Gloomstalker Assassin

Ranger/Rogue multiclass build for alpha-strike burst damage from stealth.

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Overview

Combines Ranger’s Gloom Stalker subclass with Rogue’s Assassin subclass so the opening turn of combat does most of the work: huge initiative, a guaranteed critical hit against a surprised target, and an extra attack before the enemy even acts.

Level Split

Recommended: 8 Ranger / 4 Rogue. This follows the Assassin variant in BG3 Wiki’s Sharpshooter build guide (Ranger through level 5, then Rogue through Rogue 4, then back into Ranger to finish at 8/4): enough Ranger for Extra Attack (level 5) and its level-8 progression, with a 4-level Rogue dip that unlocks the Assassin subclass (at Rogue 3) and grants an extra feat/ASI at Rogue 4.

Sources genuinely differ on the split. Pro Game Guides recommends a Rogue-heavy 7 Rogue / 5 Ranger to bring Assassin online sooner and stack more Sneak Attack dice — a legitimate alternative. There isn’t one universal answer here; this page picks 8/4 as a clean, well-supported two-class default and flags the Rogue-heavy option for players who prefer it.

Scope note: some higher-end optimizations push beyond two classes (for example a Ranger/Rogue/Fighter/War Cleric route for extra action economy). That’s a meaningfully more complex build than the two-class Ranger/Rogue this page is scoped to — a candidate for its own guide later, not folded into this one.

Subclasses

Gloom Stalker (Ranger) + Assassin (Rogue) — no disagreement across sources; this pairing is the build.

Ability Scores

Dexterity first (finesse/ranged weapons, initiative, AC), Constitution second (HP and Concentration for spells like Hunter’s Mark), Wisdom third and optional — it raises the save DC of Ranger control spells such as Spike Growth, but several of this build’s key spells don’t depend on it. Note: Dread Ambusher’s initiative bonus in BG3 is a flat +3, not your Wisdom modifier, so don’t pump Wisdom for initiative.

Feats

• Sharpshooter — the default for this ranged stealth alpha-strike, and strongly supported across sources
• Alert — reinforces the go-first game plan (Savage Attacker is a solid damage-focused alternative)
• Ability Score Improvement (+2 Dexterity) at a later feat slot
• Prefer melee? Dual Wielder suits a finesse dual-wield variant, but this page is written around the ranged version.

Key Spells & Abilities

• Dread Ambusher (Gloom Stalker) — a flat +3 to Initiative, plus extra damage and an extra attack on your first turn
• Assassinate (Assassin) — guaranteed critical hit against a surprised target
• Hunter’s Mark, Longstrider, Pass Without Trace, Spike Growth (Ranger spell support)

Playstyle

Open from stealth. Dread Ambusher’s initiative bonus should put you first in the turn order; use that first turn to land a guaranteed-crit Assassinate on the priority target, then keep attacking with the extra attack Gloom Stalker grants on turn one. Reposition and re-stealth between fights rather than staying in prolonged melee.