Guild Wars 2

I understand that a ranger shouldn’t be a very magical profession and Anet doesn’t want it to be. But a ranger is an explorer, a traverse, he is one with the beasts. Rangers should get access to staves but as a magical/melee weapon. It’s speed would be slightly higher than the GS and it would specialize in interrupts, blowouts. This would make it a good weapon to go with the GM trait ‘Moment of Clarity’.

Ranger weapons:

Longbow- Our long ranged powerhouse, PvE, rapid fire with piercing is a beast. PvP, used right this is like a cannon.

Shortbow- Our machinegun, PvE or PvP, great for critting and/or loading on conditions with traps.

Axe- Good old slow AoE condition damage.

Sword- Can get you killed or can turn you into the ultimate survivor. Great for PvP, not so great in PvE-primarily dungeons.

Greatsword- Our tank weapon, survive everything!!!

Now what’s missing is a weapon that can control mobs well, like Jay the Dude has stated it aptly below, we require something akin to the guardian hammer.

Skills
1. (auto-attack) Bash(1/4s)- Small frontal cone- a downward swing
Swing(1/3s)- Frontal AoE 180 degree- a frontal arcing swing.
Vine Lash (3/4s)- Spin round turning the staff into a thick vine, hitting in a 360 AoE. 3/4s Evade

2. Woodpecker(3/4ss) (8s)- Several frontal jabs in a frontal cone hitting enemies multiple times while moving forward. 3/4s Evade (Imagine Blurred Frenzy)

3. Vine Grab (1/4s) (12s) – Extend vines from immobilizing your target.
Vine Pull(1/2s)- Pull yourself to the grabbed target (Leap Finisher) (Ele stone leap)

4. Willow-o-wisp(3/4s) (18s)- A flashing attack that interrupts surrounding enemies and sets the ambient area on fire. (Fire Field+Daze) (Imagine any Guardian Mark)

5. Fissure(1s) (25s)- Smash the base of the staff into the ground knock down target and launching others.(Blast finisher) (Perhaps an Earthquake like animation)

Traits:
-Martial Mastery could be used to reduce its cool down.
-Two Hand Training could be used for damage increase.
-Moment of Clarity can synergize well with the two interrupts.

I hope I have made my idea clear, so the staff wouldn’t be used as a ranged weapon like most but a melee weapon, a quarter staff. This will work for non condition reliant BM builds, full on in your face wanna be melee rangers, a good secondary to LB rangers and everything in between.

Be nice, give this boy his stick.

jpnova.4572:

I understand that a ranger shouldn’t be a magical profession

Psst… one of the trait lines is called “Nature Magic” :P

jpnova.4572:

1. (auto-attack) Bash(1/4s)- Small frontal cone- a downward swing
Swing(1/3s)- Frontal AoE 180 degree- a frontal arcing swing
Monkey’s Kick(3/4s)- Plant the staff in the ground and swing around it, kicking in a 360 degree arc and gaining evasion.

So, basically Greatsword-1 …

jpnova.4572:

2. Ape’s Lunge(1s) (8s)- A short distance leap attack, jumping with the staff at the ranger’s side. Perhaps an ape like animation over the ranger’s head. Cripples the target. (Leap finisher)

… Greatsword-3 …

jpnova.4572:

3. Swipe(3/4s) (10s)- The ranger holds the staff out and swings round with it hitting enemies enemy in a 210 degree cone. Perhaps the animation of a tiger’s paw swiping through them or an elephant’s trunk. Grant’s evasion/Knockback/Daze

… Greatsword-2 …

jpnova.4572:

5. Elephant Stomp(1s) (25s)- Jump and smash the base of the staff into the ground knock down target and pushes back others. Pet’s next attack does an extra 50% damage.(Blast finisher)

… and Greatsword-5?

Things to be noted-
1. Ins pite of ‘Nature Magic’, only thing magical we have is Spirits, none of our weapons function in a magical manner
.
2. A ranger melee weapon needs to be fashioned in ranger fashion, since we do not use heavy armor, built in evasion is important. Auto-attacks are all of the same type. A 3 hit combo, two small, one big with a utility.

