Ranger Archive
Thread: Poll: State of the Profession
Page 3 of 3
Owen-Lars
Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:38 am
#27
Ok sorry for not posting right away Phen, i was busy this weekend (as all weekends realy). Heres my addition:
1) How long have you been a Ranger (this is not limited to masters)?
Since i mastered scout about a week and a bit in. I have had atleast novice ranger on one of my characters ever since.
2) Why did you choose to become a Ranger?
I thought they would be stealthy and silent killers able to lead a group off into the wilderness, vanish without a trace and be very desirable by groups. Obviously i was wrong andi was only going off profession descriptions so i went the way of the hunter. I still hope one day we willget there though.
3) What is the largest problem with Ranger in your opinon?
Complete lack of combat/group/profession role
4) What is the greatest asset to the Ranger profession?
Its forum community: Without it, there would be far less rangers than there is now and certainly no ideas as to its future direction and development.
5) Do you feel satisfied playing as a Ranger right now?
No, i feel like i only play for the community which is prety much correct. We specialise at nothing, we have no role and basically spend 140 skills points to sit around and chat which doesnt even require any skill points because its on the official forums.
6) Are there issues with Ranger that could lead to you leaving the profession? If so, what are they?
Yes, although i will never drop ranger on all my characters. If rangers come out of the Combat Upgrade being very poor at their current weak job which is hunting then i will leave and wait for our revamp to hit then have fun leveling up again. Im going to drop master when we get our revamp anyway, just so i can enjoy the leveling up but in the void between the combat upgrade and the ranger revamp i may just try something else on Thor (my main).
7) Do you think the Combat Upgrade will positively or negatively affect the Ranger profession? Why?
Negatively. I had my hopes up but it just looks like rangers are going to be in for rough times between the end of the combat upgrade and the start of the ranger revamp. 'The Void' (the time between the end of the CU and the end of the Ranger Revamp) will be our toughest times imo and i cant see many staying as in game rangers, i do however think that most will stay 'forum rangers' and activly post as if they were rangers during this period.
8) What are you biggest fears about the Combat Upgrade (as it relates to Rangers)?
The skill point investment of ranger and its benefits vs combat template plus scout and its benefits will reach all new heights with the combat orientated scout far more better at ranger tasks than rangers themselves (in other words a much more severe situation we have atm).
9) Do you plan on staying with Ranger after the Combat Upgrade?
Perhaps but probly not if nothing changes in the combat upgrade design. Ill still have a character as a ranger but my main will be trying other things, perhaps the life as an SL or Commando.
10) If Rangers are hurt by the Combat Upgrade, will you stay a Ranger?
See above.
11) What issues do you think could be addressed in the Combat Upgrade to help Ranger?
I cant see anything more than perhaps an increase in harvesting getting worked on in the combat upgrade. Its been made clear a few times by devs that ranger wont be integrated to a large degree so most of our issues (such as roles, lack of unique skills etc) wont get addressed.
12) What issues would you like to see addressed in a Ranger Revamp?
The role a ranger should have within the new combat system so we can look forward to something between the CU and the Ranger Revamp (RR). Also id like to see harvesting addressed.
13) Do you have any fears abou the Ranger Revamp?
That we will become the ultimate low to mid level creature hunters with no skills to actually attack the creature with. Also a camper class where all we do is shorten peoples downtimes between fights.
14) If the Ranger Revamp does not fix some of the problems with Rangers, will you remain a Ranger?
Again ill have to see the severity of the situation. If ranger still has no worthwhile role after the RR then i havnt done my job correcly, ill stand down and probly quit swg all together. Ranger deserves an important role within the game which integrates itself within lots of systems (combat, support, crafting, healing etc) due to the skill point investment. If we dont achieve this to a level i think we deserve then i have failed.
15) Do you have any other questions or concerns that this poll did not address?
Nope prety much sorted. I wouldnt mind holding talks about what revamp we would like to see as a collective mind if we had our way though. Like setting out what role we all want, what skills we all want (not having every skill imagined but the core skills) and deciding what direction we want to head in. Hopefully this will rub off on the devs.
Nice work Phen.
OOM
Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:10 am
#28
Phenix1050 wrote:
1) How long have you been a Ranger (this is not limited to masters)?
Since sometime in the Fall of 2003.
2) Why did you choose to become a Ranger?
Outdoorsy type I guess. It was something I really got into while playing Creature Handler.
3) What is the largest problem with Ranger in your opinon?
Lack of a defined role. The "super" scout role versus the number of skill points used.
4) What is the greatest asset to the Ranger profession?
Harvesting. It allows us to supply goods to other professions which allows for co-operations and friendships to form... and pays the bills.
5) Do you feel satisfied playing as a Ranger right now?
You bet. Although I would like to see more critters out in the wild.
6) Are there issues with Ranger that could lead to you leaving the profession? If so, what are they?
None that I can think of unless the CU renders us useless... but then I'll have the Ranger Revamp to cling to 
7) Do you think the Combat Upgrade will positively or negatively affect the Ranger profession? Why?
Positive because our traps and tactics will become more useful. I also hope that creature spawns will be further fixed thereby giving us something to combat in the wild.
8) What are you biggest fears about the Combat Upgrade (as it relates to Rangers)?
Our traps and tactics will be come less useful.
9) Do you plan on staying with Ranger after the Combat Upgrade?
