1. Balance changes are fine but not if I constantly am having to redo all my equipment. At some point, I get bored and quit playing or dread playing. Not fun.
Solution #1: Allow for the trading of “like” quality gear for different stats (including getting an enhancement token for a “like”. That way if a build like Zerker becomes less desirable for balancing purposes, the player is not penalized for changing.
2. Make pets more predictable. Nothing is more fun than things not working the way they are intended. Bugs suck.
Solution #2 Do something to make pets attack while moving more consistently. Even an over the top solution (not that we don’t need over the top help really) of increasing 360 range etc would at least not make us grind our teeth.
3. Fix Shortbow. It doesn’t like molehills.
Solution #3. No idea but at 1200 range it worked even when there was a slight elevation. Move it to 1200 at least temporarily if you can’t find a fix to the ever so frustrating obstructed bug.
4. Help us understand your vision for a ranger. We may disagree but at least we will understand. Confusion in customers is deadly.
Solution #4 Why not post a couple of builds developers anticipated as models. They don’t have to be ultra powerful, but how did you expect us to play the class. I suspect in doing so, it will help refine if traits, skills are out of place in lines/levels required.
5. Finishing is Fun.
Solution #5 We could use a bit more finishing variety. Good idea to allow for a blast finisher etc. on boards.
6. Ranger is missing a “defining moment” or set of “only me” skills
Solution #6 Next patch give the ranger something that really is “ours”. I keep thinking a ranger should be able to control the tempo of a fight. So things like adding cripple to a base attack of one weapon (longbow?) or blind to another (torch would seem logical) would be interesting. In short, what if the base attack of each weapon of the ranger created some “disability” (blind, weakness, vulnerability, cripple, etc) much like shortbow has bleed? You could add some restrictions (longbow only cripples at longer ranges etc). Then there is something a bit more unique about the ranger.
Sure we have pets but what do pets do that characters can’t? Too bad there were not pet specific conditions and boons that couldn’t be achieved by characters but that horse is out of the barn.
Therefore, I suggest our auto attacks do more than other characters. Relatively easy fix.
This also would address the issue of our sacrificing too much offense to get decent defense.
7. Matrix out the reason for taking a ranger in key situations WvW (zerg) WvW (small group), dungeons, spvp, tpvp. Did you come up with a compelling reason (not a superior but just a compelling or logical) reason. If you are frustrated creating the matrix, imagine players’ frustration.
Solution #7 Review a player generated matrix of potential roles for each scenario and gaps in our State of the Game discussion. Be prepared to discuss what can be done to provide proper roles if we provide such a document in advance of said State of the Game. Keep it to a small group/channel so it is productive and manageable.
We don’t need the TOP role, but a coherent one in each instance is critical to the fun factor. The cuteness of my birds and felines just not going to cut it with groups
Enough to chew on for now. My pet is hungry. Need to go feed her a thief.