Guild Wars 2

This thread is intended for players to come up with ideas that reduce the number of keystrokes needed to accomplish moves others can accomplish with 1 to 2 less keystrokes.

I want to start this article by saying that this latest patch was the best ranger patch ever, IMO. Even though I do not believe it addressed the problem with the ranger class it was a much needed improvement in the right direction. I also believe that the rune of the trapper also is a giant step in the right direction as survivability is an issue addressed with this rune.

So Thank You.

Although I have been bothered with the direction that past developers have taken the ranger this current group seems to be addressing some of the needs of the ranger class better. But, devolopers could gleam from the wisdom of other players who play PvP or WvW where RANGERS EXTRA MOVEMENTS are an issue.

So what I am saying is it seems to me that in order for a ranger to survive any given situation we need to execute 1 to 2 extra movements (keystrokes) in order to get the same results. I can not verify this with actual stats but I have leveled every character to level 80 at least once and although I never perfected any of them they seemed easier to play all except for the Ele class which requires a lot of keystrokes to play. Their issues have been addressed with survivability enhancements built into the class disrupts massive heals ect..

In PvP or WvW this is an issue.

One of the biggest keystroke issues is the pet. Having to either switch the pet because it died or call it, wait for it to get to you, cast buff, which is one move for many classes. Although the pet offers many benefits to the ranger all things have to line up perfectly in order for a ranger to have success.

So I have a solution to the pet location issues, their lack of executable maneuvers, (easily dodged) and their overall effectiveness. But mostly reducing the amount of keystrokes needed to execute a move.

Instead of trashing the pet, having to redo the entire pet line or any measure that would require excessive extra time and expenses, I propose that the pet become more spiritually connected instead of a pet that is your companion.

We as rangers, during more peaceful times, would of hunted for meat to sell and feed his/her family. We would of killed many thousands of animals in order to be successful. During this time of great evil all things must band together in order to survive. Nature (whatever deity that is) has given the hunters the use of the spirits of those slain in order to feed others. This could be a spiritual bond, like it is now or, it could be a spirit called to reside within you with the F2 skill still intact and another passive skill the ranger chooses.

Having the Ability to pick and choose whether or not you want 2 passive buffs an attack or 2 (note requiring more keystrokes for those who want more frustration) or a disrupt (much needed) or any combination of two you want, or the current standard. Having the choice of this or the current standard might be the answer the ranger class needs.

Keep in mind any buffs or attack disrupts ect. Would be meant to bridge the gap that other classes enjoy (armor for warrior type ranger dps for zerker type whatever you want to build within the parameters given)

So what other suggestion might you all have to reduce the amount of keystrokes needed for ranger survivability?

Maybe it’s because I main an elementalist, but the idea that rangers are bogged down by too many keystrokes seems a bit absurd. If anything rangers need more available keystrokes to maximize pet control so the class feature is as effective as possible.

As for your suggestion, I’m not too crazy about giving up the pet for a passive buff. The game needs more active play, not more things like turrets, spirits, and banners.

Also, the goddess of nature in Tyria is Melandru, and she is only worshipped by the humans.

Ehecatl.9172:

Also, the goddess of nature in Tyria is Melandru, and she is only worshipped by the humans.

And Quaggans (Mellagan). Heck, even the Charr have legends regarding her (despite not worshipping anything).

Well, F1 and F3 need to be combined into a single toggle. Hit once to attack, hit again to call back. It’s inefficient to have two different keys when one offers superior control.

After that it would be nice, like Ehecatl said, to add something in that could help improve pet functionality. Something similar to Guard where you could ground target a position for your pet to take would work well. It seems like a solid function you shouldn’t have to waste a utility slot on. Or it could control the third attack skill that pets have, giving you more control on when you want to use it instead of random timing.

Ehecatl.9172:

Maybe it’s because I main an elementalist, but the idea that rangers are bogged down by too many keystrokes seems a bit absurd.

This is a bit off-topic, but I think this is a myth. Ele button-pushing per minute isn’t actually that complicated. It’s pushing the skills after swapping attunements. Rangers push the skills just as quickly, only with more timing because of the pet. We have to push the pet skills and we have to push the weapon skills and we have 2 weapon swaps, which is pretty equivalent to pushing individual attunement buttons 1 at a time.

I would argue for neither class is buttons-per-minute particularly important.

Edit: And toss the whole sword exact timing in there if you want. Good rangers will not spam 1.

Edit 2: I should clarify I play a fresh-air ele so I’m used to smashing keys.

Fluffball.8307:

Ehecatl.9172:

Maybe it’s because I main an elementalist, but the idea that rangers are bogged down by too many keystrokes seems a bit absurd.

