Guild Wars 2

At the moment path of scars pulls targets on the way back but this feels uncomfortable, as if a target is moving across your path, you will only hit them with the fist hit and they will have moved before it pulls them on the return. It also means that if you take the associated trait, you will have to wait longer for the skill to pull, as the axe will be going further out due to the increase in range.

I think the solution would be to add a small push to the axe on the way out, that would send the target slightly away from the ranger, so that it will keep the target in place so the axe will also pull on the way back.

I know its a buff, but the offhand axe is weak right now.

Arkanakaz.7915:

…

I know its a buff, but the offhand axe is weak right now.

For PvP, that is.
It’s one of the meta weapons for PvE. But I sincerely believe that as the ranger already has the most CC in the game, so far, this is a bad idea.

There are thousands of ways to secure your target in place in order for Path of Scars to hit. It’s a great tool for chain-CC. Right now, we don’t have a viable tanky build that would promote Power based weapons, but with Heart of Thorns – that will change.

I’m already counting on my off-hand axe for PvP. And I don’t want it buffed just so they can nerf it to the ground again.

I think it is meant to be used when they are running away or otherwise stationary. One of the few skills we have to prevent stomps. It works well with high critical damage and intelligence sigil (Zerker or Valkyrie). High damage on the way out.

I agree, it is difficult to use well, but that is because if you do, it is quite powerful. Use it with an Intelligence sigil and you can down someone with just PoS, assuming you line it up right. Use Entangle/Drakehound/MT to Immobilise or only use it on advancing/retreating people, not in skirmishing.

Tragic Positive.9356:

But I sincerely believe that as the ranger already has the most CC in the game, so far, this is a bad idea.

Man, have you ever played engineer ? Or Warrior ? Ranger’s CC are average at best.

Before they buff 4, they should buff 5 first so you’re mobile while using 5..
Even a move-speed reduction is fine, just let us MOVE while using this skill please.

Revanant already getting a mobile reflection wall, there’s no reason whirlwind defense not getting a mobility buff too!

Ouroboros.5076:

Tragic Positive.9356:

But I sincerely believe that as the ranger already has the most CC in the game, so far, this is a bad idea.

Man, have you ever played engineer ? Or Warrior ? Ranger’s CC are average at best.

Engi= hard CC, low Soft CC
Ranger= lots of soft CC limited hard CC and 1 pet type for KD.

Toxsa.2701:

Before they buff 4, they should buff 5 first so you’re mobile while using 5..
Even a move-speed reduction is fine, just let us MOVE while using this skill please.

Revanant already getting a mobile reflection wall, there’s no reason whirlwind defense not getting a mobility buff too!

+1 off axe 5 needs some love.

Zenos Osgorma.2936:

Engi= hard CC, low Soft CC
Ranger= lots of soft CC limited hard CC and 1 pet type for KD.

Again, I’m sorry, but not “lots”. Understand me well, I think we have a fair share, but rangers are FAR from being a potent CC class, soft or hard.

Yes, we have Entangle and easy access to Cripples. But that’s about it. Just to give you a small example : we are the only profession without a single weapon skill Immobilisation.

With the radius and range from off-hand training being baseline, off-hand axe is actually getting a noteworthy buff to both skills. Much better than the warrior counterpart. Add some movement to Whirling Defense and I’d be happy.

Ouroboros.5076:

Tragic Positive.9356:

But I sincerely believe that as the ranger already has the most CC in the game, so far, this is a bad idea.

Man, have you ever played engineer ? Or Warrior ? Ranger’s CC are average at best.

Let me see…
… Greatsword Block pushback, Greatsword Hilt Bash daze/stun (3 sec), Short CD Path of Scars pull (5 targets), Hyena knockdown x2, Wolf fear (5targets), Wolf knockdown.

I just counted 7 CC that can be applied one after another. How much do Engineers and Warriors have in sequence use? Hmm?
On the other hand, while I haven’t played warriors and Engineers much, I’d say that you still haven’t played Ranger enough.

Ouroboros.5076:

FAR from being a potent CC class, soft or hard.

Yes, we have Entangle and easy access to Cripples. But that’s about it. Just to give you a small example : we are the only profession without a single weapon skill Immobilisation.

Name one profession with more access to cripple and immobolize than a standard power or condi build running Muddy Terrain, Entangle, drakehound and spider.

How is that not “potent soft cc”?

