Guild Wars 2

I have never seen more of a consensus on what a joke a class is except for the late 2004-2005 druids in WoW.

The people that do seem to enjoy the class use melee weapons.

What?

The class’ name is indicative of what it should accelerate at, which is ranged. I see almost no one encouraging shortbow or longbow. The axe and horn really don’t count as far as I’m concerned.

What is the point of picking a “ranger” and then grabbing a sword and running up to a mob? Or an axe you throw from not too far away that will bounce off of ANYTHING?

It seems to “work” ok for people but why is this the #1 encouraged method?

Bastionhawk.7120:

The name Ranger isn’t indicative of being ranged.

Anet’s definition of a ranger is indicative of it being ranged, so that’s all that matters.

Rangers are proficient with the bow. They rely on a keen eye, a steady hand, and the power of nature to slay their targets. Their loyal pets, which rangers tame and train, distract enemies while the rangers strike safely from a distance. As an adventurer profession, rangers wear medium armor

Rangers rely on a keen eye, a steady hand, and the power of nature itself. Unparalleled archers, rangers are capable of bringing down foes from a distance with their bows. With traps, nature spirits, and a stable of loyal pets at their command, rangers can adapt to any situation

Their own definitions. So let’s stop the parroted “Rangers aren’t ranged” argument when clearly anet defines them as such. Which is where the largest issue comes from when people speak of the ranger.

Most people who hate Ranger don’t know how to play it correctly. It’s all about preference as with all professions. You either love it or hate it. Personally I think it’s one of the strongest professions. The only downside I see is it can get boring at times with a bow. As you’re never really in much danger of death. But I’ve tried Thief also, and people say Thief is the “Fun” profession but personally I find Ranger a lot more fun to play. As you can relax a bit more and play

Also, about the Melee, I don’t think most Rangers prefur melee, the problem is Rangers who use the Longbow like myself. At close ranger the Longbow does awful awful damamge, so when a mob gets close I swap out to a Sword and Horn, or a Greatsword since it’ll deal more damamge close range than a Longbow will

Shortbow is kind of weak and you have to be max range to get good damage out of the longbow. I still prefer using bows, but if they would remove the range/damage difference with the longbow, I would like it even more.

domxnik.1453:

Shortbow is kind of weak and you have to be max range to get good damage out of the longbow. I still prefer using bows, but if they would remove the range/damage difference with the longbow, I would like it even more.

Yea… I used to do Archery in real life. And the whole damage getting higher at range makes no sense… If anything the bow would do more damage at point blank range than it will at long range as it would be fired at a higher velocity

DancinPuppeh.8421:

domxnik.1453:

Shortbow is kind of weak and you have to be max range to get good damage out of the longbow. I still prefer using bows, but if they would remove the range/damage difference with the longbow, I would like it even more.

Yea… I used to do Archery in real life. And the whole damage getting higher at range makes no sense… If anything the bow would do more damage at point blank range than it will at long range as it would be fired at a higher velocity

Lol, exactly. I looked at the tooltip and was wondering where they came up with that.

DancinPuppeh.8421:

Most people who hate Ranger don’t know how to play it correctly. It’s all about preference as with all professions. You either love it or hate it. Personally I think it’s one of the strongest professions. The only downside I see is it can get boring at times with a bow. As you’re never really in much danger of death. But I’ve tried Thief also, and people say Thief is the “Fun” profession but personally I find Ranger a lot more fun to play. As you can relax a bit more and play

Also, about the Melee, I don’t think most Rangers prefur melee, the problem is Rangers who use the Longbow like myself. At close ranger the Longbow does awful awful damamge, so when a mob gets close I swap out to a Sword and Horn, or a Greatsword since it’ll deal more damamge close range than a Longbow will

First off OP. Go here for a summarized version of the real problem with the Ranger class.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/ranger/PVE-Monster-Lackluster-Endgame/first#post1106349

Now as far as I am concerned Puppeh – To say that the Ranger is one of the strongest classes, makes me believe that you have not yet gotten to level 80, and if you have…you have not spent much time in Fractals or High level dungeons.

