New to Project 99 Ranger question.

[LeorickEci]

Hello fellow EQers, Let me start off by saying I played EQ from '99 to '07 and I've pretty much forgotten everything about the game. I logged into my old account since EQ is F2P, and didn't know what to do, because I've gotten used to other MMOs and different play mechanics.

Now I've been missing EQ for a long time, but I hated EQ pretty much since PoP and onwards, game got lazy and stupid. I remember the glory says of camping in BB, for me it was Black Burrow, because I started in Qeynos, I know every other person refers to it as Butcher Block. I loved the days in HHP/HHK, and the most fun was in LG.

All that being said, I remember how Rangers at the time kinda really sucked, we couldn't tank well, most people referred to us as paper tanks, we had good melee, but the bow was practically worthless, though I loved to fletch and was happy when I made my... I think it was the Rain Caller bow... been too long. Flash forward to Velious and the game change, AAs. Rangers started to become a real DPS class with Endless Quiver (Though I had a Tolan's Bracer already, loved it) AM2, and I can't seem to remember the other bow specific AAs. That's when people wanted to have Rangers in the group, so here's my question.

How are Rangers in this game, I hear that P99 is going to unlock Velious sometime in the near future. Are Rangers still only good with melee in the current incarnation? Or are Bows actually worth something? I loved my Bard, which was my Primary, but I had more fun as a Ranger especially with the AAs, I was able to solo kite with ease.

Are Rangers sought after for groups and raids? I don't know how much time I'm going to commit to P99, but I definitely don't have the time to play like I used to, no more 200 people groups breaking Time staying up for 50 hours, those days are long gone.

Thanks for any input.