Rangers in GW

MrGuru101

MrGuru101

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jan 2006

Anyone that like to play as a ranger will appreciate this thread, anyone else will probably flame me.

I used to play as a ranger, and I found it pretty interesting, although once I got to the desert, it was almost impossible to find a group to do those missions. I was lvl 20, and experienced at that. I've done the missions before with other characters, so I know strategies and what not. I decided to delete my character just because I was getting bored of sitting in town getting no response.

Anyways, recently I've been doing some new UW runs. The first 3 runs I did, I joined mixed groups. These were alright, but took forever to finish. I think the first 3 completed runs averaged about 2 hours and 15 minutes per run. I decided to join a ranger barrage group with my necromancer and spam orders. Not only was this faster, but much easier and I never died once, in 5 runs. The barrage teams usually consisted of 5 rangers, 2 monks and a necromancer. Sometimes there would be 1 less ranger and a tank, depending on if they decided to bring pets or not. Anyways, I completed 4 out of my first 5 tries with barrage teams, and the average time was somewhere around 1 hr and 30 minutes.
The funny thing is, rangers are a lot better than people make them out to be. I thought this might just be a case of being in the UW, so I formed a party for fun and did the Thirsty River mission with 5 rangers in it. We completed the mission in like 9 minutes and there was only 1 death.

I think rangers are gonna make a comeback. Don't delete them just yet!

Mystic Memory

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2006

The Imperial Allegiance

Me/

I dont think rangers were ever "weak"

They can do almost anything in the game.. tank, interrupt, degen, etc..

More people delete their mesmers than their rangers
Mesmers have a much harder time finding groups... believe me =)

Lasher Dragon

Lasher Dragon

Draconic Rage Incarnate

Join Date: Apr 2005

Iowa

Alphahive

R/A

I've been playing my ranger since the last beta weekend, and after having been through the game with 3 other characters, and started 2 more, I still prefer my ranger above all others. I don't know why exactly, I suppose it's that rangers can be so... self-sufficient. Solo or with a group, a ranger that knows what he/she is doing is capable of handling nearly any situation.

Plus she looks great in Druid's hehehe

LordDeArnise

LordDeArnise

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

California, USA

The Elite Knights of Tarnia [PwnD]

Barragers are nice to have anywhere in high-end places. They can kill or contain runners, and with all the arrows flying, combined with Favorable Winds, Winnowing, and some hexes from other classes that make them less resistant against certain types of damage, can whip 'em a good one without them running around.

OxoZoso

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2005

W/Mo

I also started with a ranger, and over time grew weary of begging to get into groups for FoW or Sorrows farming. So I created a tank and have used him almost exclusively these past several months...

Then, with the recent UW greenie quest update, and my groups constant failures, I noticed some ranger groups assembling for the run... so I dragged my ranger out of mothballs and we finished it fast. A mix of barrage, spirits and traps did the trick.

Now, I'm getting back into my Ranger... and I think there just might be some new found respect for this class.

master_ranger_matt

master_ranger_matt

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Salt Lake City, Utah.... no im not mormon

Radicals Against Tyrants [RAT]

R/Me

as you can see, m y favorite profession is ranger. we're really versatile. I usually delete my other charcters before they get far because a ranger is just funner to me than anything else.

LordDeArnise

LordDeArnise

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

California, USA

The Elite Knights of Tarnia [PwnD]

From my gameplay experience, I don't tank very well, and I don't really like the notion of hanging back, doing little damage, and just healing others. That's why I use a ranger along with a mesmer, necro, and ele.

I hardly find groups for my ranger unless it's in ToA, and I've yet to try my barrager in Tombs--UW. I've been using my necro the most for SF questing and farming. I'll have to give Emerald a few runs in Tombs--UW, see how I do there after my MM didn't go very far in the first try there because a healer left.

Griff Mon

Griff Mon

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2005

In the Elfen Forests of Washington State

Damage Radius

N/

At lower level missions most players have their mind set on tanks, monks, and eles. Necros, rangers, and mesmers are simply not called on because for the most part people really don't understand their power. Give me a skilled ranger, necro, or mesmer any day. Barrage arrows, minion armies, and fast casting spellbreaker and energy draining spells can rule.

