Positive Rangers Only

[bosmer]

<DIV>I've always loved the idea of being a ranger,even in the original EQ,god knows the ranger class went through many trials there.I survived the ranger sucks era of EQ and made it to a decent level a casual player could (55).I quit so i could play EQ2.I am finding the same thing happening over again(the ranger sucks era happening all over)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I've seen alot of complaining on this board,and after getting my [Removed for Content] handed to me by a blue mob I got very frustrated,thinking its the lack of skills and good armor for my level(21).I want to believe SOE is actually being honest that every class can solo.So if you experienced rangers out there can tell me how much fun your having then please do.I think others might need encouragement to.Although our class is broken,there still has to be some good points to it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I mean i don't want to go through the ranger sucks era all over again,and those of you who played EQ1 know what i mean.No complaining,I just want to hear about your positive experiences,and the fun your having as a ranger.So many like me can feel encouraged to log on and kick some [Removed for Content] out there.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>                                                                                                                                                                          Thanks</DIV>

[adrian]

I love being a ranger <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />I do feel like we have a place in the EQ world, although I don't rely on DPS stats or group placement theories to prove it. I solo as a Ranger, and I amble from lvl to lvl at a relatively slow pace. I've been lvl 24 for a few days now, and still havn't mananged to fall over 50% XP. If I were interested in roaring into the 30s and 40s, I would probably be whining with alot of the others. The fact is, I just like the clas, and like the challenges it presents. I am getting my butt handed to me regularly in TS, and it has made me do alot more research on how to fight smarter. Had I just been able to trounce all comers, I think I would have got less of a thrill out of the small advancements along the way. For me, it's more rewarding a class, because you really feel like you are earning your keep. There are soem flaws with the way the Ranger class is handled in the game, but I tend to ignore all that sort of thing. I stick to looking for constructive threads here, that help me use my character, not make me despise choosing him. I can understand why the guys at uber-levels are feeling the pinch, but having only experienced the Ranger class at a lower level, I can't see much to hate. I'm usre after 3-4 months, I'll become a disgruntled vet too, but for now, I'll just enjoy the cheap thrill of Back Shot and Shadow Blade, and go on my merry tree huggin' way <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[bosmer]

<DIV>Yeah,I tried going up against lv 20 mob,me being 21,and i got my [Removed for Content] handed to me,then again all my gear cons blue or grey to me,and most of my skills are still apprentic 2,so mainly i think that is my problem.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I didn't know you could do HO's solo until a couple days ago,felt kinda stupid.I like hearing a positive outlook though,and maybe SOE will hear us if we come up with a list of things that needs to be fixed and provide factual proof.If we haven't already.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm level 21 right now,and i am already scoring better bow hits then i did in EQ 1.there utilizing the bow,in the original EQ you had to wait until 51 to start seeing some damage with your archery.So thats one positive thing.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Tr]

Rangers are a great class, fun to roleplay, and overall a good choice. Right now, we're severely underpowered, but that doesn't stop you from grouping or playing your class. Every class will whine when they aren't the flavor of the week class, and right now rangers are dealing with the worst. Expect a change soon or more high level rangers will be fighting for change. If you enjoy being a ranger, stick with it otherwise you'll never make it to the high levels.

[Lesca]

<DIV>Well I'm enjoying it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Soloing isn't always easy because as you well know, all our best attacks are from flanking; how well I do basically comes down to what mob I'm fighting. Some will hit me harder than others and since you can't heal yourself you have to run away.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But take someone out with you as a duo and it's fantastic. I group with a paladin on a regular basis, and we do very well indeed. He will hold the aggro and keep himself healed while I lay into the mob and... well, slaughter it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I've got an alt who's a 26 templar, and whilst she's in higher demand than the ranger is (everyone always wants a healer), it's not as exciting to play. During fights I find I spend all my time watching the health bars and not actually participating in the battle, whereas with my ranger I'm right in there doing damage.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Incidentally, I've grouped the templar with the pally as well, and whilst it's a lot safer because of the heals, it's just not as much fun. True it's riskier with the ranger, but that's why I like it. And besides, there's always evac if we get in over our heads.</DIV>

[Sollum]

<DIV>I like my ranger alot. I've tried other classes but I'm now stuck with my ranger. I feel like a big asset to our guild groups. Often as soon as I log on, the guild group call me over and are glad of the major boost of DPS to speed kills up then the xp starts to roll in. I feel I'm reducing the slog time of killing mobs to almost half. But everyone in our groups has a key roll to play, as do we rangers and I feel wanted in our groups and am beaming with pride when I see the displayed damage I'm dealing. Check my profile achievments to see what kind of damage I can do.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Soloing I find a bit of a slog because once you've fired your arrows, your toe to toe, so no more arrow shots from there on. Also you cant backstab reguarly - our major damage dealer (once or twice during a fight with stalk, if your lucky to pull it off!). So with these limitations I'm feeling forced to group.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>There are issue's with the Ranger, and I'm sure there are with all the other classes. We just have to live with them atm, but I'm having fun! And thats what counts.  </DIV>

[Fishca]

<DIV>I really enjoy playing my ranger too - always good in groups - and with my usual group of friends, 2 shammies, 1 wizzy and an occasional swashy, I sometimes tank. I've recently found that I can in fact solo too - with a modified kind of kiting. Burns through arrows, but slow backwards circles, drop in a flaming arrow or triple shot when you can with a decent poison up and its not too bad. If you control the distance from the mob you can also use long range melee attacks like leaping cut and lunging thrust or if you need more space chuck in an impede. I find it takes mobs around my level down without getting too hammered myself, its also kinda fun if a bit hectic. </DIV> <DIV>With my regular group I sometimes kite the mob around the group whilst they chuck in heals, dots etc.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Also on the solo side, there are loads of quests that you can do whilst they are still red in sneak mode - that fast sneak that I chose as advanced training is a real godsend.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On a slightly different note has anyone else found that their power usage went through the roof yesterday?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[MaGoo2U]

