Don't want to raid and group infrequently, are rangers viable and self sufficient?

[Eetog]

Did a search and didn't find the info I wanted. Thought I'd post something to give folks something to do...I've always thought of a Ranger as the loner. Scruffy lookin, grizzled, at one out in the forest. A melee druid living off the land, bow and dual wield weapons at the ready. I dinged over to 14 last night, and I'm having a good time with it. ( I personally roleplay this to get into character ).I've done a search and I've heard about the ring nerf, stream of arrow nerf, proc nerfs (I personally think proc nerf was good. Weapon procs belong on weapon, not channeled through a bow), and I was wondering if one could personally roleplay this later in levels. I don't want to raid, I don't want a super large status laden guild that runs your character's action, or any of that jazz.  I just want to be able to get a quiver full of arrow and explore, do some quests and dropping critters along the way. The way I thought Rangers could be.I'm doing fine at level 14, but later on, are you horseshoed into raiding because of DPS or grouping? I like to melee dance around the critter, stunning it, back stabbing stuff like that. Can Rangers pull this sort of playstyle out, or am I travelling down the wrong road?Thank you for the time.Tog.<div></div>

[roblinb]

<div></div><div></div><p>Don't listen to all the complaints here, we are still a pretty great damage class. </p><p>With Stream Of Arrows we could essentially (with good gear... think Legendary and maybe a coupla Fabled items as well) take down green triple up heroic mobs with ease because it would continue to fire even when the mob was within melee range.  SOE changed it so that Stream stops when a mob closes the distance, and since this CA always rooted us, it became a boon to the solo player.  It's still good in a group, provided you wait to until a mob is almost dead. </p><p>Poison damage is changed.  I notice very little difference solo or in a group, and it still is effective.  You can tell by other threads, that several other experienced rangers pay more attention to it than I do.  I'm still happy with how it works.</p><p>You do not HAVE to raid at higher levels, but it's fun to at least participate in one once in awhile.  You can make money selling collection items, adepts, tradeskill recipes, etc. to have at least decent gear.  I am not in a raiding guild, but we do have fairly regular raids... this weekend we may head to Silent City and have some fun.</p><p>This probably doesn't help you much, but I thought I'd post some of my thoughts for you.</p><p>Message Edited by roblinb on <span class="date_text">02-11-2006</span><span class="time_text">02:53 AM</span></p>

[Eetog]

I probably will do a raid or so since I haven't experienced one yet in EQ2. What I didn't want to get into is raiding everyday (or even every weekend) or rushing to mobs after a server reboot like we did in EQ1. That got old really fast. With the guilds, well if you're not out there earning guild points or whatever have you, they'll hop on your case, so I removed myself from guilds that do that immediately.If I shed this paranoia and I get in a guild again, it'll have to be relaxed, but for now, I just want to experience the game and see some new stuff. It's a weird place, but I thought if anyone could do it, a Ranger could. Playstyles vary though, and SOE's "Vision" of the Ranger class is a mystery to me. It seems like I do very good melee damage and my bow isn't hitting for that much quite yet. MAYBE dropping them 10-15 percent by the time they get to me. I'd hate to get to 30, get in a guild and be regulated to sitting back in the back and being a cog in a raiding machine.I'm weird.Your post did help though. I would be more worried if you had said "Rangers are distance CAs and that's it", or like in the case of some other classes that they can do just one thing well, and in groups / raids, that's all they're allowed to do.Additionally, I'm using ferocious corrosion poison. I assume bows become more damaging when I get stun poisons (dont' know what level, only a level 11 alchemist). Cause the critters get to me too fast to lay tons of arrows in to them. Is this normal so far?<div></div>

[Jeris Nefz]

<div>The higher you level the less melee that you do.  As a 60 ranger, I hardly ever melee at all.  I consider my 2 DW slots as stat boosters that can do some damage.  If you enjoy doing the "aggro dance" all the time, you might be better off playing an assassin or other melee character.  As far as guilds go, you can choose what kind of guild you want to be in.  There are some great "family guilds" where people log in, group with each other and just have a good time.  There are "raiding guilds" where their main purpose in getting together is to take down a certain target.  You can choose what kind of guild that you want to be a part of.  If you are not looking to be a part of a "machine," rest assured, you don't have to be if you don't want to.  Whatever you choose, be sure that you are enjoying it and you tune out all of the doomsayers (IE ranger haters or victimized rangers).  They will do nothing but steal the fun away.  Enjoy and welcome to the ranks of ranger.</div>

[roblinb]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>Jeris Nefzen wrote:<div>The higher you level the less melee that you do.  As a 60 ranger, I hardly ever melee at all.  I consider my 2 DW slots as stat boosters that can do some damage.  If you enjoy doing the "aggro dance" all the time, you might be better off playing an assassin or other melee character.  As far as guilds go, you can choose what kind of guild you want to be in.  There are some great "family guilds" where people log in, group with each other and just have a good time.  There are "raiding guilds" where their main purpose in getting together is to take down a certain target.  You can choose what kind of guild that you want to be a part of.  If you are not looking to be a part of a "machine," rest assured, you don't have to be if you don't want to.  Whatever you choose, be sure that you are enjoying it and you tune out all of the doomsayers (IE ranger haters or victimized rangers).  They will do nothing but steal the fun away.  Enjoy and welcome to the ranks of ranger.</div><hr></blockquote><p>Couldn't have said it better myself.</p><p>Oh yeah, some "family" guilds are just more laid-back raiding guilds.  Very few higher end of those said guilds don't raid at least sometimes.  Even most of the hard core raiding guilds have cool people in them.  You just have to find the right one.  Browsing older threads by searching for raiding guild names will bring you to light on which ones are sneaky/cheating/griefing, etc. and which ones are respected more.</p><p>As far as rangers go... the less serious of us don't really care about the minor changes to the class.  It doesn't ruin us in the least, and we still kill easily.  Since you're still fresh, you didn't know how we were before so you'll be fine more than likely.</p>

[Eetog]

Thanks for all the good advice. It's nice to see folks that still love the class.So when  you solo something, you use your bow exclusively, eh? Well, that's bittersweet. I was hoping to cut em down with a bow, debuffing them, dotting them, stunning them, then sheathing the bow and finish the kill by hand. I'll mix it up and see what comes up. Everyone plays differently and good players break from the cookie cutter mold.Thanks again. Keep posting. I wouldn't be disheartened if this thread turned into a YAY! RANGERS! thread.Tog.<div></div>

[MoonglumHMV]

<div>Fights on with Ranger (level 34) I open with one of say 3-4 different combinations of bow attacks (Hidden Shot & Flaming Shot or Triple Shot & Flaming Shot, or etc...)  I always have damage poison (very high damage, very low DOT), poison mit debuff poison, & offensive stance up.  I would guess 90+% of the time, by the time the MOB's get within melee range they are at 30% health or lower (usually lower than that) and I finish them off with melee attacks or stunning and dropping back to hit with the bow again.</div><div> </div><div>I would also say an estimated 2% of the time, the MOB is dead before it gets to me.</div><div> </div><div>These recent estimates are from fighting no ^ to one ^ solo orcs in Zek, level 32-34.</div>

[TaleraRis]

<div>Well I'm a solo ranger and I just dinged 40 yesterday, if they says anything for our capabilities going that route.</div><div> </div><div>I dislike raiding. I raided in EQ1 as an enchatner and it was boring. I like adventure and excitement and questing. The ranger so far has been the perfect class for me.</div><div> </div><div>And who you callin' grizzled? I bathe in the swamp regularly, thankyouverymuch <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div>

[Jeris Nefz]

<div></div><div></div><blockquote><hr>Eetog wrote:Thanks for all the good advice. It's nice to see folks that still love the class.So when  you solo something, you use your bow exclusively, eh? Well, that's bittersweet. I was hoping to cut em down with a bow, debuffing them, dotting them, stunning them, then sheathing the bow and finish the kill by hand. I'll mix it up and see what comes up. Everyone plays differently and good players break from the cookie cutter mold.Thanks again. Keep posting. I wouldn't be disheartened if this thread turned into a YAY! RANGERS! thread.Tog.<div></div><hr></blockquote><p>A lot depends on your play style.  For me, I believe the best defense is a good offense.  So, I cater my play style to unload everything I have up front and hope that the mob doesn't get to me with much health at all (if it reaches me).  The fights I have are short, but require some down time.  Those that mix it up might not see as much down time, but fights last longer.  My play style dictates that I never worry about power... someone is dead in under 30 secs (me or the mob).  I just wait for power to come back or CAs to refresh (resting if you will).  This playstyle is much easier 50+.  Now, if I am toe to toe trying to slug it out with a 62^^^ heroic mob, I am looking for my evac button. :smileysurprised:  :smileyhappy:  Even in my mid 40's though I was doing a fair amount of meleeing or kiting (though that was before DoF).  You will have lots of opportunity to melee and get hit by mobs if you like.  I prefer to let the arrows fly versus giving mobs the opportunity to treat me like their red headed step child.  :smileywink:</p><p> </p><p>edited for typos</p><p>Message Edited by Jeris Nefzen on <span class="date_text">02-10-2006</span><span class="time_text">03:43 PM</span></p>

[Domyr Farseeker]