This is a bit off-topic, but I think this is a myth. Ele button-pushing per minute isn’t actually that complicated. It’s pushing the skills after swapping attunements. Rangers push the skills just as quickly, only with more timing because of the pet. We have to push the pet skills and we have to push the weapon skills and we have 2 weapon swaps, which is pretty equivalent to pushing individual attunement buttons 1 at a time.

I would argue for neither class is buttons-per-minute particularly important.

Edit: And toss the whole sword exact timing in there if you want. Good rangers will not spam 1.

Edit 2: I should clarify I play a fresh-air ele so I’m used to smashing keys.

I agree with this. Engies on the other hand can pull off some great combos by switching through kits and their weapon set. So buttons per minute becomes very important.

Fluffball.8307:

This is a bit off-topic, but I think this is a myth. Ele button-pushing per minute isn’t actually that complicated. It’s pushing the skills after swapping attunements. Rangers push the skills just as quickly, only with more timing because of the pet. We have to push the pet skills and we have to push the weapon skills and we have 2 weapon swaps, which is pretty equivalent to pushing individual attunement buttons 1 at a time.

I would argue for neither class is buttons-per-minute particularly important.

Edit: And toss the whole sword exact timing in there if you want. Good rangers will not spam 1.

Edit 2: I should clarify I play a fresh-air ele so I’m used to smashing keys.

I never said it was more complicated, but it’s a pretty solid fact that I have to click more buttons on my elementalist than on my ranger. There are times as a ranger where using my auto attack is the best course of action, either with mainhand axe to build might on me and my pet, greatsword as I wait for Maul to come off cooldown but don’t want to let up pressure, shortbow when I need to apply bleeds quickly, or longbow as I keep pressure from a distance between Rapid Fire and Barrage cooldowns. As an elementalist the only time I’m auto attacking is if my opponents are completely ignoring my presence allowing me to use fire’s maximum DPS rotation (I use a staff). In any other circumstance I’m playing Mozart on my keyboard trying to keep up with my opponent who is just using ten skills to my twenty.

Is it complicated? No. It’s a matter of reflex. I’m making just as many active decisions per second as I do on my ranger, or any other profession I play. But I do have to make use of more button clicks, which the OP is stating is too much for the ranger.

The ranger doesn’t need to click buttons nearly as often as an elementalist. Therefore is stands to reason that rangers can handle more buttons to push if it means improving the player’s control over their AI. We don’t need to reduce the number of buttons pressed per second, that’s Anet’s flawed logic behind not giving rangers an F5 or F6 command for the pet despite us REALLY needing more ways to directly command the pet.

So basically my point is that if Anet can expect elementalists to play keyboard piano there’s no reason why they should be so hesitant to giving rangers more buttons to press if we really need it. Rangers aren’t inherently dumber than elementalists, and the way the game is played you need to keep thinking the entire fight whether you’re spamming skills or waiting for cooldowns.

Shoot, I’d be fine if they went with something as complex as the F1 to F4 commands from Mount and Blade for controlling the pet. Just as long as we get more control and more access to the pet skills.

Ok esoteric GW rambling time.

I guess to simplify my point, the button pushing on eles is an illusion. You can think of it as having a weapon swap available more often, but with longer recharging skills to compensate.

It’s more about weapon sets than anything else, when comparing professions with extremely active uses of their F1-F4 skills. For example the s/t + a/d ranger set uses all the skills extremely often, and the sword autoattack means you’re constantly frantically mashing weapon skills in a controlled manner. Long bow you don’t press many buttons at all.

The biggest difference after weapon sets is profession mechanics. Warriors and thieves have almost none of that. Eles, engies, mesmers and ranger have a bunch of that. Guardians have a fairly large cooldown on their profession mechanic, and rangers have literally zero cooldown on theirs. Is it necessary to spam the pet controls 14 times a second? No, but generally we do. It’s difficult to get the pet in the exact position you want in a 4v4 at mid.

Another thing to consider illusion-wise is the concurrent button smashing. Eles and rangers can both push all the buttons at once in some builds, and then push very little as we wait for the cooldowns. Utilities and pets and weapons and etc can all be pressed at the same time. For example lightning flashing while casting.

Let me start my reply by saying your correct the Elementalist class requires more button pushing, this is a fact. But, in comparison you’ve forgotten 1 thing, timing. As a ranger with a pet I do noy only have to wait for my pet to be in the right place at the right time with the correct buff, delay skill (chilled, immobilize, ect…) or attack, make sure the pets alive, also have to make sure the timers up, all that and my pet telegraphs his movement so it now can be easily dodged.

