Gloom Stalker Ranger Build Guide – Be Afraid of the Dark – 2024 Update

For all D&D guides on Nat1gaming, they only use the main sourcebooks (Player’s Handbook, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything) as well as Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos (mostly for Silvery Barbs) as those tend to be the most commonly used books at tables. Always be sure that if you’re following a guide that you’re adhering to your tables rules about what sourcebooks you are allowed to follow.

Any spell, class, feature, or other game item that is linkable on this website is covered by the 5th edition Open Games License and will be in the Player’s Handbook, but not everything in the Player’s Handbook will be linked to. All other materials that aren’t linked to are from other sourcebooks or aren’t allowed to be linked to per the 5th Edition Open Games License, so please refer to the appropriate sourcebooks for that information.

For the purposes of this guide, it will be assumed that you would not be multiclassing. While multiclassing can be excellent for many of these, this is for those who want to play the build all the way through in the same class. Guides that use multiclassing will be separate from these.

For spellcasters, you may notice substantial overlap between the spell lists of builds with the same base class. This is due to each guide utilizing a generically good spell list and not considering extenuating factors that will influence how you particularly sculpt your spell list. When creating your own spell list, you should take into account the campaign setting, what spells any other party members are capable of casting, potential overlap (ritual spells tend to overlap so it’s rare you need multiple people capable of casting them), or potential shortcomings in the parties total spell list. While this guide can definitely help point you in the right direction for crafting a spell list, you should use your judgement and preferences to figure out what spells make the most sense for your character.

To that end, please refer to the Spell List and Spell Tier list for any substitutions you’d want to make to the build.

The Complete Ranger Spell List

Ranger Spell Tier List – The Best Ranger Spells

You’re likely playing Gloom Stalker because it’s the best Ranger subclass by a country mile. All the abilities are really powerful and help it to stack up against some of the best classes in the game when Ranger is normally a very middling class.

Of course, this is one of the edgier Rangers as well so that opens up roleplaying opportunities for those who like playing those characters, but realistically, you chose this because of the strength of subclass.

Dread Ambusher (Level 3) – A- Tier – While this is way worse than the previous version, this is still a very powerful ability. Bonus speed for a turn, bonus damage a few times a day, and bonuses to initiative make the old version of this proud. These are good changes, even if the ability is weaker.

Umbral Sight (Level 3) – B Tier – Better Darkvision (or Darkvision if you didn’t have it) and you can be invisible to any enemy that’s relying on darkvision to see you. Specific, but solid.

1st Level Spells (Level 3) – D Tier – Disguise Self is not always going to be helpful, but it at least can be in unique situations.

2nd Level Spells (Level 5) – D- Tier – I personally hate Rope Trick as it’s so specific in when you’d even want to use it, but if you’re short resting in dangerous territory and simply hate having available spell slots, you have this I guess.

Iron Mind (Level 7) – B- Tier – Proficiency in Wisdom is really good and makes passing those checks that much easier.

3rd Level Spells (Level 9) – B Tier – Fear is a great spell and Rangers never gets good CC so this is a pretty great spell to pick up.

Stalker’s Flurry (Level 11) – C+ Tier – Additional damage and additional effects for your Dreadful Strike is definitely nice, but with how few charges you get of Dreadful Strike, this won’t be as impactful as you’d like.

4th Level Spells (Level 13) – B+ Tier – An excellent buff that any Ranger would be happy to have for tougher fights.

Shadowy Dodge (Level 15) – A Tier – Imposing disadvantage on one attack isn’t great, but teleporting away with your reaction is really good and could potentially make the enemy waste their turn. The most interesting thing about this feature is that there’s no limit on how many times a day you can use this, so you can be a real pain in the butt if you keep walking up to the enemy you’re teleporting away from.

5th Level Spells (Level 17) – D Tier – Unique, but very specific use cases make this really hard to use.

The Ultimate 2024 One D&D Subclass Tier List

DnD 2024 Class and Subclass Tier List Breakdown

Level	Class Features/Feat	Notes
1	Spellcasting, Favored Enemy, Weapon Mastery	+ Entangle + Goodberry + Hunter’s Mark (Favored Foe)
2	Deft Explorer, Fighting Style (Two Weapon Fighting)	+ Cure Wounds
3	Gloom Stalker, Gloom Stalker Magic, Dread Ambusher, Umbral Sight	+ Absorb Elements + Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
4	Feat: Dual Wielder (DEX)	+ Detect Magic
5	Extra Attack	– Detect Magic + Pass Without Trace + Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker) + Spike Growth
6	Roving	None
7	Iron Mind	+ Aid
8	Feat: Defensive Duelist (DEX)	None
9	Expertise	+ Dispel Magic + Fear (Gloom Stalker) + Revivify
10	Tireless	None
11	Stalker’s Fury	+ Lesser Restoration
12	Feat: Mage Slayer (DEX)	None
13	Relentless Hunter	+ Conjure Woodland Beings + Greater Invisibility (Gloom Stalker)
14	Nature’s Veil	None
15	Shadowy Dodge	+ Stoneskin
16	Feat: War Caster (WIS)	None
17	Precise Hunter	+ Seeming (Gloom Stalker) + Steel Wind Strike + Swift Quiver
18	Feral Senses	None
19	Epic Boon: Boon of Combat Prowess	+ Greater Restoration
20	Foe Slayer	None

Not seeing the exact build you want in this guide? Check out this guide instead!

The Ultimate One D&D Ranger Guide – Mastering Rangers

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Species: Goliath (Hill Giant)

Attributes:

	POINT BUY
STRENGTH	8
DEXTERITY	15 (+2 background) = 17
CONSTITUTION	15 (+1 background) = 16
INTELLIGENCE	8
WISDOM	15
CHARISMA	8

Class: Ranger

Class Features: Spellcasting, Favored Enemy, Weapon Mastery

Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Perception, and Stealth

Background: Criminal (Alert)

Starting Equipment: Studded Leather Armor, Scimitar, Short Sword, Longbow, 20 Arrows, Quiver, Druidic Focus, Explorer’s Pack, and 7 gp + 50 gp from background

Starting Spells:

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)

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Species: Goliath (Hill Giant)

For any martial character, it’s hard to justify not going for Goliath as the Hill Giant topple is so incredibly good to get advantage on attacks. There are other solid options for species as well like Human for an additional origin feat or Aasimar as they are just generally strong, but Goliath is generally going to be my choice.

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Attributes

	POINT BUY
STRENGTH	8
DEXTERITY	15 (+2 background) = 17
CONSTITUTION	15 (+1 background) = 16
INTELLIGENCE	8
WISDOM	15
CHARISMA	8

Rangers are a bit MAD, so you need to prioritize DEX for damage, CON for health, and WIS for your spellcasting.

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Proficiencies: Insight, Perception, and Survival

All excellent skills on a Ranger as they’re either using Wisdom or Dexterity.

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Background: Criminal

Good skill proficiencies, good stat distribution, and an excellent origin feat.

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Starting Equipment – Studded Leather Armor, Scimitar, Short Sword, Longbow, 20 Arrows, Quiver, Druidic Focus, Explorer’s Pack, and 7 gp + 50 gp from background

Extremely standard starting equipment for a Ranger. You could take the starting gold, but I wouldn’t worry about it much.

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Class – Ranger

Rangers get three abilities to start off with in Spellcasting, Favored Enemy, and Weapon Mastery.

Spellcasting means you get spells immediately rather than level 2, but the spells themselves will be explained more in the next sections.

Favored Enemy changed from 2014 as now it gives you Hunter’s Mark permanently prepared and you can cast it twice for free (and it scales). Since you want to be casting this often anyway, this is a pretty nice feature.

Weapon Mastery gives you the Mastery property of two weapons and I would recommend Scimitars and the Longbow. To that end, make sure you are always using your Scimitar in your main hand to properly access the mastery property.

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Starting Spells

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)

Entangle and Goodberry are easily the best Ranger spells available to you at level one, so these are easy choices for you.

Since Hunter’s Mark is a really important part of your kit, you want to be mindful of all the other spells you have that also have concentration, and will be listed with an asterisk so you never accidentally cast a spell with that requires concentration your Hunter’s Mark up.

To that end, this guide will only be using a few concentration spells and they will generally be reserved for encounters where you need to deal with a lot of enemies, you need CC, or you need a unique effect, otherwise, you’ll be looking to cast Hunter’s Mark.

