The ranger is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They are protectors of nature, skilled woodsmen, and often live reclusive lives as hermits.
In 3rd edition, Rangers are the favored class of Wood Elves, Lupins (a race of canine humanoids from the Mystara Campaign setting, updated to 3.5 in Dragon magazine #325), Shifters from the Eberron campaign setting, Centaurs (Monster Manual I and Races of the Wild), Gnolls (Monster Manual I and Races of the Wild), and Catfolk (Races of the Wild).