Yes until my fears of #8 come to fruition.
10) If Rangers are hurt by the Combat Upgrade, will you stay a Ranger?
Yes until my fears of #8 come to fruition.
11) What issues do you think could be addressed in the Combat Upgrade to help Ranger?
Smarter creature AI = more tactics = more fun.
Trap effectivity
12) What issues would you like to see addressed in a Ranger Revamp?
Current Issues
- harvesting amount - ranger versus scout
- definition of a ranger role
New Stuff
Add everything in the outdoorsman proposal
13) Do you have any fears abou the Ranger Revamp?
My fear is that it will be underwhelming. We need more love than a simple harvesting bonus and cool looking camps.
14) If the Ranger Revamp does not fix some of the problems with Rangers, will you remain a Ranger?
Definitely as long as it doesn't break that good stuff we have working now.
15) Do you have any other questions or concerns that this poll did not address?
None that I can think of at the moment.
Cheers,
Aitwexoeth
Ranger_Nizzle
Tue Nov 16, 2004 3:32 pm
#29
1) I have been a ranger since July 2003.
2) I have played rangers in other MMOs and I enjoy the role-playing and exploring aspect normally attributed to the profession. Also, because the game manual said we would be able to place special structures that no one else could.
3) We have no definitive role in the game. This results from out underdeveloped skillset.
4) Area track.
5) Althoughvery fewof us can fully explain the phenomena surrounding our satisfaction, yes, I am very happy.
6) They can nerf us til the cows come home, and I will never drop my title.
7) I am not entirely sure. I do not know enough about the postulates of the CU to determine this. However, Calcdid say our skills would be more important, so I'll trust him on that.
8) That we will still not be able to compete with double-elite defense stackers in terms of harvesting.
9) Without a doubt.
10) Yes.
11) Same as above, allow us to either compete with or surpass these D.E.D.S. in terms of harvesting and efficiency.
12) To make us the ultimate outdoorsman, hunter, andPvE support class. I won't get specific but:
a.more traps, more effective traps
b. make camps more useful
c. make us creature centric (that'sa big can of worms right there)
d. enhance and de-bug area track
e. enhance terrain negotiation
f. fix any other bugs weare experiencing
13) Thatwe will be lead on to believe out revamp will be all-encompassing, but have it end up being unfulfilling or justified as compared to the amount of time we've waited.
14)Until I stop playing.
15) Nice poll Phen.
frightwig
Tue Nov 16, 2004 4:06 pm
#30
1) How long have you been a Ranger (this is not limited to masters)?
April '042) Why did you choose to become a Ranger?
The description sounded interesting. I had ideas that the profession would resemble a US or British Army ranger, rather than Aragorn or a D&D ranger. The former appealed to me.3) What is the largest problem with Ranger in your opinon?
Our most useful skill is to harvest creatures, yet we can be outharvested by someone with scout Harvest II who used the SP they saved by not taking up ranger to become more efficient in combat skills.4) What is the greatest asset to the Ranger profession?
The community, the use of the RIN chat channel, and my great guild of Rangers.5) Do you feel satisfied playing as a Ranger right now?
Yes6) Are there issues with Ranger that could lead to you leaving the profession? If so, what are they?
None that I could imagine...7) Do you think the Combat Upgrade will positively or negatively affect the Ranger profession? Why?
I have no idea.8) What are you biggest fears about the Combat Upgrade (as it relates to Rangers)?
None, I'll adapt.. To me, "Fear" is going to work and realizing that I'm still in my underwear... and it's not a bad dream. I would fear that.9) Do you plan on staying with Ranger after the Combat Upgrade?
Yes10) If Rangers are hurt by the Combat Upgrade, will you stay a Ranger?
I don't see Rangers being hurt, but rather combat being changed.. If we're indirectly affected, I'll adapt somehow.11) What issues do you think could be addressed in the Combat Upgrade to help Ranger?
Trapping.. it's combat, but apparently will not be changed in the CU.12) What issues would you like to see addressed in a Ranger Revamp?
To have Owen-Lars Ranger: Recon Unit concept implemented.13) Do you have any fears abou the Ranger Revamp?
There's a ranger revamp? 14) If the Ranger Revamp does not fix some of the problems with Rangers, will you remain a Ranger?
I haven't left yet.15) Do you have any other questions or concerns that this poll did not address?
Will the GRM ever be held on Kauri!? 
Message Edited by frightwig on 11-16-2004 06:10 PM
Toguro
Tue Nov 16, 2004 4:42 pm
#31
hey great idea. ill contribute my thoughts.
1) How long have you been a Ranger (this is not limited to masters)? since August 03 (14 months)
2) Why did you choose to become a Ranger? i loved hunting and decided to go for the ultimate hunters profession
3) What is the largest problem with Ranger in your opinon? well, ranger is supposed to be a master of the inviroment. i dont think it lives up to this description because of the lack of usefulness of camps, traps, foraging, tracking, although useful as it is,could be a lot better. also we get mediocre harvesting abilities not much better than master scout.
4) What is the greatest asset to the Ranger profession? tracking. although harvesting is the real money maker when there is a good spawn of creature harvested recorces, the ability to harvest is not much better than master scout. tracking is deffinatley the most useful, although it can be buggy.
5) Do you feel satisfied playing as a Ranger right now? yes, even though the profession could be so much better.
