Naghaz
I've got a bunch of characters in their teens as I suffer from the most amazing sense of A.D.D. ever. One of the things I want to do is find a class to move forward with and play more often. Currently the Dread Knight has the most time spent on him but I also rolled up a Shaman last night and a Ranger. I have a feeling I'm going to stick with one of these two based on some of the things I've read, but I wanted to get some seasoned Ranger opinions.I like versatility, I like a bit of casting, and I like melee. These are the primary reasons both Ranger and Shaman stick out. I also enjoy the shaman/Ranger ethos; their affinity with nature etc. The key is as a player I have a rather significant barrier to Vanguard gaming; time. Because I cannot guarantee the amount of time I will be able to play when I log in, groups are only sometimes an option (noone wants to get a group together only to have a member drop out after 20 minutes); so whichever class I play it needs to be self sufficient and able to solo throughout its career.
So how does the Ranger play? Are you just kiting or is there a bit of mixing it up with melee etc. as well. How do you with a bit of time invested feel the Ranger is as a class and do you think it's a decent fit for my needs?
I'd also like opinions on racial choices. I rolled up a Vulmane Shaman and a Kurishasa (butchered spelling I suspect) Ranger.
Thank you in advance!
phisatmonster
The Ranger is a very versatile and enjoyable class. Right now we have a decent amount of utility between our Stalker’s Grace line of buffs (the buff increase dexterity, constitution and melee crit chance), speed buffs, thorns, dots, snares, roots and heals.I also noticed from your post that you seem concerned about solo ability for the class. The Ranger is an excellent solo class, as well as a great group class. In a group situation, we provide great sustained dps, and pretty good burst dps. As far as soloing goes, I typically open with ranged attacks and then melee it up for 2-dotters. 2-dotters 3-4 levels above tend to go down fast, anything higher, especially nukers, can give you trouble. For 3 dotters at even con or a few levels higher, I tend to kite, either the entire fight, or until the mob has very low health enough to take it down in a very quick burst.
Naghaz
Excellent! I re-rolled one over lunch today and went with Wood Elf because, well I think they look better
I'm excited to hop in-game tonight and get thru a few levels. Thanks again for the input.
Gutmonger
The problem you will face with a ranger is by about 26 you have it all. Nothing realy changes as you grow up aside from your dmg getting insanly high. The shaman however does mature as he ages. You get new tools that do change the play of the class a good deal.phisatmonster
Nope, Rangers get much better POST 30. After 30 is when we finally start getting our DOTs and Dusk Arrow, which is bread and better for kiting. The ranged attack adds a DOT to the mob and reduces its movement speed. Then there are the different chains that start to fill out, as well as learned abilities and better foraged items. Rangers post 30 are much different than pre-30.Blackmyst
When I played my ranger i wanted the class to be far more BOW oriented than mele.Was one of the reasons I left.Has that changed at all.(by bow oriented..I mean killing PRIMARILLY from range like a caster, as opposed to essentially pulling with the bow but mele killing).Agedcat
I am a Level 48 Ranger and I have never had more fun playing this class then here in Vanguard. I've been able to solo from the beginning and as I've recieved my new abilitys it just gets better. I have a fellow Ranger level 50 who we duo. We can for the most part handle 3 dot 50's and with the grace of the gods even wear down some 4 dots. Being able to forage is really a plus as we can replace our arrows which there are no better to be had. we also forage 4 items that give us plus's to our stats or a heal between combat. With sneak, hide and safe fall we are able to get most any where or get out of those places we need to exit. Safe fall has saved me so many times. Yes i vote for the Ranger as a fun and top of the line toon to develope.