Why Are the Ranger Forums So Helpful?

[MakeItStop2001]

It seems that practically every single class board in EQ2, and in general most class forums in MMoRPGs, is full of a bunch of whining, and what little FAQs exist are usually just common-sense things you learn by the time you hit mid-level.  So when I rolled a Froggie Scout that I was planning on making into a Ranger, as I always do I surfed over to the forums to see what the trollers were whining about, which will generally give you a good idea how the class is supposed to be played, even though those who are doing the whining don't know it (i.e. people [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn]ing about low DPS tells you that the class is probably suitable to attrition-type battles, melee classes with "too little armor" shouldn't be trying to grab aggro and should be toning down the DPS output early in battle, etc.)  So imagine to my surprise coming to the ranger forum, which seems to be the most helpful forum I've ever been to on any site, especially EQ2.  Seriously, what's wrong with you guys? P.S.  Love the Froggie Predator, I forgot how fun kiting is (compared to other soloing tactics.)  And I don't have any bow CAs yet! <div></div>

[tcg23]

<P>Hehe, I am a predator in my mid teens right now and and enjoying it too.</P> <P> </P> <P>I got the rear bow attack which is awesome. I don't kite that much, I pull with that ranged CA, then do some frontal attacks, stun, stealth, rear attack... dead mob.</P> <P>Class is very fun, going to betray to qeynos soon and then I'll start on my subclass quest. =)</P><p>Message Edited by tcg23 on <span class=date_text>11-22-2005</span> <span class=time_text>03:55 PM</span>

[KnightOfTheWo]

Not sure exactly...think Rangers here have chosen to have a good attitude about our class, while still posting our struggles with it at times. At least I know personally, I've never taken the "professional gamer" approach to my Ranger. Yes, I've had my issues, but I just don't have the dedication to write the long essays that many on some of the other forums do. In their defense though, I know that some of the other subclasses at various times have had to struggle with issues with their subclass. Some of them have gone to great lengths to create constructive posts on class issues so they can get their message across to the devs. This seems to have varied a lot throughout the past year. After Live Update #13 I almost felt like just hiding here in the Ranger boards because some of the other classes really had a hard time. At least from what I could see by the howlfests on their boards. (Whether or not it was subjective is another topic for another day.) Best ones to answer your question would probably be Jay42 or Zholain, at least IMHO. <span>:smileywink: Hope you enjoy your Ranger, and of course if you need help just ask anyone here. Aelianis, 51 Ranger of Guk </span><div></div>

[Taubin]

You want the definitive answer as to why the Ranger forum is the most helpfull (and the best) on the site? Because we [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn]ing rock!!!! Ranger for life <div></div>

[TwistedFaith]

I honestly think it was due to the state of rangers before the combat changes. It kinda brought us all together, we all knew the ranger class was great even if nobody could see it. Now with the combat changes everyone can see for themselves just how fun the rangers class can be./hug my bow

[Raahl]

Well I think it really helps when a class is working well and has little issues.    Playing my Ranger, I have had nothing but fun and have very little to complain about.  Now my Guardian is another story altogether.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Teksun]

Well... because we're RANGERS... LOL... Most of us have been so since release, and have fought long and hard to get where we are today. We aren't rangers because rangers are kewl, or l33t, we're rangers because that is where are hearts lay. We are the keepers of the wood. Well... that and most of us don't tolerate the whiners, LOL. (Post a whine and see what I mean) Don't get me wrong. There have been serious problems since release, but we have tried to keep it constructive... <div></div>

[Mentla]

Is part of the reason why my Ranger is now my main.  Although I have to say the chaps on Conjuror thread are [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] helpful. Now the tools on the Runnyeye server thread on the other hand - pure fools. <div></div>

[acem]

honestly look at any ranger board for any game and you will see the same thing. something about rangers that make good msg boards. lol most of us have been playing this kind of class in any game we play, and from my exp from game to game they are much the same. ace <div></div>

[Jiinx]