As an Elementalist you can wait on cool downs with 20 to 40 skills at your disposal. As a ranger you have 10 plus 1 each for 2 pets and with pets its about timing.

I play a ranger as a zerker with a heal and a speed buff , I need to hit guard every twelve seconds to keep my buffs up, with a 1 sec cast time that can be interrupted; My fault. So my pet is always out of the area unless I hit come to me (again another button). Lets keep in mind no matter what I do I either need to keep switching my pets or heal them now I need to wait 20 sec, (least time for rehealing) if I play full zerker this is a major issue. As an elementalist you need to wait on cool downs, as a ranger so do I, but I also have other factors an elementalist does not; as an ele you have forty skills at your disposal to wait out timers (2 weapons x 4 elemental lines x 5 skills for some unknown I thought eles got only 1 weapon) Again rangers have timing issues with a pet that a spirit pet will answer it also give me the options to either not have to mash more buttons or mash more buttons w/out having to worry about timing issues.

My Spirit pet would only give you 6 options (4 pet attacks {that already exist} a buff and a disrupt) per pet these options would need to be chosen from before you play. These attacks would be limited to either range or melee not both, and the buff would be inline with the spirit type cats attack, bears armor, ect.. whatever the developers decided was the best option for fair level play.

I am not trying to reinvent the wheel just give players an option to suit their play style. This idea only uses what has already be set up with the pet, but adds 2 new items (buff, and disrupt) and removes the pet thereby giving the ranger options to suit their play style.

With Rune of the trapper coming out for PvP at some time in the near future escapability should be a thing of the past as evade and dodge being our best defense as of now. With the damage increase rangers have the ability to become viable in PvP and WvW. No matter what you do pets are an issue, for some they are the greatest thing for others its an issue; Giving me an option pet or no pet to reduce keystrokes and still be viable in PvP is all I can ask for at this time.

GUYS. GUYS.

I did not say elementalist was harder to play. I said the opposite of that. I’m merely saying rangers don’t press buttons as frequently as elementalists, and so there’s no reason why rangers can’t be trusted with more buttons to push if it improves performance.

Ehecatl.9172:

GUYS. GUYS.

I did not say elementalist was harder to play. I said the opposite of that. I’m merely saying rangers don’t press buttons as frequently as elementalists, and so there’s no reason why rangers can’t be trusted with more buttons to push if it improves performance.

I’d be good either way. More pet control would be fantastic, I’d even settle for the flag system from GW1 that would let me position the pet better. I know a lot of people are opposed to stowing pets but there are times when it would be a huge boon for us, such as when fighting a off hand dagger thief.

ranger is fine, no need to reduce number of key presses. What needs to be done is make the stuff we press MATTER.

Most professions get a trait (minor, major, GM or a sub-class of these) to boost skill functionality in some form. Outside of Natures Voice and Poison Master, rangers get NONE.
Sure it is fine that some skills boost pet, but i think ALL skills should boost pet in a way or the other. Be it due to traits, or just plain buffs from using skills.

Honestly? Out of the toons I play at a high level I find Ranger requires a lesser keystrokes per minute. As someone else has mentioned, I would like more pet control added, meaning, if anything, more keystrokes!!

I find that too many of our important skills needed very often has a bloody slow mofo cast rather than being too many keyclicks making it feel very slow and clumbsy (and sometimes ineffective) playing it, I am not sure for every class and build but I find this to be the case with most ranger builds you can make from certain weapon skills to utilities, while for instance warrior feels like nearly everything is instant, applying buffs and boons or other effects goes boom boom and many don’t share gcd so the gameplay feels slick this is not how I feel the ranger is currently and this alone would boost the class’ effectiveness aswell as fun to play quality in my opinion.

I definitely press more buttons than an elementalist. The amount of F3, F1, F2, F3, F1 needed to skill cancel your pet enough times so that you can get what you need out of them when you need it in order to win fights quickly and efficiently is silly. It could be made way easier, and should be. I would say, when compared, ranger, ele, and engi all have a lot of key strokes.

That being said, they do it in different ways. Ranger has to constantly be switching targets to do things since all it’s damage is single target. Meanwhile, engi and ele can often just use their skills at an area which makes that aspect harder for ranger. However, ranger can often just auto attack while micro managing the pet, which is something an engineer can’t do, they have to constantly be doing something for themselves.

It goes back and forth. I’ve definitely had builds where I have to play my pet keys like a piano while I just touch my own every once in awhile. This is something engis and eles don’t have to do. Micromanaging is hard and is something a lot of rangers don’t do, luckily the AI will do all it’s skills for the ranger, even if it’s not the most efficient way.