1.) Barrage
Problem: Requires stationary cast time and rewards little benefit to the risk it poses to the ranger. Easily interrupted and causes the ranger to die from retaliation when used on a zerg with guardians due to all of the damage procs. Deals low damage.
Proposed Rework: Barrage now fires an arrow tipped with a beehive at the target location. Deals instant damage to the area and afflicts 5 targets with bees. Targets being attacked by bees continue to take damage and are afflicted with 1s of cripple every 6 seconds or until they use a dodge roll (which ends the bees).
Reason for change: Barrage in this form will front load most of its damage in the initial attack. The remaining bees that attack the enemy will work just like the bees from TA and will not proc retaliation. Additionally, the bees apply 1s of cripple repeatedly every second, so even if the cripple is cleansed it will reapply until the enemy dodge rolls. This adds further utility to the ranger and allows the ranger to keep portions of the zerg continually moving slow even with intense group condition clearing. The bees are easily countered by dodge rolling.
2.) Strider’s Defense
Problem: This skill sucks, no matter what way you cut it.
Proposed Rework: Is now a 600m Aura that applies its effects to up to 5 nearby party members. Rangers will now boost the survivability of the zerg.
3.) Whirling Defense
Problem: Suffers from the same issues a barrage and is easily interrupted.
Proposed Rework: Now provides stability to the ranger for its duration.
4.) Hilt Bash
Problem: Very slow start up animation, causes it to be overly telegraphed.
Proposed Rework: Quickened startup animation, still telegraphed but hits more reliably. Also propels the ranger forward slightly more.
5.) Trapper’s Defense
Problem: Pretty useless, no one will take this.
Proposed Rework: The ranger gains 5s of protection if standing in a trap that is triggered by an enemy (30s ICD). Designed to promote trapper play by allowing trappers to have more survivability. Also rangers already have a on rez ability with healer’s celerity in the WS line (which equally sucks).
6.) Healer’s Celerity
Problem: Is just bad
Proposed Rework: Target now rezzes with full stamina in addition to its current effect.