I was struck with delight at the positive attitude in the Ranger forums, too. I chose a Ranger because I enjoy the Scout role in role playing games, and I identified most with the Scout-Predator-Ranger description in EQ2.  As it turns out, it perfectly suits my playstyle, and my character abilities fill in the gaps of my playing ability.  (As and example, I am completely direction-sense-challenged; I'd never find anything without tracker.  And froggering?  Can't do it.  Stealth is a salvation.) I didn't realize there was such a great Ranger community until after I got to my Ranger subclass quest.  At the time, there were lots of issues for the Ranger, and later, agility nerf bats brought more.  I remember when there were greys that I couldn't solo - and I was well-equipped and was solid at playing my character.  But Rangers here always viewed the issues as challenges.  "Adapt and overcome" is a popularly expressed theme here.  The issues were expressed, but the posters were explicit in stating that Rangers don't whine to be heard.  We enjoy whatever is right about our subclass, and adapt to whatever is expressed as out of balance while hoping it will be fixed.  "Still can use my bow?  I'm satisfied." Well, it got fixed with Live Update 13.  Even if we wanted to be whiners, we currently have little to whine about.  The Ranger abilities and balance is a complex one that most other subclasses don't understand, but it's as much fun as ever to play, and the attitude on these forums is icing on the cake. <div></div>

[Mentla]

<span><blockquote><hr>Jiinx wrote:I was struck with delight at the positive attitude in the Ranger forums, too. I chose a Ranger because I enjoy the Scout role in role playing games, and I identified most with the Scout-Predator-Ranger description in EQ2.  As it turns out, it perfectly suits my playstyle, and my character abilities fill in the gaps of my playing ability.  (As and example, <font color="#ff0000">I am completely direction-sense-challenged; I'd never find anything without tracker</font>.  <div></div><hr></blockquote>lol - super ditto.  I'm quite well know as the person NOT to right click-follow on  :p</span><div></div>

[Sulas]

Welcome to the boards.  Feel free to join the Ranger worldwide channel: <a href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=39&message.id=12678" target=_blank>http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=39&message.id=12678</a> <div></div>

[Sokolov]

I think the warlock boards are pretty good too. <div></div>

[Jay]

<P>First off, great post and great timing - thanks for making this observation now. Personally I think the general attitude here is due to a variety of factors. Some of them have to do with the 'ranger attitude' that many of us carry from game to game, and some of them have to do specifically with EQ2. On the first point, I think ppl that play rangers in every game likely have a loose group of common personality traits - we're generally independent and self-reliant, but tend to be friendly, helpful people. Rangers don't seem to be a competitive bunch. </P> <P>The EQ2-specific reasons center around the history of our class - it was pretty broken for a while, and many of us stuck it out over those months and eventually formed a bond here. Even people who don't know each other seem to feel a sense of solidarity [Removed for Content] other rangers, likely b/c of that shared adversity that we endured for so long. You know that whoever this other person is, they've gone through the same stuff you've gone through, and you have some shared history there even if you've never spoken before. </P> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> KnightOfTheWord wrote:<BR><BR>Best ones to answer your question would probably be Jay42 or Zholain, at least IMHO. <SPAN>:smileywink: Hope you enjoy your Ranger, and of course if you need help just ask anyone here. <BR><BR></SPAN> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Funny you should say that, as Zho and I have been discussing this lately. Things have changed for our class, it's getting more popular (though I don't see hordes of new rangers cropping up) and that means more participants here. There's a bit of friction, whining, arguments, and general lame behavior as more new folks come in and get acclimated. But I think the vast majority of us here - both regulars and passerby - are looking for an environment that's generally friendly and helpful, and don't want the kind of drama and mean-spiritedness that plague some of the other forums. </P> <P>We've done a great job and maintaining that kind of collective attitude for the past six months or more, and I really hope that can continue. Thing is, we ALL need to put effort into it if we want to preserve that environment. Whiners can to be gently shown the constructive way to make their concerns known, new players can be guided without condescension, and acrimonious arguments and flames should not be tolerated. We're all in this together; we play on the same team. We are the few, the proud, the.. er... yeah. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  </P> <P>Anyway, I still feel very fortunate to be a part of such a great community. Thanks to everyone for putting the effort into keeping this forum a fun, positive place.  </P>

[Saihung23]

