Decissions, decissions

[AndrewSquared]

<p>So, it's alt time, and I'm afraid i'm a bit torn.</p><p>It's ranger, assassin, or dirge. I'm not sure which.</p><p>Either way, it will be Fae.</p><p>I've played a dirge to 70, and enjoyed the class a lot, being adaptable to different situations, but always hated how [Removed for Content]-poor the dps was compared to other scouts, hence my desire to play a ranger.</p><p>I really like the idea of a bow-useing character, the concept has always been very fun and interesting to me. So my main concern with my ranger is this. In groups/raids, do you find yourself having to hold back a lot on your dps to keep from stripping agro from tanks? As a tank myself, I've seen it vary from group to group (not a raid MT so no experience there), some rangers can strip from me quickly, others won't ever even be looked at by the mob. </p><p>I understand that rangers bring crap for utility to the table, I just want to bring DPS, and would prefer the ranger over assassin.</p><p>Any guidance is appreciated.</p>

[Prandtl]

<p>Rangers have very good de-aggro skills and we can also utilize de-aggro poisons if the tank is having trouble.  With a good tank its usually not a problem, though.</p><p>If a ranger is grabbing aggro quickly then they are either not using their de-aggro skills or are opening up with a heavy hitter right at the begining. Generaly not very desireable..</p><p>roll a ranger. You'll like it  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[AndrewSquared]

Okay, out of curiosity, how soon does the bow start becoming your primary form of attack?

[Prandtl]

<cite>AndrewSquared wrote:</cite><blockquote>Okay, out of curiosity, how soon does the bow start becoming your primary form of attack?</blockquote> around lvl 20-25 is when we start getting more bow attacks.  By level 30 you are pretty much an archer

[Domyr Farseeker]

<p>Aggro control should hardly ever be a problem. Between poisons, 2 de-aggro specials, our maintained de-aggro buff, confounding arrow, the hawk, and a little self control we have some great aggro management tools at our disposal. </p><p>Give the tank a couple seconds to get control over the mob, help him out with confounding arrow and a de-aggro poison proc and a decent tank should have no trouble keeping the encounter under control. Different tanks have different aggro needs when setting up encounters. Just use some common sense. </p><p>I was in a funny pick-up group a few weeks ago with another ranger who insisted on opening with a big hit, even after a couple deaths. I'm convinced he was pulling aggro on purpose to show how oober his dps was. As we were buffing up for a pull, the tank noticed him going into stealth and sent me a tell. <i>"Looks like your ranger buddy's getting ready for another big nuke...I've asked him not to do that".</i> I replied back <i>"Aye, we only have 3 stealthed ranged attacks, they all hit big. He's probly setting up for Sniper, it's just about right for his timer to have refreshed. Maybe his AoE...".</i> I noticed the tank switch targets to a tougher encounter and he sent me another tell <i>"From now on, if he starts an encounter in stealthed mode, don't attack. Don't cast anything, cause he ain't getting any taunts. lol".</i> Sure enough, he popped Sniper's and Rain right off the bat and ended up tanking and dying. You'd think he'd eventually catch on, but he ended up leaving the group in a huff instead.</p><p>My ranger was my first character. Even now, with 3 accounts full of alts, he's still my favorite to play. If you've played a tank, you already understand the aggro mechanics. Grab a bow and a quiver, and have some fun on the other side of the mob.</p>

[AndrewSquared]

Domyr Farseeker wrote: <blockquote><p>Aggro control should hardly ever be a problem. Between poisons, 2 de-aggro specials, our maintained de-aggro buff, confounding arrow, the hawk, and a little self control we have some great aggro management tools at our disposal. </p><p>Give the tank a couple seconds to get control over the mob, help him out with confounding arrow and a de-aggro poison proc and a decent tank should have no trouble keeping the encounter under control. Different tanks have different aggro needs when setting up encounters. Just use some common sense. </p><p>I was in a funny pick-up group a few weeks ago with another ranger who insisted on opening with a big hit, even after a couple deaths. I'm convinced he was pulling aggro on purpose to show how oober his dps was. As we were buffing up for a pull, the tank noticed him going into stealth and sent me a tell. <i>"Looks like your ranger buddy's getting ready for another big nuke...I've asked him not to do that".</i> I replied back <i>"Aye, we only have 3 stealthed ranged attacks, they all hit big. He's probly setting up for Sniper, it's just about right for his timer to have refreshed. Maybe his AoE...".</i> I noticed the tank switch targets to a tougher encounter and he sent me another tell <i>"From now on, if he starts an encounter in stealthed mode, don't attack. Don't cast anything, cause he ain't getting any taunts. lol".</i> Sure enough, he popped Sniper's and Rain right off the bat and ended up tanking and dying. You'd think he'd eventually catch on, but he ended up leaving the group in a huff instead.</p><p>My ranger was my first character. Even now, with 3 accounts full of alts, he's still my favorite to play. If you've played a tank, you already understand the aggro mechanics. Grab a bow and a quiver, and have some fun on the other side of the mob.</p></blockquote>Awesome. I've been in that situation before. As a SK, I'd FD them the first couple times, but after that, let them choke on their own agro. Thanks for the help from you all.

[Giland]

I like playing a ranger a lot. My first char is a zerker and he is a blast too. I find a ranger a nice change from a zerker. I generally don't play casters to long, being more of a melee player. A ranger isn't really a "save the healer" class, but I still try, I just use different tools now. point blank, stun, run to the tank.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />