Ranger's real purpose? - Guild Wars Forums

Cuilan · Aug 05, 2009, 10:42 PM // 22:42

I know mesmers, dervish, and other professions. Just not ranger, but I've read that they're not really meant for damage (even if they can be made to).

Do I really trap, disrupt, and use pets? Because...

Fate Crusher · Aug 05, 2009, 11:22 PM // 23:22

For someone who seems to (judging by when you joined guru) have over a years experience, i'm quite shocked.

like ANY other class, a ranger can be configured to do certain things. They CAN be configured to be part of a ranger spike build as seen in HA. The CAN can configured to set up traps for some old school lulz or for farming. Their Expertise attribute helps with reducing the cost of "skills" (not spells) and so it brings on other attractive hybrids such as R/W and R/A.

In Random Arenas, they CAN be used solely for spreading degen and interupting - which you will find most rangers running presently, since there have been changes to the damage dealing side of rangers. You can also find rangers running with pets, sometimes as a thumper (not really now) or a pet master (since the menagerie opened, many people enjoy using their new pets).

I really don't understand your thoughts on this. So surely you know a monk's purpose? Would you say it is to heal the party? but would you also say that they can also choose to go smiter and deal damage? possibly in PvE, RoJ is needed for extra holy damage and burning.

What is a Dervish's purpose? High damage dealer with a scythe? Has it not been proven that a Dervish can also use their healing skills to become a healer. They can also use their avatars and weild daggers (Avatar Of Lyssa) or spears (Avatar of Dwayna or just plain Ebon Dust Aura).

Quote:

Do I really trap, disrupt, and use pets?

Obviously not all at the same time... Pick one of the things you just said and work around that. It's better to focus on a few things rather than trying to involve the entire spectrum of skills - this allows for better attributed skills and therefore more effective.

Question: Are you planning to use a ranger in PvE or PvP?

Cuilan · Aug 05, 2009, 11:26 PM // 23:26

I have been playing for years. 98% of that time in PvE (hard mode whenever possible these days). I find myself spreading attribute points pretty thin in wanting the best skills of each (even when trying to focus). My mesmer tanks, runs, hexes, screws with melee, nukes, interupts, and spams. Rangers seem to not be my class, but that makes me want to master em.

Jetdoc · Aug 05, 2009, 11:30 PM // 23:30

Rangers are masters of interruption and condition spreading.

Yes, they trap extremely effectively and also have innovative pet-related builds, but their true forte are the two items I mention above.

snaek · Aug 05, 2009, 11:32 PM // 23:32

www.pvxwiki.com

the role of a player is usually decided by his build, and not necessarily his class, i.e. classes will have numerous roles. so i'm linking you to pvx for you to take a look at some of the ranger builds on there and figure out the roles that they have. one of the classes main roles however, is interruption.

Cuilan · Aug 05, 2009, 11:44 PM // 23:44

PvXWiki is nearly all bow damage and farming.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetdoc

Rangers are masters of interruption and condition spreading.

Yes, they trap extremely effectively and also have innovative pet-related builds, but their true forte are the two items I mention above.

My mesmer is seems better with conditions and I ended up with daze/interupt with my attempts as a ranger, but I guess pet and trap will be where I'll focus. I guess what I am asking was what are they special at and their goal (and role in a group) when they were thought up. Rangers seems to be all over the place (balance, but not excelling at anything in particular).

I cringe when I move ranger attribute points around.

FoxBat · Aug 05, 2009, 11:59 PM // 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetdoc

Rangers are masters of marginal stuff in PvE

Even the old BHA+Epidemic is often outshone by technobabble+extend conditions these days. And pure condition spam is generally pretty bad in PvE outside of the new mesmer gimmicks (and barely at that.)

The best thing you can do with your ranger in general PvE is to push some crazy bow damage. The advantage you have over warriors is you don't have to run to your target before your heroes have already blown it up. You can make viable pet builds (and maybe trap) but nothing that will be as impressive as the bow builds.

Dakka Dakka · Aug 06, 2009, 12:01 AM // 00:01

Rangers in my experience have the role of pulling creatures, since they have the longest range weapon, they also excel at spreading conditions around.

I believe the best way to classify a ranger in a group is scout, they usually run ahead and see what the rest of the group have to face. I believe that was the intent on how ANET wanted the ranger to be played, if that is how it is played by other players I really don't know.

but really no class in the game has a specific role, this is a big point that seperates GW from WoW, all classes can satisfy just about any role a team needs because of the dual class system

Mist :) · Aug 06, 2009, 12:41 AM // 00:41

Rangers can maintain posion EASILY on 4-5 people.
that's a lot of pressure.
They are also very good at snaring.

Rangers main purpose is to apply pressure and generally force monks into losing.

refer · Aug 06, 2009, 01:55 AM // 01:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fate Crusher

For someone who seems to (judging by when you joined guru) have over a years experience, i'm quite shocked.

hey, what if they never had an interest in it?

Fate Crusher · Aug 06, 2009, 12:25 PM // 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by refer

hey, what if they never had an interest in it?

I have never been interested in Paragons and have never made one nor played one in PvP. But i have seen what they can do, their popular builds and their general position in Guild Wars.

For someone who has played for over a year, surely he has noticed a ranger do whats rangers do. Dip into RA and you can understand what rangers can do in PvP. He's noticed that they can run trap builds, interupts or high damage builds, and so therefore why be further confused? they're exactly like any other profession where they don't just stick to one "purpose" (monks do not ALWAYS heal).
Simply being confused about a profession amazes me.

ИσιR · Aug 06, 2009, 12:34 PM // 12:34

The main purpose of the ranger is much like a mesmer, to disrupt. By applying conditions to pressure their opponents, and then complimented by interrupts such as savage shot and distracting shot, a ranger is almost always required in GvG matches. In PvE, their ability to disrupt spells and enemy actions may well save a party from certain defeat.

imnotyourmother · Aug 06, 2009, 12:49 PM // 12:49

Um just cause someone has played for years does not mean that they know all the classes. I have a derv and a paragon and an assassin that I nerver, never play so that make me???

Rangers are best when degen. My Guild Leader is a ranger and they degen and use the eye of the north skills pain inverter and sniper support and assassin support. Combine that with a great Monk Hero build and a Killer MM and your days of not doing Hard Mode are over.

So basically Ranger can get armor as high as a war but ranged so you can half way kill something before they are even in range! Or with Sniper support they are dead in one hit...I am stone I do not......fear me...

Tenebrae · Aug 06, 2009, 12:50 PM // 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by ИσιR

The main purpose of the ranger is much like a mesmer, to disrupt. By applying conditions to pressure their opponents, and then complimented by interrupts such as savage shot and distracting shot, a ranger is almost always required in GvG matches. In PvE, their ability to disrupt spells and enemy actions may well save a party from certain defeat.

Bingo , QFT . This game is about role changing and versatility and the Rangers are the most versatile players on GW imo. They can do a lot of things , maybe they are not the best at them but they can do SO MUCH more with 8 skills than almost any other class.

Quaker · Aug 06, 2009, 06:19 PM // 18:19

The main purpose of the Ranger is to do whatever floats your boat. It's your game - do it your way.

RotteN · Aug 06, 2009, 06:33 PM // 18:33

A ranger is a team's toolbox in PvP.

In PvE you can just c space and press skills, like any other class ...

Snow Bunny · Aug 06, 2009, 06:36 PM // 18:36

To spread poison

Arduin · Aug 06, 2009, 06:41 PM // 18:41

"Jack of all trades, master of none"

It's a sad thing, really.

poasiods · Aug 06, 2009, 07:07 PM // 19:07

Ranger's pretty much the only class I play nowadays, and they can be fairly versatile.

Like everyone said, as far as PvP goes, rangers are there for pressure and interruption. You are pretty much expected to spread poison and disrupt key enemy skills. You can mess with the other team's backline to disrupt their heals, the midline to relieve some pressure on your team's monks, or target their frontline to break down their spikes. You can also take a role in assisting your team's spikes by typically using (bow attack skill) -> (Savage Shot) combo with a vampiric bow.

In GvG, rangers often split off from the team to infiltrate the opponent's base in order to kill off some NPC's or slow down the enemy flag runner.

For PvE, there's several things you can do. As far as bow skills go, BHA + Epidemic combo is extremely useful for general mob or bosses. For AoE damage, using splinter barrage combo with a zealous bow can dish out very nice damage to clustered mobs. If you're bored, try spiking some guys.
You can also switch to a melee weapon (generally daggers, scythes, or hammers) to step onto the frontline. Rangers' blocking stances and high elemental armor make them quite sturdy. Expertise also allows Rangers to spam attack skills like there is no tomorrow.

Hope this helps.

Ugh · Aug 06, 2009, 07:26 PM // 19:26

That --^

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuilan

Do I really trap, disrupt, and use pets?

No, yes, no. Unless you really want to use pets/traps. You should play how you feel like playing, but it won't be too effective.

Quote:

My mesmer tanks, runs, hexes, screws with melee, nukes, interupts, and spams.

The mesmer and the ranger always seemed alike to me. Mainly because they require skill and are useful to shutdown/wear down opponents.

Quote:

I guess pet and trap will be where I'll focus

Traps, Pets, and Nature Rituals (so basically most of Wilderness Survival + Beast Mastery) are terribly underpowered and useless.
Traps: Slow, energy raping, long recharge having, easily interruptible skills that are useful in Zelite and mildly useful in some other farming builds. But, anywhere you can farm with traps can also be farmed with another class/build more quickly or with less people.
Pets: Pet AI is terrible so they stand around more than they attack. And, the large skill and attribute investment usually makes your pet act as your only weapon. Therefore, your weapon is either standing around or attacking the wrong target 50% of the time.
Nature Rituals: Some are useful (Famine, EoE, QZ, FS), most are not. And, their long activation, long recharge, low health/armor, and USELESS EFFECTS makes most of them them not worth the time.

Quote:

Rangers in my experience have the role of pulling creatures, since they have the longest range weapon, they also excel at spreading conditions around.

I believe the best way to classify a ranger in a group is scout, they usually run ahead and see what the rest of the group have to face. I believe that was the intent on how ANET wanted the ranger to be played, if that is how it is played by other players I really don't know.

but really no class in the game has a specific role, this is a big point that seperates GW from WoW, all classes can satisfy just about any role a team needs because of the dual class system

Any class with a longbow can pull, spreading conditions is useless in PvE (unless you're spreading daze or blind), and scouting is not a real role/tactic.

Quote:

My Guild Leader is a ranger and they degen and use the eye of the north skills pain inverter and sniper support and assassin support.

No one do this. 3 10e skills that aren't affected by expertise is a bad idea. Also, EVSS just kinda sucks.

Quote:

In PvE, their ability to disrupt spells and enemy actions may well save a party from certain defeat.

Either you're playing in NM, spamming interrupts, or you have the reflexes of a cougar and a golden connection. Interrupting is nearly as effective in HM.

Quote:

"Jack of all trades, master of none"

I agree with this, for the most part. However, they are masters of interrupting, condition spreading, and survival. BUT, interrupting is much less effective in HM, the enemy should be dead before your conditions have a chance to actually do much, and survival skills are only necessary if you have a bad monk. In all the useful roles in PvE (DPS, party support, etc.), they are inferior. Only widely accepted exceptions are BHA and splinter barrage. And that's why rangers need a buff.

Aug 05, 2009, 10:42 PM // 22:42	#1
Cuilan Forge Runner Join Date: Mar 2008 Profession: Me/	Ranger's real purpose? I know mesmers, dervish, and other professions. Just not ranger, but I've read that they're not really meant for damage (even if they can be made to). Do I really trap, disrupt, and use pets? Because...

Aug 05, 2009, 11:26 PM // 23:26	#3
Cuilan Forge Runner Join Date: Mar 2008 Profession: Me/	I have been playing for years. 98% of that time in PvE (hard mode whenever possible these days). I find myself spreading attribute points pretty thin in wanting the best skills of each (even when trying to focus). My mesmer tanks, runs, hexes, screws with melee, nukes, interupts, and spams. Rangers seem to not be my class, but that makes me want to master em.

Aug 05, 2009, 11:30 PM // 23:30	#4
Jetdoc Hell's Protector Join Date: Jul 2005 Guild: The Eyes of Texas [BEVO] Profession: D/A	Rangers are masters of interruption and condition spreading. Yes, they trap extremely effectively and also have innovative pet-related builds, but their true forte are the two items I mention above.

Aug 05, 2009, 11:32 PM // 23:32	#5
snaek Forge Runner Join Date: Mar 2006 Profession: N/	www.pvxwiki.com the role of a player is usually decided by his build, and not necessarily his class, i.e. classes will have numerous roles. so i'm linking you to pvx for you to take a look at some of the ranger builds on there and figure out the roles that they have. one of the classes main roles however, is interruption.

Aug 06, 2009, 12:01 AM // 00:01	#8
Dakka Dakka Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Feb 2009 Guild: Highly Innapropriate [HI] Profession: W/Mo	Rangers in my experience have the role of pulling creatures, since they have the longest range weapon, they also excel at spreading conditions around. I believe the best way to classify a ranger in a group is scout, they usually run ahead and see what the rest of the group have to face. I believe that was the intent on how ANET wanted the ranger to be played, if that is how it is played by other players I really don't know. but really no class in the game has a specific role, this is a big point that seperates GW from WoW, all classes can satisfy just about any role a team needs because of the dual class system

Aug 06, 2009, 12:41 AM // 00:41	#9
Mist :) Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Jun 2009 Guild: The Soundless Rebellion [TsR] Profession: R/	Rangers can maintain posion EASILY on 4-5 people. that's a lot of pressure. They are also very good at snaring. Rangers main purpose is to apply pressure and generally force monks into losing.

Aug 06, 2009, 12:34 PM // 12:34	#12
ИσιR Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jun 2009 Guild: [BoA] Profession: D/W	The main purpose of the ranger is much like a mesmer, to disrupt. By applying conditions to pressure their opponents, and then complimented by interrupts such as savage shot and distracting shot, a ranger is almost always required in GvG matches. In PvE, their ability to disrupt spells and enemy actions may well save a party from certain defeat.

Aug 06, 2009, 12:49 PM // 12:49	#13
imnotyourmother Desert Nomad Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: in a house Guild: The Knitters Guild Profession: W/R	Um just cause someone has played for years does not mean that they know all the classes. I have a derv and a paragon and an assassin that I nerver, never play so that make me??? Rangers are best when degen. My Guild Leader is a ranger and they degen and use the eye of the north skills pain inverter and sniper support and assassin support. Combine that with a great Monk Hero build and a Killer MM and your days of not doing Hard Mode are over. So basically Ranger can get armor as high as a war but ranged so you can half way kill something before they are even in range! Or with Sniper support they are dead in one hit...I am stone I do not......fear me...

Aug 06, 2009, 06:19 PM // 18:19	#15
Quaker Hell's Protector Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada Guild: Brothers Disgruntled	The main purpose of the Ranger is to do whatever floats your boat. It's your game - do it your way.

Aug 06, 2009, 06:33 PM // 18:33	#16
RotteN Forge Runner Join Date: Jun 2005 Profession: W/	A ranger is a team's toolbox in PvP. In PvE you can just c space and press skills, like any other class ...

Aug 06, 2009, 06:36 PM // 18:36	#17
Snow Bunny Alcoholic From Yale Join Date: Jul 2007 Guild: Strong Foreign Policy [sFp]	To spread poison

Aug 06, 2009, 06:41 PM // 18:41	#18
Arduin Grotto Attendant Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Netherlands Guild: Limburgse Jagers [LJ] Profession: R/	"Jack of all trades, master of none" It's a sad thing, really.

Aug 06, 2009, 07:07 PM // 19:07	#19
poasiods Krytan Explorer Join Date: Apr 2008 Profession: R/	Ranger's pretty much the only class I play nowadays, and they can be fairly versatile. Like everyone said, as far as PvP goes, rangers are there for pressure and interruption. You are pretty much expected to spread poison and disrupt key enemy skills. You can mess with the other team's backline to disrupt their heals, the midline to relieve some pressure on your team's monks, or target their frontline to break down their spikes. You can also take a role in assisting your team's spikes by typically using (bow attack skill) -> (Savage Shot) combo with a vampiric bow. In GvG, rangers often split off from the team to infiltrate the opponent's base in order to kill off some NPC's or slow down the enemy flag runner. For PvE, there's several things you can do. As far as bow skills go, BHA + Epidemic combo is extremely useful for general mob or bosses. For AoE damage, using splinter barrage combo with a zealous bow can dish out very nice damage to clustered mobs. If you're bored, try spiking some guys. You can also switch to a melee weapon (generally daggers, scythes, or hammers) to step onto the frontline. Rangers' blocking stances and high elemental armor make them quite sturdy. Expertise also allows Rangers to spam attack skills like there is no tomorrow. Hope this helps.