Okay, so I admit that I never really took much of an interest in the Ranger profession ever since the game’s release. I tried a couple of levels but didn’t find anything that stood out to me as worth pursuing. I’m not generally too fond of pet management classes (one of the reasons I’ve been struggling with Mesmer gameplay), and in most MMOs the Strider/hunter/archer types have never really held much appeal for me personally.
Then the other day I was playing with my partner who was on his Ranger alt, and he used his Healing Spring.
Oh lordy, Arenanet, that is beautiful! The way that a carpet of wildflowers grows first, then vines sprout out of the ground and finally a pristine geyser of sparkling light – I am in love! Not to mention that it’s actually amazingly useful too – a long duration healing water combo field that cures conditions and works on allies? And it’s on such a short recharge that I can enjoy that visual delight as often as I like. <3
I can only say thank you, thank you, thank you!
I don’t mind saying that it forced me to realize my initial impression of the Ranger was completely inadequate. Watching this skill in action I suddenly saw the potential of their Nature Magic in all its exquisite glory. They didn’t have to be pigeon-holed as just an ordinary scout or hunter, this was someone who could draw on a deep connection to the wilderness and the magic of the earth beneath them – and boy could they express that connection in a magnificent way!
After deciding it was definitely worth building a Ranger character further, I then discovered the delight that is Seed Pod, the consumable item foraged up by the Pig pet. Whoa.
Okay, so if I wasn’t already in love with their other skill animations, here is an ability that causes a freaking magical tree to sprout and grow before your very eyes, followed by glowing motes of blue radiance drifting down from the canopy onto you and your allies. Wow. This is just… incredible.
Admittedly I haven’t quite got a handle on using my pet yet, and I’m not completely sold on the style or function of the very passive spirits, but I’m sure that such minor issues will work themselves out in time. I just wanted to say a huge thank you and well done to whoever was responsible for these two amazing skills and their breath-takingly gorgeous animations. I’m very much having a blast playing my Ranger when he has this kind of visual splendour at his disposal. 
(Oh, and because I can’t help myself – how amazing would it be if the Ranger spirits used a slightly toned down seed pod animation instead of the oakheart model? Druid-build Rangers could be sprouting their own little glowing forests wherever they went! Squee!)
Are there any other skills that the more experienced Rangers want to share their appreciation for?