Finally, since you are going to be fighting with two weapons, you need to be mindful of what spells of yours require somatic and/or material components that will conflict with having your hands full until you have War Caster (which comes much, much later). Keep that in mind when choosing what to cast in combat.

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Level 2

Class Features: Deft Explorer, Fighting Style (Two Weapon Fighting)

Spell Change Log: + Cure Wounds

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)

Level 2 brings Deft Explorer, your Fighting Style, and another spell!

Deft Explorer gives you Expertise in one of your proficient skills (I like Stealth, but any of them can work) and you get to learn two languages (whatever seems appropriate for your campaign).

The Fighting Style you’re going to pick is Two Weapon Fighting! Getting your DEX as bonus damage with your offhand attacks is excellent and is going to really ramp up your damage potential.

For spell choice, you get to pick up Cure Wounds.

While not the healing spell of choice, Cure Wounds has gotten buffed and will effectively bring back a downed ally in a pinch. It is a bit awkward as you need to be right next to your ally to use this, but it can be pretty effective.

Level 3

Class: Gloom Stalker

Class Features: Dread Ambusher, Gloom Stalker Magic, Umbral Sight

Spell Change Log: + Absorb Elements + Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)

Level 3 brings your subclass, and of course, you’re picking Gloom Stalker!

Gloom Stalker brings a lot to the table right at level 3 with Dread Ambusher, Gloom Stalker Magic, and Umbral Sight.

Dread Ambusher was previously the best subclass ability, but was unfortunately changed to be weaker, but much more fair. Now you get to do a decent amount of additional damage a few times a day, 10 extra speed on turn one of combat, and a bonus to Initiative. While weaker, this ability is still very strong.

Gloom Stalker Magic, much like most of the other Ranger subclasses, adds some additional spells that you get for free. Out of all the Gloom Stalker’s abilities, I would say the magic is probably the “weakest” of the bunch as the quality of the spells is a bit all over the place, but you definitely get some solid ones in there.

For Gloom Stalker Magic, you get to pick up Disguise Self for free. Admittedly I’ve never liked this spell as it’s hard to imagine when you would need it, but if you need to do some crime, this can probably help you out to not get caught.

Your final ability for this level is Umbral Sight which is just a good Darkvision, but to make it even better, you are invisible to creatures relying on Darkvision to see. A little specific, but this is pretty strong.

For spell choice this level, you’re going to take Absorb Elements. It is a fantastic spell, but you’re generally not going to be hit with large swaths of elemental damage until later levels so it’s much less vital early. However, if you’re hit with a boatload of elemental damage, then this will be really helpful.

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Level 4

Feat: Dual Wielder (DEX)

Class Features: None

Spell Change Log: + Detect Magic

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Detect Magic (R)
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)

Level 4 brings your first feat, and you definitely want to get to 18 Dexterity so a true feat it is. Since you’re going to be using two weapons, you have to pick up the Dual Wielder feat! In short, between this and the Nick property, you can now get three attacks a turn with your action and bonus action. Next level when you get an Extra Attack, you get four attacks and all of them get DEX in bonus damage because of Two Weapon Fighting! This is going to make your damage potential really high, just slightly less than STR users.

While you do get a spell this level, I consider this a “gap” level. Whatever you take here should be swapped out for two second level spells next level, so your choice really doesn’t matter. I pretty arbitrarily picked Detect Magic, but again, this can really be anything you think may be useful.

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Level 5

Class Features: Extra Attack

Spell Change Log: – Detect Magic / + Pass Without Trace + Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker) + Spike Growth

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*

Level 5 brings the most important feature for martial characters – Extra Attack! Double the damage output is obviously incredible for anyone!

You get your next Gloom Stalker spell with Rope Trick. Realistically, this is super niche and can be good to short rest in dangerous territory, but otherwise, this isn’t going to be helpful.

For your spells, we want the broken second level spells as fast as possible so something has to go. As mentioned before, Detect Magic is getting kicked out to make room.

For the broken spells you get, you can pick up Pass Without Trace and Spike Growth.

First off, you get the best stealth spell in the game – Pass Without Trace. Pass Without Trace grants your squad a natural PLUS TEN on all stealth checks. That is absolutely egregious and can make even the most heavy-footed companions reasonably stealthy. While you may not cast this often, this spell is unbelievably powerful when you do need it.

Your second spell is yet another incredible option – Spike Growth. This spell is truly messed up for many reasons. First off, the range on this is absolutely massive with the AOE also being quite solid. Second, enemies take 2d4 damage for every 5 feet that it travels, and considering this is difficult terrain, that can add up. Lastly (as mentioned previously), this is 5 feet traveled, not moved. If you or your allies have a way to force movement, you can stack up an unholy amount of damage extremely quickly. Even if you have literally zero other ways to make this good, it’s still such a good spell that it doesn’t matter.

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Level 6

Class Features: Roving

Spell Change Log: None

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*

Level 6 brings a new Ranger ability – Roving. As long as you aren’t wearing Heavy Armor, you have +10 feet of movement and a climb/swim speed equal to your base speed. Extra movement is always great so I’m not going to complain!

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Level 7

Class Features: Iron Mind

Spell Change Log: + Aid

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*

Level 7 brings your next subclass ability, Iron Mind!

Iron Mind gives you proficiency in Wisdom saving throws. Simple, but really good considering a lot of really debilitating spells and effects will force WIS saving throws.

For your spell choice this level, you can pick up Aid! 15 temporary health split amongst three people is solid, and this upcasts reasonably well when you have the spell slots to do so. This is nice for your martial and squishy allies alike!

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Level 8

Feat: Defensive Duelist (DEX)

Class Features: None

Spell Change Log: None

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*

You have a choice here between just going straight to 20 DEX for your best weapon attacks available, or grabbing two feats between now and level 12 to get to 20 DEX instead. While either are reasonable options, I like picking up the two feats. To that end, I really like grabbing Defensive Duelist as it’s an excellent feat for Two Weapon Fighters. Rangers rarely use their reaction, so being able to use it to increase your AC against any hits you may take is really strong.

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Level 9

Class Features: Expertise

Spell Change Log: + Dispel Magic + Fear (Gloom Stalker) + Revivify

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*
3rd Level Spell	Dispel Magic
3rd Level Spell	Fear* (Gloom Stalker)
3rd Level Spell	Revivify

Level 9 brings Expertise and third level spells!

Once again, you get Expertise, but this time in two skills! Perception and Insight are really good ones, but choose whatever skills you want.

You get another Gloom Stalker spell with Fear. Fear is an excellent CC spell that can hit a lot of creatures at once and make them waste their action, potentially for multiple turns. Rangers get solid CC, but generally not spells this effective. It’s going to be hard to justify not using Hunter’s Mark instead in combat, but this is a pretty compelling reason.

For spells, you get two excellent ones with Dispel Magic and Revivify.

Dispel Magic is new to Ranger and it feels oh so good. You want as many Dispel Magics on your team as possible as you never know when you’re going to be on the wrong end of a really nasty magical effect.

Revivify is just a staple spell that anyone who can take likely should. You never know who might kick the bucket, so having a way to bring them right back up and without penalty.

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Level 10

Class Features: Tireless

Spell Change Log: None

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*
3rd Level Spell	Dispel Magic
3rd Level Spell	Fear* (Gloom Stalker)
3rd Level Spell	Revivify

Level 10 brings a new base class ability – Tireless! Now you can give yourself some temporary health a few times a day as an action, somewhat akin to a Fighter’s Second Wind. Additionally, short rests decrease your Exhaustion which is much more niche, but still helpful!

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Level 11

Class Features: Stalker’s Fury

Spell Change Log: + Lesser Restoration

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Lesser Restoration
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*
3rd Level Spell	Dispel Magic
3rd Level Spell	Fear* (Gloom Stalker)
3rd Level Spell	Revivify

Level 11 brings your subclasses penultimate ability – Stalker’s Fury.

Stalker’s Fury is an upgrade to your Dread Ambusher by giving you one of two abilities whenever you active it: you can make an additional attack against another creature that’s five feet away from your initial target or you can frighten creatures in a small range.

You get a new spell this level and I like picking up Lesser Restoration. While it’s not a spell you’re going to be using particularly often, being able to cure some status conditions can be really helpful in a long adventuring day or during an encounter.

