Dungeons and Dragons' 2024 class reveals have mostly gone over well, with some reworks in particular being exceptionally well received. However, the 2024 revision ofDungeons and Dragons' ranger class may go another decade without widespread approval, if early insight is anything to go off.
D&D 5e’s ranger is controversial, to say the least. The class is very well-played, sitting as one of the most popular options alongside the fighter. It’s also seen a resurgence in recent years, especially afterTasha’s Cauldron of Everythingrevised many of its features. On the other hand, that revision speaks volumes about its flaws; no other class has seen as many post-PHBupdates in the history ofD&D 5e. In the current edition ofD&D, the ranger has access to some good martial options and some fantastic spells, but it lacks a strong core fantasy (with many tying its magic-martial blend to an obscure moment where Aragorn used healing magic inLord of the Rings). In addition, the original ranger’s main abilities were incredibly situational, based on enemy and environment niches.
Every Change Coming With D&D 2024’s Revised Ranger
To the surprise of many, the ranger that will arrive inD&D’s 2024Player’s Handbookfaces minimal revisions. Instead, much of what the ranger has received is a boost to what it had before: a boost to spellcasting, major improvements to the Hunter’s Mark spell, and aPHBcodification of the optional features found inTasha’s Cauldron of Everything. The class is certainly more powerful in its new incarnation, but many still feel as if WOTC could’ve been more experimental with the changes made.
Tasha’s Features
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everythingreally turned aroundthe ranger ofD&D 5e, gifting it new class features that replaced the more niche ones of 2014. Now in 2024, the features Deft Explorer and Nature’s Veil have fully replaced their old counterparts, while Favored Enemy has been rewritten to have a similar lean toTasha’s Favored Foe trait.
Just as the latter offered the ranger a weaker alternative to Hunter’s Mark as a bonus resource, the new Favored Enemy grants extra free uses of the original spell—in addition to making it an always-prepared cast. The otherTasha’straits remain mostly intact in 2024, though Nature’s Veil has been kicked back to level 14.
Major Hunter’s Mark Lean
Whilethe rest ofD&D 2024is giving classes more ways to act outside their dominant playstyle, it’s creating a new one for the ranger. Hunter’s Mark has always been an important spell for fifth edition’s ranger, but now the class has many new abilities that focus on it. In addition to rangers now receiving spellcasting at level 1, their aforementioned bonus casts of Hunter’s Mark begins at the same level—starting at two free casts and progressing upwards.
D&D 2024will deliver other featuresto prop up Hunter’s Mark too; Relentless Hunter will make concentration on Hunter’s Mark impervious to damage, while Precise Hunter promises to give the ranger advantage on attack rolls against those marked. Moreover, the ranger’s Foe Slayer capstone has been reworked to improve the damage of Hunter’s Mark.
Revised Subclasses
The upcoming remaster to thePlayer’s Handbookwill give the ranger four subclass options, including the Beast Master, the Hunter, the Fey Wanderer, and the Gloom Stalker.
The first two are both from the 2014PHB, albeit the former shares the major reworks that came inTasha’s Cauldron of Everything. Hunter can change out its subclass features and learn a monster’s attributes through Hunter’s Mark, while the Fey Wanderer is almost entirely unchanged. The Gloom Stalker, first seen inXanathar’s Guide to Everything, is one of few other universally-praisedaspects ofD&D 5e’s ranger—and it too has been left mostly intact. Its Dread Ambusher trait is slightly changed to less situational, though.
Dungeons and Dragons
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
