Rangers ARE fun to play, due to their versatility.
The min-maxers on the servers just aren't really keen on inviting them to groups because they aren't specialists. We are more useful in 3-4 man groups where you maybe have a tank and a healer, and need someone to handle pulling (particularly outdoors), DPS, crowd control (rootparking), slowing (Swarmcaller/Earthcaller), utility buffs, etc. But even then, you can just replace with a bard and add mana regen to the group.
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As mentioned before, the removal of the hybrid XP penalty and addition of Panic Animal helps get you opportunities to XP. A few ATK buffs and weaponshield disc make you more useful at raids. It's certainly a step in the right direction, but not as much as the archery AA's and some elemental bows would provide beyond Velious.