Is Ranger DPS, really that bad?

[Mmohunter]

Is Ranger DPS, really that bad? If geared properly, and the right race is chosen with the proper stats.

I've been debating rolling a Ranger for my 2nd class. Since EQ doesn't really have any number crunching programs like many other games, do the numbers really add up to be that Ranger DPS sucks?

Just looking for some insight, didn't feel like asking in /ooc and getting "omg hah ranger, lololol"

Oh, and in regards to someone saying "just roll a Rogue", I like having utility spells, so it's either SK , or Ranger for me.

Thanks.

[Jify]

Zilo out DPSes me, by like 3:1. He's mr-ub-ranger though.

IMO they are like a rogue, with spells, and no backstab. But spells like Call of Flames are kind of a backstab equivalent.

[Cscott]

Eq has parsers, tho they are archaic and dont really work very well ( range issues ect ).

Rangers are simply not good in "classic" leveling up, PoP is when they really kick ass but Ive always played one and no matter what anyone tells you they do get better with each expansion. The Jolt line in Kunark helps with aggro control, however if your smart you can control it in classic easy. Once you reach 20 things will get better. Hell even getting to 9 is a huge step here. When you go all out at 50, other classes cant just coast to out dps you, thats for sure. DOnt listen to the bullshit.

Imo, they are more gear centric especially if you want to tank. I tanked through Kunark ( KC basement, Seb, etc, but it is not easy unless you slow every mob before mez is broke ) Even the first few seconds unslowed will rip through any non tank, especially a Ranger.

DPS-
If you use your spells, dots & nukes properly you can do decent dps.

The good part of a "good" ranger is ghetto CC
Minor off heals / regen later on
Snares ! Very needed before all classes got one
Roots
Panic Animal ( GG Reverse Fear kiting to be a great solo class against animals)


You can pull with the best classes in Karnors castle and any outdoor environment.

Tracking is pretty damn valuable, especially in Kunark and Velious Eras. The people that dont agree with this most likely are running MQ or know people that do.


The people that constantly bash them are one of two types of people.

1. Min Maxers who would rather coast through the game with the best of the best classes.

2. People who just follow others like puppy dogs and subscribe the age old Ranger bashing.

The bottom line is play what you like, if your good youll have fun.


They are simply painful to play right now, the 40% exp penalty on hybrids is horrid and IMO should never have been a part of this server no matter how authentic people wanted it. But, just dont watch your exp bar, work with what skills / spells your given in a unique way and good smart players will have no issues wanted you in a group.

Theres a shitton of bads on this server, even with faceroll classes. A well played Ranger can shine no matter what anyone says.

[Ghesta]

Oh, and in regards to someone saying "just roll a Rogue", I like having utility spells

I think the OP nailed down his own reason right there. If you're really concerned about DPS go rogue. But you aren't. You just want someone to tell you that it's ok to roll a ranger, and if you try really really hard they won't suck as bad.

Just play what you want. You want the utility spells, so enjoy being a ranger.

[Zordana]

i like ranger <3

[Pikle]

Honestly, rangers aren't that bad. They are good dps and have a ton of good utility spells imo. I always thought that a well geared ranger is one of the best melee's around. It takes the right type of person to play a ranger very well though. So make sure it fits your play style :)

[buffug]

most old rangers thought they were playing D&D...ranger = fighter with more hp. most of the original rangers people saw (and resulted in tons of bad jokes) were trying to tank in groups, and rangers just arent designed for that. Damage output for rangers can be great, but you have to work your conjuration, evocation, etc. in order for your damage to be where you want it, be buffed and DoT (yes even though they suck compared to a dru/nec/shm) before just wading in with 2 weapons hitting your taunt key. the problem isn't the class. the problem was the players.

[buffug]

further to that, you should never touch your taunt button (other than to work skill) unless the tank dropped and someone gets nukehappy and you need to snap it off of em.

[GreenRanger]

further to that, you should never touch your taunt button (other than to work skill) unless the tank dropped and someone gets nukehappy and you need to snap it off of em.

Lets first start off that the ranger is a purist class, we dont care if you think we suck its about the playing style and thats what should matter

the tank should never drop due to root proxy aggro. tank takes a few steps back ranger steps up to bat and knocks it out of the park.your taunt key is useless unless ur actually main tank. its best to rely on your snare/root combo to control aggro via Ghetto Ranger CC

as for rangers not tanking ive heard this a million times. even in the character creation screen it says rangers are warrior's of nature(lol) with the right gear and group combo anythign is possible and to just flat out say "gar's cant tank lul" is just closed minded.

on a side note, if you going to play a ranger please understand that you just started the game on HARD MODE(NIGHTMARE if its your first char) its not going to be easy, your gonna train and people are gonna dislike you for it . ranger is not a lazy class and requires you to be attnetive to whats going on.

last but not least a good ranger is easily shines in a group vs the other classes. that enough should keep you in groups in the future and motivated to get to lvl 50 that and haters. rangers love their haters <3

[Mmohunter]

Well, I played a ranger in 1999 for a short while, never went back to it. Eventually played a warrior through '99 into the Velious era, tanking through ToV, and I pulled all the basic dungeons from sol b, guk, kunark dungeons, and Velious dungeons.