More and more fights I am participating in at high level play require me to keep my pet on passive. In fights where positioning is important….or when there are additional “adds” around it is too dangerous to have the pet running around. In other instances…like climbing the tower of the “Catastrophe” fractal, my pet is useless to help me against the harpies, unless I get on the same platform as one of them…That’s 30% of my damage output “admiring the view” for half the fractal.

Don’t delude others into thinking that the only problem with the ranger is the fact that the “bow” can be boring.

DancinPuppeh.8421:

*Most people who hate Ranger don’t know how to play it correctly. *

This is a common reply for people trying to play an actual kittenty class. The ranger is so faceroll easy to play; to say people don’t know how to play it properly is to insult them and to be overall ignorant. The class is far from complete with HUGE glaring issues while with a very questionable profession mechanic.

As for ranger being the worst class? In terms of Dungeons/ SPvP/ WvW; yes it is. You don’t hear anyone complaining about the ranger class on the forums, there’s a reason for that.

True DacinPuppeh but the game isn’t based on real life

They try to balance dmg, reward and risk. If we would be real no one should be able to stop an ele once he hit you. Either you are frozen, shocked, on fire or got hiten with a rock in the face. I dunno about you but most ppl would die or be srsly hurt form that XD

The classes name is not indicative of what it should accelerate at.

There are many types of Rangers throughout various mythos. (I believe the GW2 Ranger is based mostly on the Tolkein-esque Ranger that is at home in the wilderness and focuses more on stalking and trapping their prey than sniping them from a distance.)

That being said, I play a LB/SB Ranger in PvE and have a good time with it. For WvW, I’ll usually trade one of my bows (depending on the situation) for a Sword/Torch/Warhorn because of the improved mobility it gives me.

I do have to agree with DancinPuppeh that a lot of the people who don’t like the class are probably not playing it correctly. (I have a friend who mains a Warrior and has started playing a Ranger, only to be confounded as to how to handle the pet properly.) The ranger takes a lot of getting used to with the pet mechanics and how vastly different the weapons make it play (I play a completely different game when I equip my sword than when I’m running around with my two bows).

Also, there are some glaring bugs that people will be quick to point out (Pet AI, for example).

But the class is very playable once you get the hang of its quirks.

Jay.3284:

DancinPuppeh.8421:

*Most people who hate Ranger don’t know how to play it correctly. *

This is a common reply for people trying to play an actual kittenty class. The ranger is so faceroll easy to play; to say people don’t know how to play it properly is to insult them and to be overall ignorant. The class is far from complete with HUGE glaring issues while with a very questionable profession mechanic.

As for ranger being the worst class? In terms of Dungeons/ SPvP/ WvW; yes it is. You don’t hear anyone complaining about the ranger class on the forums, there’s a reason for that.

So your saying the people who play Ranger are the ones who defend it? Maybe that’s because they enjoy it and don’t have a problem with it.

The ones who say Ranger is the worst profession are the ones who don’t play it as their main, and instead they play it for a few hours and then say it sucks… To say that Rangers who defend their profession by saying theres nothing wrong with it are just covering up lies is rather silly… If there was a problem it would be the active Rangers complaining about it. I happen to find it OP at the best of times, considering at 1500 range with a longbow you can deal 10-12k auto attack in sPvP. And by the time the victim gets to you the Ranger would have got a good 5-10 shots off… Which by that time the victim would have had to use their heal and the Ranger would have all their skills at the ready including their heal…

I’ve read a lot of posts, and I mean A LOT. I started last night. Most people who say ranger sucks range from

1) Other classes that haven’t even played it
2) People that have played it early levels then quit
3) Full on level 80 hardcore players who still say it sucks

In between this I find random 80s saying it’s the best class ever. That margin is very small though.

StevesDad.8213:

I’ve read a lot of posts, and I mean A LOT. I started last night. Most people who say ranger sucks range from

1) Other classes that haven’t even played it
2) People that have played it early levels then quit
3) Full on level 80 hardcore players who still say it sucks

In between this I find random 80s saying it’s the best class ever. That margin is very small though.

That’s because it’s preference as I’ve said. I don’t think there’s a problem with the profession on ArenaNets side. It depends if you like it’s style or not. If I was to go Warrior I’m sure I could sit here and say it sucks so bad, and it’s awful, cause I like to be tactical and avoid combat when I can avoid it

The great thing about this game is that there is no ‘Ultimate Class,’ or ‘Best Build’ for anyone. There is a lot of variety in classes and builds and as a result there are vastly different opinions. Personally, my main is a Guardian Tank who I love, but I found I had a lot of fun when playing a Ranger. I actually quit playing my Ranger after reading forum posts about how bad the class was. Recently though, I started playing the Ranger again, and I am having a great time in PVE. Granted, I am still low level and from what I hear a lot of the problems are more prevalent at higher levels. I find the Ranger with the Bow to be a nice change of pace for those used to melee classes like Guardian or Warrior. Yes, it takes time and patience, I have made a lot of mistakes and had to learn how to play the class, but the more I play with the Ranger, the more I like it.

Is it perfect? No.. it has some problems that hopefully will be addressed in future patches. But speaking from a purely PVE perspective, it can be a very fun class and I have found it can also be very powerful as well. It does take time an patience, but it’s worth it IMO.

I wouldn’t say Ranger sucks in sPvP
http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n519/CourageousFlame/GW2/gw050_zps614b42c6.jpg

I’ve been in a number of dungeons where peoples pets refuse to stay stowed and cause unnecessary aggro. I’ve also seen people refuse Ranger players for Dungeon runs.
PvE Exploration Ranger is really good at, they aren’t bad at sPvP either. Wv3 & Dungeons is where Rangers need help.

sPvP experiences are the only thing I have to share here.

I was near darn shocked when I first tried out the ranger in sPvP. Adding 20 points in all Marksmanship, Skirmishing, Wilderness Survival, then 10 in Beastmaster and using every trait within those that benefited the pet, I dealt out a ton of damage in conjunction with a feline crit pet while still being very sturdy since noone even thinks about killing the pet first. Quickening Zephyr and Rampage As One, dear lord.

Shortbow is quick and adds bleed, Longbow is powerful at long ranges, both have an interrupt and both are ranged. Meele weapons have low damage output and require you to get in thier faces, though alot of evades and blocks which is nice. Axe, I haven’t tried out yet.

Very effective 1v1 and in groups, as you can just send in the pet and stay back yourself. My favorite PvP class, Guardian tied very closely.

StevesDad.8213:

I’ve read a lot of posts, and I mean A LOT. I started last night. Most people who say ranger sucks range from

1) Other classes that haven’t even played it
2) People that have played it early levels then quit
3) Full on level 80 hardcore players who still say it sucks

In between this I find random 80s saying it’s the best class ever. That margin is very small though.

People say the ranger isn’t working properly because they think they should be getting as big of damage numbers as they do on a warrior/thief which just flat out isn’t going to happen. We get a TON of smaller numbers that pour down from both us and our pet, where those other profs only have single really big attacks (making it a lot easier to avoid all their damage mind you) and a lot of the rangers here see the warrior critting for 20k and go “Zomg why is ranger so bad?!?!” Where there are rangers that are able to down people in a good 3 seconds of auto attacking.

Cole Winters.2764:

More and more fights I am participating in at high level play require me to keep my pet on passive. In fights where positioning is important….or when there are additional “adds” around it is too dangerous to have the pet running around. In other instances…like climbing the tower of the “Catastrophe” fractal, my pet is useless to help me against the harpies, unless I get on the same platform as one of them…That’s 30% of my damage output “admiring the view” for half the fractal.

Don’t delude others into thinking that the only problem with the ranger is the fact that the “bow” can be boring.

