Are Rangers good DPS?

rangers have a really crappy dps with the bow only. Though of course it can be increased with preparations and conditions, it is still bad for a physical attack and adds low pressure (with a pet things are different , but then again i would use a spear or hammer on my beastmaster to maximize damage).

Bow attacks are, however, great for interupts and strategic conditions like daze and such. With moves like burning arrow and conjure flame, you could yeild high damage but not as much as a spear or anything closer up. The pro to a bow is that you get to attack far to very far away from your target to get strategic advantages and stuff (you can also attack multiple people easier). what good builds are there that dont use preperations besides barrage?

rangers have a really crappy dps with the bow only. Ever heard of Needle Shot?

rangers have a really crappy dps with the bow only. Though of course it can be increased with preparations and conditions, it is still bad for a physical attack and adds low pressure (with a pet things are different , but then again i would use a spear or hammer on my beastmaster to maximize damage). I would disagree with that, the right built Rangers can delivery great dps, for example an Echoed Sundering Attack + Penetrating Attack build can do continuous high damage hits even without preparations or weapon spells or enchants on them. The Aforementioned Needling shot builds or quickshot based builds or Conjure x based builds to name but a few. Even numerous Barrage based builds can deal great dps. Yes Rangers are amazing interuptors, trappers etc. but like Warriors (aka the tank) when the're needed to be they can also be amazing pressure or spike dealers.

I would disagree with that, the right built Rangers can delivery great dps, for example an Echoed Sundering Attack + Penetrating Attack build can do continuous high damage hits even without preparations or weapon spells or enchants on them. The Aforementioned Needling shot builds or quickshot based builds or Conjure x based builds to name but a few. Even numerous Barrage based builds can deal great dps. Yes Rangers are amazing interuptors, trappers etc. but like Warriors (aka the tank) when the're needed to be they can also be amazing pressure or spike dealers. No matter how much you spam Sundering/Penetrating attack, you won't get pressure damage like a dervish or warrior can tbh. Even a Paragon with a spear build can deal more physical damage since they have a more sustainable IAS (Aggressive Refrain or Soldier's Fury) and can also apply Deep Wound. Bow rangers make up for this with their increased ability to apply lasting degen conditions along with some of the best interupt skills in the game. Barrage is the exception for damage dealing, but only applies to certain PvE scenarios.

If you want to discuss spiking, then you have a different discussion altogether. You can have poor dps and still be able to put on a great spike. Rangers CAN deal a very strong spike, but it's generally much easier to counter than other methods of spiking and is therefore no longer really seen in PvP much anymore.

No matter how much you spam Sundering/Penetrating attack, you won't get pressure damage like a dervish or warrior can tbh. Even a Paragon with a spear build can deal more physical damage since they have a more sustainable IAS (Aggressive Refrain or Soldier's Fury) and can also apply Deep Wound. Bow rangers make up for this with their increased ability to apply lasting degen conditions along with some of the best interupt skills in the game. Barrage is the exception for damage dealing, but only applies to certain PvE scenarios. I dont pretend Warriors or Dervishes cant do good pressure damage because they can but i would not definitely say a ranger cant pressure like they can. For example in SF ive yet (keyword is yet cause im sure there probably are ones that can) to see a warrior or other class that can out deal my ranger attacking the Dwarves and Dredge, Even the Ele in the team couldn't deal out as much damage as my ranger.

I dont pretend Warriors or Dervishes cant do good pressure damage because they can but i would not definitely say a ranger cant pressure like they can. For example in SF ive yet (keyword is yet cause im sure there probably are ones that can) to see a warrior or other class that can out deal my ranger attacking the Dwarves and Dredge, Even the Ele in the team couldn't deal out as much damage as my ranger. There are three big reasons that BP rangers are used in SF. The first is that a BP group can make good use of Barrage in SF since there are a lot of big mobs that can be controlled by pet and minion blocking. Also, the inclusion of pets, as said, assists in aggro control along with minion production. Finally, they have a stronger defense than a nuker. Before AI was nerfed, people used to put a warrior up to tank and have an ele nuke the mob. Since aggro can't be controlled as easily, people use rangers.

Arguing that a bow ranger can produce good dps as a Barrage ranger is very area specific. If there are 6 enemies bunched up at every shot, then a Barrage ranger of course has great dps, but this doesn't happen everywhere and is only really a valid tactic in PvE.

@ ArKain:
The debate was about bow rangers. There is no doubt that a Thumper can produce good pressure. If they couldn't, they wouldn't be near as popular in PvP, especially after the RaO nerf.

Ever heard of Needle Shot? Needleshot is horrible DPS.

Thanks,
Pr0gram~