Horizon Walker Ranger Guide for Beginners: Mastering the Planes in D&D 5e

The Horizon Walker Ranger is a warrior attuned to the mystical energies of the multiverse, excelling at teleportation, dimensional travel, and striking down extraplanar threats. Introduced in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, this subclass is perfect for players who want to play a fast-moving, teleporting combatant who specializes in taking down fiends, aberrations, and planar invaders.

Unlike other Rangers who focus on nature and stealth, Horizon Walkers are magical warriors infused with planar energy, using teleportation, force damage, and extra attacks to dominate the battlefield, making them one of the fastest and hardest-hitting Ranger subclasses in D&D 5e. If you love the idea of hunting interdimensional threats, teleporting across the battlefield, and striking with radiant and force energy, this subclass is for you!

Why Play a Horizon Walker Ranger?

Key Benefits

• Best Ranger for Mobility & Teleportation – Move across the battlefield like a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it fighter.
• One of the Hardest-Hitting Rangers – Extra force damage, bonus attacks, and teleportation make you deadly.
• Strong Against Fiends, Aberrations, and Planar Creatures – Great for campaigns involving the multiverse.
• Excellent at Both Melee and Ranged Combat – Your abilities work with all combat styles.
• Strong Spellcasting Support – Gain spells that enhance your mobility and utility.

Compared to other Rangers, Horizon Walkers are the best for high-speed, teleportation-based combat, making them incredibly fun and dynamic in battle.

Core Features

Key Mechanics and Abilities

Horizon Walker Magic (Level 3, 5, 9, 13, and 17)

You gain extra spells that focus on teleportation, planar magic, and battlefield control.

• Key Spells:

  • Protection from Evil and Good (3rd Level) – Defends against extraplanar creatures.
  • Misty Step (5th Level) – Teleport up to 30 feet as a bonus action.
  • Haste (9th Level) – Double your speed, gain an extra action, and boost AC.
  • Banishment (13th Level) – Send enemies to another plane temporarily.
  • Teleportation Circle (17th Level) – Create a teleportation gateway.

• Example: Use Misty Step to reposition, then activate Haste for even more movement and attacks!

Detect Portal (Level 3)

• Once per short rest, you can sense planar portals within 1 mile.
• Example: Useful in planar-themed campaigns where hidden portals exist.

Planar Warrior (Level 3)

• As a bonus action, convert your next weapon attack’s damage to force damage and add an extra 1d8 force damage.
• Increases to 2d8 at level 11.
• Example: Use Planar Warrior before attacking to bypass resistances and deal high force damage.

Ethereal Step (Level 7)

• Once per short rest, enter the Ethereal Plane as a bonus action for 1 turn.
• You can move through solid objects and become untouchable by normal enemies.
• Example: Phase through walls to escape or reposition mid-battle.

Distant Strike (Level 11)

• When you attack, you can teleport up to 10 feet before each attack.
• If you attack at least two creatures, you get a free extra attack.
• Example: Teleport between enemies, striking all of them with a flurry of attacks!

Spectral Defense (Level 15)

• When you are hit by an attack, you can use your reaction to gain resistance to all damage from that attack.
• Example: Makes you extremely durable against big single hits, like dragon breath or crits.

These abilities make Horizon Walker Rangers the most mobile, hardest-hitting, and resilient Rangers in D&D 5e.

Suggested Ability Scores

• Primary: Dexterity – Improves attack rolls, AC, and Stealth.
• Secondary: Wisdom – Boosts spellcasting and planar abilities.
• Tertiary: Constitution – Increases survivability.

Recommended Races

Since Horizon Walkers rely on Dexterity, Wisdom, and high-speed movement, the best races include:

1. Eladrin Elf – Built-in teleportation and Dexterity bonuses.
2. Shadar-Kai Elf – Teleportation + resistance to necrotic damage.
3. Tabaxi – Feline Agility allows double movement speed.
4. Aarakocra – Flight makes you an even better teleporting scout.
5. Githyanki – Innate Misty Step and planar warrior theme.

Playing as a Horizon Walker Ranger

Role in a Party

• Primary Striker & Teleporter – Unmatched in speed and offensive power.
• Great Against Fiends & Aberrations – Ideal for campaigns with planar enemies.
• Best Mobile Fighter – Move freely around the battlefield, hitting multiple enemies.

Compared to other Rangers, Horizon Walkers feel like a teleporting whirlwind of destruction, always repositioning for the best tactical advantage.

Tips for New Players

• Always activate Planar Warrior before attacking – Force damage bypasses most resistances.
• Use Distant Strike for extra attacks – Teleporting lets you reposition for the best strikes.
• Don’t forget Spectral Defense – Your reaction makes you much tankier than normal Rangers.
• Use Ethereal Step for quick escapes – Phase through walls to avoid damage.

Gear and Dice Recommendations

Suggested Equipment

Weapons

• Longbow (Best for Ranged Builds) – Perfect for teleporting and sniping.
• Dual Shortswords (For Two-Weapon Fighting Builds) – Maximizes Planar Warrior damage.
• Rapier + Shield (For Defensive Builds) – More AC, useful for frontline teleporting.

Armor

• Studded Leather Armor – Maximizes AC without affecting Stealth.
• Cloak of Protection – Boosts AC and saving throws.

Magic Items

• Blink Dagger – Grants short-range teleportation.
• Boots of Speed – Doubles movement speed, making teleporting even better.
• Amulet of the Planes – Grants interdimensional teleportation.

Dice Recommendations from Runic Dice

Enhance your interdimensional adventurer aesthetic with these thematic dice sets:

• Planeshifter Dice Set: For a purple and silver combination representing interdimensional magic, consider the Purple Gemstone Amethyst DND Dice Set. Handcrafted from genuine amethyst, these dice showcase deep purple hues with silver numbering, capturing the mystic essence of a Planeshifter.
• Celestial Step Dice Set: To embody the planar traveler with blue and gold tones, the Blue Sandstone Silver Font Gemstone DND Dice Set is an excellent choice. This set features captivating blue sandstone with shimmering inclusions, complemented by silver numerals, reflecting the celestial journey of a planar explorer.
• Voidwalker Dice Set: For black and violet hues symbolizing the cosmic ranger, the Black Inked Lightning Cracked Glass DND Dice Set offers a striking cracked glass design with black inked numerals, embodying the enigmatic path of a Voidwalker.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Optimization Strategies

Best Feats for a Horizon Walker Ranger

1. Sharpshooter – Boosts long-range teleporting damage.
2. Mobile – Increases movement speed and prevents enemies from stopping you.
3. Elven Accuracy (For Elves/Half-Elves) – Reroll when attacking with advantage.
4. Lucky – Reroll failed saves, attacks, or ability checks.
5. Resilient (Wisdom) – Boosts spell save DC and mind-control resistance.

Best Multiclass Options

1. Ranger 6 / Fighter (Echo Knight) 14 – The Planar Assassin

   • Best for: Maximum extra attacks with teleportation.
   • Strategy: Use Echo Knight’s teleporting clone for multi-planar strikes.

2. Ranger 8 / Sorcerer (Clockwork Soul) 12 – The Arcane Traveler

   • Best for: Blending teleportation and spellcasting.

3. Ranger 10 / Warlock (Hexblade) 10 – The Shadow Hunter

   • Best for: Combining planar magic with high-damage smites.

The Horizon Walker Ranger is one of the most mobile, hardest-hitting, and dynamic subclasses in D&D 5e, excelling at teleportation, force damage, and taking down planar threats.