few questions about assassins, rangers, soloability and dps

[sy0neds0ber]

hey, i currently play a monk. when i made the monk i was looking for straight up melee dps (seeing as how i played eq1 for a couple years, i assumed monks were the same as they were there) but have recently been informed that monks are really a tankish class with moderate dps.<p>so my question is this, if i want dps and soloability in a class, which would be more suitable? an assassin or a ranger?</p><p>ive heard that rangers and assassins are nearly even in dps, but ive also heard people say this is far from true.</p><p>any info would be appreciated, thanks <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[ccarney]

I think most people would say that, averaged out across all the levels, the Ranger is a better solo class.  That said, and although I haven't played a ranger, my assassin is the most stupidly fast and easiest soloer I've played.  If the ranger is faster and/or easier to solo level with, then hey, awesome - but you're not really talking about uphill struggle either way.  I can imagine that once you hit 70+ the ranger is gonna step ahead of the pack because of its better kiting ability.  Also, I'd imagine that a Ranger might be cheaper to outfit than an Assassin - Reliance on bows over melee weapons is great because at each MC tier a bow costs about 1/8th what a single 1h pierce weapon does and armor mitigation is less important allowing you to purchase cheap leather over extremely expensive chain.  Flip side is that Rangers seem a bit more common/popular which might put a higher premium on Adepts.  You're gonna be burning through arrows and poisons either way.You're right that there are a lot of differing opinions about the DPS of both classes and I've been hard pressed to find a real solid comparison between the two classes - I tend to take that as a sign that they're fairly balanced and the different opinions are just a variance of anectdotal experience rather than factual statistics.  If you're interested in having a fun class to level and to burn through content, I think you'll be just as happy with either class.

[Vitaezz]

<p>Assassins can solo just fine with the correct set up of gear and poisons. </p><p>But in the long run its hard to find Rangers that can keep up with Assassin DPS.  </p>

[Brimestar]

Its true that assns should out dps rangers, but on a pvp server...rangers are brutal due to the fact they can shell out damage b4 an assn can close the distance...

[Tommara]

<cite>ccarney wrote:</cite><blockquote> Also, I'd imagine that a Ranger might be cheaper to outfit than an Assassin - Reliance on bows over melee weapons is great because at each MC tier a bow costs about 1/8th what a single 1h pierce weapon does and armor mitigation is less important allowing you to purchase cheap leather over extremely expensive chain.  </blockquote><p>As a practical matter, that's not going to happen.  As a ranger, I try to get both the best bow AND the best melee weapons I can find.  Same for armor.  Everything I have is MasterCrafted or better.  And no, MC bows aren't cheaper than melee weapons on my server, although that point is pretty much moot,  since rangers do require good melee weapons in addition to their bow, <u>especially</u> if they solo.</p><p>I'm guessing it's because you imagine that rangers only kite. I've never kited so far (level 56 now), and although I might do so some day, it seems like way too much work.   And even if I do kite, it will only be for something extraordinary - typical, solo encounters will be fought similar to an assassin's, except for whatever alpha strike damage I'm able to do before the mob reaches me. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Tommara]

<cite>Brimestar wrote:</cite><blockquote>Its true that assns should out dps rangers, but on a pvp server...rangers are brutal due to the fact they can shell out damage b4 an assn can close the distance...</blockquote><p>And that principle is why I'm quite fine with the fact that assassins out dps rangers. </p><p>In response to the OP, I think rangers have an advantage over assassins when soloing.  Assassins do better dps than rangers when grouped.  Both do awesome dps at all times. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[LoreLady]

If you want consistant dps pick assassins, and stay the HELL away from rangers..Although it is much easier to solo. If you want dps, go assassin. Assassins are rough to start solo, but they get easier as you go up.

[Tommara]

<cite>Mortred@Befallen wrote:</cite><blockquote>If you want consistant dps pick assassins, and stay the HELL away from rangers..Although it is much easier to solo.If you want dps, go assassin. Assassins are rough to start solo, but they get easier as you go up.</blockquote><p>Ranger abilities are pretty poor in the beginning too.  As a ranger, you will wonder why you bothered being a bow master until mid-20's or so.  </p>

[LoreLady]

This is a ranger speaking.. Just stay away from rangers, the class has a history of being unstable.

[Gareorn]

<cite>Mortred@Befallen wrote:</cite><blockquote>This is a ranger speaking.. Just stay away from rangers, the class has a history of being unstable.</blockquote><p>Yea, no need climbing aboard that rollercoaster ride called "Ranger."  That class has more ups and downs than a Tommy and Pam video.  Our raid last night had four assassins and no rangers.  At least three of the assassins (including me) are betrayed rangers.</p><p>One expansion rangers will be god-like, then the next expansion they're trailer trash.  I spent 3 1/2 years as a ranger.  I'm still trying to figure out how I stuck it out that long.   If I hadn't betrayed, I probably would have quit the game by now.</p>