<DIV>I am a lvl 23 Ranger and I am having a blast playing him, I never played EQ1 so this has been a fun learning experience for me, I used to use a shield and sword not knowing better, then I read some of the posts in the Ranger forum and started duel weilding and using poisons, that jumped my DPS a great deal, many of the experienced Rangers here have helped me to learn how to play a Ranger and it has made it alot more fun, and I solo more then not so I have learned to do that fairly well also.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When the Ranger gets to be to routine I also have a level 14 Shaman and a level 17 Dark Elf Scorcerer, they are also fun to play.</DIV>

[Bonedadd]

<DIV>Wow... a </DIV>

[Bonedadd]

<DIV>Wow... a positive </DIV>

[Bonedadd]

<DIV>Wow... a positive ranger post :smileysurprised:  What a concept.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I love my ranger!...half elf sporting a white/yellow mohawk and looking badass in his quest gear.  But then again I am only level 21.  I am sure the people complaining about it may have their reasons and it is because of their complaining that we may benefit in the future from some more balancing.  I play casually so this game does not hold much power for me as it is a game to enjoy and be savored like a good meal or good sex.  I laugh at the freaks who consider this game their life and they have to be uber uber uber.  Typically those folks have very little power in real life and thus need to be soooo powerful in fantasy land.  For those of you who take this game so [FAAR-NERFED!]ing serious, save up your money get a plane ticket to Indonesia and help those folks pick up their lives after the tsunami.... then come back and tell me how important this game is.</DIV>

[hieronym]

<DIV>every class will have good points and bad points. Good points I have got a few nice quest rewards and loot just by using my invis to get to hard to reach places, only last night in varsoons i sneaked up to a question mark while those skells was walking around. Timed it till he was down the end, grabbed a enchanted bone and escaped out before they knew what hit them :smileyhappy: I know other classes can invis but they dont get the luxury of escaping when an angry mob wants u dead. i also feel im pushing out some nice damage using my bow shots and sneak attacks and poisons, saved the group a few times using escape which is a god send and keeps the groups morale up when they get out alive and dont have to get their gear mended and work off the dept . Havent had a problem getting a group as of yet. If im not feeling groupy i will sneak about exploring which will help when grouped as i can tell them what i saw there and what to expect and also find a few treasures which can be sold.  Even got zek done last night and im still only lvl 25 so people do what scout classes in their group. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Bad points not being able to solo anything decent. I put this down to using fast dual weapons. I tend to get hit a lot. maybe will buy a slower one handed and go with a shield and see if i can solo easier.</DIV> <P>Message Edited by hieronymus on <SPAN class=date_text>02-17-2005</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>05:13 AM</SPAN></P><p>Message Edited by hieronymus on <span class=date_text>02-17-2005</span> <span class=time_text>05:13 AM</span>

[Soluz]

<DIV>November 11th 2004, i picked the class i wanted to do since my wizzy in EQ. I wanted to see different things with a melee class, but still dps based. I was influenced by my ex guild leader, who is a ranger. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>After days n days of playing, im still very very happy with my 29 ranger ! Running through TS with my Bow in my Back, attacking from stealth ranged behind front tanking ( LOL ) , also tracking that is a great skill for quests when u need to find this or that mob, my lvl 20 eagle ( =P ), discover the zones with stealth mode, etc.....</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But thats true, there are some inconvenients =), since the begining of the weeks, i had to wait like 2h to find a group, but hey !!! at 23h yesterday and monday, i did both Zek and EL access Quests !!! Even if im sleeping at work due to the facts ive got 8h of sleeping this week, im very happy !!! </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And about soloing, when i was for the first time on Zek, i saw many orcs con yellow solo for me. I tried some and if you are a lil bit lucky on procs, poisons and combos ( cheap shot, shadow then BANG shadow lunge ), you can do it !!!! And remember that you are near the docks and the guards, if it turns to crap, well yell and RUN ranger RUN !!!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Finally, i think all classes are cool. I play EQ and EQ2 since one year and im in love with this beautiful game. Monks, guardians, defilers, sorcerers, swashies, wardens, everything is good in this game.</DIV> <DIV>I just have to chose the one it fits to your mind, to your way to play or to your dreams. Mine was to have a dark elf ranger, today ive got it and im proud of it !</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Be safe yall norrathians !</DIV>

[seabhac]

I really enjoy my ranger (to the detriment of the other characters I've created). I have to pay close attention to what I'm doing or I'll die, but I found some good strategy tips for soloing on these boards and they have helped tremendously. The funnest time I ever had was when I duo'd with one of my house mates - a level 25 Warlock. We worked out a system where she'd root, lob DOT's, then root again and then we'd wait and watch the mob's health drop. Sometimes I'd get an itchy string finger and fire off Back Shot and Wounding arrow when the mob hit 75% health, othertimes I waited until it broke root before I'd fire. When the mob closed on the Warlock, I could jump in with Shadow Blade (or whatever it's called, the one that does fire damage) or Shadow Lunge (or whatever it's called). Sometimes the battle would get hairy and the Warlock nearly died and sometimes we could drop the mob with neither of us taking damage. That strategy was fun because we never knew how it would play out - it wasn't the old and tired hack and slash thing that so often seems to happen. Oh and the new HO's were a riot to play, too.And thanks for the POSITIVE thread! <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Jay]

<DIV><FONT size=2>Awesome thread. Good job asking for encouragement when you know you need it, rather than falling into the moping and whining routine. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Kaeros is my main, he's up to 25 now and loving it. I tend to group with guild members, but I can solo or duo fairly well when necessary. Even a duo arrangement works wonders, all I need is someone to take the aggro for a few seconds so I can throw on 200-300 damage with a quick string of sneak attacks. Juicy.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Even the pickup groups I join seem to appreciate what I have to offer, especially if I make it clear what I can do. A week or so ago, I joined up with a group in Crypt of Betrayal, and after a few surprises, suggested that I scout out hallways and rooms before the whole group moved into a new area. Doing so worked wonders - I could stealth and move around freely (thank you, Hagar's Camouflage!) go in and assess the threats, and report back via group chat after finishing my recon. It was great!! I prevented us from blundering into any more yellow ^ mobs, had a great time in the process, and the group was WAY happier with all the intelligence that I could provide. Our mage says "this is like having our own spy!" and I said "well, they don't call us scouts for nothing." <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>If you happen to be on Butcherblock, send a tell if you need any help or have questions. Good luck and enjoy!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>