Sure the ranger has problems but those aren’t it. The only time ever had to keep my pet on passive is during Jormag due to the pets not attacking properly. Even then, when they are passive I switch to moas/fernhound/stalker for AoE buffs so at least they are doing something. Reading that it seems like you never use ranged pets. They don’t run off pulling aggro and obviously work really well for sections such as climbing the tower as they don’t need to be next to the harpies to attack.

The name Ranger isn’t indicative of being ranged.

I personally find the Bow Ranger a fun way to play, I synergize with raptors as best I can for spike DPs and concentrate on my own survival. There is a lot to be said for constantly dishing out damage at range while moving.

Bastionhawk.7120:

The name Ranger isn’t indicative of being ranged.

Best contribution to the thread by far, thank you so much for this awesome post! I screenshotted it even

StevesDad.8213:

Bastionhawk.7120:

The name Ranger isn’t indicative of being ranged.

Best contribution to the thread by far, thank you so much for this awesome post! I screenshotted it even

Considering how often the argument “Ranger, the word ‘RANGE’ is in the name” is used on this forum that actually IS a worthwhile contribution.

I’ve considered making similar posts explaining the etymology of the word and how it refers to policing an area (ranges/roams/travels around) and in this case “range” is more like “home on the range” rather than “pew pew at range.”

StevesDad.8213:

Bastionhawk.7120:

The name Ranger isn’t indicative of being ranged.

Best contribution to the thread by far, thank you so much for this awesome post! I screenshotted it even

If you are going to pose an argument for something then you should know the right criteria.

A lot of temptation to go off-topic and argue with some of the posts here saying you get 5 or more LB shots on people with auto-attack. Must resist…

@ Topic – I play bows just because I play a ranger tbh. The very idea of playing a ranger with melee sets is just plain wrong to me (although there are some tanky melee builds that can do well in long 1 on 1 fights that rarely hapen).

You know, from my experience, the only place I’m really a true ranger is when I do LB and SB in wvw. Mostly everywhere else you will do better with different types of builds not using a LB fighting withint SB range.

StevesDad.8213:

I have never seen more of a consensus on what a joke a class is except for the late 2004-2005 druids in WoW.

The people that do seem to enjoy the class use melee weapons.

What?

The class’ name is indicative of what it should accelerate at, which is ranged. I see almost no one encouraging shortbow or longbow. The axe and horn really don’t count as far as I’m concerned.

What is the point of picking a “ranger” and then grabbing a sword and running up to a mob? Or an axe you throw from not too far away that will bounce off of ANYTHING?

It seems to “work” ok for people but why is this the #1 encouraged method?

An apt comparrison actually. The Druid of 04-05 in an innervate feral charge build was a survivable beast that lacked pure damage output but kept going and going and going and dueled quite well… The majority of players wanted to be the best healer – we werent and they wanted cat form DPS to wtfpwn – it didn’t. But the class was overall better than people gave it credit for.

I could say just about the same for ranger in this game with very slight modifications…

Yes I’ve played them both and honestly my innervate feral charge druid was IMHO funner to play.

Ever class complains about thier class. There are issue with rangers but there are issues with every class. While some view rangers as inferior there are others who think its a very good class.

Rangers are great in all aspect of the game. There are rangers who dominate in aspect of the game they enjoy. Dont believe me fine but do a couple youtube searches. while They arent may rangers who do. That just tells me it more of a LTP issue with a higher learning curve.

Some say ranger have the worst down state. I have to disagree for the simple fact while down our pets can skill do damge. A ranger can actually rally even if he is still being attacked. stealthing and mist form are just grief tacts but in the end they still die unless they are lost in the comotion.

In WWW you can send your pet into keeps and towers to kill foes hinding out as well as destory siege equipement. Yes you may have to send your pet in a couple of time but it can get the job done.

Some say pet are to squish but they are ok yes the die in aoe fields but a player would die as well. For me it isnt a issue I have a marco bound to both my f3 and v key so i can call my pet to me and dodge at the same time ( razer naga). I use this mainly when i am meleeing.