3. A leap is favorable and needed for all melee weapons.

4. All two hand weapons have a heavy hitter. One that also has a built in utility is desirable to make it work with moment of clarity or for evasion.

5. Rangers lack a blast finisher, though you say its like ranger 5, we have a daze, no knockdowns or blowouts or blast finishers. We have projectile finishers, leaps and one whirl.

6. You failed to criticize one move.

jpnova.4572:

Things to be noted-
1. Ins pite of ‘Nature Magic’, only thing magical we have is Spirits, none of our weapons function in a magical manner

But it still opens up the posibility for a (nature) magic themed weapon, especially since we don’t have one.

jpnova.4572:

2. A ranger melee weapon needs to be fashioned in ranger fashion, since we do not use heavy armor, built in evasion is important. Auto-attacks are all of the same type. A 3 hit combo, two small, one big with a utility.

So… basically Greatword-1?
(To clarify: A nearly identicall autoattack to the one you suggested allready exists on the Ranger Greatsword)

jpnova.4572:

3. A leap is favorable and needed for all melee weapons.

Same here, it already exists on the Greatsword.

jpnova.4572:

4. All two hand weapons have a heavy hitter. One that also has a built in utility is desirable to make it work with moment of clarity or for evasion.

Maul ist the heavy hitter on the Greatsword.

jpnova.4572:

5. Rangers lack a blast finisher, though you say its like ranger 5, we have a daze, no knockdowns or blowouts or blast finishers. We have projectile finishers, leaps and one whirl.

I was refering about the CC part, but yes a blast finisher for the ranger (other than Drakes) would be nice.

jpnova.4572:

6. You failed to criticize one move.

Because it was the only skill that wasn’t on the Greatsword already.

TLDR; I didn’t mean to criticize your idea, I just wanted to make you aware that most of what you requested is already ingame… on the Greatsword.

Rengaru.4730:

TLDR; I didn’t mean to criticize your idea, I just wanted to make you aware that most of what you requested is already ingame… on the Greatsword.

Note the interrupts I have suggested be worked in so it can work better with moment of clarity.

1. All melee weapons have a three hit combo, our sword makes up for the lack of evasion in its auto-attack with leaps. Hence we would need an evasion in the auto-attack anyway.

2. Similar to Maul but I suggested it be worked in with evasion or a form of interrupt, as opposed to a bleed. Maul adds condition damage and no utility.

3. It’s a melee weapon it needs a leap, pretty much every melee weapon on every class has a leap or a form of a gap closer. (except warrior hammers)

4. What I’m suggesting is a cross of hammer and GS.

5. Woodpecker is a replacement for a block, by inflicting weakness, it reduces the chances of us taking damage.

Basically my suggestion is for the opportunity to use the staff as a power based damage or tanking weapon.

Also A-net has actually said in the past at the suggestion of ranged staff, that they do not want to introduce magic into the ranger class and rather keep it physical, the spirits were included so they are still there for the lovers from GW1.

Rangers not a magic user… Is this why I can summon entangling roots, make a large area of terrain turn into mud, create a pool of water at my feet, throw “traps” at people, summon spirits, strike people with lightning, and a good amount of other things?

I agree that if we get a staff it shouldn’t be ranged, but this is just -too- martial and -too- similar to our other weapons.

PS: ANET has actually said in several interviews that rangers have embraced magic a lot MORE over the 250 years than they originally did.

I like the idea of a melee fighting staff. Unfortuantely the staff designs of gw2 all resemble magic caster staffs with something on the top. Would have to be a completly new weapon type otherwise I can’t see this work.

I think the ranger is poorly named a ranger . Honestly , the class is more like a druid . Which is not a bad thing mind you , just misleading .

Ok I made some changes to my post to suggest something more druidy and magical as most rangers like, but maintaining the general feel of what I was going for and keeping it ‘druidy’.

This way current staff skins could still be used, as there is a slight magical effect to the attacks, using plant life, hence less martial arty.

EDIT: I understand to get ideas promoted I need to sell them better. Hope this will do just that. =P

EDIT: I can actually see this working with Tribal Staff, Melandru’s Gaze, Bramblethorne and the likes.

I think that everyone should eventually be able to wield everything – or have the same (high) number of weapons available to them – but in the Ranger’s case, I would like to see an improvement to their existing weapons before rolling new ones out.

