Hunting some old school help

[JerseyBoy20]

<div></div><div></div><div>Ok, I'm contemplating a return to the game now that my life has dropped itself back into a normal mode. I haven't been in since march or april (yes, that long) and I KNOW a lot has changed. However reading all the updates through the time and the specific "what changed" doesn't really give me a personal "feel" what has been altered. I mean, I've read things like "damage poisons no longer stack" but do other types make up for it? "Items no longer change con levels, they're standard" that sounds good, but are they standard "middle of the road" high end or low end from what they used to be. I'm usually a solo-er, but group occasionally as time permits.</div><div> </div><div>I guess I'm looking for an educated ranger "state of the union" before I decide whether or not to dust off my thoroughly enjoyable 27 or so ranger to drag out of retirement, or even start a new one...</div><div> </div><div>Thanks to any and all who can give me some "player side" information</div><p>Message Edited by JerseyBoy20 on <span class="date_text">02-11-2006</span><span class="time_text">01:31 PM</span></p>

[Dyr]

<div></div><div></div><p>Well my reply would be there and back again ......</p><p>When you left rangers were decent, nothing great, just decent damage, a few important utilities, nice to have in a group, but not awesome. Then at higher levels we really fell off on DPs and it felt like old eq1 rangering without the utility. However solo and and duo we could still plug along.</p><p>Then at level 50 and with DoF expansion and the LU13 changes they took away kiting per se, we can only shoot and scoot with 2 CA's, BUT they gave us awesome insane damage, Stream of Arrows, and a rooting trap, and we went to the top of the DPS standings and became awesome solo machines.</p><p>Times were good if over 50.</p><p>Then they slowly nerfed us, took away melee weaposn proc'ing off bow shots, no point blank stream of arrows, however we still have insane damage so all in all we are better off than before in group and raid situations and a about the same in terms of solo ability when you left us.</p><p>If you like to solo, they have added a ton of solo content to the overland zones and many quests and progressive quests that give decent exp and usually crap loot, but you can exp and farm and save to buy good gear off the brokers. Player crafted gear is only one step below raid gear and tho expensive with harvesting and farming it is attainable. At your level work on the PGT (polished granite tomahawk) and then after go for the SSoY and you will be happy.</p><p>Overall I am happy in terms of where rangers are, happy with the general feel of the game, but very tired of the crap loot and quest rewards. They need semi- epic / heritage  solo quests for say sword OR bow (or class specific for all) to balance with the long, raid intensive prsimatic weapon quests so that solo small group fun is not limited to the pursuit of dinging and awaiting the next expansion. Sure I raid 1-2 times a week, but prefer the lone or duo hunt and chase and would like some decent rewards once in awhile.</p><p>Hope this helps </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Message Edited by Dyrks on <span class="date_text">02-11-2006</span><span class="time_text">02:39 PM</span></p>

[xandez]

<div></div><p>Well, poisons never actually stacked, did they? Yes, you did have the option to "stack" multiple poisons, but only 1 of em was effective... of course, if that one run out, you had more there, etc... but they never really gave you more dmg.</p><p>Now you can have 1 poison icon up, if ya activate another same type poison, it'll override the previous one.</p><p>The great combat update changed a lot of the ranger class, clear yer hotbars and go out to some newbie:ish zone to learn the new CA:s and stuff... thats the best way. Noone can tell you what to use and when, you'll have to learn it again <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>(imo, not that much changed regarding our tactics, but the skills are different and only 2 of our bow attacks can be shot while running for example, well 4 but the 2 require stealth and position, so they dont count, so its wise to re-learn to use your CA:s)</p><p> Good hunting!</p><p>++Xan</p>

[JerseyBoy20]

<div></div><p>Thanks guys, that's the kind of thing I was looking for.</p><p>I however am a little worried since apparantly my server went bye-bye that my guys may also have, and I'll have to start over... May have to just buck up and find out.</p><p>Thanks again, nice to see we are sitting around the same, I played an EQ I ranger to near 50 as well, so I get where you're coming from in the "good solo until higher when it's grouped" scenarios. Any and all info is good, this class for me has ALWAYS been the most helpful of any I've played. Granted the sky always seems to be falling, but after enough concrete falls on your head it's understandable. Thanks again!</p>