I'm wondering how accurate Fextalife is.

It looks like the initial excitement of Larian's version of the ranger being improved over the PHB version dies once you hit level 6 where instead of getting "improved" abilities (for Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer), you're only getting to pick additional level 1 abilities.

Land's Stride at level 8 is a decent ability. Hide in Plain Sight, if it is, in fact, an action to use probably isn't great.

[Edit: Hide in Plain Sight is absolutely useless. It turns you invisible and gives you 10 stealth as long as you don't move.

Source: https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/folders/1cOvLRgKw7hSMGuSd98V76HMhXIEPFwxO/18IXkMEF2CXQfAnFKLZM_r2PtBGrmqA_l?sort=13&direction=a

This might be an effective tactic to set up ambushes in tabletop, but this is absolutely useless in a video game. I was hoping Larian was going to use the updated 5e version that lets you turn invisible as a bonus action.]

They at at least have a decent spell list with good subclass abilities... But just picking new options for Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer is really uninspired and lackluster for levels 6 and 10. It's not the worst thing in the world at least since some of these options are decent and worth having, but they don't feel like you're gaining new high level abilities because you are not.

Thoughts?

And, side discussion: how are you building your ranger?

For me, I opted out of getting a level 12 feat/ASI, and I took my second level in Nature cleric to get Thorn Whip, always prepared Speak with Animals (ritual!!!) and Animal Friendship, proficiency in the Nature skill, plus some other cleric spells. I probably won't take advantage of the heavy armor proficiency unless there's something too cool to pass up since my idea of a ranger is not in full plate and packing steel (I don't wanna steal the spotlight from Minsc).

Much better than taking Magic Initiate (Cleric or Druid), IMO. Decided that was worth delaying my ranger subclass and extra attack by a level. My initial plan was to get five levels of ranger first, but I felt it would be more fun having those perks sooner rather than later (talk to ALL the animals). Was tempted to go Light cleric for that awesome reaction, but Nature felt like it was more bang for the buck, and it thematically fits the ranger while being a superior dip over one level of druid. My remaining levels will be all ranger unless I decide those higher levels just aren't worth it.

Currently leaning towards beast master ranger, though I may go gloom stalker if I like how it was implemented.