Because right now almost every weapon in our arsenal could use some tweaking.

Duke Blackrose.4981:

I think that everyone should eventually be able to wield everything – or have the same (high) number of weapons available to them – but in the Ranger’s case, I would like to see an improvement to their existing weapons before rolling new ones out.

Because right now almost every weapon in our arsenal could use some tweaking.

Well just sword and longbow need tweaking, perhaps axe offhand too. The rest seem fine to me.

SB great DPS
GS does what its meant to
Axe maybe could do with a bit of a speed boost on the auto attack
Torch, cooldown could be reduced.
Dagger and Warhorn are just fine.

LB, needs arrow speed boost
Sword, the root is an issue on auto attack, not usable in dungeons and fractals.
Axe offhand, the cooldowns are too long and Whirling Defense could be better by granting Protection.

Considering the ability to summon spirits of nature, a trait line named nature magic, nd multiple other spells related to nature, if you throw a staff on a Ranger’s hand and instead of melee (that would go better with a Thief as there are many staff wielding thieves in many fantasy stories) you pretty much have a druid without needing to create a whole new class and with the asociation with animals also implemented in the main mechanic.

It’s one of the beutiful things of GW2 current classes, a lot of “new” classes can be created just throwing aditional weapons in the hands of existing professions.

I know everybody likes the melee idea, but personally I think the staff would make a nice 900 range weapon for a complement to the axe being our other 900 range weapon.

If this were the case, I would enjoy seeing it function like this:
1. Chain. Basic attack, basic attack, damage with swiftness gain
2. A decent duration immobilize
3. A single target attack that has a multi hit AoE effect (think our harpoon). Wrath of Thorns?
4. A line AoE ground target. Could provide Aegis or Protection (whichever would be more balanced) while crippling and weakening foes that pass through it.
5. AoE water field that cures conditions on allies and removes boons from enemies. Same duration as mesmer staff 5, with a 40-45s recharge for balance.

Just thoughts, I like the melee option and ideas too.

I -really- like the idea behind your altered staff skills, however for vine pull i’d say rip the target to -you- instead of you going to them, but make it another attack IE: First hit immobs them, chain you throw out vines and pull them to you (they’re still immobed).

As for Woodpecker i think it’d be cool if you shot out orbs of magic as you stabbed that decrease in power the further they are from you (or become more spread out so anything not in melee wont get hit very hard by it) just for some more interesting mechanics… However i like the woodpecker move regardless lol.

Durzlla.6295:

I -really- like the idea behind your altered staff skills, however for vine pull i’d say rip the target to -you- instead of you going to them, but make it another attack IE: First hit immobs them, chain you throw out vines and pull them to you (they’re still immobed).

As for Woodpecker i think it’d be cool if you shot out orbs of magic as you stabbed that decrease in power the further they are from you (or become more spread out so anything not in melee wont get hit very hard by it) just for some more interesting mechanics… However i like the woodpecker move regardless lol.

The issue is as far as I know, no one has a three step move outside of their auto-attack hence it wouldn’t be very viable. And yes Woodpecker, in my head it is a combination of rapid fire and hundred blades.

idk the idea of a ranger with a melee staff seems legit

Its a very good weapon that stands toe to toe with good weapons of other classes.(or even better) Good evades+aoe ccs with a blast finisher, 2 in 1 gap closer+immob and a fire field in which you can self trigger using Vine Grab and fissure. Only problem is, everyone is gonna throw away their other weps…

a) the staff have to fill the missing points of ranger class
b) the skills should not hurt weak classes but on the other hand hurt strong ones

maybe something to buff/debuff groups and some ranged ground ae (WvWvW)

e.g.:
-a line on the ground giving everyone crossing it stability/remove it from enemies
-a ranged ground ae making invisible enemies visible/slow them/kill Illusions (high cd)
-throw the staff so that your pet can bring it back, knock everyone down on his path
…

Longtomsilver.8031:

a) the staff have to fill the missing points of ranger class
b) the skills should not hurt weak classes but on the other hand hurt strong ones

maybe something to buff/debuff groups and some ranged ground ae (WvWvW)

e.g.:
-a line on the ground giving everyone crossing it stability/remove it from enemys
-a ranged ground ae making invisible enemys visible/slow them/kill Illusions (high cd)
…

That turns it into a complete support weapon and useless in PvE and dungeons. Since besides Skales nothing stealths, works better as a utility really. Which would be loved since we need more fields.

However as I said, staff as a melee weapon, since rangers really aren’t the type to use long range magic.

jpnova.4572:

That turns it into a complete support weapon and useless in PvE and dungeons. Since besides Skales nothing stealths, works better as a utility really. Which would be loved since we need more fields.

However as I said, staff as a melee weapon, since rangers really aren’t the type to use long range magic.

This is how the ranger class works:
Weapons = utility + some damage
Pet=Damage + some utility

To build another 2Hand wielding Warrior is not wanted.
The problems with pets in dungeons needs some other solutions than a full damage/blasting staff.
Don’t look on the pve-dungeon situation only.

Yes but stealth removal, clone destruction that is a PvP only issue. So you are looking at this from a PvP only issue. What I’m suggesting is nothing like the 2H warrior just a more utility based melee option for Rangers, which works thematically for them. No class has stealth removal or illusion destruction, rangers shouldn’t get that since it would destroy the balance PvP wise and we’d have all the mesmers and thieves crying for nerfs on your forums.

What I’m asking for is a heavy utility weapon, with a field, leap and a blast, like the warriors have(they have fields, leaps and whirls however). It wouldn’t hit as hard as our GS, less but have more control and defense like Guardian Hammer.

Also that’s not how rangers work, it depends on traiting, often the pet becomes the utility and support factor making you the damage source. (Ursine, Porcine, Moa)

I don’t see melee staff for the ranger, i just don’t think it fits the class, id like to see them use a staff similar to guardians maybe with a field and blast finisher, ranged dmg could come in the form of thorn whips or pulling a tree out of the ground similar to Mesmer “mind stab” having said that i don’t think rangers need another ranged dmg weapon so it should probably be more of a control weapon similar to Guardian Hammer

Jay The Dude.5830:

I don’t see melee staff for the ranger, i just don’t think it fits the class, id like to see them use a staff similar to guardians maybe with a field and blast finisher, ranged dmg could come in the form of thorn whips or pulling a tree out of the ground similar to Mesmer “mind stab” having said that i don’t think rangers need another ranged dmg weapon so it should probably be more of a control weapon similar to Guardian Hammer

The last three possible attacks I’ve listed are modelled precisely that way. Controls- Immobilize, Daze/Field, Knockdown respectively.

jpnova.4572:

Jay The Dude.5830:

I don’t see melee staff for the ranger, i just don’t think it fits the class, id like to see them use a staff similar to guardians maybe with a field and blast finisher, ranged dmg could come in the form of thorn whips or pulling a tree out of the ground similar to Mesmer “mind stab” having said that i don’t think rangers need another ranged dmg weapon so it should probably be more of a control weapon similar to Guardian Hammer

The last three possible attacks I’ve listed are modelled precisely that way. Controls- Immobilize, Daze/Field, Knockdown respectively.

id be all for that then a gd control weapon for rangers

Jay The Dude.5830:

jpnova.4572:

Jay The Dude.5830:

I don’t see melee staff for the ranger, i just don’t think it fits the class, id like to see them use a staff similar to guardians maybe with a field and blast finisher, ranged dmg could come in the form of thorn whips or pulling a tree out of the ground similar to Mesmer “mind stab” having said that i don’t think rangers need another ranged dmg weapon so it should probably be more of a control weapon similar to Guardian Hammer

The last three possible attacks I’ve listed are modelled precisely that way. Controls- Immobilize, Daze/Field, Knockdown respectively.

id be all for that then a gd control weapon for rangers

LB is our Power weapon, SB our crit/con weapon, axes again for Con, sword our kill yourself in dungeon but kick butt anyway weapon and GS out good old face mashing tank weapon.

What we could do is with a control weapon to use in conjunction with pets, Moment of Clarity and our spirits.

Staff:
I would prefer a 1H main hand long range cc OR 1 H main hand melee AoE.

And now that we are adding weapons: Give us a whip! (also mentioned by some other guy in another thread)

Whip:
It could be 1H main hand melee/mid range cc or 1H off hand melee/ mid range cc off hand.

(How awesome would it be to have Whip + Torch!!!!!)

Both staff / whip suit the ranger / pet team. Either way, give Ranger something that gives some cool group effects.

awe extender.1908:

Staff:
I would prefer a 1H main hand long range cc OR 1 H main hand melee AoE.

And now that we are adding weapons: Give us a whip! (also mentioned by some other guy in another thread)

Whip:
It could be 1H main hand melee/mid range cc or 1H off hand melee/ mid range cc off hand.

(How awesome would it be to have Whip + Torch!!!!!)

Both staff / whip suit the ranger / pet team. Either way, give Ranger something that gives some cool group effects.

I was expecting something of the sort, note how the third attack of 1 and 3 resemble a whip effect using vines. =3
I’d like to see something whippy too.

awe extender.1908:

Staff:
I would prefer a 1H main hand long range cc OR 1 H main hand melee AoE.

And now that we are adding weapons: Give us a whip! (also mentioned by some other guy in another thread)

Whip:
It could be 1H main hand melee/mid range cc or 1H off hand melee/ mid range cc off hand.

(How awesome would it be to have Whip + Torch!!!!!)

Both staff / whip suit the ranger / pet team. Either way, give Ranger something that gives some cool group effects.

Would love to See whips and Spears for the ranger, in the event that new weapons cant/wont be created for the game id take the staff as a melee/ranged spear weapon and a Focus as a whip

Over the last two and a half decades, rangers have been embracing magic and improving their prowess in the arcane. Now, at this moment, the magical masters of the world have deemed this ranger worthy of the use of magical weaponry. Let us enjoy this glorious moment as he makes his first contact with such a powerful conduit of mystic energy. Once again we can experience that first moment, when magical power began to course through our veins, through the eyes of this incredibly lucky individual. He now has the staff in his hands… And the audience silences in anticipation…

Ranger: “…”

The magical power flowing into him, what possible thoughts could he be having? He appears to be adjusting himself to the feeling of contact with such an artifact.

Ranger: “I could clonk somebody on the head with this.”

HotHit.6783:

Over the last two and a half decades, rangers have been embracing magic and improving their prowess in the arcane. Now, at this moment, the magical masters of the world have deemed this ranger worthy of the use of magical weaponry. Let us enjoy this glorious moment as he makes his first contact with such a powerful conduit of mystic energy. Once again we can experience that first moment, when magical power began to course through our veins, through the eyes of this incredibly lucky individual. He now has the staff in his hands… And the audience silences in anticipation…

Ranger: “…”

The magical power flowing into him, what possible thoughts could he be having? He appears to be adjusting himself to the feeling of contact with such an artifact.

Ranger: “I could clonk somebody on the head with this.”

This made me laugh. +1

Ranged magic however shouldn’t be a ranger’s forte. That isn’t what a ranger is, close range it works, like Entangle, Spirits, Lightning Reflexes’ lightning strike.

jpnova.4572:

HotHit.6783:

Over the last two and a half decades, rangers have been embracing magic and improving their prowess in the arcane. Now, at this moment, the magical masters of the world have deemed this ranger worthy of the use of magical weaponry. Let us enjoy this glorious moment as he makes his first contact with such a powerful conduit of mystic energy. Once again we can experience that first moment, when magical power began to course through our veins, through the eyes of this incredibly lucky individual. He now has the staff in his hands… And the audience silences in anticipation…

Ranger: “…”

The magical power flowing into him, what possible thoughts could he be having? He appears to be adjusting himself to the feeling of contact with such an artifact.

Ranger: “I could clonk somebody on the head with this.”

This made me laugh. +1

Ranged magic however shouldn’t be a ranger’s forte. That isn’t what a ranger is, close range it works, like Entangle, Spirits, Lightning Reflexes’ lightning strike.

Plus the ranger’s got a bit of a theme going with putting a new spin on old weapons. While the bows are primarily the rangers weapons, so they work exactly as you’d expect, the axe, greatsword and even the sword are unique.

