So, it would seem that rangers are useless outside of PvP

If I were looking for an anti-spellcaster in PvE, nothing would top a ranger with practiced stance + choking gas + tiger's fury, and trappers are also great in certain situations. They're not useless if you ask me.

seem as though it is hard to get into group for farming in SF. Tried to do it with 4 henches, didnt get far cuz they are over powering.

The problem with crap like the Sorrow's Furnace issue is that people don't see Rangers as having any singular stand-out specialty. Other classes that have an easy time getting into groups only get such if they follow the typical requirements of the class they're playing. Want to get into a Furnace group as a Meleemancer? Fat friggin' chance, bud, no matter how awesome you are. People have developed a very rigid guideline for what is 'good' in certain places, and if you ain't on the list, you're SOL.

Rangers, since aside from Spirits (bleh) they don't tend to have any standout aspect to those not very familiar with them, tend to get shoved off to the side to squeee in another Warrior or Echo Nuker or ProtBot or whatever the current fad is. Never mind what the character itself and the player behind it can actually do. Even superb players not using an accepted character type will find it a nightmare trying to get anywhere in the later games. This is, of course, bull, but it's the way things are. Unfortunately those who want to play those ostracized classes basically have two options: play with Guildies or play with henchmen. Neither of which is always a viable option.

Basically, ye have no choice but to just swallow the frustration and hope somebody cares enough to let you in, or that you can kick your Guild into farming trips with you. Trust me, I know what it's like to want to do your own thing and not be able to - I hate Spirits with a passion, and despite this I've been told repeatedly that if I'm not a Trapper or a Spirit-monkey, I'm not a Ranger. Just stick with it man. Better to fail your own way than to succeed someone else's.

Quote:

This Build is my buddy, usable for PvP & PvE:

R/Mo

BM: 8 (+1 with Minor)
Exp: 13 (+2 With Major)
WS: 11
Marks: 9

- Full 1.5K or 15K Druids
- Archer Mask with Minor WS Rune
- Any Bow with req 9 or lower (Bouderbeards Shotbow is my bow)
- Also take a Major or Sup Vigor

Punishing Shot
Dual Shot
Tigers Fury
Kindle/Ignite Arrows
Whirling Defence
Troll Unguent
Throw Dirt/FW(for PvP)/Run Skill/Spirit/whatef
Rebirth/Res Sig(for PvP)/Ressurect



Preperation - Tigers - Dual - Punishing - Use Again When Recharged


For SF farming:

Take Mhenlo, Cynn, Eve & Lina
Lure first, use the spike skills, bring Throw Dirt, it saves Henchies lives
Who to kill in Footprint 1st: Dolyak Master - Gnasher - Carver - Heretic - Ice Golem - Ranger
Who to kill in SF 1st: Priest - Dark Binder - Deep Knight - Taskmaster - Warden - Ranger
thats the pattern I use to kill em, but it can be diffrent depending on the situation.

Also: Practice makes perfect

I love playing as a ranger/ele with kindle and conjure flame. Use a short fire bow and tiger's fury for IAS. You're just a machine gun of yellow numbers.

Quote: