Swarmkeeper

Swarmkeeper is one of the subclasses of Ranger. They command swarms of fey creatures to assist them in battle. Released as part of Patch 8 in 2025.

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You have forged a deep connection with your natural surroundings and formed a magical bond with a swarm of nature spirits. This swarm serves as a helpful companion and a potent force in battle.

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Subclass features

Ranger's default armour

This subclass obtains all the features from its base class, Ranger, in addition to its unique features outlined below.

Level 3

Prey's Scent

Your swarm deals additional damage to creatures marked by  Hunter's Mark

Gathered Swarm

Choose the swarm of nature spirits you've formed a bond with. You can change your swarm whenever you level up. An ability for the chosen swarm can be used once per round after landing an attack.

Cloud of Jellyfish

You gain a swarm of jellyfish that fights on your side. Once per round, the swarm can assist you in one of three ways after you attack an enemy: it can attack and deal additional ⁠Lightning damage,  Shock your enemy, or teleport you to a safer location.

Flurry of Moths

You gain a swarm of moths that fights on your side. Once per round, the swarm can assist you in one of three ways after you attack an enemy: it can attack and deal additional ⁠Psychic damage,  Blind your enemy, or teleport you to a safer location.

Legion of Bees

You gain a swarm of bees that fights on your side. Once per round, the swarm can assist you in one of three ways after you attack an enemy: it can attack and deal additional ⁠Piercing damage, push the enemy away from you, or teleport you to a safer location.

Swarm options

Swarm choice	Damage option	Teleport option	Utility option
Cloud of Jellyfish	Cloud of Jellyfish: Attack Use your swarm to attack the same target and deal 1d6⁠⁠Lightning damage.	Cloud of Jellyfish: Teleport Use your swarm to  Teleport you to a new location.	Cloud of Jellyfish: Shocking Sting Use your swarm  Shock your target.
Flurry of Moths	Flurry of Moths: Attack Use your swarm to attack the same target and deal 1d6⁠⁠Psychic damage.	Flurry of Moths: Teleport Use your swarm to  Teleport you to a new location.	Flurry of Moths: Blinding Swarm Use your swarm to  Blind your target.
Legion of Bees	Legion of Bees: Attack Use your swarm to attack the same target and deal 1d6⁠⁠Piercing damage.	Legion of Bees: Teleport Use your swarm to  Teleport you to a new location.	Legion of Bees: Knockback Use your swarm to push your target back 5 m (17 ft)

Subclass Spells

You gain the following spells. They are Always Prepared.

•  Mage Hand
•  Faerie Fire

Level 5

Subclass Spells

You gain the following spell. It is Always Prepared.

•  Web

Level 7

 Writhing Currents: 3

Used to cast Writhing Tide. Replenished on a Long Rest.

 Writhing Tide ( + )

Condense part of your swarm into a mass that lifts you up. Gain a flying speed of 9 m / 30 ft and become unaffected by surface effects.

Level 9

 Writhing Currents: 4

One additional use of Writhing Tide.

Subclass Spells

You gain the following spell. It is Always Prepared.

•  Gaseous Form

Level 11

Mighty Swarm

Your swarm has grown stronger. The swarm's regular attack now deals 1d8 damage, its special attack has one additional feature, and teleporting with your swarm now also increases your  Armour Class for the rest of the round.

Upgraded swarm options

Swarm choice	Damage option	Teleport option	Utility option
Mighty Cloud of Jellyfish	Cloud of Jellyfish: Attack Use your swarm to attack the same target and deal 1d6⁠⁠Lightning damage.	Cloud of Jellyfish: Mighty Teleport Use your swarm to  Teleport to a new location within 5 m (17 ft) and gain a temporary +2 bonus to your  Armour Class.	Cloud of Jellyfish: Mighty Shocking Sting Use your swarm to  Shock and  Disarm your target.
Mighty Flurry of Moths	Flurry of Moths: Attack Use your swarm to attack the same target and deal 1d6⁠⁠Psychic damage.	Flurry of Moths: Mighty Teleport Use your swarm to  Teleport you to a new location within 5 m (17 ft) and gain a temporary +2 bonus to your  Armour Class.	Flurry of Moths: Mighty Blinding Swarm Use your swarm to  Blind and  Slow your target.
Mighty Legion of Bees	Legion of Bees: Attack Use your swarm to attack the same target and deal 1d6⁠⁠Piercing damage.	Legion of Bees: Mighty Teleport Use your swarm to  Teleport you to a new location.	Legion of Bees: Mighty Knockback Use your swarm to push your target back 5 m (17 ft) and knock them  Prone.

Notes

• Although the reaction menu pops up after making an attack during a turn to select one of the Swarm abilities to be triggered, it does not consume any reactions.

External links

•  Swarmkeeper on the Forgotten Realms Wiki