6) Are there issues with Ranger that could lead to you leaving the profession? If so, what are they? not really,even ifranger was nerfed more from its alredy only-partly-useful stage. i like the aspect of being a master of hunting, even if it dosent live up to that i can pretend it dose.
7) Do you think the Combat Upgrade will positively or negatively affect the Ranger profession? Why? i hope positively. we should get some revamping along with the other neglected professions like squad leader.
8) What are you biggest fears about the Combat Upgrade (as it relates to Rangers)? i just hope they make it better and not nerf it more!
9) Do you plan on staying with Ranger after the Combat Upgrade? yes, at this point i dont think anything could make me leave ranger.
10) If Rangers are hurt by the Combat Upgrade, will you stay a Ranger? yes
11) What issues do you think could be addressed in the Combat Upgrade to help Ranger? camps could be made useful, traps, foraging... basicly stuff from the outdoorsman proposal which is agreat guide to what ranger should be.
12) What issues would you like to see addressed in a Ranger Revamp? what i said above. it would be great if they would do a overhaul and give me more for my skillpoints invested.
13) Do you have any fears abou the Ranger Revamp? no, i guess they can only make it better.... but dont quote me on that! lol
14) If the Ranger Revamp does not fix some of the problems with Rangers, will you remain a Ranger? yes, im hoping for the best though
15) Do you have any other questions or concerns that this poll did not address? nope all coverd for me
Veustuh
Wed Nov 17, 2004 1:47 am
#32
1) How long have you been a Ranger (this is not limited to masters)?
Picked up Novice Ranger at the beginning of last November with the intention of just picking up Tracking 4 and Wayfaring 4 for camo kits and player track and ended up mastering by mid January. I dropped all of Ranger and Scout in order to template to compete in PvP in late April and have recently started the re-grind to master.
Picked up Novice Ranger at the beginning of last November with the intention of just picking up Tracking 4 and Wayfaring 4 for camo kits and player track and ended up mastering by mid January. I dropped all of Ranger and Scout in order to template to compete in PvP in late April and have recently started the re-grind to master.
2) Why did you choose to become a Ranger?
One of the most impressive moments of my time spent in SW:G and one of if not the biggest reason why I went Ranger was from an event that happened during September of last year. While out on patrol of Rori with our newly formed guild (an all ST guild) weended up running into a minefield to which nobody knew if they were working at the time or not. Well unlucky for me who happened to not have paid attention, we found out that minefields were active and would do considerable damage (one hit incap and DB) for the time. After cloning at Rori's Rebel Outpost (and yes we were looking for players running missions
) I was asked by my group leader to keep watch of the area and report any rebel traffic. After about 20 minutes of scouting out the outpost my group leader asked that I return to the group so we could proceed on and continue our patrol route. He made a side mention to me that I should make sure that I don't come straight to them and try to throw off any who would follow me while leaving the outpost.
One of the most impressive moments of my time spent in SW:G and one of if not the biggest reason why I went Ranger was from an event that happened during September of last year. While out on patrol of Rori with our newly formed guild (an all ST guild) weended up running into a minefield to which nobody knew if they were working at the time or not. Well unlucky for me who happened to not have paid attention, we found out that minefields were active and would do considerable damage (one hit incap and DB) for the time. After cloning at Rori's Rebel Outpost (and yes we were looking for players running missions
) I was asked by my group leader to keep watch of the area and report any rebel traffic. After about 20 minutes of scouting out the outpost my group leader asked that I return to the group so we could proceed on and continue our patrol route. He made a side mention to me that I should make sure that I don't come straight to them and try to throw off any who would follow me while leaving the outpost.While leaving the outpost, I started wondering aimlessly around and eventually losing those who did follow my trail by ducking in and out of various houses along with timed burst runs to keep them from stumbling upon me. During this time I started to think why my group leader ask that I arc around and keep out of range and insure that nobody follows. Eventually I made it to the camp that my group was waiting at and right before we went to pull out one of our reported that we had incoming enemies to which shortly after the warning we were jumped though able to thwart their attack. After the fighting was over my group leader informed me that I had lead them to the group which I disagreed with that I know I didn't have anybody follow which he later explained that one of the attackers happened to be a ranger with player track. From that point on I knew ultimately I'd pickup ranger.
3) What is the largest problem with Ranger in your opinon?
There are so many things wrong with Ranger it's kind of hard to say which has more precedence than another. To me and one of the leading reasons why I dropped all of Ranger along with scout was the fact that at Master Ranger we spend 140 skill points to be labeled as an over glorified scout. We pull only 20% more resources than a Master Scout, 25 - 30% more than a player with Hunting 4 and 40% more than a person with Novice Scout. Add in Vegash and a 110% harvest droid and Novice Scouts pull at Novice Ranger level. All players top out on terrain negotiation at 50 which we hit that at Exploration 3, Master Rangers and new players with no skills walk/jog at the exact same rate on flat ground (Master Rangers are experts in terrain and should get bonuses for stride/walk/jog) with a degrading part being that Novice Squad Leaders move faster walk/jog/run than Master Rangers.
