanguinia Tell's basement in Arx.	+5 Finesse, +3 Int, +1 Huntsman. Arguably the best chest armor for this build.
Vo Charle (Helmet)	In a chest in the groom's house in Arx.	+5 Finesse, +3 Wits, immunity to Terrify/Charm. The ultimate end-game helmet.

So there you have it, folks—my comprehensive guide to building a Ranger that can carry your party from the shores of Fort Joy to the halls of Arx. Remember, the key is positioning, positioning, positioning. Use Tactical Retreat to seize the high ground, layer the battlefield with fire, and let your arrows do the talking. With this build, you'll be an unstoppable force, turning every encounter into a shooting gallery. Happy hunting! :bow_and_arrow::fire: