This unfairly forces certain classes using certain weapons to take two traits to gain the same benefit that others gain from taking just one trait.
But is it true that you get the same benefit when picking two traits or might the benefit gained from two traits actually be bigger? At least in certain scenarios or specific builds?
I got to admit that the Ranger is in a weird place when comparing the weapon traits to other classes’ weapon traits. But this unique set up isn’t always a disadvantage. Rangers got many weapon traits which meaningfully impact more than one on-land weapon set which also includes the cooldown reductions (e.g. Piercing Arrow, Martial Mastery, Off-Hand Training, Quick Draw, Moment of Clarity). Rangers might not be the best at specializing into one specific weapon when it comes to the cooldown reductions. But they gain a pretty neat advantage when combining certain weapons based on the traits. Even if you don’t want to go with a weapon ‘bundle’ promoted by a trait Rangers are more flexible when it comes to weapon choices because trait lines don’t force you onto specific weapons. On top of that you got traits like Off-Hand Training which offer even more flexibility. However, those are advantages people tend to disregard.
Another thing you might want to keep in mind: Not all weapon traits on other profession grant fancy additional benefits. Some do. But not all of them. Even those who grant an additional benefit do not always provide a meaningful one (e.g. stat bonuses).
That being said, I do think that especially the Longbow needs a bit more oomph. But I believe that this should be achieved through improving the weapon skills and not by altering the traits. Just because you can’t get all Longbow traits at once doesn’t mean the traits are poorly designed. Traits should be about choices and that’s what is happening here.
And yes, ranger longbow is one of the weapons whose recharge/enhancements are unnecessarily split into two traits.
I guess you are talking about Eagle Eye and Quick Draw?
While I generally agree that it feels more ‘natural’ to have Eagle Eye as ‘the’ Longbow weapon trait I think this is mainly due to the fact that most other classes have a different weapon trait design. Not because neither trait is underperforming on its own. As stated above, the way Ranger weapon traits are designed opens up some choices for Rangers other classes do not have. That is a good thing. Not a bad one. It’s just different.
That being said, what do you think would happen if Eagle Eye got the Longbow CD reduction and Quick Draw gained an additional bonus for the Shortbow? People will still complain that they can’t get Spotter and Piercing Arrows at the same time. Because – although Chrispy has been pretty sarcastic about it – they refuse to make meaningful choices and expect to get everything at once. Just because a trait is associated with a specific weapon or utility group doesn’t mean you should be able to get all of them. And Rangers actually aren’t the only class this applies to. It is just more obivous when looking at the weapon traits. But to give some examples:
A Guardian probably won’t be able to get Two-Handed Mastery plus Glacial Heart/Zealous Blades because it costs too many points or the slots occupy more important traits. Neither will he be able to get all Symbol traits in one reasonable build if he wanted to.
A Mesmer probably won’t be able to get Illusionary Elasticity plus Chaotic Dampening/Greatsword Training/Duelists Discipline/Cleansing Conflagration. Neither will he be able to get all Interrupt, Glamour or Shatter traits at once.
An Engineer probably won’t be able to get all Bomb Kit traits in Explosion and in Invention because he will either cripple his damage or his survivability.
An Elementalist can only get a cooldown reduction for 1/4th of his weapon skills at once. Without a bonus. How unfair is that? 
I’m not saying that having many traits associated with one specific weapon or utility group is good in general. But it is as long as they fulfill different purposes which I believe is the case most of the time. People have to learn to make choices depending on the situation they are in or the game mode/role they want to play. Of course, it would be nice to get all traits which are associated with a certain playstyle, weapon or mechanic. But it would also be extremly boring and prohibits build diversity. This is the case for any class. Well… most.
I think the real issue with Ranger bow traits lies in the desire of players who want a powerful full-time archer which unfortunately isn’t what the Ranger was desigend for. This gets even worse because ranged weapons generally deal inferior damage when compared to melee weapons. And that is something which probably will never change in GW2.
