Swarmkeeper

Swarmkeeper is a subclass of Ranger, 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 Deal an extra 1d6⁠Lightning to the target of your attack	Cloud of Jellyfish: Teleport Teleport 5 m / 17 ft away	Cloud of Jellyfish: Shocking Sting  Shock the target of your attack on a failed  Constitution saving throw
Flurry of Moths	Flurry of Moths: Attack Deal an extra 1d6⁠Psychic to the target of your attack	Flurry of Moths: Teleport Teleport 5 m / 17 ft away	Flurry of Moths: Blinding Swarm  Blind the target of your attack on a failed  Constitution saving throw
Legion of Bees	Legion of Bees: Attack Deal an extra 1d6⁠Piercing to the target of your attack	Legion of Bees: Teleport Teleport 5 m / 17 ft away	Legion of Bees: Knockback Push the target of your attack back 5 m / 17 ft on a failed  Strength saving throw

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
Cloud of Jellyfish	Cloud of Jellyfish: Attack Deal an extra 1d8⁠Lightning to the target of your attack	Cloud of Jellyfish: Mighty Teleport Teleport 5 m / 17 ft away and get +2 AC for one turn	Cloud of Jellyfish: Mighty Shocking Sting  Shock and  Disarm the target of your attack on a failed  Constitution saving throw
Flurry of Moths	Flurry of Moths: Attack Deal an extra 1d8⁠Psychic to the target of your attack	Flurry of Moths: Mighty Teleport Teleport 5 m / 17 ft away and get +2 AC for one turn	Flurry of Moths: Mighty Blinding Swarm  Blind and  Slow the target of your attack on a failed  Constitution saving throw
Legion of Bees	Legion of Bees: Attack Deal an extra 1d8⁠Piercing to the target of your attack	Legion of Bees: Mighty Teleport Teleport 5 m / 17 ft away and get +2 AC for one turn	Legion of Bees: Mighty Knockback Push the target of your attack back 5 m / 17 ft and  Prone on a failed  Strength saving throw

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