Dracus Steelbow

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

in my basement for the last 20 years

Radicals Against Tyrants

R/

My first char was also a ranger, and i find my self playing him more than any other char. I like him so much because i learned everything i know today about GW on him. i also have a tank, but i only use him for farming.

Luddendorf

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Feb 2006

Rangers have the second strongest offense in the game next to warriors and can fill a variety of roles.

They also are the best class by far at dueling.

chris_nin00

chris_nin00

Dun dun dun

Join Date: Aug 2005

Reddit Guild

R/

<---Ranger Hater...
Just kidding y'all . If you look at the sub-forum Ranger, you'll see I post builds more often there than any other class. Why? Because Rangers are awesome, that's why.

Why do people underestimate them? I don't know, but I know this(Wha--?),
-They don't know the True Power of a the Rangers
Warrior/Monk: Is there a way I can have these skills?
The Infamous Ranger: Not from a Warrior.
-Also they haven't played them before or don't have the intelligence to run a ranger.

I agree. Rangers have a big learning curve. Sometimes it's too much for new players.
Example:
<---Me.

Rangers are masters at everything imaginable.
Masters of...
-Interruption
-Traps
-Nature Rituals
-Expertise
-and the list goes on and on.

No class is more versatile than the ranger. No class! It is uncomparable...


The Infamous Necro: Well, I can do twice as much as that master chris_nin00. Why don't you play with me?
Chris_nin00: Get back to your spiteful spirit build you emo .

Mandy Memory

Mandy Memory

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2005

USA

Xen of Sigils [XoO]

W/

I think any class can do anything...

Tijger

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2005

Mo/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mandy Memory
I think any class can do anything...
Nah, most classes dont have the range of skills the ranger has at its disposal.

Doesnt make ranger an easy class to play though, as a ranger I generally have to think far more ahead to what is needed on a mission then as a warrior for instance.
I love playing ranger, I love the versatility, the ability to take a lv 20 pet in one mission and go for a full interrupter build in the next or switch to trapping and hey, there's barrage for damage dealing as well.

I dont exclusively play ranger, I also like to monk and be a warrior, they all can be fun and challenging but on versatility the ranger is king imho.

DFrost

DFrost

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2005

Ultima Thule

Legacy of Echovald [Echo]

P/

I play mostly a ranger. Often in missions I take the role of marksmanship damage dealer + interrupter. This is because when going the wilderness survival + traps route, just one uninformed party member can effectively nullify 80% of my work. That's right, there's almost always someone in a PUG that doesn't know or care about pulling which is crucial when trapping (unless going the offensive trapping route, which is cool too, but not as handy in missions IMO).

Interestingly in Fire Islands missions after Thunderhead Keep (#1 place for trappers to show that they're useful) I've found groups that have been much more aware of traps and their usage. We had two trappers in a RoF cap group and we wiped the floor with the Mursaat. Live and learn I guess. The biggest problem seems to be that some people don't have the patience to stand still while a ranger lays down 3-6 traps (even with SQ).

Pevil Lihatuh

Pevil Lihatuh

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2005

Yorkshire, UK

R/Me

whilst i disagree they're superior, they're far from inferior. My first char was a R/Me (yep, the two most hated classes in general ) and she's still my fave. Over 300 hours of my 500ish are on her (yeah ok, not many hours since April but sssh!)

She regularly goes round SF, Ring of Fire, Desert and other places with only 4 henchies, and can also solo fairly well (Ettins, Hydra, Ice Imps, not tried anything else). I can interupt. I can mass degen. I can spike. I can tank. I can trap. I can set a level 20 feathered killer *hugs my Deathbird* on them. Heck I can do anything I like. I do have one each of every profession, and depending on my mood, I love them all, but its always my ranger I come back to.

Star Asia

Star Asia

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jan 2006

New York, NY

E/

In my opinion rangers are the demi-gods of this game!

I have seen AWESOME things that rangers do.......

so, yes, praise thy ranger!!!!