Ranger 1h sword is the highest dps weopan we have. Some ranger refuse to us it. Either because it goes agains their idea of what a ranger should be or they dont like the sword rooting and refuse to turn auto attack off. I tend to turn it off but i am learning to play with it on. There is a way you can dodge when every you want. But even if you havent figured it out you can evade alot with the sword anyway.

Those who stick to just one or two weopan set tend to have the biggest issues. In my time as a ranger I have come to love each of our weopans for what they bring to the table.

The beast master healing build is not my cup of tea, but I have learned alot playing around with it. I have added some of the element and tactics to my other build.
So what I saying is play with other build even if they dont suite your play style you may learn something useful that can be utilized by your current build or a future one.

We are rangers stop worrying about what other classes can do or dont have to do and learn what this class can do.

Dont let other people with different play styles tell you what is what. Find your own niche and if you cant maybe this class isnt for you.

It’s easy to make the mistake of thinking “Ranger” is referring to attacks from a distance, but think about it. Warriors aren’t called “Melee Attackers,” nor are Elementalists named “Four-Attunement Wizards.”
Furthermore, all professions in this game have at least some form of ranged attack, if not several.

Anyhow, to the original topic: Rangers, Hunters, what have you, have gotten a bad rap in all kinds of MMOs. In WoW, they were sometimes called “Huntards,” because a lot of people who rolled the class were presumed to be bad at playing, or blindly focused on being glass-cannon DPS characters (although most classes had examples of this, naturally).
The short answer is that if there is some widespread disdain for Rangers in GW2, there’s probably no good reason for it. Maybe they got killed by a Ranger in PvP. Maybe they played a Ranger for a bit and didn’t know how to handle themselves when they got swarmed by mobs. Or maybe they just have their opinions about what classes they like and don’t like. I mean, there are 8 professions, so odds are 7/8 players prefer something else.
I’ve also read that Elementalists are basically invincible, Thieves should no longer be able to stealth, and that leveling in general is a horrible grind. There are people who will say anything.

My main is a Ranger, and I don’t feel overpowered, nor do I feel particularly weak. I have a good range of skills for a variety of uses. I can push out fiendish DPS when I have to, and CC or kite when the situation calls for it. The pet AI and handling leaves something to be desired, but honestly, this is the best pet system I’ve yet seen for a comparable class in a game like this. How many games out there have truly competent NPC AI, anyhow? If my pets knew when and how to avoid AoE damage and use specials at the right times, they’d be smarter than a lot of living players.

The class, to me, looked kinda like a Bowazon in Diablo 1 before the short bow 40ms nerf. I have no idea why that happened or if anything was buffed to change things but the bottom line is I really, really want to play this ranged class as… Ranged.

With a bow. doesn’t matter what kind. And do just as well as other ranged classes or god forbid a war with a rifle. You’d think that would be possible.

StevesDad.8213:

The class, to me, looked kinda like a Bowazon in Diablo 1 before the short bow 40ms nerf. I have no idea why that happened or if anything was buffed to change things but the bottom line is I really, really want to play this ranged class as… Ranged.

With a bow. doesn’t matter what kind. And do just as well as other ranged classes or god forbid a war with a rifle. You’d think that would be possible.

If you really really want to play it ranged. Then play it ranged, it is totally possible. It works just fine. I use sb/axe+warhorn most of the time with the occasional sword, greatsword and longbow for variety and im shooting up the fractals, pvping, dungeon delving etc without any issues whatsoever.

To be honest if you need this much convincing about the class I doubt how much you really want to play it. I’d have rolled one and be out there happily pew pewing hours ago rather than waiting to hear what other people think.

Try it out and make up your own mind. Or sit here and let some people ruin the class for you in your head before you’ve even experienced firsthand what it’s about. Upto you.

Oh and ps. I also have a warrior, who has a rifle for ranged. Trust me when I say it’s entirely different and that different does not equal straight up better. Despite what others say. But hey, like I said, try it yourself and come to your own conclusions.

I have a ranger already at 20 which is low but am asking anyway, who cares?

Thanks for input though

Personally, My list of classes from strongest to weakest (a mix of PvE(dungeons)/WvW/PvP): Elementalist>Mesmer>Guardian>Thief>Necro>Ranger>Engineer>Warrior

Obviously, this is my opinion, so you don’t have to tell me this. Why do I think warrior is at the bottom and ele is at the top? Ele is an insane bunker/support at this point in the gam, mist form when down is incredibly strong, and has strong aoe. Warrior can’t melee dps bosses, easily kited, most attacks are easy to see coming, weak aoe, weak downed state.

Note: I was going to place engineer at the bottom, but I have noticed they they can rez themselves in sPvP before you can get a stomp in which put them barely ahead of warrior in my book (although I can almost always down them again and defeat them unless they have help).

As you can see, I don’t think ranger is the worst profession, but obviously not the best either. You need to practice and pick a playstyle that may not be fun for you to be effective. We currently lack build diversity because spirits are widely accepted as worthless, any of our decent utility skills have insanely long cooldowns, and pets aren’t very reliable.

whoever said ranger is bad need to l2p… seriously lol
- ranger is one of the best 1 v 1 class.
- condi ranger destroys bunker.
- trap ranger pretty much destroy thief as well lol..
- can kite melee class with ease.
I can go on and on, but if people still want to think ranger is a bad class then idk what else to say.

Arsenic Touch.7960:

Bastionhawk.7120:

The name Ranger isn’t indicative of being ranged.

Anet’s definition of a ranger is indicative of it being ranged, so that’s all that matters.

Rangers are proficient with the bow. They rely on a keen eye, a steady hand, and the power of nature to slay their targets. Their loyal pets, which rangers tame and train, distract enemies while the rangers strike safely from a distance. As an adventurer profession, rangers wear medium armor

Rangers rely on a keen eye, a steady hand, and the power of nature itself. Unparalleled archers, rangers are capable of bringing down foes from a distance with their bows. With traps, nature spirits, and a stable of loyal pets at their command, rangers can adapt to any situation

Their own definitions. So let’s stop the parroted “Rangers aren’t ranged” argument when clearly anet defines them as such. Which is where the largest issue comes from when people speak of the ranger.

Well their own definition is outdated, and I’d say so it was from the beginning. Why in the world would ANet define a class whose arsenal contains two main-hand melee weapons as “striking safely from a distance”?

Crazy talk.

On the other hand that’s the only thing in that statement that “forces” the defined Ranger to use a Bow (or Axe for that matter). They’re proficient with Bows, sure, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t with Sword and Axes and whatnot. Your post is kind of picky don’t you think?

But sure, I still don’t approve of them proclaiming Rangers “unparalleled archers”.

Give ANet a break
or don’t.

I’m really not sure.

StevesDad.8213:

I have never seen more of a consensus on what a joke a class is except for the late 2004-2005 druids in WoW.

The people that do seem to enjoy the class use melee weapons.

What?

The class’ name is indicative of what it should accelerate at, which is ranged. I see almost no one encouraging shortbow or longbow. The axe and horn really don’t count as far as I’m concerned.

What is the point of picking a “ranger” and then grabbing a sword and running up to a mob? Or an axe you throw from not too far away that will bounce off of ANYTHING?

It seems to “work” ok for people but why is this the #1 encouraged method?

Because Ranger doesn’t mean " a person who fights far at range". A Ranger is someone who travels the ranges. When was the last time you saw a Park Ranger with a bow?

Sword using rangers are far more common in literature than bow wielders. There’s a lot to complain about for the GW2 Rangers, but you’ve missed that entirely. The poor pet pathing, the limited pet controls, poor pet survivability the forced pet use, the bad damage scaling, the general dullness of the class to play. But no, not the fact that they can melee.

I really would love to play the Ranger and while my highest levelled toon is one, it just got quite boring. In PvE open world, it’s too easy. In PvE dungeons it’s too reliant on the pet, which dies too fast, reducing your role to either ignoring the pet and dealing a fraction of damage or constant pet revival. I haven’t played PVP. And the weapons skills aren’t very interesting or unique. I think I’ve been running the same utility setup since about level 20 and I haven’t had much reason to change. Have tried different combos but found must to be lacklustre, slow and just not very much fun.

Indoles.1467:

Personally, My list of classes from strongest to weakest (a mix of PvE(dungeons)/WvW/PvP): Elementalist>Mesmer>Guardian>Thief>Necro>Ranger>Engineer>Warrior

Obviously, this is my opinion, so you don’t have to tell me this. Why do I think warrior is at the bottom and ele is at the top? Ele is an insane bunker/support at this point in the gam, mist form when down is incredibly strong, and has strong aoe. Warrior can’t melee dps bosses, easily kited, most attacks are easy to see coming, weak aoe, weak downed state.

Note: I was going to place engineer at the bottom, but I have noticed they they can rez themselves in sPvP before you can get a stomp in which put them barely ahead of warrior in my book (although I can almost always down them again and defeat them unless they have help).

As you can see, I don’t think ranger is the worst profession, but obviously not the best either. You need to practice and pick a playstyle that may not be fun for you to be effective. We currently lack build diversity because spirits are widely accepted as worthless, any of our decent utility skills have insanely long cooldowns, and pets aren’t very reliable.

Totally this. I My first toons were Ranger then thief. These are usually classes I go for in games and thought I’d enjoy them the most. Having tried engineers in other games, I’d figured that I’d think them naff in GW2 as well. Then I whipped up an Asura Engi as a joke type character, complete with humerous name, it blew me away. I absolutely love the fun, haphazard style of the Engi. Laying traps, and using skills to propell enemies through them, is unbeleivable fun. It’s a shame there isn’t a combo counter for creative killing. It combines the better aspects of ranger play, with the (not quite, but nearly) mobility of the thief.

Don’t get me wrong, Engi has a lot of flaws, but if they were sorted it would quickly become, at least I think, one of the favorite classes. Meanwhile, my ranger is in backup, in case i feel like soloing champions (as the only reals source of challenge for a PvE Ranger) or rofl-stomping over entire maps.

I find it a bit weak, particularly when multiple targeted in sPvP and WvW and talking to some of the better PvP players , they find ranger to be one of the easiest classes to fight against.

I do like it , but needs a buff, more mobility when in combat would help.

Autumn.8043:

I wouldn’t say Ranger sucks in sPvP
http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n519/CourageousFlame/GW2/gw050_zps614b42c6.jpg

I’ve been in a number of dungeons where peoples pets refuse to stay stowed and cause unnecessary aggro. I’ve also seen people refuse Ranger players for Dungeon runs.
PvE Exploration Ranger is really good at, they aren’t bad at sPvP either. Wv3 & Dungeons is where Rangers need help.

lol i love when people use one screenshot from an spvp match zergfest as proof of class balance

A nerfed gw1 paragon is better than ranger for 1v1 or any pvp. A dervish (before buff) was much better than gw2 ranger for pve/pvp/1v1. That should tell you something. Im currently leveling up a ranger because i know sooner or later anet will overhaul it (they have no choice, the class is a joke that was created in 24h or something) and i feel like im playing the weakest class you can possible create in an rpg. I never played a melee or ranged class that weak in any game. Give us utilities that doesn’t suck royally, shortbow attacks that deal higher damage and all inflict condition (burning must be one of them) and longbow——————well, have more than Barrage to be worth using… Rangers were known for good degen in gw1, why can’t i have poison that last more than 0.0002 of a sec and spammable burning?

Maybe I am just a bit confused here but everyone knows that the word ranger is not indicative of the combat style of choice, but rather means one who ranges? Or one who explores/travels?

Bair.8240:

Maybe I am just a bit confused here but everyone knows that the word ranger is not indicative of the combat style of choice, but rather means one who ranges? Or one who explores/travels?

This has been beaten to death multiple times over.

Anet has stated blah blah blah. Read the multiple similar crap people have spouted out and you’ll understand the retort.

