Rangers

[Noselacri]

They're okay. They aren't the best at anything (except tracking) but they're alright at plenty of things. They're a lot like druids in that way, but rangers have the advantage of being able to tank just fine up to about 50, and even further if they're properly geared. Tanks being one of the most sought-after roles, that counts for something.

The real problem is that people view things from the perspective of the perfect group, and a ranger doesn't have a solid place in those. In reality, most groups aren't perfect, and rangers are versatile enough that they can pull their weight in a less idealistic group. It can be a great asset to have a DPS who can off-tank, or to have someone who can root-park mobs without wasting valuable healer mana on it. It can be great to have a harmony-puller that isn't a caster who loses a bunch of medding time when he has to pull. They can fill in as a pseudo-slower if the group doesn't have an enchanter or shaman. It's also one of only three classes with SoW, one of only two with a long-lasting snare, and the only class besides monk that can do good DPS while tanking.

Unfortunately, the class doesn't have a real niche and isn't particularly valuable on a raid where all the utilities are covered by others. Rangers are actually great while leveling, but not so great in the endgame. It gets better in Velious though, because archery DPS is pretty good during trueshot and that can help a lot in certain fights, plus weaponshield is the key to a very effective strategy that most guilds will want to employ while progressing. They also get some unique atk buffs in Velious which will effectively make a ranger fully competitive DPS considering what they add to all the other melees, though that doesn't stack so well with multiple rangers.

[Flunklesnarkin]

lot of the rangers i've grouped with in the past don't use snare or root at all though.. makes me sad [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[webrunner5]

Originally Posted by Flunklesnarkin [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

lot of the rangers i've grouped with in the past don't use snare or root at all though.. makes me sad [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Well If they are the tank that would be fine, but Root is one hell of a agro magnet. That is one of the main problems with a Ranger in a group if they are not the tank is stealing agro. Why Sony ever gave them a taunt abilty is beyond me lol. They need a no taunt ability.

But that said just like any other class there are good and bad players. If you play the class really well you can be one busy bastard.

[fadetree]

Originally Posted by webrunner5 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Well If they are the tank that would be fine, but Root is one hell of a agro magnet. That is one of the main problems with a Ranger in a group if they are not the tank is stealing agro. Why Sony ever gave them a taunt abilty is beyond me lol. They need a no taunt ability.

But that said just like any other class there are good and bad players. If you play the class really well you can be one busy bastard.

Root is an aggro magnet? You may be referring to the fact that when rooted, a mob will turn on whomever is closest...but that's just because they can't reach the guy they are really pissed at. Other than that I think root has no more aggro factor than the small cc+dmg factor it carries.

In fact, root can be used to control aggro very well by a smart ranger.

Scenario - pull mob, bring to tank, root it next to tank, move back. Ding! mob is on tank until root breaks or tank has aggro. Group melee needs to be aware that distance counts and nukers need to know to hold back until mob is on tank, but they should be doing that anyway.

Scenario - group is working on Badass_Mob_01. Ranger gets excited and starts out DPSing tank. Ranger hears CRUNCH CRUNCH. Root mob, move back. Mob turns to tank and cleric gets to heal ranger.

etc.

Also, rogues and monks are problematic melees for stealing aggro as well. I agree about taunt though, its pretty useless on a ranger. I have never even bothered with it much over 10 years of playing a ranger. Flame lick+snare+DPS provides MORE than enough snap aggro.

I also agree with what Funkle said about spells...YOU HAVE SPELLS, USE THEM. Especially the heals. Spamming small heals ( Ranger Regen ) at a twitching necro or shaman is of GREAT value. Spamming a tank while cheal casts is of great value. Often a healer will be so concerned about keeping the melee up they will not heal themselves...spamming them back up can save them if you can spare the DPS loss during a close battle. Use Flame lick ( if nobody is mezzing ) and snare to peel from casters and park the mob. Use snare to peel an extra mob on inc and park it away from group with root.

[Corrodith]

I always keep taunt hotkeyed! I use it all the time when a mez or a charm breaks on an enchanter, it lets me switch targets really fast and insta-peel it off of them before they take a second round of melee. The skill is high enough that it's pretty reliable on most exp mobs.

[Xanthias]

Rangers are fun, play them if you enjoy a challenge

[Phased]

Sadly, opinions are not facts. I'm glad you've enjoyed your experience though, that's what it's all about.

[dcapotos]

Terrible class terrible baseball team.

[Galaa]

Well just put it this way. Rangers are the lowest dps among the 3 melee dps class.

[Flunklesnarkin]

Originally Posted by Galaa [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Well just put it this way. Rangers are the lowest dps among the 3 melee dps class.

given ideal conditions


not every group or player has the best or ideal gear though