Our camps are nice though thanks to the Entertainer adjustments we can no longer heal battle fatigue in our camps and this includes at master. It's great that we can heal wounds automatically, high tech field camps act as medical centers for heal/buff rates but there is no purpose for an entertainer other than buffs. You can get the exact same buffs from Novice Scout camps that you can from a Master Ranger camp so there is absolutely no benefit other than size and look. Traps in all of Ranger are worthless compared to those found in Scout and for the most part there is little need for traps in game. The same issue surfaces with conceal kits as they have a higher chance to break than mask scent does with faction friendlies able to break your camo kit instantly. One of the highlights of Ranger was wearing a conceal kit for a planet only to have an AT-ST break the kit at 40+/- meters and that would happen even if I were declared (Imperial by the way.. have been and always will be) yet I could stand right next to them with mask scent on and they wouldn't break it.
4) What is the greatest asset to the Ranger profession?
The greatest asset to Ranger at the moment is either being able to say that we're stepchildren of SW:G like Smuggler or that Ranger is the rarest profession in game with Masters more scarce than Master ID. Honestly though, I feel the greatest asset to ranger is the Tracking line and especially so when it worked. The to-hit bonuses we get for creatures needs to be improved and especially so at master but tracking is by far the best option from Ranger.
The greatest asset to Ranger at the moment is either being able to say that we're stepchildren of SW:G like Smuggler or that Ranger is the rarest profession in game with Masters more scarce than Master ID.
Honestly though, I feel the greatest asset to ranger is the Tracking line and especially so when it worked. The to-hit bonuses we get for creatures needs to be improved and especially so at master but tracking is by far the best option from Ranger.5) Do you feel satisfied playing as a Ranger right now?
Ranger has probably been the mostfun classes I've used and one that I've enjoyed the most aside from my current combat class (Master Rifleman since November '03). The mastering the profession was a great feeling and to this day I still don the tag (bugged thanks to high quality programming) and will become a full fledge MR soon. I will say that I'm totally dissastified with most of Ranger, or maybe I should say I'm upset with the current mechanics of Ranger.
Months ago and before I dropped Ranger along with scout I used to barter organic resources for goods. Many times I'd work out deals with chefs for discounted or free items in return for high end meat and large stacks of them. Clothing was free and BE'd stuff was minimal charge since I was able to provide the organics that nobody wanted to resource. My last order was to pull 50k of Naboo wooly hide, at the time it was the highest stat wooly ever found on my server, for a full set of high end composite armor, two full suits of ubese, and a crate of Imp PSGs.
During this week that the spawn was out the creature of choice was the Peko Peko as they dropped around 38 units of hide per kill ranging up to 256 if you killed the albatross. Granted the amount was low per kill I decided to run two other accounts at the same time in order to be as efficient as possible for collection of this hide. My main was a Master Ranger at the time with one of my alts who is a MBE and a friends MBH (at the time BH's needed Master Scout). While harvesting the hide I noticed that my Ranger pulled 38 units of hide per Peko, the MBH pulled 36 units per kill with the MBE pulling 34 units per kill. Needless to say I was stunned at the difference this made as my Ranger had spent 232 skill points (Master Ranger + Master Combat Elite) only to harvest 2 units more per kill than a Master BH who invests 217 skill points to become uber ass kicker (or at least in BH's own mind). Worse yet was my MBE was pulling only 4 units less than my Master Ranger.
Disturbed over this finding I tried with various creatures ranging from fumbas to nunas to rancors while on Dathomir and found that Rangers are only pulling a fraction above what MSs and Hunter 4s were pulling. I also had a friend try who was just a Novice Scout and found that in most cases the Ranger would pull near double what the Novice scout would but the difference scaled vastly after the player picked up the first 3 boxes under hunting. The other factor that lead to my burn out was the illogical sense used behind the harvesting of resources. I could kill a 10 ton beast who's massive in size and only pull 12 units of hide where I could kill a 10 pound wingless bird and pull 30 units of the same hide.
6) Are there issues with Ranger that could lead to you leaving the profession? If so, what are they?
As stated above I left Ranger for lack of PvP support (not having stacked defenses and wearing the MR tag meant you were the first to die in any engagement) and the lack of common sense programming when it came down to resourcing. I can stand the bugs with tracking, the weakness of camo kits and even the fact that traps found under Ranger are worse than those found in Scout but it was the pure lack of scaling of harvesting. A Master Ranger should be highly proficient at pulling all useable resources from a kill as they are experts of the outdoors. Master Rangers are those who've spent most of their time alone, facing the wilderness yet able to come back with their goods and offer services to those looking to set foot out into the unknown wild.
As stated above I left Ranger for lack of PvP support (not having stacked defenses and wearing the MR tag meant you were the first to die in any engagement) and the lack of common sense programming when it came down to resourcing. I can stand the bugs with tracking, the weakness of camo kits and even the fact that traps found under Ranger are worse than those found in Scout but it was the pure lack of scaling of harvesting. A Master Ranger should be highly proficient at pulling all useable resources from a kill as they are experts of the outdoors. Master Rangers are those who've spent most of their time alone, facing the wilderness yet able to come back with their goods and offer services to those looking to set foot out into the unknown wild.
7) Do you think the Combat Upgrade will positively or negatively affect the Ranger profession? Why?
This would be interesting as those who have Tracking 4 are given some decent modifiers towards to-hit for creature though overall with the weakness of conceal kits, worthlessness of traps and especially those found in Ranger along with the fact high tech field bases don't do anything for us but look cool, I highly doubt we'll see any major change. I feel that our biggest fix will come after the Combat Upgrade (balance) and might make us a bit more able to fit both non-GCW and GCW roles better.