We’ve got four professions capable of using a staff already. All four use it as their ranged AoE weapon. The ranger already has this (Axe and Longbow to an extent). But their only control focused weapon is the Longbow. It would be great to get a control focused melee weapon.

HotHit.6783:

jpnova.4572:

HotHit.6783:

Over the last two and a half decades, rangers have been embracing magic and improving their prowess in the arcane. Now, at this moment, the magical masters of the world have deemed this ranger worthy of the use of magical weaponry. Let us enjoy this glorious moment as he makes his first contact with such a powerful conduit of mystic energy. Once again we can experience that first moment, when magical power began to course through our veins, through the eyes of this incredibly lucky individual. He now has the staff in his hands… And the audience silences in anticipation…

Ranger: “…”

The magical power flowing into him, what possible thoughts could he be having? He appears to be adjusting himself to the feeling of contact with such an artifact.

Ranger: “I could clonk somebody on the head with this.”

This made me laugh. +1

Ranged magic however shouldn’t be a ranger’s forte. That isn’t what a ranger is, close range it works, like Entangle, Spirits, Lightning Reflexes’ lightning strike.

Plus the ranger’s got a bit of a theme going with putting a new spin on old weapons. While the bows are primarily the rangers weapons, so they work exactly as you’d expect, the axe, greatsword and even the sword are unique.

We’ve got four professions capable of using a staff already. All four use it as their ranged AoE weapon. The ranger already has this (Axe and Longbow to an extent). But their only control focused weapon is the Longbow. It would be great to get a control focused melee weapon.

Personally I would prefer the hammer. Return of the bunny thumper!

jcbroe.4329:

HotHit.6783:

jpnova.4572:

HotHit.6783:

Over the last two and a half decades, rangers have been embracing magic and improving their prowess in the arcane. Now, at this moment, the magical masters of the world have deemed this ranger worthy of the use of magical weaponry. Let us enjoy this glorious moment as he makes his first contact with such a powerful conduit of mystic energy. Once again we can experience that first moment, when magical power began to course through our veins, through the eyes of this incredibly lucky individual. He now has the staff in his hands… And the audience silences in anticipation…

Ranger: “…”

The magical power flowing into him, what possible thoughts could he be having? He appears to be adjusting himself to the feeling of contact with such an artifact.

Ranger: “I could clonk somebody on the head with this.”

This made me laugh. +1

Ranged magic however shouldn’t be a ranger’s forte. That isn’t what a ranger is, close range it works, like Entangle, Spirits, Lightning Reflexes’ lightning strike.

Plus the ranger’s got a bit of a theme going with putting a new spin on old weapons. While the bows are primarily the rangers weapons, so they work exactly as you’d expect, the axe, greatsword and even the sword are unique.

We’ve got four professions capable of using a staff already. All four use it as their ranged AoE weapon. The ranger already has this (Axe and Longbow to an extent). But their only control focused weapon is the Longbow. It would be great to get a control focused melee weapon.

Personally I would prefer the hammer. Return of the bunny thumper!

But bunny thumper would be melee spike damage + CC instead of AoE CC and support.

I personally want a staff and hammer like in GW1…

Unfortunately hammers don’t fit the ranger class at all. Rangers in general are mobile fighters and a hammer isn’t a mobile weapon. Also it wouldn’t fit with out leather armor, the slowness of the weapon would just get us killed.

Durzlla.6295:

jcbroe.4329:

HotHit.6783:

jpnova.4572:

HotHit.6783:

Over the last two and a half decades, rangers have been embracing magic and improving their prowess in the arcane. Now, at this moment, the magical masters of the world have deemed this ranger worthy of the use of magical weaponry. Let us enjoy this glorious moment as he makes his first contact with such a powerful conduit of mystic energy. Once again we can experience that first moment, when magical power began to course through our veins, through the eyes of this incredibly lucky individual. He now has the staff in his hands… And the audience silences in anticipation…

Ranger: “…”

The magical power flowing into him, what possible thoughts could he be having? He appears to be adjusting himself to the feeling of contact with such an artifact.

Ranger: “I could clonk somebody on the head with this.”

This made me laugh. +1

Ranged magic however shouldn’t be a ranger’s forte. That isn’t what a ranger is, close range it works, like Entangle, Spirits, Lightning Reflexes’ lightning strike.

Plus the ranger’s got a bit of a theme going with putting a new spin on old weapons. While the bows are primarily the rangers weapons, so they work exactly as you’d expect, the axe, greatsword and even the sword are unique.

We’ve got four professions capable of using a staff already. All four use it as their ranged AoE weapon. The ranger already has this (Axe and Longbow to an extent). But their only control focused weapon is the Longbow. It would be great to get a control focused melee weapon.

Personally I would prefer the hammer. Return of the bunny thumper!

But bunny thumper would be melee spike damage + CC instead of AoE CC and support.

I personally want a staff and hammer like in GW1…

I don’t see why it has to be spike damage. It could have an auto attack that cleaves, and for fun, the 3rd chain gives the pet swiftness. Then it could just be a knockdown and CC oriented weapon. Maybe an AoE leap (like warriors stunbreaker) but instead of massive damage, hitting the ground makes roots come up in an AoE radius that Immobilizes foes in the area.

I still want to see a skill where the pet and player are able to swap positions (like the elite from guild wars 1). I’m surprised that regardless of what weapon is being suggested, nobody has mentioned such a utility, that would be a very nice gap closer for melee rangers that would also be unique to the class and fit it perfectly.

Lore wise, how did rangers forget how to be good beastmasters in the hundreds of years that take place between guild wars 1 and 2. Doesn’t really make sense why rangers forgot so much of their pet utility and gained…. dodges I guess?

jpnova.4572:

Unfortunately hammers don’t fit the ranger class at all. Rangers in general are mobile fighters and a hammer isn’t a mobile weapon. Also it wouldn’t fit with out leather armor, the slowness of the weapon would just get us killed.

I’m not making stuff up, I’m referencing things that already existed:

http://www.gwpvx.com/Archive:R/W_Ferocious_Strike_Bunny_Thumper

http://www.gwpvx.com/Archive:R/W_Bunny_Thumper

Rangers are among anet’s explorer class. So a staff to an explorer would be a walking stick.

Since we’re dreaming anyway, let me dream too.

staff 1: Lunge – Lunge past your target hitting 2 extra targets nearby. Range 150, land 300 range from where you started (150 behind your target). – This keeps you constantly moving making you hard to hit (mobility as your defensive flavor)

staff 2: Flight of the raven – Thrust your staff into the ground to launch (not the cc) yourself up and evade. – This would be just a different kind of evade (no damage).

staff 3: Leopard’s Pounce – Leap 600 units forward. Leap another 600 units if you hit something. – This would be just a different kind of leap.

staff 4: Strength of the bear – Smash the ground in front of you to unearth a huge destructible rock. – This lets you create los-able/obstruct-able neutral objects

staff 5: Stampede – Call a stampede of boars knocking down enemies hit in a line in front of you. – Linear CC.

I know you are not, I am referring to rangers in GW2, GW1 was different, you could combine any classes and make it work. However rangers in GW2 are more mobile and rely on evasion and mobile melee combat, that wouldn’t work with a hammer and would actually damage us since they’re exceptionally slow weapons and we use Medium armor.

Seetoo.9316:

Rangers are among anet’s explorer class. So a staff to an explorer would be a walking stick.

Since we’re dreaming anyway, let me dream too.

staff 1: Lunge – Lunge past your target hitting 2 extra targets nearby. Range 150, land 300 range from where you started (150 behind your target). – This keeps you constantly moving making you hard to hit (mobility as your defensive flavor)

staff 2: Flight of the raven – Thrust your staff into the ground to launch (not the cc) yourself up and evade. – This would be just a different kind of evade (no damage).

staff 3: Leopard’s Pounce – Leap 600 units forward. Leap another 600 units if you hit something. – This would be just a different kind of leap.

staff 4: Strength of the bear – Smash the ground in front of you to unearth a huge destructible rock. – This lets you create los-able/obstruct-able neutral objects

staff 5: Stampede – Call a stampede of boars knocking down enemies hit in a line in front of you. – Linear CC.

This has the same issue as my initial idea. Doesn’t fit the staff weapon model and require a completely new weapon type. Also this would be balanced as a melee weapon. xP