question about rangers in eq2 now

[2Ligit]

<DIV>Hello all,</DIV> <DIV>I started a woodelf ranger recently, and I have found him very fun to play.  The problem is that I go to the ranger forum and all I hear is how bad they are now after some update.  I understand that rangers are supposed to be equals to assassins because both are predators, but people are always saying if you want dps you should just create an assassin.  What I'm trying to ask is for the people that really play rangers... is the difference gap really that bad?  If not, what tactics should I be working on?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Just curious...</DIV>

[Jay]

<DIV>If you're having fun, stick with it. There's no reason to quit just b/c some of us are frustrated. You may never experience that frustration yourself anyway, so play it as long as it continues to be fun for you.</DIV>

[Zholain]

<font size="2">^^^  What the furball said  <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></font><div></div>

[Mronin]

Couldn't have said it any better than Jay did. My one word of caution will be this, Rangers are a pendulum class. We always have been and we always will be. SOE's attempts to "balance" things can and will alter the way you will have to play and/or how you gear yourself. If you are uncomfortable with change then you may want to consider a different class. If you don't mind thinking on your feet and are having fun playing a Ranger then please stick with it because it is a great class to play and a challenge to play well.Some of us are frustrated and as Jay said you may never experience those frustrations and it is my genuine hope that you never do. That being said, welcome to wonderful world of being a Ranger in EQ2 <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.

[Sulas]

Also bear in mind, people will often post to the forums as a way to vent frustration, but rarely do we come to post about how happy we are.  If that's the case, we just go play.Frankly, the best advice I can give after approx. 7 yrs of EQ1/EQ2 Rangering is to go easy on reading the negative stuff.  I've been on the boards that long, seen complaints that long, (hollered along with them, I might add), and been happily playing a Ranger for just as long.  This is a great community, I hope you'll stick around.<div></div>

[Peadar2]

<P>Hello, I'm a relentively "new" Ranger myself. I must say that I really really enjoy the class and have been reading these boards since I rolled my Ranger back in July. I hit level 66 last night and I'm still having fun. I don't have any fabled gear yet nor to I have any of the fabled bows...currently trying to get Grizzfazzles bow...but got wiped out last time I tried the den.</P> <P>I know about the dispute between Rangers and Assassins and quite frankly I don't care if I don't do as much damage as they do I bet I have more fun than most of them...I do decent damage because all my CA's are Masters or Adept 3's. I don't do a lot of raiding so my hopes of fable gear is wishful thinking at best but I still get into nice group who appreciate the DPS I can do...bottom line is I have fun and enloy my class as best I can.....but it all depends on your play style and what you want out of the game...for me its fun! and I'm glad to say I'm still having fun <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P> </P> <P>Good luck to you!</P>

[Jay]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <P></P> <HR> Mronin wrote:<BR>If you are uncomfortable with change then you may want to consider a different class. <P></P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>I'd actually take that a step further and say that if you are uncomfortable with change, you may want to consider a different <EM>game.</EM> After two years, EQ2 is still undergoing some pretty significant changes, and that can be frustrating to some.

[Crychtonn]

<P>Easiest way to look at it is do you plan to become a hard core raider or just like to solo, group and maybe occasionally raid.  If you're in the latter category you can ignore 90% of the negative stuff you read here and other places about rangers.  If you're having fun with your ranger now you'll continue to have fun at higher levels.  If you put in the time and effort you can do geat things and have great fun playing a ranger.</P> <P>Personally I've been having alot of fun running around killing named mobs.  Since some can be somewhat challanging and hell they drop master chest <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.  Though the real challange is getting to them before the plat farmers lol.  At your level this isn't a very good option but is something you can look forward to.</P> <P> </P>

[2Ligit]

<DIV>Thanks for the responses all.  Apparently, all the folks that are fustrated are ones that have the luxury of raiding and what not.  I only have a few hours here and there to play so I don't think that will be a problem.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Ok one more question, is it better to just range autoattack or melee autoattack?  Don't want to sound stupid asking but hey, what can I say.. I'm a n00b..  :smileyhappy:</DIV>

[Deml]

Depends on your level really.  At lower levels you won't have many ranged attacks so you will be doing mostly melee damage.  Around 30ish you'll be doing more ranged attacks and from that point you start doing both really.  Ranged as much as possible then melee when you just can't get away from the mobs.  For the timeframe you have for playing the best advice I can give you is to learn the trick of stunning the mob, moving behind it and getting in 2 backstabs before the stun drops.  That translates to hit cheap shot and as that's triggering move into/through/around the mob then hit your backstab that puts you into stealth then one of your backstabs that require stealth.  I don't remember the names of the low level skills or I'd list them out for you.  Another option, when you get ranged attacks is to cheap shot or your lunging line then back away and pluck away a couple ranged arts.

[Jeris Nefz]

<BR><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> 2Ligit wrote:<BR> <DIV>Thanks for the responses all.  Apparently, all the folks that are fustrated are ones that have the luxury of raiding and what not.  I only have a few hours here and there to play so I don't think that will be a problem.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Ok one more question, is it better to just range autoattack or melee autoattack?  Don't want to sound stupid asking but hey, what can I say.. I'm a n00b..  :smileyhappy:</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>For what it's worth, having a Sarnak and T8 ammo doesn't make the game more fun, though you may see some bigger numbers.  I had plenty of fun before I got them.  Your fun doesn't rely on itemization - though I do admit I enjoy the "toys" that I have.  </P> <P>Ranged auto attack in general is going to be better than melee, though it will greatly depend on the weapons you use (ranged and melee).  I would never advocate using <STRONG>JUST</STRONG> auto attack (ranged or melee).  You will have to learn how to time your auto attacks so that you aren't sacrificing some dps, but that really is mainly for raiding.  In groups, mobs die to quickly to worry about that most times.  </P>

[Crychtonn]

The higher level you get the more ranged your playstyle can become.  I don't remember what level you get it but it's in the 40's is Leg Shot.  Once you get that skill you can start working on kiting.  Leg Shot gives you that second snare skill that works from any angel unlike the Back Shot line which can only be used on opening attacks.