I will agree that with the implementation of the Combat Upgrade (balance) we'll definitely see better odds between combatants who choose to be MR and Master Combat Elite where currently if you're not templating and using high end DoT weapons you're better suited for the sidelines.
8) What are you biggest fears about the Combat Upgrade (as it relates to Rangers)?
The biggest fear would be that with the changes in combat that it'll be much harder to resource organics from creatures as either it will take much more time to do so, require you to pay assistants to help, or worse yetcut our ability to perform better than the average player against creatures in PvE.
9) Do you plan on staying with Ranger after the Combat Upgrade?
With combat being borked for so long one thing I always said was that when the Combat Upgrade (balance) is implemented I'd regrind out to Master Ranger for hopefully after the changes I can have both classes and not hurt myself in both the PvE and PvP arena.
10) If Rangers are hurt by the Combat Upgrade, will you stay a Ranger?
This will most likely depend on how much combat is affected by the changes and more importantly if Ranger will continue to be a step child profession of Galaxies. Just like Smuggler, we've been promised so much yet ignored on every opportunity yet other professions which seem meaningless (entertainer and ID) get more attention sooner and continued work done. The overall feeling is that we're an important part of this game as we're suppose to be the rulers of outdoor action; we're the ones who provide mass amounts of resources to others along with the ability to be beneficial to a group though every tweak for Scout has done nothing more than make Ranger that less appealing. Examples are adding in better mask scent, terrain negotiation, ability to harvest as much if not more than a master ranger using BE food and harvest droids along with taking away the full potential to camps in the wild (removing the battle fatigue healing).
11) What issues do you think could be addressed in the Combat Upgrade to help Ranger?
Some of the biggest things that could be done to help Rangers would be to adjust the to-hit damage bonuses Rangers get (add higher numbers for better success) along with the adjusting of natural walking/jogging (Rangers should move at a faster pace) along with the reduction in terrain negotiation for players who only have Exploration 4 and the reduction in success at Mask Scent for those who don't have Novice Ranger. Another thing that would be nice to see is the ability for Rangers (mid to master level) to have the ability to single pull creatures as to not overwhelm themselves and those they hunt with. Theoretically a Ranger would not only know critical points on creatures for quicker kills and/or disabling but would also be more likely to attract the attention of just one or a couple of creatures instead of a whole lair.
Granted most of these suggestions are class specific and would tone down Scout on some extent (traps, camps and harvesting would need to be addressed as well but this can be done during the Ranger Revamp) but all would be useful and directly affect combat. Movement, negotiation, mask scent and to-hit modifiers would fall under items that need to be adjusted or would be best adjusted in the Combat Upgrade (balance) as the upgrade is not only to affect PvP but PvE as well. This means that creatures will become much more deadlier, difficult and overall require a certain class to benefit from a set of skills to help take them down faster.
12) What issues would you like to see addressed in a Ranger Revamp?
Mmmm... so many options, do we have enough time and or space to list them?
Something that attracted me to the Ranger profession was the thought of becoming something along the lines of the great outdoorsman. Somebody who can stay out in the wild for months on end, depend upon his skills and abilities to survive only to venture into civilization to resupply and/or trade their goods. When grouped we should be able to provide as much attention to players as possible along with maybe being able to apply tricks learned from past ventures.
Things that I'd love to see in a Ranger Revamp would be:
- The ability to harvest creatures based upon level and size. Nuna's shouldn't drop 20 units of hide if a fumba only drops 3 units. The creature size doesn't match the resource reward for the harvest.
- The ability to harvest more than one resource at a time with Master Rangers able to harvest all 3 resources from any creature. This is done as a Ranger would be more skilled at pulling meat and hide from creatures than say a Novice Scout. Masters would be the most efficient at it as they've spent the time learning different techniques, besides any good Ranger wouldn't want to waste good resources or leave wonton waste.
- The ability for rangers to have far better terrain negotiation and efficiency with walking, jogging and running. Rangers are known for the speed and agility along with the ability to be rather light on their feet as well as able to negotiate the near impassable. Granted an adjustment like this could mean that we'd be faster in fights than we are now however this should be a bonus for our class. This could be something added at master as a reward for the work done to achieve this position.
- All Ranger camps should do some form of automatic healing with either the one at the 4th level box having the same bonuses as a player city cantina or placed at Master. High tech field bases and/or master camps should have terminals available in them for players to pull missions from for group hunts and/or resourcing needs. Also, when a ranger places a high level camp these should last for more than a few minutes unattended with the ones at master lasting for up to 2 hours unattended. Also, the higher the camp the less likely creatures will be to wonder inside the area with master camps repelling creatures and even possibly NPCs. Something else that would be needed would be the ability for camps to exist after the owner of the camp gets into combat. Currently if the owner of the camp gets into combat they lose their camp and have to wait out the time before they can place another.
- Conceal kits should work at 100% if the user is a Master Ranger with experimentation performed on the crafted kit allowing for the conceal to work with higher levels. If a Master Ranger uses the highest level resources to make a conceal kit they should be able to stand next to level 70+ creatures without being detected. Part of being a ranger is being able to seamlessly fit into the surround area without being noticed by the natural wildlife.