PoS is also invaluable for interrupting revives, if you have MoC and intelligence sigil, you are probably going to down the person doing the reviving too.

Also, Concussion Shot, PBS, Spider immobs, Canine’s Crippling Leap, Porcine KD, Winter’s Bite/Frost Trap, Spike trap, Predator’s Instinct, Sword Kick and Monarch’s Leap, Barrage, crippling shot, crippling talon, Moa dazing screech and Devourer KB. I think that’s it

Edit, Intimidation Training too!

People drastically overestimate how much CC engis and warriors actually have. They’re just famous for chaining CC, something most ranger rangers — for whatever ridiculous reason — do not employ.

If you actually count up the sources of cripple, chill, immobilize, and hard CC, rangers have as much as a warrior and engi combined. For example warriors and engis combined have 8 sources of immob, and rangers have 7.

Ignoring CDs because I’m lazy:

A meta ranger will be using between 3 and 6 immobs on his build (depending on meta pet choices), where the meta engi and warrior have 4 combined immobs.

A meta ranger will be using up to 6 hard CCs (depending on meta pet choices), and the meta engi and warriors will be running 3 or 4 combined hard CCs.

Rangers blow everyone out of the water on cripples, it’s not even close.

More CC does not mean better CC. Lots of the rangers hard CC and immob options suffer from long casttimes, long cooldowns, high missrate on moving opponents and/or lack of direct control.

I don’t want so say, all rangers CC skills are bad – this is not the case of course – just want to explain, why it is not so completely ridiculous, that other classes are more famous for (reliably) chaining CC.

Longer cast times like MT or wolf howl makes it all the more bizarre to me that many rangers absolutely refuse to chain their CCs. Every engi in history knows how to chain CCs to get them to land (net shot is far worse than anything rangers use, and slick shoes is downright impossible to use without chaining.) You almost never see that from rangers.

If you know you’re going to CC someone, why not “pre-cast” the wolf howl?? Oh you just stun broke hilt bash? Now you’re feared, and at the end of the fear you’re in an undodgeable entangle. Makes no sense to me.

UmbraNoctis.1907:

More CC does not mean better CC. Lots of the rangers hard CC and immob options suffer from long casttimes, long cooldowns, high missrate on moving opponents and/or lack of direct control.

I don’t want so say, all rangers CC skills are bad – this is not the case of course – just want to explain, why it is not so completely ridiculous, that other classes are more famous for (reliably) chaining CC.

You have ways to land the “unreliable” CC you are talking about.
If you can’t find one – we are okay with that and free to help and explain how.

If you don’t want to know how, or refuse to do it because it is more difficult than Engie’s work … Than I’d probably suggest you to roll those faceroll classes. I sincerely do not know what did you expect after saying something like what you just did.

By the way, Longbow Point Blank shot is currently one of the best decapping tools we can see in game. Even if you have a stun breaker, you’ll find yourself out of point anyways (unlike other decapping launches). The travel time of the effected person is almost instant. The cooldown can be now brought into 4 seconds. Only then we’ll be talking the CC.

Fluffball.8307:

If you know you’re going to CC someone, why not “pre-cast” the wolf howl?? Oh you just stun broke hilt bash? Now you’re feared, and at the end of the fear you’re in an undodgeable entangle. Makes no sense to me.

Fear + Entangle is indeed a strong CC combo, both skills are on a long cooldown though.
But Hilt Bash is a good example for “high missrate on moving opponents” due to the short self root and low range. And it doesn’t even stun when it hit the front. Usually not the best option for starting a cc chain. Even the not directly controlable (i know, they are somewhat controlable) long cd/casttime kd from canines are better than Hilt Bash most of the time.

Btw I don’t have much problems with CC’ing my opponents, just saying that many (NOT all) CC skills, especially those from pets, are less reliable than similar skills from other classes.

UmbraNoctis.1907:

Fluffball.8307:

If you know you’re going to CC someone, why not “pre-cast” the wolf howl?? Oh you just stun broke hilt bash? Now you’re feared, and at the end of the fear you’re in an undodgeable entangle. Makes no sense to me.

Fear + Entangle is indeed a strong CC combo, both skills are on a long cooldown though.
But Hilt Bash is a good example for “high missrate on moving opponents” due to the short self root and low range. And it doesn’t even stun when it hit the front. Usually not the best option for starting a cc chain. Even the not directly controlable (i know, they are somewhat controlable) long cd/casttime kd from canines are better than Hilt Bash most of the time.

