Classic - SoD; Luclin was the best expansion (PoP as a very close second). Can't say for anything after SoD cuz that is when I quit.

I think that classic EQ rangers are heavily modeled after Tolkien's idea of the "ranger," which is a nature/warrior tracker who is excellent with a bow, but ultimately comes down to fighting with swords and shit

Agree. It was pretty obvious that Aradune (McQuaid's ingame avatar) was pretty much a DnD take on Aragorn sans the "heir to an ancient line of kings" bs.

PoP was pretty sweet, and the AA system with Luclin brought with it some much needed end game grinding, separating someone who just hit 60 and someone who had been there, even the zones in PoP were pretty awesome and the flagging system made it so you have to be end game to really be end game, but it defiantly took away from the classic aspect. Starting with the wizard spires to the nexus and the killing of the tunnel! with the bazaar.