Guild Wars 2

Am I right in assuming that those they showed us in the skill bar are not the only balance updates Rangers will be getting? Don’t get me wrong, even if these are all the updates Rangers will be getting I will still be pleased.

Couple of things that are making me wonder though (alongside the fact that it was only a “preview”);

- They only touched on pets briefly with 2 fairly insignificant fixes – no mention of any plans to implement brand new pet mechanics like the “aspect of the pet” that took off pretty well in the CDI

- Only 2 utilities mentioned and no signs of new additions or upgrades for others (particularly; traps and spirits)

- No improvements for the torch, shortbow (disappointing ) and sword

Hoping to see some more additions when the patch goes live. As good as these updates are, I feel as though they won’t be quite enough alone to give the whole Ranger profession a sufficient boost. I hope I don’t sound ungrateful here, as I cannot wait to try out the new longbow, but I’m just thinking ahead.

It was only a balance preview, so I don’t see why they would announce new features/ mechanics to go along with it…..(Sure, they talked about a new trait, but that was because they were getting rid of an already existing trait, so its not really a new mechanic or feature.)

I wish I could agree with Chrispy, I really do. But beyond my general pessimistic attitude, nearly every single patch we’ve seen to date with any preview has left very little else to be announced come patch day.

We’ll see though. With as much as was discussed before, during, and after the CDI, ANet shouldn’t really be hurting for ideas.

If we don’t see any announcement for features, mechanics, new weapons, or anything beyond their once every 6 month balance pass by about September, then its probably best to lose all hope until next year, (Like I already have!)

Well from the preview, it seems as though the Devs took a lot on board from the Ranger CDI, which I’m very happy to see. Particularly for the longbow.

I posted this quite early-on in the original Ranger CDI thread that Allie started months ago, and I’m loving how the Devs have taken it on board (though I’m not arrogant enough to suggest they took their longbow ideas solely from my post as almost everyone was saying the same!):

Specific Game Mode

All really, but preference would be WvW

Proposal Overview

Overhaul longbow skills to give Rangers back their archetypal weapon of choice

Goal of Proposal

“Unparalleled Archers”. Even Warriors have a better longbow skillset than we do.
Many Rangers would love to use the longbow if it wasn’t such a stagnant weapon. Longbow skills are clearly designed towards DPS functionality (as the GS is to the warrior, guardian, mesmer, and dual daggers are to thieves and eles), but they don’t pack enough punch. Open up a viable DPS build option for the ranger (for which there is currently none). Though “sustained damage” is included in Anet’s Ranger philosophy, it is not fair that every other class gets a decent physical DPS build. There is no holy trinity in this game, and Anet themselves said that any class should be able to perform any role. Allow the Ranger to take back more control over their own DPS rather than relying on terrible pet mechanics.

Proposal Functionality

Here I present some simple skill-change ideas that have frequented the Ranger forums for quite some time.

LB skill 1 suggestions:

- Either speed up the arrow flight or increase its damage

- Create a chargeable shot by holding down the key; in line with the sniper-esque image

LB skill 2 suggestion:

- Either increase damage or decrease cast time. LB auto attack currently gives more DPS than rapid fire, and this just isn’t right. It’s also too easy to dodge.

- Or replace the skill entirely with a single, powerful shot that could perhaps also add a condition such as stacked vulnerability or cripple.

LB skill 5 suggestion:

- Allow movement during the casting of Barrage. This skill isn’t good enough to warrant such vulnerability.

- OR, if no movement, then grant the player stability during the casting time

Was a little disappointed they didn’t do more with Barrage, but I am certainly hoping they took the same approach towards all the fantastic pet ideas people were suggesting. I think after such an intense CDI it would a pretty big shame if they were to leave significant pet changes out of another balance patch.