What are Rangers like now? Wanted in grps?

[Jimjam]

I really like how sky geared rangers aren't dependant for others for haste.

With epics / sky cloak a ranger makes a great start to a group, especially if they can find a cleric or necro. Necros love rangers for the +12hp/tick regen they can provide.

With Velious armor rangers mitigate fine against xp content. Their low defence skill does mean they take more hits. But, hey! That's just extra DPS done by your damage shield!

[Egilmn]

Originally Posted by Swish [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Bards might wear plate but I swear rangers hold up better in a tanking situation, just from a cleric's point of view...not sure if its having gear more suited to it (HP/sta/etc) or not, whether AC "works as intended" or not, or just based on the rangers I've had vs bards.

You were grouping with bards who didn't know what they were doing. They do have plate and a high defense cap, and if they are serious about tanking then they should equip a shield. Bards can slow every single mob by 35% non stop, and even ae slow multiple mobs in that way. That is a lot of mitigation in itself and their songs hold aggro easily. They can also wield harmonic dagger at 46+ to proc stun for more mitigation/aggro.

[Jimjam]

[QUOTE=Egilmn;2566282]You were grouping with bards who didn't know what they were doing. They do have plate and a high defense cap/QUOTE]

I think you highlighted the problems bards face; they have the potential to be tanky, but many don't gear for AC, nor take a lot of hits, so don't come close to what would otherwise be considered the baseline tankiness for the class.

[Tupakk]

Bard with a shield is very interesting. Would love to hear more about your take on this

[fadetree]

Originally Posted by BarkingSpider [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I haven't been around much since Velious released, was just wondering what has changed with Rangers since then. I know the 40% exp bonus is gone and they got a couple new spells, but has the general opinion of them changed much? Do they get groups much easier now than before? Has their dps changed any / gotten better, making them more appealing to group with on the way to level 60?

So, my usual advice is, if you want to play some kind of character and you are wondering if Ranger is worth the effort, then the answer usually is you shouldn't play a Ranger. If you really want to play a Ranger and you're just wondering how rough it will be, then you're in better shape.
One of the reasons I love them so much is that they show the skill of a player vs. the built-in capability of the class more than most melee classes do. I also like that they have been traditionally looked down upon and made fun of in EQ, because that makes it so satisfying to prove it wrong. I also like the difficulty of solo play, because masochism I guess. In the old days Rangers had kind of a brotherhood feel to them more than most other classes.

It all boils down to this for me :
If I see a max level caster, monk, bard, war, rogue I just go meh, ok. If I see a max level Ranger (or Pallie/SK, for that matter ) I am impressed.

[Samoht]

Originally Posted by BarkingSpider [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Also a side question, other than a charmed pet and clarity, what does an Enchanter bring to a group that makes them so valuable? Is it just Mez?

Is this for real? Lol. Charmed pets are the most DPS in the game. Clarity is the most sought after buff in the game. Haste is the second most.

And they get to CC on top of all of that? The only reason you wouldn't want to invite an Enchanter to your group is because the player is bad and either sucks at CC or refuses to pet.

Originally Posted by BarkingSpider [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Also, how possible is it to play all the way to 60 as an Enchanter without ever bothering with charming mobs? I mean, suppose I went Enchanter, would groups specifically invite me for the charm pet DPS, or are there other things Enchanters offer that outweigh the charming?

Why wouldn't you charm?

[Raavak]

Originally Posted by Samoht [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Why wouldn't you charm?

Too skeered of charm breaks prolly. You need to concentrate on the game the whole time unlike most the classes. Charm petting is not something for the lazy or those easily distracted.

[deadlycupcakez]

Look, I played a ranger on red to 51 as one of my alt cycles and tanked for every group I played in with some basic moth/ivy and a haste item + axe of lost souls. Particularly for Mistmoore and City of Mist (I know they are drab and over populated), rangers are the creme de la creme for pulling/tanking.

Also of note, at the time, everyone wanted to play wizards monks and druids on the server, so it's not like every group I was in even had clerics and rogues either. Play smart, pull smart, self buff and by leveraging your ability to always only bring in one mob at a time with the next inc as the first starts running away, you will keep even your druid healers mana in a good place for non-stop pulls.

[Amyas]

Rangers are awesome as they are leveling up. They are amazing for pulling in out door zones.

They didn't really come into their own until Luclin via AA's for archery.

[Moerne]

Originally Posted by Swish [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

The best thing you can do if you're a less desireable class (listen up wizards) is be the one who puts groups together, become known for it, form a regular crew with a regularish tank/healer/puller and fill the gaps as required.

On my SK during hybrid group penalty days I'd often be the one forming groups, once I found a healer the rest filled itself... was more than happy to pull if we couldn't get a puller.

Completely agree. I (cleric) regularly played with a ranger and SK through most of my 40's and 50's. Often we would be trioing and the ranger was superb for drawing aggro to root park adds while doing the dps we needed and snaring runners. Add in a sham for slow/haste and we were a very solid group in HS, the Hole, etc.