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Level 12

Feat: Mage Slayer (DEX)

Class Feature: None

Spell Change Log: None

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Lesser Restoration
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*
3rd Level Spell	Dispel Magic
3rd Level Spell	Fear* (Gloom Stalker)
3rd Level Spell	Revivify

Level 12 brings your penultimate feat, and now you can max out your Dexterity with Mage Slayer! Getting one charge of functional Legendary Resistance is excellent and really messing up casters while you’re at it is just gravy.

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Level 13

Class Features: Relentless Hunter

Spell Change Log: + Conjure Woodland Beings + Greater Invisibility (Gloom Stalker)

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Lesser Restoration
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*
3rd Level Spell	Dispel Magic
3rd Level Spell	Fear* (Gloom Stalker)
3rd Level Spell	Revivify
4th Level Spell	Conjure Woodland Beings*
4th Level Spell	Greater Invisibility* (Gloom Stalker)

Level 13 brings a new class feature and fourth level spells!

Your class feature is Relentless Hunter and now damage can’t break your concentration on Hunter’s Mark. This is an alright ability that will come up often enough as you are in melee and you’re going to get hit.

You get another Gloom Stalker spell this level with Greater Invisibility! This is an extremely powerful buff spell that makes you invisible for 1 minute with no way to break it. Advantage on all your attacks and disadvantage on all attacks against you is obviously very powerful.

For your spell choice, it’s hard to go wrong with Conjure Woodland Beings. This is a really strong emanation that’s going to pretty effectively shred enemies in combat if there are enough of them around you.

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Level 14

Class Features: Nature’s Veil

Spell Change Log: None

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Lesser Restoration
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*
3rd Level Spell	Dispel Magic
3rd Level Spell	Fear* (Gloom Stalker)
3rd Level Spell	Revivify
4th Level Spell	Conjure Woodland Beings*
4th Level Spell	Greater Invisibility* (Gloom Stalker)

Level 14 brings you Nature’s Veil. Now, as a bonus action, you can gain the Invisible condition until your next turn. This can be helpful in combat in cast enemies are encroaching on you, but realistically, your bonus action is likely to be eaten up by other options.

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Level 15

Class Features: Shadowy Dodge

Spell Change Log: + Stoneskin

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Lesser Restoration
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*
3rd Level Spell	Dispel Magic
3rd Level Spell	Fear* (Gloom Stalker)
3rd Level Spell	Revivify
4th Level Spell	Conjure Woodland Beings*
4th Level Spell	Greater Invisibility* (Gloom Stalker)
4th Level Spell	Stoneskin*

Level 15 brings your final subclass feature – Shadowy Dodge. You can use your reaction to give disadvantage on an attack, and no matter the result, you can teleport away. This is obviously strong in a pinch if you’re surrounded, but giving disadvantage on one attack versus using Defensive Duelist to increase your AC for the whole turn instead.

To that end, I really like picking up Stoneskin for your spell. While you would rather use Hunter’s Mark as your concentration spell on choice in battle, if you’re getting low on health, this is a good way to protect yourself.

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Level 16

Feat: War Caster (WIS)

Class Feature: None

Spell Change Log: None

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Lesser Restoration
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*
3rd Level Spell	Dispel Magic
3rd Level Spell	Fear* (Gloom Stalker)
3rd Level Spell	Revivify
4th Level Spell	Conjure Woodland Beings*
4th Level Spell	Greater Invisibility* (Gloom Stalker)
4th Level Spell	Stoneskin*

You get yet another feat, and since Dexterity is already maxed out, it’s time to start pumping your Wisdom! To that end, I really like picking up War Caster. Being able to spellcast without a free hand is really helpful for casting in combat considering you’re going to be holding two weapons most of the time.

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Level 17

Class Features: Precise Hunter

Spell Change Log: + Seeming (Gloom Stalker) + Steel Wind Strike + Swift Quiver

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Lesser Restoration
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*
3rd Level Spell	Dispel Magic
3rd Level Spell	Fear* (Gloom Stalker)
3rd Level Spell	Revivify
4th Level Spell	Conjure Woodland Beings*
4th Level Spell	Greater Invisibility* (Gloom Stalker)
4th Level Spell	Stoneskin*
5th Level Spell	Seeming (Gloom Stalker)
5th Level Spell	Steel Wind Strike
5th Level Spell	Swift Quiver*

Level 17 brings yet another ability and your fifth level spells!

For your class ability, you pick up Precise Hunter which gives you advantage on all attacks against your Hunter’s Mark target. This is definitely solid on a build that’s making a bunch of attacks per turn as you want to be as accurate as possible.

For your final Gloom Stalker spell, you get to pick up Seeming. This is like a mass Disguise Self which can be useful in the right scenario, but really niche. Still, you can probably get some mileage out of this.

For your spell choices, you should grab Steel Wind Strike and Swift Quiver.

Steel Wind Strike is a unique spell that’s an AOE blast spell and teleportation option all in one. This isn’t something I would cast often, but if you’re starting to get surrounded, this is a good way to escape while still dealing good damage.

Swift Quiver is even better in 2024 as this gives you two extra attacks with your bow per turn using your bonus action. While you aren’t going to be using your bow much, having a strong ranged option is still really useful for this build.

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Level 18

Class Features: Feral Senses

Spell Change Log: None

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Lesser Restoration
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*
3rd Level Spell	Dispel Magic
3rd Level Spell	Fear* (Gloom Stalker)
3rd Level Spell	Revivify
4th Level Spell	Conjure Woodland Beings*
4th Level Spell	Greater Invisibility* (Gloom Stalker)
4th Level Spell	Stoneskin*
5th Level Spell	Seeming (Gloom Stalker)
5th Level Spell	Steel Wind Strike
5th Level Spell	Swift Quiver*

Level 18 gives you Feral Senses which is just 30 feet of Blindsight. This could be helpful or never come up, it really depends on how often you’re fighting in darkness or heavily obscured conditions.

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Level 19

Epic Boon: Boon of Combat Prowess

Class Features: None

Spell Change Log: + Greater Restoration

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Lesser Restoration
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*
3rd Level Spell	Dispel Magic
3rd Level Spell	Fear* (Gloom Stalker)
3rd Level Spell	Revivify
4th Level Spell	Conjure Woodland Beings*
4th Level Spell	Greater Invisibility* (Gloom Stalker)
4th Level Spell	Stoneskin*
5th Level Spell	Greater Restoration
5th Level Spell	Seeming (Gloom Stalker)
5th Level Spell	Steel Wind Strike
5th Level Spell	Swift Quiver*

Level 19 brings your Epic Boon and your final prepared spell!

Your Epic Boon choice, as I will pick for every martial character, is the Boon of Combat Prowess. Converting a miss into a hit is functionally getting an Extra Attack, but better, and I will take an additional attack every day of the week.

For your final prepared spell, I like grabbing Greater Restoration. Like Lesser Restoration, you’re probably not going to use this much, but having the ability to heal nasty status conditions is well worth having on hand.

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Level 20

Class Feature: Foe Slayer

Spell Change Log: None

SPELL LEVEL	SPELL NAME
1st Level Spell	Absorb Elements
1st Level Spell	Cure Wounds
1st Level Spell	Disguise Self (Gloom Stalker)
1st Level Spell	Entangle*
1st Level Spell	Goodberry
1st Level Spell	Hunter’s Mark* (Favored Foe)
2nd Level Spell	Aid
2nd Level Spell	Lesser Restoration
2nd Level Spell	Pass Without Trace*
2nd Level Spell	Rope Trick (Gloom Stalker)
2nd Level Spell	Spike Growth*
3rd Level Spell	Dispel Magic
3rd Level Spell	Fear* (Gloom Stalker)
3rd Level Spell	Revivify
4th Level Spell	Conjure Woodland Beings*
4th Level Spell	Greater Invisibility* (Gloom Stalker)
4th Level Spell	Stoneskin*
5th Level Spell	Greater Restoration
5th Level Spell	Seeming (Gloom Stalker)
5th Level Spell	Steel Wind Strike
5th Level Spell	Swift Quiver*

Level 20 brings your capstone ability – Foe Slayer. Unfortunately, this ability has drawn the ire of many as all it does is increase your Hunter’s Mark damage to 1d10, so an average of 2 more damage per hit. Yeah, this really could’ve been something else, but so few games go to level 20 that it realistically doesn’t matter much.