Why Are Ranger/Archer-esque Classes Always Paired Up With Nature Themes?

i'd assume for the same reason an elementalist is paired up with fire, water, air, earth, or a necro with death, or a monk with life.

I kind of like it actually as it is how my guild got its name.

If you go to guildwars2guru.com and read the available information on the Ranger profession, you will see that the main changes will be multiple weapon types and a major expectation that you will use a pet.

As the design of the ranger in video games is almost completely based on Dungeons & Dragons tabletop game (dungeon masters, crazy dice shapes, and very strict rules), and has become set in stone over the years, I don't expect anyone to design one that strays too far from that basic. When they do develop something different, the devs just give the profession a different name.

Yes Rangers in most RPG's are all nature and animals and crap. But when I think of Rangers, I think of the Bounty Hunters of the old west. They were trackers so I could see some nature tie in, but they weren't Famous for being tied to nature. They were Feared because of their uncanny and ruthless vigor to find their man and bring him in. You also have Military Rangers.

I too would love to see some non Robin Hood ranger types in video games, however the only series thus far (that I've seen)where they are portrayed as lawman/bounty hunter/militant types is Fallout(1/2/3/NV).

If you don't like how nature-linked rangers are, then go Warrior in GW2! They use bows too.

For the present gw... I can only say : rit w/ splinter barrage or crit barrage... =/

I could understand crossbows being used by "classy people", but bows will be a hunting weapon in any case for me.

Off-topic: Why did you necro a year and a half old thread? >.<

my first real online rpg i got "addicted" to was diablo 2 and i was seriously amazed that rangers instead of assassins used traps... i guess it makes sense though, being hunters and all. just a little disappointing.

kinda offtopic... sry haha

Blame Tolkien.