Rok

Rok

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Dec 2005

Guild Wars

My first char was a ranger, in fact I pre-ordered from EB games just to get the Ithas Bow because I was going to make a ranger.

And Ranger is the one I always go back to. I've been able to do quests/missions with Henchmen that my monk and warrior are not able too. I think this is because the ranger henchmen suck at being a true Ranger - which is why nobody takes them. The tank henchmen tank. The healer henchmen heal. The caster henchmen cast. The ranger henchman - umm, shoots arrows and dies.

on a side note, they should make henchmen customizable - or a bigger variety of them, trapper, interrupter, air elem, earth elem, water elem, etc.

Guardian of the Light

Guardian of the Light

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2005

Radicals Against Tyrants

W/

All professions have a use. Too many Narrow-minded people think rangers and mesmers are useless.

Barinthus

Barinthus

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2005

California

(TRUE)

R/Me

My ranger always have rocked. I just feel sorry for people who didn't give me a chance - they truly missed out.

Age

Age

Hall Hero

Join Date: Jul 2005

California Canada/BC

STG Administrator

Mo/

Female Rangers never have hard time finding groups as I had a male once now it is a female.

SziP

SziP

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Feb 2006

Me/

Rangers were/are not used in the oro farming, but now its the rangers turn to farm the new UW for greens.

Defender Of Orth

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2005

Eternal Knights

W/Mo

I see the title changed ;D

Eldin

Eldin

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2005

America. How about you, commie?

Fellows of Mythgar [FOM]

R/Mo

Rangers are up there with monks and eles. Just downright capable of many things. Earlier on, I agree, rangers aren't as important. I even occasionally got turned down a party since they thought a ranger was useless in this case. Around the Crystal Desert, I saw changes. T'was no longer mindless statements like "zomg rangers suk". People needed interrupters, trappers, etc. Perhaps one of the most well-rounded classes in GW. Many also turn down mesmers. I play a R/Me, and it's very useful, marksman with some ranger/mes interrupts (which are vital in new UW runs), and some trapping.

chris - Yep, we are teh 1337 versatile servants of melandru.

LordDeArnise

LordDeArnise

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

California, USA

The Elite Knights of Tarnia [PwnD]

Not to mention that I was trying out the ranger during the beta and world preview weekends. I have about six bows on Emerald. One of them is Drago's Sundering Flat Bow.

master_ranger_matt

master_ranger_matt

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Salt Lake City, Utah.... no im not mormon

Radicals Against Tyrants [RAT]

R/Me

What I like is how easy it makes Old UW farming. Trap groups are pretty mindless and easy once you get the hang of it. I was pretty bad when I first started playing because my first guy was a ranger, but now im good (fairly) because i have learned how to use them. Once you learn they are very hard to beat.

calamitykell

Banned

Join Date: Aug 2005

N.Y.C.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mystic Memory
Mesmers have a much harder time finding groups... believe me =)
Absolutely!

I find it hard to really sympathize with any Warrior/Ranger/Necro/Monk/Elementalist who says "I can never find groups", because there are groups all OVER the place looking for any/some/all of those classes.

The last time I heard about a demand for Mesmers for UW groups was... well, let me think... 3 weeks ago fro- never.

Now, I'm not making the usual "omg I get no attention" statement. I love my Mesmer and have no problem going with henchies, it's absolutely more fun for me than any class. Just that there's no "popular demand" for me in any serious 'farming' groups.

castanaveras

castanaveras

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

During the Faction beta event... I have 4 chars lvl 20 (warrior, monk, elementalist, ranger) needed to delete 1 char to free up a spot, I end up deleting my ranger! >_< whaaaaaaa! I miss my ranger....

fiery

fiery

Banned

Join Date: Oct 2005

maryland

InYurFace Gaming [IYF]

R/

rangers own.

Valerius

Valerius

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2005

Canada

R/

Rangers > Everything

BBoy_Manchild

BBoy_Manchild

Banned

Join Date: Aug 2005

dayton ohio

N/Mo

its sad that you couldnt find a group as a ranger, but maybe you should advertise your skill set instead of just blind inviting yourself into groups, i dont accept anybody that does that, even if its a monk, in the few times that i make pug groups for missions i make sure my party members are not complete idiots. henchies > pugs
but back to my point, rangers are the most versitile class in this game, they can be spikers/interrupters/barragers/BMs/trappers/melee attackers cmon, what is the most common UW farm group? trappers. and the UW farm group? barrage/BMs, and how about pvp, go into CA/TA rangers are more common then warriors

coolsti

coolsti

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Denmark

I play ranger a lot, but lately never use Barrage. I fell in love with barrage after first getting this elite, and used it constantly. But lately I am using mostly Oath Shot (works well with throw dirt) or Poison Arrow. For me, the problem with Barrage is that it is a Marksmanship skill, and my marksmanship usually is only around 11 or less. I put most of my attribute points in WS since most of the other skills I use are WS skills, and I have my expertise rather high to reduce my energy demands. My ranger is R/Mo so I can res, and so I don't use conjure flame or conjure lightning that can give added damage.

But I do quite well with a non-barrage ranger, both with henchies only and with PUG groups. Playing ranger is fun!

SilentAssassin

SilentAssassin

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

Belgium

Remnants of Ascalon, KT alliance

R/N

I see rangers as an allrounder

My main character and first one was a ranger and I love him, I found so many decent builds with him etc..

rangers are just awesome

Willy Rockwell

Willy Rockwell

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2005

Look at the messages in UW and everyone wants a ranger. "LF spiker""LF Barrager""LF Trapper""LF Interrupter with pet". Rangers rule, and I'm lovin' it.

coolsti

coolsti

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Denmark

Quote:
Originally Posted by Willy Rockwell
Look at the messages in UW and everyone wants a ranger. "LF spiker""LF Barrager""LF Trapper""LF Interrupter with pet". Rangers rule, and I'm lovin' it.
That's great, but what I am curious about is what do they actually mean when they ask for a "Barrager" or a "Trapper", etc. Do they expect that you have adjusted your build to be 100% in that direction? I like a bit of variety in my game, and when I go out to UW I have only two traps (am I a trapper?) and two interrupts (or am I an interrupter?) and some other stuff like maybe poison arrow. So would I be appreciated by these groups looking for rangers for their UW groups with specific builds? Or would I wind up being called a noob idiot?

Regarding pets, for variety sometimes I convert to beastmaster. But there are so many good beastmaster skills, and so many slots are wasted (charm animal, troll unguent, res or rebirth) that I cannot imagine being effective as a beastmaster AND being able to be an interrupter at the same time. I mean, my beast is awesome, but only if I devote at least 4 skills to him, not counting charm animal and comfort animal (no good to have a pet you can't res). I can't see the point of trying to be beast master AND something else. Here it would be great if Anet would combine charm animal and comfort animal so that they used only one skill slot (like, your beast would come with you if you had only comfort animal equipped).

Kakumei

Kakumei

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2005

Grind is subjective

learn this please

I love rangers. I love having them in my party, I'm well aware of how powerful they are.

I can't stand to play one, however, as they literally bore me to tears. Give me my monk any day.

Burakus Lightwing

Burakus Lightwing

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2005

W/

I've made two rangers recently on two different because I think they are hands down the most overpowered class in the game. Making a come back? I don't thnk they went anywhere. Maybe as people beat the game with other classess, they're just trying something new.

The Rightful One

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

R/

Rangers are great for almost anything. They can trap, interupt, use spirits like winter. They are good for anything, so you should have no problems finding a group as a ranger.

Nicolas Elensar

Nicolas Elensar

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2005

Mo/A

The reason people don't like rangers on their team is because most of them don't have a clue of what they're doing.. They're all like oMgdz pwr shot + point lbnk shot = pwn! .. It's like for every ranger who knows what he's doing there are three other rangers who don't and go around spamming Troll Unguent and Power shot -.-

Skuld

Skuld

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Sep 2005

Thousend Tigers Apund Ur Head [Ttgr]

A/

throw dirt <33333333333333333333

lyra_song

lyra_song

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Oct 2005

R/Mo

should try ranger spiking some of the "harder" missions. youd be surprised how easy it is.