Guild Wars 2

Zenith.7301:

Priest.8752:

stale.9785:

I know they’re bad damage – just get a laugh that on a class where the bow is pretty much the iconic weapon, people don’t want to use it.

This is a problem with the bow skills (Long Range Shot should be static damage and far faster) and the fact that our coefficients are seriously low because a) Anet wants a melee only game, b) our pets are supposed to be 40%+ of our damage, and we’re balanced around 100% pet uptime and hitrate.

You’re missing the point. People would gladly use the bows if they weren’t so terribad.

Partly because bows do less damage, partly because even the shortbow places silly conditions to be optimally played in a setting where those conditions will be minimized, partly because bows don’t cleave outside Barrage, and most importantly because bows don’t have much in defensive measures.

Compare a thief’s shortbow that can chain 3-4 dodge evades with a built in cripple to any of the ranger’s bows defensive measures. The only measure you’ve got on the ranger shortbow is a single evade on a 9 sec cd. Concussive shot at a 25 sec cd.

And with the upcoming weakness changes the thief’s shortbow will be even better because you can combo clusterbomb into choking gas for aoe weakness.

Thief shortbow has a great synergy to it. It seems like a thought out weapon.

Reading these posts again this morning … maybe I’m wrong but it seems anet is lost with this profession.

They made the ranger easily face-rolled. People do well despite that (2 viable builds) and we are suddenly op. Player base rages if they are killed by a ranger … because rangers are supposed to be free badges.

Anet disregards a lot of the thief rage because they know what they wanted the profession to be like …. it’s working for them. However, based off ranger changes and their surcoming to ranger rage, it’s obvious they are not secure in this profession.

CETheLucid.3964:

Pendleton.6385:

Deniara Devious.3948:

Ranger pets require some adjusting, because ranger can make himself into a full bunker and still do good damage using pet. If most other professions go full bunker, their damage is really low as well.

A decent player can kite a pet all day long … pets need some major adjusting to actually hit a moving target.

Agreed. I actually really like where things are now overall.

Longbow still needs some love, and pets being able to hit moving hitting things needs a little work, but everything else is golden. We’re in a nice place.

I don’t get the people who are still crying that ranger is weak. No, we’re pretty good now. But it is a close enough thing. We have to really work for it.

If you nerf pet DPS, please be very careful and considerate about it.

Pet’s either need to reliably hit moving PCs or that pet DPS nerf needs to returned to the ranger as a DPS buff.

I agree with you completely.

Deniara Devious.3948:

Ranger pets require some adjusting, because ranger can make himself into a full bunker and still do good damage using pet. If most other professions go full bunker, their damage is really low as well.

A decent player can kite a pet all day long … pets need some major adjusting to actually hit a moving target.

Stice.5204:

Chez.8257:

And who exactly is deciding that the pets hit too hard? Is it the player community or just a few devs?

It’s the player community, of course. Didn’t you get your ballot? Game design is a democracy and we all vote on who gets nerfed.

You have to play a thief to get the ballot though ; )

If they nerf pet damage with no compensation to the ranger’s damage, I see a large ranger exodus coming ….

I’m a BM/bunker and any half-decent player can kite my pet around and not get hit. You can use cripple, chill, or anything else but the pet ai is still terrible to hit a decent player.

The last patch didn’t really do much to alter the BM/bunker build. It’s always been there.

When I fight BM/bunker all I do is cripple the pet and keep moving in a circle … the pet doesn’t bother me at all.

I wonder if some of this boils down to perception. People get embarrassed to be killed by a ranger for whatever reason. Since rangers are figuring out decent builds to work around the poor ai … people are complaining more. I’m speaking more about wvw. If this is a purely spvp thing … just fix the damage in that area of the game. I thought we were splitting things up in wvw / pve and pvp now anyway.

Ranger is basically a beastmaster and now they are nerfing our beast …

Sorry if this was rambling … I’m not happy about a pet nerf.

Puandro.3245:

I disagree with #3.

I agree with your disagreement : )

So … my ranger is my main. My other character is …. another ranger.

Now, I’m thinking of leveling another profession. I got a warrior to lvl 20 but it doesn’t seem to be as involved as the ranger.

What other profession is as kinetic as the ranger?

I primarily WvW and run dungeons. Would like to do the same with the next alt.

Any suggestions would be great.

I’ve been having this issue as well. Imo, it has been more pronounced since the last update.

My fern hound also can’t seem to perform f2 while I’m moving. I have to literally stop to use it. It sucks when you’re running with a large group and end up missing all the speed buffs.

Shiren.9532:

I wish rangers were in better condition when the game launched.

I agree. It is an up hill battle now to change the perception of ranger.

What will happen now (and to some extent is already happening) is that, as we get further balanced, other classes will call us OP and call for nerfs … because they are not used to seeing rangers do so well on a large scale.

So it is just the tooltip that’s wrong?

This cracks me up …. great video

Isn’t the speed of the longbow #1 actually bugged, though?

Fixing this bug would help the weapon a lot.

Rangeclaw.9473:

I also noticed that pet f2 skill does not activate or going full cd sometimes.

This has been happening to me lately as well. It’s never really been an issue for me before. The other night I was running with a large group in wvw and my fern hound’s f2 wasn’t responsive. It wouldn’t work while running … it took me stopping and hitting f2 for it to work. It’s never done that before.

awge.3852:

It is not the ranger that sucks its the player behind the ranger. Anyone who tells you that you cannot join a group by the simple fact of being a ranger is someone you should immediately avoid playing with forever.

For those who say that you will not invite a ranger only by looking at the buffs they have, that is stupid too. What if you just came back from playing in PvE and still have the utilities on you and did not change them yet? It doesn’t even take 10 seconds to choose different utilities. I agree with taking a look into their builds You may need high DPS rangers for certain tasks or someone who is not squishy; but even before pointing fingers you can simply determine if they are experienced by allowing them to switch their build into something more suitable, which at the same time they should be aware of. Even the hoax of using spirits is not a suitable option to kick someone from the party, unless the spirit itself IS the cause for a failed dungeon run.

So all in all: if you suck as a player, it does not matter what you play as, you will not be welcome in locations where skill is a must. But if you kick people from groups by discriminating against what they are capable of within a profession, then you are the one who should not be allowed to be in groups less organizing any kind of groups. Why? Because players grow stronger especially from failed experiences. You cannot expect every ranger to know what they’re doing. You cannot expect to succeed every time. If you are publicly looking for groups learn the hard lessons, or do what I do and find a good guild who will not discriminate against you, rather help you be stronger.

For those of you still wondering about what skills or builds to use, it matters as long as you are contributing to your party. I go into dungeons re-traiting myself, using different weapons, using different utilities, switching pets all the time. But making conscious decisions regarding what type of players are in the party, what can I do to better support them, do I need to be full melee or full support/conditions or full burst and damage.

At the same time, learn how to work with rangers. We are a very versatile profession who can adapt to a lot, if a ranger doesn’t know, as rangers you can help. If the player doesn’t do anything about it, then tell them why you kicked them, it’s called constructive criticism for a reason. Otherwise congratulations for increasing the pool of people moving away from ranger profession due to your encouragement in that they suck, if that makes you happier then I hope someone does it back to you… repeatedly.

^^ This ^^

Kicking someone just by looking at their buffs when you invite them is absurd. Thank goodness I have not been in a group like that so far. Give me a break ….

@ OP – If you don’t run with a guild … each PUG you do a run with (that you like) ask them to add you as a friend and let you know next time they are doing an instance. Add them as well. I did this when I first started and it helped a lot. I still get dungeon invites from people I don’t even remember running with.

Also, look for a PVE guild to join … this will help your cause.

However, any group that doesn’t specify it’s a speed run and kicks you just for being a ranger … be glad you’re not in their micromanaged dungeon run.

choon.6308:

This is what someone said to me when I wanted to join his dungeon.

Do all people think rangers are a dead weight in dungeons? With shortbow I spam 1.5k crits and that will be even higher when I get better gear…

You wouldn’t want to run a dungeon with a group like that anyway. Don’t sweat it.

Just to clarify … my original post wasn’t to criticize the ranger. I love playing ranger. It is my main and my alt is a 40 ranger as well.

I was just relaying how other forums don’t even rate us in their wvw profession breakdown … yet they complain in map chat about being downed by a ranger. It can be quite frustrating … and funny at times.

Sebrent.3625:

A group of rangers can be quite devastating due to the area denial they can exhibit via pets and traps.

The group of rangers I mention in my original post were doing this. They completely denied a larger group access and slowly walked them back via timed LB#5 and fear from wolves. It was really impressive.

Indoles.1467:

Quick question to op. Were you at the fight night yesterday? I jumped in real quick with some guildies and won ever duel I was in (even against this Mesmer that won every duel until he fought me from what I could tell). I’m from DB btw.

I wasn’t at fight night. I was taking part in some battles at the gates of Greenwater Lowlands between Greenlake and Askalion Hills. There were two really good battles there last night. I’m pretty sure it was FA … could be wrong though.

I did duel another ranger on the coastline of the Askalion Hills. We dueled for a bit and stopped and discussed our builds and servers. I think we were both bunkers so the fight drug on and on … but was fun.

Lonewolf Kai.3682:

Pendleton.6385:

I never said traps or LB were buffed. I was just making an observation that a group of rangers were doing great last night. Also, pets were a factor because they sent their wolves in to fear other players that got too close to them.

Also, I’ve been playing ranger since launch so stop with the 101 stuff.

KensaiZen, welcome to Ranger 102: Reading Comprehension

Corrected the quote for you Pendleton.

Thank you : )

BrimstoneAshe.5043:

I’m not saying the class is perfect, but for people in WvW chat to say “OMG, I got beat by a ranger” as some off handed insult is more of a testament to that person’s ignorance than the actual performance of the Ranger profession. There are quite a few rangers out there that aren’t that good and it tends to get the profession painted in a broad stroke as being bad. But when they face off against a good ranger, they’re going to be in for a big surprise. Consider yourself having a slight advantage as they aren’t taking you as seriously as they probably should. Make them regret that error.

I tend to run in small groups or solo in wvw. When people see a ranger they stop whatever they’re doing to get a “free badge.” I love when they run in to kill me and end up running away or dying. I don’t always win but I don’t always lose either. I think part of it is because they’re surprised that a ranger isn’t as easy to kill as expected ….. for the most part.

I know the ranger still needs some work … I was a warden in lotro …. I guess I gravitate to the underdog.

SoW works better with your f2 skill. I like sic em but it can be too easy to cancel its effects by accident, due to it being bugged.

I agree with you. I just haven’t seen five rangers working in tandem like that.

I never said traps or LB were buffed. I was just making an observation that a group of rangers were doing great last night. Also, pets were a factor because they sent their wolves in to fear other players that got too close to them.

Also, I’ve been playing ranger since launch so stop with the 101 stuff.

Reading comprehension is a valuable tool, KensaiZen … give it a shot.

Two things from yesterday ….

The WvW forum now has a post asking people to tier (in their opinion) the professions after the new patch. People list every profession but the ranger. They don’t even list it last … they simply don’t list it … like it’s not even a profession in the game. Frustrating and saddening ….

Conversely … last night I’m in WvW (TC). There are people complaining in open chat that the new patch is horrible because they nerfed some professions so bad that they are being beaten by rangers. It’s like if they buff ranger the other professions will just say their profession was nerfed … because ranger has such a stigma attached to it.

I know more work is needed to the ranger but the latest patch was at least moving forward. As a BM/Bunker, I was doing ok in WvW before but I can tell a difference after the patch. I hope the next patches keep moving forward.

Last thing … and most important

Last night in WvW, a party of 5 rangers from either FA or DB had formed a chokehold on a point. They were dominating about 10 – 15 other people. They were fighting from a distance with LB, alternating well timed traps and entangle, and using fern hounds, wolves, and spiders. The people they were fighting against weren’t noobs. I was really impressed. They timed their LB#5 really well. They made it hard for other AOE classes to get close to them. One would fire, then people would try to move around while another one triggered their barrage and so forth. Another would run in and drop muddy terrain. If a player got into near their group, they would fear him away with a wolf. It was really a tight group of rangers. They had everyone locked down and were killing people … without arrow carts. I was sad I couldn’t join them and was jealous.

If any of you were in that group, you should record stuff like that next time for everyone to watch.

I know … I know that some will say what should have been done to counter them. Regardless, I thought it was impressive and fun to see a group of rangers dominating for a bit.

Good. I like watching your youtube stuff.

What build is this you’re using?

Kyimirria.9485:

I just finished a few matches in pvp and I had a thief complain about my pet healing me while battling underwater after going being downed. I was actually shocked as he continued to complain to me about my pet for the rest of the match. Has this happened to anyone else? He actually called it a ‘current exploit’. My first thoughts were, “Really? Every profession has skills to try to save themselves while their downed. Thieves can stealth and move while their downed. A ranger has to stay where they are and can’t hide so all they have left is to rely on their pet, how is that an exploit?”

Long story short what are other thoughts about this? Has this happened to anyone else?

I wouldn’t worry about it. He was probably mad he couldn’t 2 2 2 2 you.

If it ever happens again where he won’t stop messaging you, tell him to leave his aqua-breather at home next time because ranger’s own the seas, lakes, and ponds of gw2.

My only regret with lick wounds underwater is that there is no animation of telepathic circles shooting out of our head.

Chopps.5047:

Pendleton.6385:

Anyone know when this month’s patch comes out?

April 26th as far as I know. I am so excited. If there’s nothing for rangers it’s going to be a MASSIVE letdown for a large part of the community. ANET must deliver.

I’m looking forward to it as well. However, I’m trying to keep my expectations low.

Anyone know when this month’s patch comes out?

Do the speed traits and buffs for your pet stack?

Agility training, warhorn, and Sick’ em ….

Do they stack or does the highest increase % get selected?

Sick ‘em is buggy so I don’t know if it cancels the others out.

Does anything know this? I don’t have time to test it right now and was curious.

Thanks for putting all this together, Jubskie.

A think the mouse should be able to alert you to stealthed players. Also … if it dies … you should be able to throw it at the enemy for an AOE poison or fear.

Thanks Achensherd. I like TC too … no bad experiences. I just want to see some of the other server dynamics. I might give Dragonbrand a shot.

Durzlla.6295:

I play on TC too and have had several people want to run instances with me -AGAIN- and all I really play is a ranger (ill occasionally PvP or RP on my engi/ele, but I don’t PvE with them other than personal story), so idk why you’d be declined a group unless you’ve built up some infamy for being a bad player or something…

No … I wasn’t. I’ve been asked by others to run instances again plenty of times. I’ve had other players comment about being a great ranger after dungeon runs … asking me to continue on with them to do all the paths.

What’s your deal??? Relax.

If you read my post fully before getting so defensive about the ranger class you’d see I was just asking around about ranger friendly servers.

If you have nothing to say on the topic … don’t respond.

I’ve been playing on TC since launch. I might give another server a shot to change things up a little.

I’ve never been denied entry into a group due to being a ranger but others on this forum seem to have been. I don’t want to land on a server like that …

Any server recommendations from a ranger perspective? I’ll probably guest there first but just wanted to ask around.

I was getting very high crits and burst damage (for a ranger) before the Feb update. I don’t see the same numbers now. The quickness change only lessened things.

This is a similar build to mine. I use sb and axe/dagger strictly for the movement impairing abilities and stun/interrupt. In theory, this helps your pet land their hits easier. Also, I use sigils on weapons that cause chill or whatever for slowing them down. I forget what they’re called.

However … imo … the change to quickness and pet timers have hurt this build. Also, the stealth nerf to felines opening attack (maul) has hurt it. The burst ability has been lessened a lot … at least in my current experience.

Again … my opinion.

I wonder why the change in their philosophy ….

Xsorus.2507:

There is really no such thing as a WoW killer.

Gw2 did release probably a bit earlier but the way its designed it would never approach WoW numbers in the first place.

It does have the advantage of being Buy 2 Play though, which got rid of the need to changed to a f2p option later on (And it would have…This game would of lost a crap ton of subscribers just like every other MMO, It’d be close to what SWTOR is experiencing right now)

I completely agree with this.

Will miss your videos, Xsorus. Sad to see you go. I think a lot of others are doing the same. I probably will as well. The lack of a subscription fee is the only thing that’s kept me on this long. I will probably do other things until NWN and/or ESO.

I probably won’t level an alt. I don’t have a lot of time and, in my opinion, I don’t think GW2 has a large emersion factor to it. I don’t want to go through everything again.

The worst part is the stealth nerf aspect of it in Feb. It was obvious to most BMs that relied on cats for burst that something was off. Solandri figured it out then.

I’m surprised that more rangers haven’t commented on this.

I’ve played other mmo’s but no other anet games. Did they stealth nerf things a lot in GW1?

I already said it once much earlier on in this thread … but I want to reiterate my respect for Robert Hrouda coming to these forums. He bascially entered the lions den.

The honest feedback and responses we are getting in this thread are great. Interaction with a dev about a core ranger mechanic … really cool.

I do have respect for Robert not dodging the question. He didn’t have to answer it.

I don’t fully agree with him. But, he answered the question in what seemed to be an honest response. Also, he didn’t throw in a bunch of promises. It didn’t have a PR feel to it.

No word yet, Manekk. I’m actually surprised that more in the ranger community haven’t sounded off on this yet.

My jaguar and lynx are not hitting as hard as normal. I don’t use Master’s Bond. I’m not talking about 6k hits. My initial burst damage for my felines is lower than it was.

I don’t have time to run test about this because of work and family duties. However, I do know that my feline has less burst damage. It would make sense if something changed with Maul.

I don’t think this is a scaling with BM issue. I’m a bunker/BM. I rely mostly on my pet for damage. I use only felines.

My spike damage has gone down. Something was changed. I don’t care about kill time or anything like that. I am looking at my burst damage and it is not the same.

I have no idea what’s causing it but something is different. I’m not perceiving something that’s not there. My burst damage has gone down, which is sad because as BM/Bunker I need every last piece of it.

My jag normally hits like a truck. I’m not saying it’s a nerf. Could be bad luck on my part. I haven’t done any testing. I haven’t seen 3k critical yet though.

Same. Jag is not criting at normal numbers for me either. I

I hope I sound like a person that spent 60 bucks on a game and is disappointed with this patch. Enough whining though …. I will probably move on.

This whole thing is so bizarre. Aside from any bugs…. the attitude towards their paying customers will probably keep me from playing any of their games in the future. This is why I like subscription games.

Spell check …hate this phone. I meant Jon p not hp

Will chime in more after work…

@OP

The fact that you say our traits have synergy makes me lose all interest in your opinion. I also am confused by your need to point out that you do not talk with anet. No one asked that … why offer it. Makes my conspiracy meter go off.

You are entitled to your opinion but please know they are opinions. HP has even acknowledged our poor utilities and traits.

Hey everyone,

My build is BM/Bunker but I would like to give the trapper/condition ranger a shot. Does anyone have a basic trap/condition build that I could start with?

I’m so BM/Bunker focused that’s hard to give up some traits I’m so used to having. An example would be natures protection from the NM line. It has saved me many times. I’m so used to having at a minimum of 15 in WC for protection.

Do most of you not spec in NM at all for trap ranger or only 5?
Do you need to spec a full 30 in skirmishing to get all the trap traits?
Do you spec 5 in BM for quickness?

Sorry for so many questions. A build to get me started would be nice.

I want to give it a shot. My BM/Bunker build is great but I want to change things up a bit.