Btw I don’t have much problems with CC’ing my opponents, just saying that many (NOT all) CC skills, especially those from pets, are less reliable than similar skills from other classes.

That’s why we are compensated with the amount and value in them. That’s a fair trade, if not a rewarding one, assuming that you can master their use through experience – which I find a good way to differ bad rangers from the good ones.

Instead of moving the player closer why not have the map move closer to the ranger and everyone on the map is knocked down. 20 sec CD of course.

I’m glad someone else stepped in because I was giving up. Path of Scars and Muddy Terrain are other examples of skills that have low success rates in terms of actual CC. Heck, even canine’s F2s aren’t reliable, because very dependent from the pet’s position.

Unless we’re talking PvE ofc, where everything is viable.

Again I repeat, I don’t say we don’t have access to CC at all. I’m just saying there’s a reason nobody think about rangers when thinking about CC.

PoS and MT aren’t things you necessarily lead with though. MT in particular almost never leaves my bar regardless of build in WvW or PvP, and I wouldn’t be doing that if I wasn’t consistently landing it.

Both skills are also not something a lot of people are particularly worried about. Opponents typically are looking for RF, maul, entangle, and PBS, roughly in that order. I think people mistake MT for a heal or something, and PoS generally misses because you messed up, while your opponent didn’t do anything at all.

Pos needs proper positioning. As Fluffball said most are not looking for PoS, its one of the reason a lead with it at times.

Charging in with 1h sword many perceive no threat. Next thing they know they are being stomp and are like wtf.

Positioning is a vital skill set in a rangers kitten nal.

Ouroboros.5076:

(….) Muddy Terrain are other examples of skills that have low success rates in terms (…)

The contrary. A skill that has helped me disengaging fights, catching up players, and CCing multiple players before cleaving in teamfights doesn’t equal to a low success rate in my book. The cast time is a bit itchy, but MT is together with LR both staples on my utility bar in pvp. It could be stronger, but that doesn’t mean it has a low succes rate.

Path of scars boils down to timing. The behavior of the skill makes it harder to land in 1vs1 skirmishes. It’s golden (not to say deadly) once you time it right. Path of Scars -> Maul will be devestating with the new opening strike traits, especially combined with SoTH inbetween.

Lazze.9870:

Ouroboros.5076:

(….) Muddy Terrain are other examples of skills that have low success rates in terms (…)

The contrary. A skill that has helped me disengaging fights, catching up players, and CCing multiple players before cleaving in teamfights doesn’t equal to a low success rate in my book. The cast time is a bit itchy, but MT is together with LR both staples on my utility bar in pvp. It could be stronger, but that doesn’t mean it has a low succes rate.

Patch of scars bolds down to timing. The behavior of the skill makes it harder to land in 1vs1 skirmishes. It’s golden (not to say deadly) once you time it right. Path of Scars -> Maul will be devestating with the new opening strike traits, especially combined with SoTH inbetween.

I can see mastering the combo of SotH applied to 2nd hit of Path of Scars > proccing omen of Clarity for the Maul afterwards.

How much could we get? 12K combo? Don’t forget that for this to happen we don’t need a tiny bit of precision. SotH applies Opening strike for 25% more damage and and interrupt goes up for 50% more for Maul, with newly applied fury from Weapon Swap resulting in another bonus 25% and guaranteed crit.

Tragic Positive.9356:

I can see mastering the combo of SotH applied to 2nd hit of Path of Scars > proccing omen of Clarity for the Maul afterwards.

How much could we get? 12K combo? Don’t forget that for this to happen we don’t need a tiny bit of precision. SotH applies Opening strike for 25% more damage and and interrupt goes up for 50% more for Maul, with newly applied fury from Weapon Swap resulting in another bonus 25% and guaranteed crit.

Can’t wait to play around with it, that’s for sure. Add a fast second maul to that with quickdraw. Oh gawd.

It’s a tiny bit annoying having moment of clarity competing with beastmaster’s might in this scenario. But, those kinds of choices are what the traits should be all about (same goes for Strider’s Defensve vs Quickdraw if you’re running this build with sword/axe and gs for that matter). Boils down to how many signets you wanna use.

@Lazze
Definitely.
I’m actually totally hyped about the upcoming ranger changes. Even though I am a science student and I have a really strict measure, I can see the huge love we got.

