Is it still worth it to level up my ranger?

[milias]

Hi, I have a ranger who's at level 20 or 21.  I was wondering, though, is it still worth it to level up my ranger?  I've heard that rangers are no longer good after a nerf of some sort.  Also, it can get kinda expensive playing a ranger, having to buy arrows and poisons.  Furthermore, I've been playing my ranger more like a melee fighter than a true ranger.  I heard that that'll change after level 30, but that's still a ways off.  Do rangers get pets?  If so, can we have our pets tank for us, and we can just shoot from a distance?Sorry that's a lot of questions.  Thanks in advance!

[Nulad]

Do you want to play your Rnager or not is about the only reasonable question you should consider.Yes we are hurting for DPS at the moment but at your level it's not much of an issue and by the time it becomes an issue it 'should' have been fixed with GU44.Yes we are more expensive to play than other classes, it's no reason not to play though.After level 30ish you will indeed become more ranged.We get some limited pets, but they're not really good for tanking, there is alos an AA ability to charm an animal but I've never used it so I cannot comment. However, if you are doing things right mobs shouldn't be in melee range at all long enough to hurt you significantly.

[Dreadpatch]

Simple question is, do you enjoy playing the ranger? Ranger's can still be nasty end game just like any other class. Play what you enjoy and screw all the other stuff.

[ChodeNode1]

Yeah, unfortunately a ranger isn't the kinda class that you have a good idea of how he'll be at level 20. Somebody mentioned it before in that its a class you have to re-learn how to play. This was the case for me at least twice. There are summoned arrows if you don't like buying your arrows, but your dps won't be as good. You'll have to keep up on poisons. You'll be replacing your bow every 10 levels until you start getting into the 50's and at that point, you better start saving your plat for a good bow to hold you until 80 when you get your epic. Start getting in the habit of using your stuns/roots/snares/knockdowns to give you time to back up and use your bow.Having played a wizard and a ranger, I much prefer the ranger for solo'ing. Can usually drop things quicker and can take a small beating before I drop them.

[Anekuh]

<cite>milias wrote:</cite><blockquote>Hi, I have a ranger who's at level 20 or 21.  I was wondering, though, is it still worth it to level up my ranger?  I've heard that rangers are no longer good after a nerf of some sort.  Also, it can get kinda expensive playing a ranger, having to buy arrows and poisons.  Furthermore, I've been playing my ranger more like a melee fighter than a true ranger.  I heard that that'll change after level 30, but that's still a ways off.  Do rangers get pets?  If so, can we have our pets tank for us, and we can just shoot from a distance?Sorry that's a lot of questions.  Thanks in advance!</blockquote><p>To be honest: Rangers are not on top of the list as raids go. However, if you enjoy playing a class that has been "looked" down upon, then I say go for it.</p><p>We are great in solo/group settings. Raids are another matter imho.</p>

[Arkinon]

My wife plays an 80 ranger and I have recently started one myself and love it. She used the charm pet line for soloing and questing till she hit 80 and then respecd to be more DPS oriented. Having played my pally with her as a duo I can say they still have the potential to kick major a$$. Rangers in most groups im in will still be in the #1 or 2 spot in the parse. So far im loving the class and will prob take this one to 80. (I have way to many alts lol)

[Febrith]

<p>Short answer - yes!  I LOVE my ranger - granted she's the first scout class Ive made having levelled two priest classes into their late and mid 70's, so this is a totally different way of playing for me.   Their versitility is huge and solo and group play is really satisfying as you're doing good solid damage (by my priestly lights anyway!).   Im loving the uber bow attacks then diving in for a bit of melee, stun then back off again to finish off the mob with another ranged shot - hurrah!  Great fun to play<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />   Ive finally learned to kite reasonably well (after running backwards into mobs on a regular basis - which taught me the wonders of Evac and heal potions).</p><p>Granted it's considered a dear class to play what with potions, poisons and arrers but cozy on up to your friendly Alchemist/Woodworker guildies - or better still be one yourself.  </p><p>Anyway, that's just a personal opinion and I dont know if it helps but I just wanted to give a boost to the cause<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  Good luck and good hunting!</p><p>PS You gotta admit it - there's romance about a Ranger<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[voxranger]

<p>Rangers have traditionally been a top tier dps class who rely mostly on thier ranged combat arts, and as a result, good players are skilled in thier ability to stun, snare, and root so as to keep mobs and opponents at range.</p><p>There are currently some issues regarding ranger dps in t7 and t8 that should be fixed in the next live update, however, given your level, you probably wont run into them immediately, and most likely the issues will be resolved in GU44, so you are probably ok there.</p><p>In terms of costs, yes, rangers are expensive, but like has been stated, don't let that deter you. They are one of the best solo/group classes out there and you will have ample opportunity to cover your expenses. Better yet, you might even consider tradeskilling as an alchemist so you can craft your own poisons and potions, as well as sell them for some pretty decent coin.</p><p>Rangers start shifting toward melee style combat in thier 30's, but in my opinion, really dont start to blossum until the 50's. If you enjoy more melee style combat but still enjoy the scout classes, you may want to try a swashbuckler. I have an 80 ranger and and a 50 swash, and both are fun to play and have dramatically different play styles. If you are on a pvp server, a swashie may be a little easier for you to pick the pvp mechanics to start.</p><p>If you enjoy playing the ranger so far, go for it! Level your character up to the 30's and see how it feels. It doesnt take long to get to 30, and lord knows how many characters i have rolled up to 30 only to delete them becuase I just wasnt able to connect with the class.</p>

[Bryony]

<cite>milias wrote:</cite><blockquote>Hi, I have a ranger who's at level 20 or 21.  I was wondering, though, is it still worth it to level up my ranger?  I've heard that rangers are no longer good after a nerf of some sort.  Also, it can get kinda expensive playing a ranger, having to buy arrows and poisons.  Furthermore, I've been playing my ranger more like a melee fighter than a true ranger.  I heard that that'll change after level 30, but that's still a ways off.  Do rangers get pets?  If so, can we have our pets tank for us, and we can just shoot from a distance?Sorry that's a lot of questions.  Thanks in advance!</blockquote><p>I think a lot of people have done a good job of answering you but I will put in my two cents.</p><p>My short answer would be yes, absolutely it is, depending. For me, yes. I love my Ranger, it is my main and has been for two years this April. Prior to that I was an assassin on PvE but I went Ranger as soon as PvP came out. If you enjoy it, and you like the ranged ability and it fits your style then nothing should keep you from playing it. However, if you prefer melee to ranged and kiting type styles you may want to consider an Assassin. They are able to fight very well close in, in addition to being able to tank if needed - and they also have an assortment of ranged skills to boot - not as many as a Ranger but the hardcore melee abilities set it off nicely. Myself, I far prefer Ranger to Assassin, but that's because it is my style and I am much better at it than I am a close in melee type fighter. Rangers close in tend to fold like a piece of paper - you really have to get used to root, snare, stun, get away etc, if you are going to stay a Ranger and solo as one successfully. Get used to kiting, heh.</p><p>Rangers have been nerfed repeatedly (as have most other classes, though) and it's true right now T8 Ragers are broken (T7 Rangers are still doing alright) but we should be fixed (we hope!!) with this next Live Update. You don't have to worry about any of this at lower tiers. Rangers are still quite effective especially at earlier levels, so you're fine there.</p><p>It is indeed the most expensive class to play. It would be my suggestion to level your own crafters or make friends with some now. I don't craft so I am always borrowing a guildy account to make poisons and selling my soul for arrows. At lower tiers the summoned arrows are fine, or even the ones you can get off the NPC merchants, especially on PvE servers. On a PvP server I would definitely suggest investing in player crafted arrows. T7 if you can manage to get one of the bows that summon arrows out of Deathtoll (raid zone) those will also work. T8 I use player crafted arrows exclusively. A rangers costs can include: totems to see stealth/invis, freedom of mind/action potions, cure potions, several types of poisons, arrows, and more ... so you are right it's not a cheap class to play but keep in mind other classes have to buy some of those things too, we just have the addition of arrows and poisons. If you find someone to craft them it will be much cheaper for you than buying them from the broker every time.</p><p>Rangers do not get pets other than fun-spell pets which do nothing for you. You're not a tank class, you can't tank well, so yeah. One of your AA abilities will let you charm an animal (but it HAS to be an animal) and you could try that but in my book it's pretty useless. It's not the way to go on a PvP server for a Ranger. I've never used it though, so you might want to solicit the opinion of someone who has, or try it out to see.</p><p>From the way it sounds I really think you should try out Assassin for comparison. Still can be expensive with poisons, arrows, and etc - but I think it will suit your style of liking to get close in much more. You'll still be doing great dps but have more versatility when it comes to melee and ranged combat. =) If you stick with Ranger, good luck, it's my favorite class and everybody here is happy to answer any more questions you have on the way!</p>