Another option would be to allow Rangers to loot items such as bladders or glands to be used for the crafting of kits to help with either the concealment and/or with drawing certain creatures out.A good example would be a Ranger makes up a conceal kit for Dantooine,he/she wanting to find the elusive Graul Mauler though nobody has seen one in weeks,as the Ranger is assemblingtheir kit they add in the gland of a Graul baby (or different type of graul) then equip the kit. As the Ranger is walking around to the last known locations of the mauler they hear a rumble off in the distance. After investigating the noise they find that a mauler has just appeared from its lair. - Rangers need more effective traps as the ones currently offered are less affective than those found in Scout. Many times the ones that are preferred are the traps used in Scout as they do things such as slow down creatures to completely stopping them in their tracks. Another thing that would be nice to see is traps working against player creatures during PvP fights as these creatures are still creatures but just controlled by players. They would be prone to the same traps under control as they are in the wild.
- Another item I'd like to see addressed is fishing for Rangers. One of the biggest things that come to mind when people think of Rangers and outdoors is fishing.Ranges don't get any bonus for fishing nor dothey even get to craft our own rods. It would make sense for at least Scouts to be able to craft fishing pools for others to use and remove that schematic from Artisans. Granted Artisans would know how to make functional equipment, Scouts and Rangers would know how to make efficient and effective tools for use during ventures outdoors. Also on the subject of fishing would it be possible to get bait to stack? Considering that there aren't any stats on bait when foraged would it be possible for us to create say 100 or even 20 use containers of worm bait or insect bait for less inventory waste and possibly as a way to generate revenue?
- One of the biggest misconceptions people have and I was asked (and still asked) is if Rangers can make things spawn. Well nothey can't but it would be nice if there was a way we could spawn rare items or even unusual creature nests through the use of Ranger camp terminals and/or conceal kits laced with scent attraction as suggested above.
- Another thing that would be interesting to see used and would help build up yet another profit making item for Rangers along with bring us a bit of popularity to others outside chefs and doctors would be to allow Rangers to make components for NPC and possibly player traps. The final assembly would be done either by a Bounty Hunter or even a Master Bounty hunter depending on what type of trap they're building. Say for an NPC trap it would be crafted by a BH and used by any player against NPCs but a player trap could only be assembled by a Master BH and possibly used only against player Jedi. Really it wouldn't hurt if we had a little interdependency between classes and something like this would add in an interesting mix.
- Another thing I'd like to see is maybe the ability for Rangers to have up to 5 pets and maybe max level of pet be like 13 or up to 18. We wouldn't be able to train nor tame them but would be able to use them for hunting purposes. Given that without Novice Creature Handler I'm only allowed two creature pets in my data pad and currently both are taken up (BE Dewback for Tatooine ST armor effect along with a BE bantha for Tusken parties) it would be nice to have an extra slot for a hunting companion. This has been suggested before that as a Ranger we'd like to be able to have something like a huurton or wrix or something that we could use not only as travel mate but as a tank as well. Just like Grizzly Adams had his bear it would be nice to have a dog at my side without having to lay down the bantha or dewback.
13) Do you have any fears abou the Ranger Revamp?
I fear that we won't be revamped and leftto welter out in the cold. I'd hope that we do get attention from the developers just as I hope the same for Smugglers, Creature Handlers, and Squad Leaders do as well for we've all been ignored in the last 16 months. Other than that unless they remove tracking of players from Ranger I see nothing but good things coming from a Ranger Revamp.
I fear that we won't be revamped and leftto welter out in the cold. I'd hope that we do get attention from the developers just as I hope the same for Smugglers, Creature Handlers, and Squad Leaders do as well for we've all been ignored in the last 16 months. Other than that unless they remove tracking of players from Ranger I see nothing but good things coming from a Ranger Revamp.
14) If the Ranger Revamp does not fix some of the problems with Rangers, will you remain a Ranger?
I'd have to say that it would depend on what's changed and added along with how the Combat Upgrade (balance) go. If we end up losing more benefits than gaining I'd be hard pressed in keeping Ranger just because I like many others don't want to play a gimped class. There's so much that can be done to help out Ranger and bring us up to what we should be without causing any problems. I highly doubt that a Master Scout will cry out because we're pulling more resources then they are nor did I ever feel that BH's would put up the same cries when they had to master scout as well. I've never understood why it seemed that Rangers were chocked down to begin with as we're predominately PvE only players with a few PvP abilities currently (area track for players). Overall I'd have to say that it's too early to tell whether or not I'll dislike Ranger again enough to drop it for good and not look back.
15) Do you have any other questions or concerns that this poll did not address?
I do have one concern and it's something that I discussed with several guild mates last night and that's about how FS skills would play into the overall use of skill points and classes. Currently only one class combo requires so many skill points without a direct benefit that if they're not master of another profession will not be able to excel at their supporting class. As it stands now the most expensive non-FS/Jedi class to be is Ranger as we not only need Master Scout to obtain Ranger but we also need a combat class to be successful at resourcing with the Ranger class. Granted we can choose to master CH though this still leaves us gimped if we're attacked by things our pets cannot or do not lock up meaning that we must relay on combat skills in order to survive.