[Teksun]

I LOVE MY RANGER!!!In EQ1 I had an enchanter main, and a ranger alt. So when the EQ2 came out I did the same thing. I worked my way up to 17 enchanter and decided to give my ranger a try. Long story short: My ranger is now 23... my enchanter is STILL 17 <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Kyriel]

<DIV>Teksun's ranger looks like mine :/ , I am lvl 34 atm, i currently hunt in zek and el a lot, tried to solo mobs and been doing alright lately, but all my armor is worth  about 40gold total(plus 2rare items worth aboout 40 gold altogether), i got hooked up by my guild lvl 50 tailor with a few rare items here and there. Most players who only adventure may not have this kinda money to buy good equipment, i still have to stack 5 poisons to be successful or else the battle may cost me dearly. most my skills are adept1 a few adept 3. My advice for everyone is as soon as u get rip, use it in every single battle because it does more damage than the makeshift arrows, i got a bundle already but it took me some time since is only 1 ever 15 secs. Overall i am just patiently waiting to see whats gonna happend to our class, it was a fun journey til some changes recently, now days in RE is hard to get groups as it is on night time for the usa players, but slowly trying to keep my ranger active.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Landacet~LvL34 Ranger Of re , check out screenshots to see me with anguis go at it <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Ren]

<DIV>Hrm, I love being a Ranger, and I remeber the "Ranger suck era", all you have to do, is be patient, wait it out, and good things will come in time.</DIV>

[FenaImayan]

<DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>I am so glad I got to read this post today! I hit level 27 yesterday and was frustrated with how long that level took and to be honest I wasnt that impressed with the new spell. I was so worried that I had spent this much time on a class that wouldnt be enjoyable, but I started looking at what I will be able to do at higher levels and read through some of the Ranger forum posts and feel much more confident that I will enjoy this class overall.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>It is hard for a Ranger to solo imo so the levels seems painfully long to achieve, but after reading this post I agree that it helps you learn to play your class better. We have to focus so much on the most effective way to fight that it does make you a better player overall. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=2>Thanks for keeping my confidence up!</FONT></DIV>

[zentyra]

<DIV>Xenthan: Woodelf ranger/woodworker, created Nov. 16th. As of last night, lvl 22 crafting, lvl 25 woodworker. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Khazen: Iksar rogue, created later, retired.</DIV> <DIV>Suli: Half Elf mage: created later, retired. </DIV> <DIV>Sirid: Human druid: created later, retired.</DIV> <DIV>Saeltas: Half elf mage, created later, retired.</DIV> <DIV>Khazen Jr: Iksar Warrior, created later, lvl 16 adventuring</DIV> <DIV>Siri: Half-elf jeweler, created later, lvl 17 crafting</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My ranger is the only character I actually like enough to play for hours on end. The combination of ranged and melee attacks (though I wish at my lvl there were more ranged) is interesting, and you feel like you do more than a finger-wiggler. My other two survivng characters usually get an hour of play for every 10 Xenthan gets. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Last night I helped two pallys and a healer charge through stormhold from top to bottom... in the large chambers the pallys would pull towards the center of the room, I would circle around the edges lobbing arrows. If we ran across baddies in the halls, I'd switch to blades, vault over the pally and the mob and hit 'em from behind. </DIV>

[faranth]

<DIV>Rangers are the best... All the other class should be be designed on how best to serve us <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[mellowknees72]

<DIV>I love love love love love love love love love being a ranger.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I started out with a druid main in EQ1 and played her up til the low 40's.  Then I started a ranger and I absolutely loved her.  I could run around and do stuff on my own, play with a group, and up until the 50's, I could even tank!  It was great.  When I retired from EQ1 my ranger was 65 with about 50 AA (and so was my druid at that point).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When I started EQ2, I started off with a druid too.  Got her to level 26 and really enjoyed playing her.  And then, yet again, I made a ranger and now I have no motivation to play any other character.  I love the ranger class.  I don't care one wit about those people out there (yes, had them in EQ1 - lots of them in my own guild made fun of rangers and I was their leader for goodness sakes) who say that rangers aren't worth anything.  It's simple - we rock as a class.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The defining thing is the person at the keyboard - when you play a ranger, you have to be a little creative about how you approach hunting.  Different techniques work for different people.  So far I haven't successfully solo'd any blue con group mobs, but I've managed to stay alive through many fights with green con group mobs.  Solo mobs...I can take down up to a yellow con (orange gets a little dicey though).  Usually the fight ends with my health at about 20%, but I can live with that...plus, who doesn't want a little heart-pounding, will-I-or-won't-I-make-it fun?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Don't let what other people think or say about this class influence you at all.  Be proud that you're a ranger.  We're awesome!</DIV>

[Atd]

<DIV>When I started my Scout I wanted to be an Assassin and imagine my surprise when I did my lv 20 class quest and I became a Ranger( I didn't do enough research to figure out assassin was a freeport only class)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm now 23 and I love my Ranger and I'm happy I didn't delete him. Playing solo so far I have found to be a bit hard but figuring out how to take down different mobs is part of the fun. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I have most of my skills at App4 and Adept1, always have tier 3 food and drink going, always use Poison and ALWAYS use your HO's to the best atvantage( toggle the HO to Ringing Blow instead of Swindlers Luck). I also have all orange equipment and weapons and this makes a big difference in my ability to solo. I'm having so much fun with my Ranger I no longer play my other characters. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So keep the faith guys because Rangers Rock</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Loco Enano</DIV> <DIV>Lv23 Gnome Ranger</DIV> <DIV>Random Acts</DIV> <DIV>AB Server</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[bosmer]

<DIV>The word "Ranger"alone has always struck a cord in me for some reason.In every rpg i always make a ranger type character.Something about being wild and out about in the wilderness alone and outnumbered.Thanks everyone who replied.I recall all the ranger jokes as well from back in the day.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>                      How  do you know a ranger broke into your house?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>                       Your chihuahua is camping there corpse :o)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm not a big grouper,i seldomly do get into groups,so its good to hear about your solo experiences,and what sweet lewt you scored or just how fun it was to take something down yourself.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Well  feel free to reply about yout Ranger and how you whooped on some big baddy.Real life calls,have fun.</DIV>

[adrian]

You can EQ2ise the joke...How do you know a ranger broke into your house?When you get home, you find him stuck in your window, cursing about an agility nerf

[Lesca]

<DIV>As far as I'm concerned, we're just a great class to play. OK so there's a few issues that need fixing, but find me one class that's totally happy and I'll run naked through the streets of Qeynos...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>We're versatile... One of the most fun groups I had was a month or so ago in TS. We had six people - a tank, two healera, couple of casters and me. After an hour or so of very successful mob killing, the tank has to leave for work. Fair enough, so we look around for any other tanks LFG. None. Hmm... Do some OCC's... None. Not so good. We don't want to stop, and in the end we figure one of the rest of us will just have to be the MT for a while until we find a replacement. All eyes turn... to the ranger.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So I ended up tanking. Which was... different. Since rangers don't have anything in the way of a taunt, it wasn't always easy to keep everything on me, as we weren't just fighting single mobs but groups too. It became a fun challenge - sometimes the templar would get aggro from a mob, so I'd have to use things like Wounding Arrow and Backshot to haul it off them again. See! The Inredible Tanking Ranger! I think I did fairly well all things considered. No-one died (alright, there was one very close call with a wizzy, but I won't go into that), we gained a nice portion of xp, all got the mobs we needed for our quests, and you know what? We never did find that replacement tank.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Of course, this was before the agility got squelched, but even then I wasn't obscenely high agility-wise, only about 85 - 90 ish, and I did get hit a fair bit. I got to pull the mobs too, and thanks to my long bow I could get ones that were miles away without having to do a suicide run through lots of others. I disarmed the traps, and I snuck into dangerous places first to check them out. And thanks to Pathfinding I could track the quest mobs for everyone too.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So never let me hear someone say that rangers are useless, because we're bloody brilliant. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Lesca]

<DIV> <DIV>Double post there, apologies...</DIV></DIV><p>Message Edited by Lesca on <span class=date_text>02-17-2005</span> <span class=time_text>03:04 AM</span>

[Jay]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT size=2> <HR> Lesca wrote:<BR></FONT> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>So never let me hear someone say that rangers are useless, because we're bloody brilliant. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT><FONT size=2> <HR> </FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV><FONT size=2>Haha! Best quote yet! <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Say if often and loud, I'm a ranger and proud!! w00t!! <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV>

[mellowknees72]

<DIV>Personally, I always liked:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Q: Why don't rangers get feign death?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>A: Because they wouldn't survive the fall.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But the ranger stuck in a window punchline is pretty good, too...LOL. </DIV>

[Coyt]

<DIV>I love my 22 DE Ranger , I solo great, Group awesome , he flat shreds. With the recent Pally power pool Nerfs I may Main my Ranger from now on.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Coyote</DIV> <DIV>22 Darkelf </DIV> <DIV>Ranger</DIV> <DIV>Mistmoore</DIV>

[Jay]

<BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> <FONT size=2>mellowknees72 wrote:<BR></FONT> <DIV><FONT size=2>Personally, I always liked:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Q: Why don't rangers get feign death?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>A: Because they wouldn't survive the fall.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>But the ranger stuck in a window punchline is pretty good, too...LOL. </FONT></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV><FONT size=2>Hahaha, oh that's good. But...wait a second! I'm a kerran ranger, I survive ALL falls!! BWAHAHA!!! </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><leaps off balcony in Mage Tower and is never heard from again></FONT></DIV>

[mellowknees72]

<DIV>Kerran rangers always land on their feet, right?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm a halfling ranger...do I always land on my belly? <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Jay]

<DIV><FONT size=2>Yes, on your belly - but you bounce to safety, of course. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  It's a secret halfling ability, not even recorded in the skills list!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>And you'd think us kerra would naturally land on our feet, but it's not always pretty. I got a little too feisty in the Mage Tower last week and really did plummet to my death. Quite amusing for the few folks milling about on the floor level by the pool... <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV>

[mellowknees72]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Jay42 wrote:<BR> <DIV><FONT size=2>Yes, on your belly - but you bounce to safety, of course. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  It's a secret halfling ability, not even recorded in the skills list!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <DIV>Oh no!  The secret's out!  Now everyone will want to be a halfing! <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The mage tower is an evil place - my hubby's poor Swashbuckler has fallen to his death 3 times in there.  Poor little guy.  The halfling belly flop didn't save him either. <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Kthaara]

<DIV>I have posted this before - elsewhere - but it fits here.  I really enjoy playing Ranger.  I have found out that it is not as easy to solo as other classes, but that is ok with me.  I have to work harder to get a level.  Oh well.  If I pull a yellow solo and do everything right I might win.  If I dont hit everything perfect, I have to run.  Same with white con solos and some blues.  <STRONG>The fact that it is more difficult for me to solo just makes it sweeter for me when I get the ding.</STRONG></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I have guildmates that can easily solo with other classes.  Bah.  Good for them.  If I wanted to solo easily I would roll another character.  I like having to pick and choose my targets.   I am having fun.  I get my $13 per month worth of playing EVERY time.  Heck, it is almost like getting a new game after each patch!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Kwentavius</DIV>

[mellowknees72]

<DIV>You guys, I just want to say HURRAH to the original poster for starting this thread.  Reading these forums can be very discouraging at times...it seems like some of the boards are nothing but negative, negative, negative.  People attack each others' ideas, put each other down, insult one another, slam other classes' abilities, complain about Sony, and any other number of things.  It's so nice to see a totally and completely positive thread - and of course, it's close to my heart since I really love being a ranger, too. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks, you guys!  You awesome rangers, you! <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Falamezar]