And I’m just sad about the community that won’t stop b**ching around it. I would definitely tell them to go play Necromancers as mains, since they didn’t get anything at all, while we got everything we wanted, as well as some huge cool and unique stuff (that for some reason people cannot appreciate enough, because Ele or what not).

All the build choices we got, all the flexibility, roles we will be able to fit, the unique mechanics such as Strider’s defense that got absolutely immense boost … And people won’t stop their complaints.

I mean … I’m seriously thinking of making a few support threads just to say my thanks to them. They really deserve it.

@Tragic:
Aye, the changes are so good it has almost killed my desire to play around with the current traits any more because we get so much more with the new specialization system.

It is just soooo good.

As far as the people complaining … welcome to life. There are always those people. The biggest issue they present is that sheer amount of noise they generate which can drown out legitimate issues.

Not much we can do about it except attempt to filter the noise so we don’t miss the legitimate stuff.

OH axe needs a rework for pvp. Whirling Defense is unusable/suicidal, and while PoS does massive damage, its CC remains too slow and clumsy.

mistsim.2748:

OH axe needs a rework for pvp. Whirling Defense is unusable/suicidal, and while PoS does massive damage, its CC remains too slow and clumsy.

It’s a meta for PvE, and it’s a powerful situational for PvP, too.

You can’t want it best for everything. Moreover … If you find it suicidal, than you have no idea how to use it, not to mention you have no idea what builds to use it with.
Thinking about using no.5 for damage in zerker setup… Hmmmh… Bad boy =D

mistsim.2748:

OH axe needs a rework for pvp. Whirling Defense is unusable/suicidal, and while PoS does massive damage, its CC remains too slow and clumsy.

I run sPvP with the Knight’s Amulet, and it makes Whirling Defense work. The 4s of retal makes the skill an offensive tool when up against opponents who hit fast and hard (like GS warriors).

PoS should remain the same, though I’d like to see it not fall off of ledges like the breakable tiles in Skyhammer.

You can’t have everything. If PoS were reworked so a to be easier to hit, they would reduce the damage for sure. Use PoS as another link in your chain CC, it’s no good just throwing it out there.

Tragic Positive.9356:

mistsim.2748:

OH axe needs a rework for pvp. Whirling Defense is unusable/suicidal, and while PoS does massive damage, its CC remains too slow and clumsy.

and it’s a powerful situational for PvP, too.

it’s not. ever.

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

You can’t have everything. If PoS were reworked so a to be easier to hit, they would reduce the damage for sure. Use PoS as another link in your chain CC, it’s no good just throwing it out there.

WD is trash, so OH axe never gets used. LB power builds always work best with GS, and sword/x is almost always the less versatile option. even then, OH axe is not used.

Any suggestion on how to make it less ‘trash’?

mistsim.2748:

Tragic Positive.9356:

mistsim.2748:

OH axe needs a rework for pvp. Whirling Defense is unusable/suicidal, and while PoS does massive damage, its CC remains too slow and clumsy.

and it’s a powerful situational for PvP, too.

it’s not. ever.

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

You can’t have everything. If PoS were reworked so a to be easier to hit, they would reduce the damage for sure. Use PoS as another link in your chain CC, it’s no good just throwing it out there.

WD is trash, so OH axe never gets used. LB power builds always work best with GS, and sword/x is almost always the less versatile option. even then, OH axe is not used.

This only proves that you have no idea.
Not only you are skeptical as hell, you can’t even get out of the meta that someone else made for you (which means you didn’t think for yourself even for a second).

It’s fun that neither PoS nor WD is ever powerful for you, while it was a game changer for me countless of times.
What is more likely to be true? My experience that shows that it is useful (that I can prove) or yours based on your lack of experience that only shows you haven’t tried ?

Heimskarl Ashfiend.9582:

Any suggestion on how to make it less ‘trash’?

Create the conditions under which it lands.

Don’t ask others to do it for you. You have the way. Plenty of them actually =) It’s a different weapon from others. This is not the one that makes stuff. This is the one that turns the table if you make it happen.

I don’t think it is trash at all, I love it and use it all the time with Sword/Axe and GS with MoC and intelligence sigils. Read the rest of my posts on the subject. I even have a PoS spike build in my sig.