To master Ranger along with an elite combat profession such as Master Rifleman requires the use of 237 skill points meaning that we only have 18 skill points left over to invest in other areas. Range players can pickup the support line of Marksman for warning shot (used against creatures) though this leaves no skill points for picking up Novice Medic. Anybody who's been a Scout and/or Ranger along with a combat elite knows that you need at least novice medic in order to survive attacks. If we invest the remaining 18 points into Medic skills we have no skills left over to invest into the FS system. What happens is we have a few choice to which it would come down to mastering CH, dropping master elite combat profession boxes, dropping part of Ranger, dropping all of Medic or not participating in the FS quest system.
We've seen in the past that the developers have helped out the Bounty Hunters with their skill point problems by dropping the required master scout problem (though has led to the over abundance of BH 3/0/0/0, master elite melee profession for hunting Jedi) but this now means they cannot scream about the infamous 217. In days past I'd argue with the BH's when they proclaim they should be "billy bad ass" since they invest 217 skill points for their class; however, they fail to realize that Master Rangers + Master Combat Elite spend 232 points meaning we have far less extra XP left to invest.
Now I'm not asking that the developers allow a person to pick 3 lines of Scout in order to start on Novice Ranger as all boxes found in Scout directly relate to skills found in Ranger and build upon them. With the Combat Upgrade (balance) it will be of high importance for players to master their profession if they wish to do as best they can with the profession as all skills, abilities and weapon usage will draw from their skill level. Medic is a necessity when it comes to PvE along with PvP so that too isn't an option to drop which bring back the problem of having only 3 skill points to invest into FS abilities. What would be ideal and helpful to all would be the dropping of skill point costs towards FS boxes for these boxes will be more useful after the upgrade. Jedi currently don't need these boxes as they don't pull abilities from them nor stack with current skills they pickup. One side affect of freeing up of the skill points used for FS would mean that Jedi could possibly dabble more in Jedi skills building killer templates with the extra points they'll receive from this adjustment. It's like being in between a rock and a hard spot as there is no easy solution to this problem though if the developers don't free up the skill points from the FS quests we'll see many Rangers who can't pickup or participate in these quests since they have no skill points to invest.
Message Edited by Veustuh on 11-16-2004 02:49 PM
Piroa
Wed Nov 17, 2004 9:27 am
#33
Is it just me, or are Owen's answers depressing? I had hoped for more positive answers from the new Corr; now I'm hoping he just hasn't been given all the CU info. If he has, we may all be in trouble. 
Owen-Lars
Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:53 pm
#34
Sorry for sounding so negative, im not trying to ruin your hopes or anything, i just dont wait to pull the wool over your eyes so you expect bliss when infact things COULD be different.
Ive said a few times as have every other CU member that things dont look good. We arnt getting any love andwill realy need some, thats where the negatives are. I know a couple of the testers and posters who are much more upset about it than me. Obviously we are there to make sure we get a fair deal out of it and we will do everything we can,however we are in the tough situation.We invest in a profession that revolves around combat, no doubt about it, we are designed to be around and in combat, however we are not recognised as a combat profession.
With the skill point investment you would think that we would be more than just an enhancer profession, but this im sure we will all highlight when our revamp comes around. Im mean we have brought this up in the CU forums, but with no avail.
I can understand why the devs are putting down a firm line around what professions get in and those that dont but i think some professions have to be looked at very closely (this is where ranger lies). We cant spend alot of points on combat skills, but our templates are designed to be in combat. Not much work can be done on us during the combat upgrade so we have to wait til our revamp.
Im sure we are all still hoping for some changes and ajustments in the CU, i see them coming aswel once we get on the alpha server and start playing, but its not until then we can make up our minds how ranger will be. I know it sounds negative but we just have to sit tight and wait to put our case forward once the servers are up, we know very little as it is.
plastictree
Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:04 pm
#35
1) How long have you been a Ranger (this is not limited to masters)?
A week tomorrow. ;-)
2) Why did you choose to become a Ranger? - The most fun I've had playing SWG is hunting
with my friends. So much so I decided to make a guild based on Rangers/CH/Hunting.
3) What is the largest problem with Ranger in your opinon? - Wasted Skills Points- namely
the traps and such.
4) What is the greatest asset to the Ranger profession? Tracking (im still new).
5) Do you feel satisfied playing as a Ranger right now? Since I just started (0-1-3-1)
I'm happy thus far.
6) Are there issues with Ranger that could lead to you leaving the profession? If so, what are they? None yet.
7) Do you think the Combat Upgrade will positively or negatively affect the Ranger profession? Why? No clue.
8) What are you biggest fears about the Combat Upgrade (as it relates to Rangers)?
We get left behind again.
9) Do you plan on staying with Ranger after the Combat Upgrade? Yes.
10) If Rangers are hurt by the Combat Upgrade, will you stay a Ranger? Yes. To me it's not about being an Elite/Uber toon..it's about having fun and exploring these worlds..while
kickin ass.
11) What issues do you think could be addressed in the Combat Upgrade to help Ranger?
Specialized Bonus vs. Creatures...I'd like to see CH and Ranger Combined.
12) What issues would you like to see addressed in a Ranger Revamp? See # 11..we are living and breathing animals-- why not give Rangers some abilities CH have. And vice versa with CH- give CH some of our skills.
13) Do you have any fears abou the Ranger Revamp? No.
14) If the Ranger Revamp does not fix some of the problems with Rangers, will you remain a Ranger? Didn't you ask this question earlier?
15) Do you have any other questions or concerns that this poll did not address? - The first 2 Trees from the left seem..kinds..useless..maybe introduce BONUS or SKILLS for
Harvesting.
A week tomorrow. ;-)
2) Why did you choose to become a Ranger? - The most fun I've had playing SWG is hunting
with my friends. So much so I decided to make a guild based on Rangers/CH/Hunting.
3) What is the largest problem with Ranger in your opinon? - Wasted Skills Points- namely
the traps and such.
4) What is the greatest asset to the Ranger profession? Tracking (im still new).
5) Do you feel satisfied playing as a Ranger right now? Since I just started (0-1-3-1)
I'm happy thus far.
6) Are there issues with Ranger that could lead to you leaving the profession? If so, what are they? None yet.
7) Do you think the Combat Upgrade will positively or negatively affect the Ranger profession? Why? No clue.
8) What are you biggest fears about the Combat Upgrade (as it relates to Rangers)?
We get left behind again.
9) Do you plan on staying with Ranger after the Combat Upgrade? Yes.
10) If Rangers are hurt by the Combat Upgrade, will you stay a Ranger? Yes. To me it's not about being an Elite/Uber toon..it's about having fun and exploring these worlds..while
kickin ass.
11) What issues do you think could be addressed in the Combat Upgrade to help Ranger?
Specialized Bonus vs. Creatures...I'd like to see CH and Ranger Combined.
12) What issues would you like to see addressed in a Ranger Revamp? See # 11..we are living and breathing animals-- why not give Rangers some abilities CH have. And vice versa with CH- give CH some of our skills.
13) Do you have any fears abou the Ranger Revamp? No.
14) If the Ranger Revamp does not fix some of the problems with Rangers, will you remain a Ranger? Didn't you ask this question earlier?
15) Do you have any other questions or concerns that this poll did not address? - The first 2 Trees from the left seem..kinds..useless..maybe introduce BONUS or SKILLS for
Harvesting.
IncubusJedi
Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:24 pm
#36
1) How long have you been a Ranger (this is not limited to masters)? Since SWG launch.
2) Why did you choose to become a Ranger? Loved the mystique, camping plans, and /areatrack from beta.
3) What is the largest problem with Ranger in your opinon? Camps are not personal and you can not manipulate alot of there facilities. Areatrack is buggy and could use some modification, as well as the ability to improve distance past master. Traps/Camo kits still need a little work.
4) What is the greatest asset to the Ranger profession? /areatrack
5) Do you feel satisfied playing as a Ranger right now? Not really, but sticking with it. We'll have our day.
6) Are there issues with Ranger that could lead to you leaving the profession? If so, what are they? Camp's in the long-run, if they're not improved.
7) Do you think the Combat Upgrade will positively or negatively affect the Ranger profession? Why? Not sure
8) What are you biggest fears about the Combat Upgrade (as it relates to Rangers)?Not
9) Do you plan on staying with Ranger after the Combat Upgrade?
10) If Rangers are hurt by the Combat Upgrade, will you stay a Ranger?
11) What issues do you think could be addressed in the Combat Upgrade to help Ranger?
12) What issues would you like to see addressed in a Ranger Revamp?
13) Do you have any fears abou the Ranger Revamp?
14) If the Ranger Revamp does not fix some of the problems with Rangers, will you remain a Ranger?
15) Do you have any other questions or concerns that this poll did not address?
Seadreamer
Thu Nov 18, 2004 12:37 pm
#37
1) How long have you been a Ranger (this is not limited to masters)? ****About six months now and still loving it***
2) Why did you choose to become a Ranger? ****I didnt make a conscious decision to go Ranger I just seemed to naturally gravitate towards it. It just made sense****
3) What is the largest problem with Ranger in your opinon? ****The skill sets are under-developed****
4) What is the greatest asset to the Ranger profession? ***The community. Rangers seem to be genuinely nice people both in and out of game****
5) Do you feel satisfied playing as a Ranger right now? ****Yes and No, a bit of Dev love would be more than welcome****
6) Are there issues with Ranger that could lead to you leaving the profession? If so, what are they?****Apart frompeople wearing THAT garment, no.****
7) Do you think the Combat Upgrade will positively or negatively affect the Ranger profession? Why? ****I know very little about the Combat upgrade but I'm happy to just wait and see***
8) What are you biggest fears about the Combat Upgrade (as it relates to Rangers)? ****see above***
9) Do you plan on staying with Ranger after the Combat Upgrade? ****Of cause, Rangers are not quitters***
10) If Rangers are hurt by the Combat Upgrade, will you stay a Ranger? ****Of cause, Rangers are not quitters***
11) What issues do you think could be addressed in the Combat Upgrade to help Ranger? ****Anything that would adjust the current reliance on buffs would in turn mean longer trips in the wilderness but I know very little about the Upgrade to say if this is planned****
12) What issues would you like to see addressed in a Ranger Revamp? ****Trap effectiveness, better uses for camps and better harvesting bonuses. Oh and a Ranger weapon would be great****
13) Do you have any fears abou the Ranger Revamp? ****Things can only get better****
14) If the Ranger Revamp does not fix some of the problems with Rangers, will you remain a Ranger? ***Of cause, Rangers are not quitters***
15) Do you have any other questions or concerns that this poll did not address?
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