<DIV>Hehe, I am mostly a positive ranger.  I have only made one other post, and *sigh* it was a rant.  After a long and frustrating time trying to complete a few quests.  After listening to my roomate after yesterdays big patch (he's a pally), I realized that : </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>1. The pallys were not happy about the horse speed reduction.  Even though it was never ment to give them that boost in speed.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2. Everyone else thinks that their class has been treated unfairly. Except for maybe the mages.  And when you think about it, it makes sense that mages are the "uber" class.  If you read alot of Fantasy novels (like me) you find that most of the most powerfull characters are mages.. Elminster, Gandolf, Merlin..just to name a few.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I for one think that fighters get old after a little bit......not a whole lot changes, at every level it's still the same..hack, hack, hack.</DIV> <DIV>Preists have to rely on the often fickle gods for there powers.  And they don't get a whole lot of offensive abilities.  Though Port-a-temples can be fun to play they are also being bombarded with tells from people to join their group.  If you have a healer alt then you understand.  Mine is a Druid and I am not very often able to solo without people bugging me.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And well, as for mages...to fragile for me.  They have all this power at their disposal, but have you ever watched one have a mob come up from their pet tank to pound them.  It doesn't last very long.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I personally like what i have to offer as a ranger.  And i am still learning how to play him.  And I don't really have to solo that often.  I'll ask my guild if anyone wants me and they are pretty eager.  I like the fact that I can run through an area and if it gets really bad all i have to do is run for the 3 sec it takes for me to escape.  the other classes that get that have to wait a untill they are what 40?  I have to say that it is one of my more usefull and used spells.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I also enjoy being the one that after the fighter gets done running around trying to find a certain mob that says " got it".  I even managed to make the all powerfull mage jealous when i jumped from a cliff and took no damage while he came very close to dying.hehehe.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I also like to be able to temporarily tank for a group.  A little scary at times but really kinda fun.  Over all we really are the most usefull class out there.  We don't get the glory, but pull a few people outta trouble and you are the hero.  That and i have never had anyone complain about my DPS.  In fact i have done somuch damage that i pulled the mob off of that tank 3 levels higher then me.  And i was able to hold out long enough for him to get the aggro back.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So in short I love my ranger!  Yeah the do need some tweeking but hey, what class doesn't?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>P.S. those jokes are hillarious!!! </DIV>

[Jay]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> <FONT size=2>mellowknees72 wrote:<BR></FONT> <DIV><FONT size=2>You guys, I just want to say HURRAH to the original poster for starting this thread.  Reading these forums can be very discouraging at times...it seems like some of the boards are nothing but negative, negative, negative.  People attack each others' ideas, put each other down, insult one another, slam other classes' abilities, complain about Sony, and any other number of things.  It's so nice to see a totally and completely positive thread - and of course, it's close to my heart since I really love being a ranger, too. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks, you guys!  You awesome rangers, you! <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <P><FONT size=2>Indeed, the positive comments are great. My own forecast varies from mostly sunny to periodic thunderstorms <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> so I appreciate the extra sunshine when I'm having a cloudy day (i.e. my "Finally Discouraged" thread of a few days ago). I am struggling a bit with my ranger, the late-20s grind is tough - but I'll still persevere in my quest to hit 30. I did roll up a new alt (wood elf brawler), but I actually spend most of last night tradeskilling with Kaeros. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Dinged two craftsman levels and made many stacks of food and drink (mmm, ogre swill!) for my new alt and our lower-level guildmates and friends. </FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2>Anyway, thanks again to Youpi and all the rest of ya, keep the positivity coming. Share war stories, humorous anecdotes, tips and tactics, etc - let's continue to encourage and inspire each other. We all know that playing a ranger can be a real uphill battle, but this thread does a great job of building solidarity without succumbing to a lot of gloom and doom. W00T!</FONT></P>

[Jay]

<DIV><FONT size=2>My humorous recent ranger fun: I've gotten my Safe Fall up above 90 (tho still not maxed) and I've been <STRONG>amazed</STRONG> at some of the jumps / falls I've made that haven't injured me at all. (The cliffs along the road just past the covered bridge in Antonica, for instance.) So I've gotten a little more foolhardy and started really pushing the envelope...sometimes a little too far. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>A few days ago, I had to run up to the Tower of Vhalen for some quest, and looking down off the cliff left me wondering... "I'll probably die. But I <EM>just might </EM>make it. Hmmm...only one way to find out." And with that thought and an "oh well, what the hell" grin, I leapt off the edge, and plummeted straight down....to take 1200+ points of damage and instant death. Wheee!!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Fortunately I happened to be chatting with a cleric at the time, and he was kind enough to stop by and resurrect me. Moral of the story: kerra do always land on their feet, but they may shatter their legs. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT> </DIV>

[Saihung23]

<DIV>Wow....I only played EQ for a short time before losing the free time to play....but I have only recently bought EQ2 (One week in Qeynos so far) and I love it.  I cant rightly say I am a ranger (Saihung level 14 Predator) but as soon as I get to the point where I have to choose...it will be a simple choice. Ranger.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I think one of the best things for me about playing a ranger in a game like this is that when I was younger...I always loved the ranger from AD&D.  I would always play a ranger...buy the ranger handbooks...Books with rangers in them (Lord of The Rings)...I wanted to be a game warden when I was younger because I thought it was the closest thing in RL to being a real ranger (how far away is a heavy truck salesman from a ranger).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Alas, dreams do not always come, however, thanks to this game...I feel that ranger in my personality again.  I will be very happy the day I choose ranger over the other options.   </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So, no......I have no ranger stories.....no great battles as of yet.....but I have big silicon dreams and fiberoptic aspirations...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Peace Health and Happiness   :smileyvery-happy:</DIV> <DIV>Saihung   lvl 14 Ranger  Feydark</DIV>

[Raezo]

<DIV>Howdy fellow Rangers !! :smileywink:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The Ranger Subclass . . . . what can you say, you want a challenge in a online game, you picked the right class.  But I am here to let you know that you choose well.  Although you are considered a ranger at level 20, you dont find your true calling til your late 20's, beginning into your 30's.  Like most posts I have read, low to mid 20 lvling is tough, you have to stick w/ green and blue solos, and occasionally if you land your specials, a white is doable. But I found myself running more often than not when trying to solo anything worth a challenge in TS.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But now to the positives of the Ranger skill.   I am now a lvl 31 Ranger, and am soloing lvl 34 snappers and bears on EL, with no problem.  The real value of a ranger is to get out in the open fields and use your skills to their fullest.  I finished the EL access quest at lvl 29, and found a routine that I use on EL, that might help.  Alot of this, you probably heard, but Im just here to enlighten the rangers questioning their potential.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>    </DIV>

[Raezo]

<DIV>Howdy fellow Rangers !! :smileywink:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The Ranger Subclass . . . . what can you say, you want a challenge in a online game, you picked the right class.  But I am here to let you know that you choose well.  Although you are considered a ranger at level 20, you dont find your true calling til your late 20's, beginning into your 30's.  Like most posts I have read, low to mid 20 lvling is tough, you have to stick w/ green and blue solos, and occasionally if you land your specials, a white is doable. But I found myself running more often than not when trying to solo anything worth a challenge in TS.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But now to the positives of the Ranger skill.   I am now a lvl 31 Ranger, and am soloing lvl 34 snappers and bears on EL, with no problem.  The real value of a ranger is to get out in the open fields and use your skills to their fullest.  I finished the EL access quest at lvl 29, and found a routine that I use on EL, that might help.  Alot of this, you probably heard, but Im just here to enlighten the rangers questioning their potential.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>     </DIV>

[Raezo]

<DIV> Howdy fellow Rangers !! :smileywink:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Sorry bout the duplicates above</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The Ranger Subclass . . . . what can you say, you want a challenge in a online game, you picked the right class.  But I am here to let you know that you choose well.  Although you are considered a ranger at level 20, you dont find your true calling til your late 20's, beginning into your 30's.  Like most posts I have read, low to mid 20 lvling is tough, you have to stick w/ green and blue solos, and occasionally if you land your specials, a white is doable. But I found myself running more often than not when trying to solo anything worth a challenge in TS.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But now to the positives of the Ranger skill.   I am now a lvl 31 Ranger, and am soloing lvl 34 snappers and bears on EL, with no problem.  The real value of a ranger is to get out in the open fields and use your skills to their fullest.  I finished the EL access quest at lvl 29, and found a routine that I use on EL, that might help.  Alot of this, you probably heard, but Im just here to enlighten the rangers questioning their potential.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>     -  First, explore your surroundings, identify escape routes, and kiting lanes for potential targets (Don't wanna back pedal into a mess of adds, you'll be using evac very quickly.)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>     -  Second, spend that money on your armor and protects, I am still using my quest armor, and keep my jewelry updated for max protection.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>     -  Third, arrows and poisons -  I keep several stacks of feyiron for potential baddies, that I might encounter, but for the most part, I still use my makeshift carbonite arrows.  Stock up on poison, I usually equip and use 2 different types of poison to get a dbl effect (usually depends on update, sometimes they stack well, other times, well you know <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now it's time to hit and run . . .</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>(again this is my personal method, Im sure there's tons of different routines, but take what you can to help improve your personal talents)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>First, I pick my target, and have my kite route behind me . . .</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>     - Cast Steady Aim, and Natural Instincts to increase ranged skills</DIV> <DIV>     - Sniping Shot or Back Shot (or if you picked the adv version of this)</DIV> <DIV>     - Wounding Arrow (lower target defenses)</DIV> <DIV>     - Impede, then Corner</DIV> <DIV>     - This is optional attack, sometimes Ill throw in a Lightning strike or Pierce attack</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Start back peddling into kite mode</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>     - Flaming Shot (or Open Shot)</DIV> <DIV>     - Triple Shot (if it lands 3 consecutive times, check out the amount of damage you did after the fight, with good poison it's      </DIV> <DIV>    impressive).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Time to prepare for some Melee Action ( To fully utilize all your assets, you will continuous jump in and out of ranged and melee)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>     - Forester's Insight</DIV> <DIV>     - Survival Instinct</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>(Gotta get ready to be a tank, :smileytongue<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now I cast an HO, you wanna hit hard and fast, so this takes a little practice but does some lethal damage</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>     - Lucky Break</DIV> <DIV>     - Cheap Shot (this stuns the target, allowing you to get behind him, to launch your lethal Shadow Lunge attack)</DIV> <DIV>while this is charging make sure to stop attacking</DIV> <DIV>     - Shadow (Stalk if necessary)</DIV> <DIV>     - Shadow Lunge (I have this spell at app 3, and at lvl 30 I am currently ranked 199 (at 450+) and climbing in melee damage hit on Everfrost server)</DIV> <DIV>     - Lunging Thrust</DIV> <DIV>     - Lightning Strike</DIV> <DIV>     - Leaping Cut (or Bleed)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>By now, you should have some DoT on him, and your ranged archery specials should be recharged.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Go back into kiting mode using Flaming Shot and Triple Shot.  The rest of the battle will depend on your health and power, and your targets health and power.  If you can afford some more melee jump in there and slash and hack, if not, switch to archery and use ranged while keeping in your kite path (Occasionally firing off Flaming and/or Triple when recharged).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>*Keep yourself buffed and keep target debuffed.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>This is my routine.  It has some variances to it, and I change it occasionally for fun, but the basics is still there.  A Ranger is a master of the outdoors and I hope this will help.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I enjoy my ranger, and of course, I dont use this routine in a group, but if you wanna solo and have a challenge, a method like this might improve your success rate.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Good Luck and Keep Those Arrows Flying.  (If you aint shooting, you ain't living)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Raezo</DIV> <DIV>:smileywink:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV><p>Message Edited by Raezo on <span class=date_text>02-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>05:11 PM</span>

[Kelder]

<DIV>Well its obvious the Ranger in EQ had some flaws. He was just a hybrid with a lack of good bow skills. I have not yet had the chance to try out a Ranger in EQ2 for myself. I have grouped with some. The Ranger seems to have nice DPS and with the right placement, can be very vauleable to the healers. I know any of the scout classes if you play smart can pull aggro off the healer long enough for the tanks to grab it. I play a rogue right now and I keep my main tank targetted so I keep attacking what he attacks. Battles go smoothly this way. If the healer gets aggro and the tank is not moving quickly to help he/she out, then I run over flank/backstab and unleash my moves to grab aggro, and even as a wood I can keep the aggro for a few momments due to high evasion. When the tank sees I have aggro, he usually comes over grabs it from me, I hit Evade(deagrro) and the battle resumes as usual.  Battles go very smoothly this way. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>For a Ranger, I could see similiar. Light things up with a bow, don't over do the abilities and you should keep aggro away. Keep an eye out for the healer and by sure to keep the main tank as your target, and he will be sure to keep the aggro. A Ranger should be able to stand right beside the casters and be a lookout for them. If you feel the mob your a fighting are just taking little damage from your arrows, then just run up and straight melee. Don't waste arrows when you don't have to. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now like I said I have not played a Predator/Ranger, but I think they would be very useful and have many uses by any group. Whenever Verizon gets off their lazy [Removed for Content] and bring my replacement modem I will make a scout and get him to ranger to try this out for myself.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[CyberE]

<DIV>Rangers rock under lvl 35. =P </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Ragepowers]

<DIV>Troll Rangers own all Nuff said. :smileyvery-happy:</DIV>

[Araze]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> CyberEva wrote:<BR> <DIV>Rangers rock under lvl 35. =P </DIV> <DIV> </DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <DIV>Notice how all the positive response, or most of it, come from low to mid level people?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Some people will prolly never participate in the high end game, incuding epic raids. Some dont care for it, and some never get the chance. If you fall under that category, ranger is ok.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As I have stated several places now, ranger at high end game, simply sucks.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So go with ranger if you dont plan to go High end/Epic mobs and raid stuff. Its a good class with alot of potential.</DIV> <DIV>Just prepare for a real dissapointment once you hit the 40s - the higher you get, the more you realize you suck. You simply cant cope with the dps demand most groups ask for. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <P></P>

[Jay]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT size=2> <HR> Arazeth wrote:<BR><BR></FONT> <DIV><FONT size=2>Just prepare for a real dissapointment once you hit the 40s - the higher you get, the more you realize you suck. You simply cant cope with the dps demand most groups ask for. <BR> <HR> </FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <P><FONT size=2>There may be some of us that don't measure the worth of our characters according to the demands of "most groups." We all know that rangers are an uphill battle, and that hill gets steeper the further you go. Hence this thread, to help encourage each other and share success stories. </FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2>Thanks for the attempted 'reality check,' but keep your gloomy forecasts to any of the hundreds of griping threads that populate these forums. <BR></P></FONT>

[DevlDeg]

Level 43 Ranger; Here is my positive comment for this thread....Ranger ROCK at level 30-32 (triple, sniping, great skill advances make huge dps gains).

[Enoch100]

<DIV>Here's a positive post... looking at the Ranger class, I can deduce that we only one way to go and that's up. We can only get better then what we are. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So thus, we should exclusively avoid any nerf bat swinging.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I thoroughly enjoyed my Ranger up till about lvl 31. Since then, the one thing that made me stand out (DPS) has been sorely lacking compared to other classes that are not necessarily defined as a DPS class. *sigh*</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>-Naissur, Neriak</DIV>

[Jay]

<FONT size=2></FONT> <DIV><FONT size=2>Oh, my aching back. As good a time to <STRIKE>stop and chat</STRIKE> resurrect this thread as any, I say. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>So! Done any cool things with your ranger lately? Still enjoying playing her / him despite all the adversity?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I've been meaning to post an update here for a while; I was in a ranger slump in the mid-late 20s, but started having a lot more fun in recent weeks. Some of it was ranger-specific, some of it had to do with broadening my focus when it came to playing EQ2. Some cool ranger-specific stuff included:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>- Heading over to Nek and the Commonlands, and then sneaking into Freeport. (SO fun!) I helped a friend with the betrayal (by escorting him thru the Serpent Sewers) and then headed up into N. Freeport to meet the NPC that gives you Fallen Gate access. Completed that access quest in no time and went into FG with another friend's evil char. I was after the Zombie lore book, he needed another quest, so I spent an evening there. I really liked FG, very cool-looking dark elf ambiance. Really like Nek and CL too, it was amazing what a change of scenery can do for you when everything in Antonica or TS starts to get boring or repetitive. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>- Finishing the Stormfire quests. I spent most of a weekend on this (I'd only done the very first of Valinayle's quests at that point) and it was utterly grueling. Killed over 100 grays in SH (20 each of defiled squires, sentries, priests, knights, lancers, and keepers), which isn't bad except most of those only spawn in two places and only at a rate of about 2-4 at a time (if you're lucky). So it was a lot of tedious camping. I won't even get into the Gydak experience, but I guess we got lucky in that he popped after 4-5 hours of camping. At long last, Stormfire - my first true love. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> All in all, it wasn't THAT bad in retrospect, just time-consuming. And the bow is <STRONG>awesome.</STRONG></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>- Opening up Zek and Enchanted Lands. Very cool, lots of fun. Zek boat ride was tough on first two attempts, but EL was sucessful on first try. (Solely b/c of the groups; EL isn't any harder than Zek.) Haven't spent a ton of time in Zek yet, but the first few trips to EL were very lucrative. On our first night out there, we got some awesome drops, and I completed my first quest there. (Drodo the halfer on the docks gives you a simple quest that nets over 1gp AND a sweet belt in reward.) Good XP, great loot so far. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>All in all, I've been having a lot of fun with Kaeros. Been spending a bit more time provisioning too, nice to have good food on-hand and it brings in a bit of extra cash. I've also spent some time on a couple new alts, just to break up the routine. I've found that I have the most fun playing when I'm mixing things up, going different places and doing different things (sometimes with different characters) to avoid getting bogged down with that 'grind' feeling. I know we rangers still have a lot of problems - the new stealth skill bug isn't much fun - but for now, I'm having a blast. (No hurry to get to 45+ tho...I'll take my time in hopes they fix us there.)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Good luck and <EM>have fun </EM><img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV>

[Kthaara]

<P>Concur.  Still having a blast.  </P> <P>EL and Zek have opened up a lot of doors.  At 32 have had no trouble finding groups.</P> <P> </P> <P>Kwent</P>

[Kyriel]

<P>38 atm kinda odd how my sniping shot is doing more damage then hagers lunge atm -_-</P> <P>serius went from  690+ to 400 :**( sniping shot is dealing 500 to 600 :/ anyways still disshing out massive damage with Bloodlet Bow (stormfire old news)</P>

[Milig]

<DIV>I'm lvl 46, loving it still and got lucky as hell: guildie snagged a ''Debilitating Arrow'' master1 and someone auctioned off ''Culling the Herd'' master1 in the zone I was in. Especially with the new arrow damages, Culling the Herd does massive hits. That with my adept iii crippling strike gives me two large-hit, minute-long recast combat arts. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>1.25p for each master book, why not. Problem now is I got no cash left, hehe.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Oh and i bought a ruby for 1.5p(good/bad price?) and i guess I'll save it for something like Storm of Arrows or something. So yeah, very excited still and yearning to hit lvl 50. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Have yet to fully explore many areas too, and I love sneaking through places just to see the sights. Went into Permafrost once and got freaked by the huge boss-man, Lavastorm is death waiting to happen. Out of curiosity I stepped onto lava, to see what it would do, and yes, it pretty much kills you on the spot. Guess I need better heat resists, hah!</DIV>

[Jay]

<P><FONT size=2>ROFL, yeah a heat resist of about 14,000 might come in handy for the lava.... <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2>Thanks for posting, glad to hear that post-45 isn't completely downhill. I'm hoping the changes to arrow damage improves the lot of the end-gamers, god knows they've been suffering for long enough.</FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2>Oh, one other thing that was cool: my good friend Quiggly (a fellow ranger) and I hooked up a deal where I make him food and he makes me poison. He whipped up some Translucent Irrepressible Vexation and I <STRONG>love</STRONG> this stuff. My Triple Shot hits for ridiculous damage now since the poison damage is almost all up-front and no DoT. I think its ~150 damage + 26 damage + 22 every 6 seconds. Anyway, it's awesome - this poison and the new arrow damage make a HUGE difference! (Stormfire doesn't hurt either. )</FONT></P>

[Milig]

<DIV>Yeah it's all in how you play. I haven't gotten into raiding yet so I can't vouch for the ranger in that respect. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My main play style is in a duo team with a paladin who's always 1-4 levels above me(he's 47 now, i managed to finally catch up, hehe). We scour the land looking for challenges, doing quests and taking on harder and harder things to gauge our effectiveness against certain level enemies. When we hit the max level dude we can take on, they make for exciting battles, especially if it's a named enemy. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Some of the best battles are those close calls or the ones that require the most thought, best power conservation, aggro hold, damage given etc. Heck, I even really enjoyed a battle we lost but got close.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When he levels up(as he's bound to do ahead of me), we look for the next range of enemies we can take on with relative safety and explore new areas.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Every now and then, a healer-type joins the fray and then as a trio, the level of enemies we can take on shoots up and it gets more exciting.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>edit:paragraph spacing</DIV><p>Message Edited by Miligne on <span class=date_text>03-27-2005</span> <span class=time_text>03:31 AM</span>

[coochic]

I love to play mine. He hits way harder than my main paladin i play. My paladin is a 31 and my ranger is 22, my ranger has way more damage and is fun as hell to play.  

[Jay]

<P><FONT size=2>Got a nice compliment while duo'ing turtles on EL beach yesterday. I needed them for a Far Seas writ, and came upon a L29 bruiser soloing them. (I'm also 29.) I waited til he was done and asked if he wanted to duo, he says sure, why not. After some aggro readjustment (he needed to taunt and keep taunting, I needed to calm my itchy trigger finger), we were really moving. "These things go down really fast with you around," he says. I was so proud! He wasn't kidding, either. When I worked up to the Triple Combo of Doom (Back Shot, Wounding Shot, and Triple Shot), even the L35 turtles fell within seconds. (Thank you, Quiggly, for the Irrepressible Vexation, that stuff is EVIL!)</FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2>We wrapped up after about 45 minutes, he says "I really didn't know rangers could do that kind of damage, thanks a lot for the help." Hehe, we're the ultra-secret uber-class, and word is starting to spread... <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </FONT></P>

[Dashofpepp]

<DIV>It would be very, very, very, very cool if someone at L50 went back and made a list of ALL the skills that are broken, posted them in an easy to read format, and we all kept the thread alive.  That's how other forums are getting DEV responses.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Retribution - Befallen</DIV>

[DevlDeg]

<div></div>Some have tried.... http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=spellart&message.id=36393 <div></div><p>Message Edited by DevlDeggs on <span class=date_text>03-28-2005</span> <span class=time_text>07:38 PM</span>

[LoreSpa]

Hey who said it would be easy? <div></div>

[Ijiamee]

I want to be level 35 again  :smileysad:

[Plexar_Vari]

<P>Well playing a scout class, I did really well level 1-10, 11-14 was pretty easy, but then it started getting harder as Predator power just isn't there.  When I hit 20, I had saved up enough money to buy completely new armor, weapons, and a bow from the broker / fence.  I found myself able to SOLO white con and even some yellow con normal encounter mobs.  I will admit I started this game late (about 3 weeks ago) but I am level 24 now and that is with spending a long time doing the betrayal quest and not really playing at first, because I wanted to see if ranger was the class for me.</P> <P>At this point in the game yes it is.  I mean we aren't super special so everyone wants us in a group or on raids, but who wants to be joe every guy anyway?</P> <P>I am one sexy dark elf bow toting animal loving guy...  It can't get much better than that.</P>

[Tsoth]

<FONT face="Courier New" color=#aaff55>I have played all classes in this game and let me tell you, this is the only one where I can line up 12+ specials up front, and pretty much outdamage ANYTHING (even a Warlock) in the first minute.Gotta love that <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Of course you have a problem on longer fights <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT>

[coochic]

<P>I still love my Ranger, Man, we do have some nice heavy damage, be it only for a short while. We sure make the life line go down in the front like a mad man.</P> <P>BTW, I'd just like to know from a level 25 ranger, what's the best weapons for agi mods at lvl 25? Thanks.</P>