<span><blockquote><hr>Jay42 wrote:<p>First off, great post and great timing - thanks for making this observation now. Personally I think the general attitude here is due to a variety of factors. Some of them have to do with the 'ranger attitude' that many of us carry from game to game, and some of them have to do specifically with EQ2. On the first point, I think ppl that play rangers in every game likely have a loose group of common personality traits - we're generally <font color="#ff99ff">independent and self-reliant</font>, but tend to be friendly, helpful people. Rangers don't seem to be a competitive bunch. </p> <p>The EQ2-specific reasons center around the history of our class - it was pretty broken for a while, and many of us stuck it out over those months and eventually formed a bond here. Even people who don't know each other seem to feel a sense of <font color="#ff99ff">solidarity</font> [Removed for Content] other rangers, likely b/c of that shared <font color="#ff99ff">adversity</font> that we endured for so long. You know that whoever this other person is, they've gone through the same stuff you've gone through, and you have some shared history there even if you've never spoken before. </p> <blockquote> <hr> KnightOfTheWord wrote:Best ones to answer your question would probably be Jay42 or Zholain, at least IMHO. <span>:smileywink: Hope you enjoy your Ranger, and of course if you need help just ask anyone here. </span> <div></div> <hr> </blockquote> <p>Funny you should say that, as Zho and I have been discussing this lately. Things have changed for our class, it's getting more popular (though I don't see hordes of new rangers cropping up) and that means more participants here. There's a bit of friction, whining, arguments, and general lame behavior as more new folks come in and get acclimated. But I think the vast <font color="#ff99ff">majority </font>of us here - both regulars and passerby - are looking for an environment that's generally friendly and helpful, and don't want the kind of drama and mean-spiritedness that plague some of the other forums. </p> <p>We've done a great job and<font color="#ff99ff"> maintaining </font>that kind of collective attitude for the past six months or more, and I really hope that can continue. Thing is, we ALL need to put effort into it if we want to preserve that<font color="#ff99ff"> environment</font>. Whiners can to be gently shown the constructive way to make their concerns known, new players can be guided without <font color="#ff33ff">condescension</font>, and <font color="#ff99ff">acrimonious </font>arguments and flames should not be tolerated. We're all in this together; we play on the same team. We are the few, the proud, the.. er... yeah. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  </p> <p>Anyway, I still feel very fortunate to be a part of such a great <font color="#ff99ff">community</font>. Thanks to everyone for putting the effort into keeping this forum a fun, positive place.  </p><hr></blockquote>Holy Cao Jay!!  You know I read these forums and yet you insist on using big words <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> One syllable or two at the most...sheesh  </span><div></div>

[growing_pai]

<P>Lol, I just posted on this subject before I saw this post...:smileyhappy:  I guess it wasn't just me that thought the same thing.</P> <P> </P> <P> </P> <P>Go Rangers</P> <P> </P>

[Mentla]

<span><blockquote><hr>Jay42 wrote:...Things have changed for our class, it's getting more popular (though I don't see hordes of new rangers cropping up) <hr></blockquote>lol - after grouping with me and seeing how much fun being a Ranger is, all the leaders of my guild have rolled themselves a Ranger  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></span><div></div>

[Dasanhgul]

<P>I love all the stuff and attention we been getting, fixing most of our problems, making rangers a usefull and wanted class in groups... but bahhhh I hate being FOTM.</P> <P>Oh well... here's to hoping we get nerfed big time and become really gimped :smileytongue:</P> <P> </P> <P>PS: I kid, I kid !!!</P> <P>PSS: FOTM = Flavoour Of The Month</P> <P> </P>

[TaleraRis]

<span><blockquote><hr>MakeItStop2001 wrote:So when I rolled a Froggie Scout that I was planning on making into a Ranger <div></div><hr></blockquote><span>:smileyhappy:</span></span><div></div>

[Fireshad]

<DIV>It may be true that Rangers are the flavor of the month, but how many of the posters on the ranger boards are those type.  You see us higher level rangers who have been playing them for the a really long time, and have been through alot.  Like I know its been mentioned, even before we were made to be a dps class that is wanted in the eyes of a group, we would not whine.  We might complain some, but if it got to the point of whining the whole group of rangers would do what they could to quite that person.  That is what I think has us being the most helpful, we have been through the most, with not many other groups like us.  Pallies, or some of the pet classes maybe have been put in the catagory of useless like we used to be, but we have stuck together, and because of it, we like to help those who need the help the most.  Thats my take on the matter, I have always said, we are one of the funnest, and one of the harder classes to play for dps.  In my eyes, it is worth everything we have been through, and helping others get to the point that we are as a class is always something that we can strive to do.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Shadowsflame</DIV> <DIV>58 Ranger Najena</DIV>

[Jay]

Despite my guildies accusing me of "ranger ego" lately (hey, I'm proud) there hasn't been a rash of new ranger alts in my guild. So maybe we're not even the FOTM anymore... if you use my guild as an example, the current FOTM is the necromancer. We seriously have at least six new necro alts that have been created in the past few weeks, prompting some completely tasteless jokes about contagious necrophilia and the like. I'm actually glad there aren't a lot of sudden ranger alts, not sure why but I'd be kinda turned off if everyone started wanting to jump on our bandwagon. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />