What are Rangers like now? Wanted in grps?

[Raavak]

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

Why wouldn't you charm?

Too skeered of charm breaks prolly. You need to concentrate on the game the whole time unlike most the classes. Charm petting is not something for the lazy or those easily distracted.

[Swish]

The best thing you can do if you're a less desireable class (listen up wizards) is be the one who puts groups together, become known for it, form a regular crew with a regularish tank/healer/puller and fill the gaps as required.

On my SK during hybrid group penalty days I'd often be the one forming groups, once I found a healer the rest filled itself... was more than happy to pull if we couldn't get a puller.

[Moerne]

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

The best thing you can do if you're a less desireable class (listen up wizards) is be the one who puts groups together, become known for it, form a regular crew with a regularish tank/healer/puller and fill the gaps as required.

On my SK during hybrid group penalty days I'd often be the one forming groups, once I found a healer the rest filled itself... was more than happy to pull if we couldn't get a puller.

Completely agree. I (cleric) regularly played with a ranger and SK through most of my 40's and 50's. Often we would be trioing and the ranger was superb for drawing aggro to root park adds while doing the dps we needed and snaring runners. Add in a sham for slow/haste and we were a very solid group in HS, the Hole, etc.

[Bummey]

rangers are good

[Jimjam]

I really like how sky geared rangers aren't dependant for others for haste.

With epics / sky cloak a ranger makes a great start to a group, especially if they can find a cleric or necro. Necros love rangers for the +12hp/tick regen they can provide.

With Velious armor rangers mitigate fine against xp content. Their low defence skill does mean they take more hits. But, hey! That's just extra DPS done by your damage shield!

[fadetree]

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

I haven't been around much since Velious released, was just wondering what has changed with Rangers since then. I know the 40% exp bonus is gone and they got a couple new spells, but has the general opinion of them changed much? Do they get groups much easier now than before? Has their dps changed any / gotten better, making them more appealing to group with on the way to level 60?

So, my usual advice is, if you want to play some kind of character and you are wondering if Ranger is worth the effort, then the answer usually is you shouldn't play a Ranger. If you really want to play a Ranger and you're just wondering how rough it will be, then you're in better shape.
One of the reasons I love them so much is that they show the skill of a player vs. the built-in capability of the class more than most melee classes do. I also like that they have been traditionally looked down upon and made fun of in EQ, because that makes it so satisfying to prove it wrong. I also like the difficulty of solo play, because masochism I guess. In the old days Rangers had kind of a brotherhood feel to them more than most other classes.

It all boils down to this for me :
If I see a max level caster, monk, bard, war, rogue I just go meh, ok. If I see a max level Ranger (or Pallie/SK, for that matter ) I am impressed.

[deadlycupcakez]

Look, I played a ranger on red to 51 as one of my alt cycles and tanked for every group I played in with some basic moth/ivy and a haste item + axe of lost souls. Particularly for Mistmoore and City of Mist (I know they are drab and over populated), rangers are the creme de la creme for pulling/tanking.

Also of note, at the time, everyone wanted to play wizards monks and druids on the server, so it's not like every group I was in even had clerics and rogues either. Play smart, pull smart, self buff and by leveraging your ability to always only bring in one mob at a time with the next inc as the first starts running away, you will keep even your druid healers mana in a good place for non-stop pulls.

[Amyas]

Rangers are awesome as they are leveling up. They are amazing for pulling in out door zones.

They didn't really come into their own until Luclin via AA's for archery.

[fadetree]

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

Rangers are awesome as they are leveling up. They are amazing for pulling in out door zones.

They didn't really come into their own until Luclin via AA's for archery.

Yup.

[Naethyn]

Derakor the Vindicator is the best mob to test melee dps on.