This is Anets version of a ranger…..it is their design and they have stated what their design is based around. Its not real life, its not a real life ranger they are talking about….its a made up class for a game. Stop being so kitten and arguing about what the ranger really is and does…its anets ranger and they have said what their ranger is and does, sorry people who don’t understand this.

At first I was so bored with my ranger, but I was intended to continue playing with it since in GW1 I had also a ranger and I love that class. Immediately when I discovered new weapons besides SB or LB whole class turned out to be so fun and interesting. I’d say it’s one of my favourite professions in PvE. Each to it’s own.

Ranger’s aren’t bad, They’re just not easy to master.

Xsorus.2507:

Ranger’s aren’t bad, They’re just not easy to master.

GL mastering stuff with joke skills rangers have. Play 1k hours on ranger alone and go 1v1 any class (including engi and nec) against a person who knows sup and see what happens… before someone bring the “bu bu but this game is not about 1v1” YES there is tones of one on ones going on in spvp and ranger suck at that to the point its broken.

Nuka Cola.8520:

Xsorus.2507:

Ranger’s aren’t bad, They’re just not easy to master.

GL mastering stuff with joke skills rangers have. Play 1k hours on ranger alone and go 1v1 any class (including engi and nec) against a person who knows sup and see what happens… before someone bring the “bu bu but this game is not about 1v1” YES there is tones of one on ones going on in spvp and ranger suck at that to the point its broken.

Ehh, I have multiple videos of me 1v1ing, I actually think Ranger 1v1ing is easier then Thief 1v1ing..

As for SPvP, You have one of the more powerful builds available in SPvP which is traps, which will easy people alive if fighting on points.

Xsorus.2507:

Nuka Cola.8520:

Xsorus.2507:

Ranger’s aren’t bad, They’re just not easy to master.

GL mastering stuff with joke skills rangers have. Play 1k hours on ranger alone and go 1v1 any class (including engi and nec) against a person who knows sup and see what happens… before someone bring the “bu bu but this game is not about 1v1” YES there is tones of one on ones going on in spvp and ranger suck at that to the point its broken.

Ehh, I have multiple videos of me 1v1ing, I actually think Ranger 1v1ing is easier then Thief 1v1ing..

As for SPvP, You have one of the more powerful builds available in SPvP which is traps, which will easy people alive if fighting on points.

Yes, ranger has traps and SB auto attack.

Nuka Cola.8520:

Xsorus.2507:

Nuka Cola.8520:

Xsorus.2507:

Ranger’s aren’t bad, They’re just not easy to master.

GL mastering stuff with joke skills rangers have. Play 1k hours on ranger alone and go 1v1 any class (including engi and nec) against a person who knows sup and see what happens… before someone bring the “bu bu but this game is not about 1v1” YES there is tones of one on ones going on in spvp and ranger suck at that to the point its broken.

Ehh, I have multiple videos of me 1v1ing, I actually think Ranger 1v1ing is easier then Thief 1v1ing..

As for SPvP, You have one of the more powerful builds available in SPvP which is traps, which will easy people alive if fighting on points.

Yes, ranger has traps and SB auto attack.

Ehh, Axe/Torch + Sword/Dagger > SB auto attack

Aa I always say:
-Create a new one and level to 80
-Do some dungeons/fractal run with agony
-Hop in WvW and sPvP
-Try other classes if you can
-Make your own opinion, trust no one.

Bastionhawk.7120:

The name Ranger isn’t indicative of being ranged.

No……

ANET SAID:

Rangers rely on a keen eye, a steady hand, and the power of nature itself. Unparalleled archers, rangers are capable of bringing down foes from a distance with their bows. With traps, nature spirits, and a stable of loyal pets at their command, rangers can adapt to any situation.

Marked an answer for those of you who can’t shut up about the wording of the OP. That definition is what I’m going off of. There’s absolutely no reason to come in and discuss the utter minutia of what is and isn’t a ranger, but rather why most everyone I talk to and everything I read on these forums says they are terrible post shortbow nerf.