I was asking how mistsim would go about making it less ‘trash’, as he/she put it, since I don’t think there can be a way that doesn’t ruin PoS. WD is good too, if you could move, it would be pretty unreal, but you don’t need it to.

I think the only problem is that reflects in general are hard to use in competitive. It is indeed very situational. You need to either anticipate a huge single projectile, or use it on a barrage of smaller ones (RF), in which case the person will just stop attacking at a certain awareness level (not new to class). If the melee damage of WD was better, it would make more sense that you can’t move or cast while using it, because it would shut down both ranged and melee attackers. As it is, it’s not that bad to just stand in WD and eat it, and the ranger does nothing but look amazing as he dies.

PoS is fine as is.

Fluffball.8307:

I think the only problem is that reflects in general are hard to use in competitive. It is indeed very situational. You need to either anticipate a huge single projectile, or use it on a barrage of smaller ones (RF), in which case the person will just stop attacking at a certain awareness level (not new to class). If the melee damage of WD was better, it would make more sense that you can’t move or cast while using it, because it would shut down both ranged and melee attackers. As it is, it’s not that bad to just stand in WD and eat it, and the ranger does nothing but look amazing as he dies.

PoS is fine as is.

There’s also that lovely part where both you and your pet get reflection.
Hello Warriors/Rangers attacking into both of you at the same time with your Signet of the Stone active.

But again, this is also situational.

@Tragic Positive:
OH Axe’s Whirling Defense is trash if you’re using it for straight DPS unless your MH is an AXE as well because all other Ranger weapons do more DPS with their auto-attacks than Whirling Defense does.

Now, if you’re using Whirling Defense to reflect projectiles and/or as a Whirl Finisher, then it can be useful.

You guys need to stop with your useless anecdotes of “it works for me” and baseless statements of “you don’t think for yourself”. If you can’t prove something, shut up about it.

I did the math for our weapon skills and posted it. Why? Because that is potentially useful information. Anecdotes and that other garbage are not useful.

As far as the Signet of Stone example … I’d rather auto-attack them with my Sword while my Signet of Stone is active and then Whirling Defense if I’m being shot at … two separate largely defensive cooldowns at separate times instead of blowing both at the same time. The auto-attack will also do more dps (as previously stated).

mistsim.2748:

OH axe needs a rework for pvp. Whirling Defense is unusable/suicidal, and while PoS does massive damage, its CC remains too slow and clumsy.

WD is good fun on rangers LB2 or thieves pistol version (forget the name) who don’t have good enough reflexes or not paying attention. I’ve had many fun times defending a gate in WvW and being on the wall using that after I’ve let loose hell from above.

Ragnar.1546:

WD is good fun on rangers LB2 or thieves pistol version (forget the name) who don’t have good enough reflexes or not paying attention. I’ve had many fun times defending a gate in WvW and being on the wall using that after I’ve let loose hell from above.

It’s fun/funny, yes, but you’re talking about 2 of the least respected types of players. P/P thieves, which are nearly unheard of, and people new to ranger who just mindless spam RF. You don’t need reflects to beat either one of them. You don’t even need an offhand equipped.

Fluffball.8307:

Ragnar.1546:

WD is good fun on rangers LB2 or thieves pistol version (forget the name) who don’t have good enough reflexes or not paying attention. I’ve had many fun times defending a gate in WvW and being on the wall using that after I’ve let loose hell from above.

It’s fun/funny, yes, but you’re talking about 2 of the least respected types of players. P/P thieves, which are nearly unheard of, and people new to ranger who just mindless spam RF. You don’t need reflects to beat either one of them. You don’t even need an offhand equipped.

This is true about not needing it to beat them. I’m out of the loop on thief metas as I’ve been away from GW for 6months(ish). However I do equip OH axe for those situations as I do have a purpose to use the reflect and its funny as hell watching all the long range knobs throw everything at you. It’s good for entertainment and has a mediocre utility (if you want to call it that) in some of those wvw situations. I’ve never found it worth my time anywhere else but that one situation. Which to me means it is not a good option to use, especially as Warhorn Imo offers more.

Tragic Positive.9356:

This only proves that you have no idea.
Not only you are skeptical as hell, you can’t even get out of the meta that someone else made for you (which means you didn’t think for yourself even for a second).

It’s fun that neither PoS nor WD is ever powerful for you, while it was a game changer for me countless of times.
What is more likely to be true? My experience that shows that it is useful (that I can prove) or yours based on your lack of experience that only shows you haven’t tried ?

I do have an idea. Im sorry that 1500 hours in pvp as a ranger makes me the way I am. it’s not that my head is “in the meta”. in fact, ive put out some of the most experimental ranger guides in the past. I have over 200 hours on my sentinel and cleric builds ALONE, both of which actually revolved around the OH axe after it was buffed. just because I liked OH axe and how flashy WD looks and how amazing and situational it is, doesn’t make it a viable offhand relative to our other weapons and builds. so it’s too bad u weren’t around when I was doing those vids and guides – they were very well received.

ideas to improve OH axe are all over the forums. PoS is too slow, even after the buffs, but we all like the damage. it’s fun and hilarious throwing it in the middle of zergs, but it doesn’t have any role whatsoever in 5v5, skirms, 1v1, or conquest. WD is suicidal and overly situational because the channel is too long and projectiles aren’t and never have been a problem. there are better ways to handle glassbows and other projectile sources. standing still and channeling is just horrible design. if we could generate the reflect while doing other things like moving, doing damage, debuffing, or evading while channeling, then it would be extremely beneficial.

Let’s make something clear … I (and others) don’t give two craps how much time anyone claims to have anywhere in the game. Do you know how many people I’ve interviewed for actual jobs at my workplace that have claimed years of experience with something and either didn’t have knowledge that reflected that or were completely BSing?

Saying you have X time with something means nothing.

To make the point even clearer … do you know how many hours my kids (9 & 5) have on Minecraft? Tons. They’ve even made their own minecraft videos for their friends. Does that make them experts? Heck no.

This isn’t just directed at you mistsim … plenty of people doing this every day.

Now that that is out of the way …

Whether or not Path of Scars is “too slow” is debatable. Even with it hitting once per usage, it has some of the highest Ranger weapon DPS. If it double-taps, it’s head and shoulders above other skills. Would I like it to be faster? Sure. Does it need it? That’s debatable … It either needs to be faster or we (the players) need to work with the current speed.

Whirling Defense. Is it horrible DPS? Yes. It’s worse than all auto-attacks except for MH Axe when it isn’t double-tapping the target.

Does being immobile for so long make us an easy target for any non-projectiles? Yes

Do these two facts largely see the glory of Path of Scars overshadowed by Whirling Defense? My opinion is yes and I believe I’ve seen several other opinions that match my own on this one … though some of them thinking allowing movement during it would be sufficient while I think we’d need to look at an OH weapon skill with a huge cooldown doing less than auto-attacks … as that throws a red flag in my mind.

I do like your suggestion for us to be allowed to do other things during it … functionally that would be nice. From an actual look and feel though, I’m not sold. How would I be keeping up a whirling defense with my axes while my hands are doing other things or I’m rolling on the ground?

Sebrent.3625:

I do like your suggestion for us to be allowed to do other things during it … functionally that would be nice. From an actual look and feel though, I’m not sold. How would I be keeping up a whirling defense with my axes while my hands are doing other things or I’m rolling on the ground?

They could just change the animation to the whirling and take away your arms moving. A lot of games do that, a Diablo type of animated “armor” skill. I think the D2 druid had some whirling wind armor he ran around in IIRC. It just calls itself whirling defense, it doesn’t imply via name that the weapons or our arms are causing it.

I could see something like that for the druid, but a Ranger isn’t going to just throw his Axes in the air and them defend him while he does other things.

It makes zero sense

I meant to just have the whirling animation, as literally a whirling defense. I think the D2 druid called it cyclone armor. Once you take away the arm movement, that’s what the animation is.

Also, axes bouncing around like flubber makes zero sense as well.

I disagree. In Diablo 2, the druid was summoning the wind via magic to “do its thing”. With Whirling Defense in GW2, the Ranger is moving the Axes so quickly that they are deflecting/reflecting the projectiles.

Ya that’s we we know it as right now, because the ranger is literally doing that. But if take away the arm movement, it’s just a whirling animation.

These are just animations and skill names, it’s very easy to slightly modify it or suspend disbelief so the game is more fun. I.e throwing 5 axes out of 1 or having homing axes magically find 3 targets.

That’s not magic, that’s skill. I have a bag of infinite axes and I pull 5 out at one time for a single skilled throw :-p

I’m also so skilled with axes that I can spin them and aim them sufficiently to hit 3 targets :-p