So, how are Rangers now?

[Taeolen]

<DIV>Been trying to decide whether I want to roll a Ranger or a Swashbuckler for my new Alt, and I have some questions about Rangers.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>How are they fairing now in the game (at all levels)?  What are the pros and cons of Rangers now?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I used to have a higher level Ranger, but when KoS launched he felt kind of weak and pathetic with the proc "fix" and lack of AAs since he missed out getting AA exp at 20+.  Really had problems killing anything before it could reach me and I usually wound up face planted against the ground.  I eventually wound up stripping him down, selling his gear, and deleting him.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I guess I'm more along the lines of wondering what kind of shape the class is in now.</DIV>

[Lesca]

<DIV>I'd say it depends on what you want to do with your character.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Soloing is fine. I'll freely admit that I'm not the worlds' best soloer (on any class), but if forced, I can go out and kill things on my own with little to no trouble. I blasted through the Monk trials in FD - most white / yellow mobs are either dead or in the orange before they even get to me when I can pull from range, social aggro permitting. Close quarters it's a lot more awkward, and you really start to feel the pain when you go toe to toe with a mob. But we've been given a couple of handy roots and knockbacks that help us get a bow shot off.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Grouping, no problems at all, save for my unerring ability to back off and pull adds. If you like running instances, questing in small groups etc, then Ranger is great. I duoed most of the Claymore series with a Paladin - he tanks and heals, I burn the mobs down. We've smoked stuff we shouldn't have been able to kill.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you're a raider... That's when you start to feel the pinch. You'll go though a lot of arrows. And I mean <EM>a lot</EM>. It's also hard work to keep up the constant DPS output, and a raiding Ranger also needs to have the some of the best equipment available to keep on par. Don't get me wrong, it can be done, and I'm more than capable of topping the parse. But to do so, I've had to get hold of two of the rarest bows in game, a good group, and play my [Removed for Content] off.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>AAs are a nice step fprward for us, we have some good ones to choose from with EoF and the KoS ones were actually very good too when you think about it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I can safely say though that I have a Ranger, a Templar and a Bruiser at 70, plus various level alts of Wizard, Swash, Inquisitor, Assassin (hey, I just wanted to see the other side), Zerker and nothing compares to the Ranger. Been playing her since launch and it is without question the most difficult and fun class out of any of the ones I've tried. I don't regret it for a second.</DIV>

[Taeolen]

<P>Lesca, thank you so much for your feedback and input.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  </P>

[Lyptus]

I'll have to agree with this one. I always played a tank class in any other game I played. I even started playing a Paladin here. I hated it. Infact, I can't stand playing other classes anymore. I've tried. The ranger class is just so exciting. Sure, you can't stand toe to toe with anything really. But I very nearly solo'd 1-50 in just a lil over a month. Its that good. Between tracking mobs, stealth, Ranged Attacks, and snare/stun, you can solo/quest all day long. All it takes is a little practice and some bow kiting (basically snaring and running around in large circles auto-firing your bow).Want a pet to keep you company? You can now get a pet by going up the survival AA line. Animals only. Stealth shots are only good for the opening, but you can pretty much sit back and let the pet take the heat (if its a decent level). Just don't take him to a zone with afk'ers and call home or exit. I found out the hard way what a 48^^^ does to a level 50 afk'er. Not a solo player? No problem, you are more than capable of grouping with others. Sure you don't have much to offer on the buff side of the spectrum, but you do have massive amounts of damage, evac, run speed (now up to 46%). Use poisons that reduce hate, debuff. =D My Paladin partner does not lose aggro, and I use every bit of dps I have up front. That Paladin/Ranger Duo is a pretty sweet combo.The class may not be perfect yet. I'd like to see the ranger having minor healing spells for out of combat, for target. But thats something that may seem silly to most folks. I'd just think we could offer more to a group in med situations after a long hard fight =). Nothing special. If you really really love doing damage, and love killing stuff fast. Then play a ranger. Warning: May effect game play with other classes after use of a rangers ability.<div></div>

[roblinb]

<DIV>lol I was wondering how rangers were doing since I haven't played since May.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Can we kite again?  The poster above me mentioned it.  Kiting to me was running backwards or in circles auto-firing and having a few CA's that could be shot off while moving (used to be all CA's but that changed).  Then KoS came out and BANG no more CA's while on the move.  The proc "fix" was the ultimate nerf.  I remember barely being able to take down a blue con mob in Tenebrous Tangle despite having good gear and adept one and better on all CA's.  I remember seeing dps parses where I barely beat out a pally and a templar and was way behind the monk, wiz, and conjurer.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I don't miss those days.  In DoF I used to be a difference-maker in groups and the occasional raid I went on, but after the ranja nerf I was trying to sell pathfinding to get into non-guild groups heh.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So do we still suck or what?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I know nothing about Gaydwer or whatever the latest expansion is, but I played a fair bit of KoS and was disappointed very badly when me ranger was ruined by SOE.</DIV>

[Jayad]

<DIV>Rangers are alright now, in any situation except in solo where you don't have a lot of room to run around.  You can't just push some buttons and expect good results anymore, though.  On the high end it requires the right equipment to do well and that can be pretty hard to obtain, relative to other classes' gear.</DIV>

[Lyptus]

Yeah, still no more using CA's while moving. On that end, it stinks big time. Still, kiting all day long is no problem with auto-attack. As far as templars or paladins out dps'in a ranger? That will be the day, that norrath freezes over. =D Now in a duel, don't expect to beat either =PStill, solo, I am finding that the pet line with the new expansion makes it a bit easier. In an area where there are a bunch of animal/beast mobs, I just let them tank til they are almost dead, then drop em and kill em, charm a new pet. Works wonders in Loping Plains =D I love it. Rangers rule!<div></div>

[Wil81115]

<DIV> As a full time raiding Ranger and only missing 1 Master CA scroll(from lvl 57-70)  I can say without a doubt we are very gear dependant when it comes to our DPS output in raids. We need 2 of the rarest Bow drops in the game in order to compete with a competent Assassin that is also geared up and Mastered out.( 1 being an ammo summoning Bow, either Irchorstand or Bazkul, and either Sanak War Bow or the Bow off the Matron contested mob).  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>  Now  verse  a very skilled and geared out Assassin we still fall short a bit. Our class is far from broken, but its not entirely fixed yet. We still have casting timers that are to long for the damage done by the CA's. Reducing the timers even more and or increasing the damage done will level the field I believe.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> I have 68 AA's so far. IMO, the CA's casting timers and damages that have been effected so far, are a nice increase but I feel they fall just a little short again. Another 5-7% added to the total with 5 points spent would be nice. In all 4 CA's..  And should bring us closer to our counterparts I think. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Our hawk dive CA is still broken,   when its out it still breaks our stealth. I'd be happy to see that it doesn't break our stealth if its out. The tease that was on Beta was overpowered IMO, but I heard it was nice while it lasted..</DIV>

[roblinb]

<P>wanna know what sucks guys (and gals)?  I'm in the military and was away from the game from May until now... I bought a new laptop and installed my KoS c.d.'s and downloaded all the updates only to find out my intel integrated (despite being 128 MB, normally good enough for balanced graphics) graphics don't cut it.  Even on extreme stick figure settings it's to choppy to play :robotsad:</P> <P>Life sucks slash cry... imma bring this thing back and get a new one!</P> <P>Thanks for the updates, tho, nice to know we don't totally suck anymore.</P>

[Teksun]

<div><blockquote><hr>roblinb wrote:<div></div> <p>wanna know what sucks guys (and gals)?  I'm in the military and was away from the game from May until now... I bought a new laptop and installed my KoS c.d.'s and downloaded all the updates only to find out my intel integrated (despite being 128 MB, normally good enough for balanced graphics) graphics don't cut it.  Even on extreme stick figure settings it's to choppy to play :robotsad:</p> <p>Life sucks slash cry... imma bring this thing back and get a new one!</p> <p>Thanks for the updates, tho, nice to know we don't totally suck anymore.</p><hr></blockquote>I read something (probably in Tech area) about a problem with this game and laptops... there is apparently some kind of work-around. The graphics will suck but it will be playable. You might try an advanced search...</div>

[Prandtl]

<P>One way to see if you can run EQ2.  NVidia has a site that will test your computer online and determine if your graphics meet the minimums.</P> <P><A href="http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_eq2kos_home.html" target=_blank>http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_eq2kos_home.html</A></P> <P>I tested my work laptop, expecting it not to be sufficient, but mazingly enough it met minimums!  The graphics blow but I don't miss raids when I'm traveling anymore  :smileytongue:</P>