<div></div><div></div><div></div><p>There's some really good Ranger info here in the Forums, don't let some of the negativity taint your view. Negative changes tend to bring out the whiners like me, cuz...when I'm happy I'm too busy playing the game to post on the forums. lol.</p><p>If you're looking for a self-sufficient, well rounded class you can't get much better than Ranger, imo. I have 12 other toons, and my Ranger is still my favorite by a wide margin. There's not many places we can't go on our own to explore and quest, there's not many level appropriate mobs we can't lay waste to, we've got some nice solo utilitity and buffs that make finding and killing/avoiding mobs easier, and can equip a wide range of armor/weapons depending on your mood or roleplaying style. And when you get lonely and need a group, they're easy to find...we're killing machines in groups and usually in high demand.</p><p>If you mostly solo, you'll be using a varying mix of bow/melee combat at least until the later levels. It's not very often I can completely kill a mob before they close for melee, but they're definitely hurting bad and having second thoughts about running towards me instead of away from me. We can unleash a lot of arrows into a mob while they're closing the distance. It's funny to see them get close with a dozen arrows sticking out all over them. Face to face melee isn't our strong suit, but there's several tricks you can find in the forums for working some ranged attacks or backstabs into the frey. That's much more interesting and fun than standing toe to toe and mashing buttons.</p><p>Message Edited by Domyr Farseeker on <span class="date_text">02-10-2006</span><span class="time_text">12:51 PM</span></p><p><span class="time_text">Edit..... Oh, yeah and    YAY RANGERS!!</span></p><p>Message Edited by Domyr Farseeker on <span class="date_text">02-10-2006</span><span class="time_text">12:52 PM</span></p>

[xandez]

<div></div><blockquote><p></p><hr><p>Eetog wrote:Thanks for all the good advice. It's nice to see folks that still love the class.</p><p><font color="#ff9900">Still love the class?Whats happened lately that we shouldnt do that? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></font></p><p><font color="#ff9900">Some minor things, nothing we cant overcome... Annoying maybe, yes, but. Nothing earthshaking imo.(And yes, i've complained some too, because thats the way i am, never a satisfied customer <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />)</font>So when  you solo something, you use your bow exclusively, eh? Well, that's bittersweet.</p><p><font color="#ff9900">No no, thats just sweet! :smileyvery-happy:</font></p><p>I was hoping to cut em down with a bow, debuffing them, dotting them, stunning them, then sheathing the bow and finish the kill by hand. I'll mix it up and see what comes up. Everyone plays differently and good players break from the cookie cutter mold.</p><p><font color="#ff9900">Erm, why did ya ask anythin in the 1st place, i think you have gotten the idea of rangers! (Really, no sarcasm here)What you just described... Its kinda how its done when ya solo. Well, many times atleast.</font>Thanks again. Keep posting. I wouldn't be disheartened if this thread turned into a YAY! RANGERS! thread.<font color="#ff9900">Welcome to the class, may the wind guide yer arrow straight! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></font></p><hr></blockquote><font color="#ff9900">++Xan</font>

[Eetog]

Well, I only mentioned my playing style as it is now. I use my debilitating poisons and the slow from my CA, and I try to stick a dot on em too. As it stands, that's what I do, but I honestly don't know if this will be a good tactic for me in the future.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />I like how things are and if this sounds like a pretty Rangerly-way, I'll keep going with it until the strategy fails.<div></div>

[Karguo]

<div></div>I'm now a level 56 ranger and I group only once in a long while even though I'm in a guild. I like doing my own thing, soloing and harvesting, while doing quests on my own time. I've been doing a lot of solo guild writs in recent levels, mixed in with those solo grifters quests, and the ashen order faction quests. I join in a couple of guild instances here and there... do a few HQs with guildies and help whenever anyone asks me, but for the most part, I solo and I love soloing. Being stealthed and getting into areas others are not able to get to... gives me a great big grin.You'll notice that as you rise up in levels, mobs are usually if not always at less than half health by the time they get to melee range... the first time I killed a mob with just my bow CAs was the biggest thrill for me. I do like to melee, so I keep my melee skills up, melee CAs are all at least adept I (still working on getting adept IIIs for them). Usually it only takes another 1 or 2 melee hits before the mobs die anyways, so I hardly get hit.I love playing a ranger... after being a 70 paladin in EQ and having a 60 shaman and a 55 warrior in WoW and many, many alts... I finally found a game with a class that suits my playstyle perfectly - being wanted in groups and also being able to solo as and when you want to.<p>Message Edited by Karguo on <span class="date_text">02-10-2006</span><span class="time_text">10:35 PM</span></p>

[kitcabood]

<div></div><p>I'm a L50 ranger (just dinged today!) and I've soloed almost the entire way.  I have average gear, a couple of legendary items from collection quests or lucky harvests & my spells are always at least app iv because I'm a jeweler (with an alchy alt!)</p><p>I find I still use melee as well - unless I'm going for a really easy mob, they normally need at least one swipe to finish them off.  Also - there's groups, taking out the healer with your bow & then finishing off the rest of them melee.  Not sure if that will change in the next ten levels or not but up to 50 as a soloer you should have plenty of opportunity to experience both melee and ranged!  :smileyhappy:</p><p> </p><p> </p>