Ranger Archive

I think we will all do ourselves a disservice if we continue to define ourselves as Creature Hunters, so I appreciate the step toward Outdoorsman.

When I think of a Creature Hunter, I think of two kinds of people. I think of the solitary hunter with his rifle, and bag of tricks. I also think of the Hunt Master type, the leads an expedition to find large game and bring that game down. If you're looking for a pop culture reference for either, I'd suggest a mix of a force recon specialist in the military for the lone hunter, and the hunt master from Jurassic Park II as an example of the expedition leader. Both are lethal in the field and are capable of bringing a swift end to their prey.

The final thought is where the ranger falls flat. As a class, without support, we'd have a rough time against a gubbur. We have no combat skills, we have trapping skills. We get creature-to-hit bonuses, but we get no specialized hunting skills or actions. From a balance perspective, I'm not suggesting taking anything away from marksman or the elite weapon skills. I'm suggesting that we get a few more specials for hunting purposes, creature only. Maybe requiring Rifles IV from marksman would have made the class more complete, and logical.

A specialized hunting weapon (A compound bow would be great) and maybe a few combat bonuses to help us become more effective as a class in PvE or PvP. Something needs to be done.. and this is just my two cents.

btw - please pardon the note if it seems I'm being a grump, my second toon opened his second holo after mastering artisan.. and was told to master bounty hunter. Grr.

Wilsyn - Ranger 4344 - Bloodfin

"We have no combat skills"

Within a Class system as defined in other MMOPGs, "support" would be defined within a group atmosphere, where the combat skills must be held by another player.

Within the Profession system defined within SWG, a "support" profession takes on a different meaning.

Being a support profession meaning that the skills and abilities defined within the profession support other skills and abilities located in other professions that a single character holds.

• Namely,the Ranger professiondoes not require weapon proficiency as long as sufficient skill points remain to pick up a weapon profession.

Under this approach, the Ranger skill set can be appreciated by all forms of players, from Ranged and Melee (intowhich I fall).

Actually, the profession could be appreciated by non-combatants as well, if they were to rely on the other definition of "support".

• Namely they could travel with a group of combatants and aid in their adventures without ever requiring any weapon skills themselves.

I understand our support role in the game.. and personally, I'd tend to believe that not including Rifle IV as a requirement for Ranger was a mistake. We're not scouts.. we're Rangers. I simply believe we should be more than a class that can skin an animal well and make neat camps.

I'm on the verge of Master Ranger, and I have no misconceptions about the class as it exists today, and I have faith that the class will evolve from the boy scout we are today into something more substantial in the GCW. I simply believe our role in an active hunting group is limited today, because of our skill set as we move up the skill tree.

Wilsyn - 4344 Ranger - Bloodfin