I was just questioning (Ranger DPS) because people seem to always bash them everywhere I go. I bet if we had damage parsers we could see that a ranger played by someone who isn't half-retarded could get some good DPS on the charts.

I think I'll go ahead and roll a ranger 2ndary char. I am more than confident I can excel at a ranger, and maybe help to put an end to the jokes. :D

Harmony is still outdoor only right?

[GreenRanger]

ranger dps = steady damange flow. dont expect to burn things down even with your best 2 dots up and DD spell spam.

[Audacious93c]

My Live side guild leader was a Ranger. Always having the best gear available etc. He did great damage and actually saved the day a few times on bosses by tanking for a few seconds. He also took a Death Touch to every now and then though... haha ;)
Its basically the mind frame that you have of the Ranger that depicts how well you play the class. Everyone has a different opinion and the Ranger changed its appearance and play style throughout the game. So for the most part, a lot of people are terrible at the class due to not knowing what their role is. Identity crisis if you will.

In my opinion, during classic; they are off tanks and primarily DPS within a group. They are also a huge benefit to a group with a Warrior tank. That is especially true when their is no enchanter present. Not to say a Ranger cannot tank, but it is indeed a hindrance on the healer of a group versus having a War/Pal/SK. I personally wouldnt ever tell someone to not play a Ranger, because I love having a quick root, a snare and some in combat fighting going. Versus having a caster that you have no idea if they are even there, they might even be afk and you would never know.

[GreenRanger]

Everyone has a different opinion and the Ranger changed its appearance and play style throughout the game.

this is why i loved playing a ranger, they are kinda like a bard in the sense of jack of all master of none fitting in groups dynamics.

you wanna solo? CHECK
you wanna group with all pet classes without getting hit? CHECK
you wanna group in a all kiter group? CHECK
you wanna wanna main tank? CHECK
you wanna pull or just dps? DOUBLE CHECK

now getting a group or a group to let you in(assuming they arent exp greedy) is more harder then actually adjusting your playing style.

also cant wait to main slow when kunark comes outhttp://common.allakhazam.com/images/f/1/f1dcc6df027afe303c363f85bf125a78.png

[Ghesta]

Speaking as someone who's always played a healer class of some sort, while rangers might want to tank, I don't want to heal them if they are.

[stavio]

As soon as I get enough pp to slightly twink my first character its going to be a ranger. As someone said earlier they play kinda like rogues without backstab. Their spells are pretty useful and rangers will get a little better once kunark is released.

[Vanech]

One of the best tanks I knew on live was a ranger. His preferred off tank was a ranger, too. We took down a lot of stuff with relatively few people actually, although there was a high ratio of healer types in our little cadre, heh. ( Ranger / Ranger / Druid (me) / Druid / Cleric / Chanter )

[stavio]

One of the best tanks I knew on live was a ranger. His preferred off tank was a ranger, too. We took down a lot of stuff with relatively few people actually, although there was a high ratio of healer types in our little cadre, heh. ( Ranger / Ranger / Druid (me) / Druid / Cleric / Chanter )

Thats some squad lol. I like it!

[Audacious93c]

I would have liked to see a parse on that group. I wouldnt blatantly call it a terrible group... but thats what Im thinking as I read that group make up. A ranger cannot wear most of the gear a War/Sk/Pal can so even though those druids(you) were probably doing some damage; Im sure they(you) were healing as well. Missing out on the mana for that extra dot/nuke. Its odd how you dont vividly notice an extra minute to a kill in EQ, or how downtime is expected; perceived to not be a penalty for having a bad group makeup. Imagine how much quicker things would have died with only a cleric healing in that group, not only being the only one.. but healing less often as well.

I never once said a Ranger "should" MT or that its ok, and in fact.. a few seconds is an eternity when fighting bosses with a Ranger as the tank. Everyones stomach is in a knot because the raid force doesnt know whether they are going to wipe or not. Where with a warrior; you at least have a higher degree of certainty that you wont fail. I agree with Ghesta, in that I would never openly want any Ranger to tank over a Warrior at lvl 35+. Pal / Sk is a completely different story at 50, so lets just leave them out of this for now.

Also, another issue is that I dont mind having a Ranger or any other hybrid in my group simply because I do not share their exp burden in P1999 like you said. Your exp penalty is yours and yours alone. Love your enthusiasm though! Just stick to DPS / Utility... :)

[Ghesta]

One of the best tanks I knew on live was a ranger. His preferred off tank was a ranger, too. We took down a lot of stuff with relatively few people actually, although there was a high ratio of healer types in our little cadre, heh. ( Ranger / Ranger / Druid (me) / Druid / Cleric / Chanter )

Thanks for proving my point. :)