Ranger Archive

(This was inspired by someone posting about how everyone knows who the Ranger in the group was, but I thought it deserved a separate thread)

I was talking with a Ranger friend of mine who for not-so-obvious reasons will remain nameless about what sets the ranger class apart from the others in SWG. We discussed the skill set, unique enough to be of specific use to some, yet not combat based for the most part so totally useless for others (the word used was mainstream but That spured a discussion separate fromthis one). But it was when the question came up about how the Ranger is seen by others that some interesting ideas came out. I thought I would share them.

I preface this by saying that I am a RPer and will probably never understand hard core grinders or uber-combat types. A failing on my part, I know, but still . That being said, I posted about what ranger means to me in another thread. But this conversation was about what Ranger means to non-Rangers.

Rangers are, in my experience, unique among the non-artisan classes. I am sought out for my tracking skills and hunting resources so I fulfill a role, even if it is small by comparison. The difference is it is a unique roll. Rangers have a place in the eyes of others, a usefullnes to some. A skill set worth spending money on. This I am glad for. But there is something more.

I think it is in the name. Other players tend to be respectful when dealing with me ... respectful of my class. I think this in no small part derives from the mythology that surrounds the term ranger.

• Rangers from the old D&D days: Good natural combat types. People to worry about in the woods


• Rangers in Lord of the Rings: More of the same, just cooler.


• Rangers in Far Scape: An elite class highly respected and feared by those in the know.


• Rangers in Star Wars: Again an elite class of Jedi Helpers (Antarian Rangers). Very useful in thier way.


• Rangers in the US Army: A special combat group, very capable and reserved for only very special use.

Though I understand each of these is different and they are only remotely related in some cases, they all use the term Ranger. This repititious use of the term as an elite position gives it a kind of mystic ideal in the minds of others. We are an Elite group. Specialists in our field. Capable in our duties, and dedicated in our loyalties. Whether these are true or not, I think that this "mysticism"has a great deal to do with the strange, almost surreal respect that I recieve as a Ranger.

We inherited and interesting heratage by name recognition. I just hope that I live up to it.

You might have hit it right on the head. The nice thing about Ranger is that it doesn't promise great combat skills or uber strength when compared to other professions. No instant gratification there. But what it does give is a great sense of self and it is usually for the deeper characters out there.

Diobe Soudaw

Kettemoor Ranger

Bestine/Tattooine

Very nicely put. i completely agree with ya'll .

--Ger'miah KaI'ic

Very well put I'd say. You described many of the things I love about the profession. I started down the road to CH till I invested an little in Ranger because I loved the Scout profession so much. I abandoned CH and went Ranger for the fun of it. I like my combo alot though I don't see alot of Melee Rangers I think it compliments well. Though the Ranger is not a crafting or battle profession it certainly is an excellent support profession. It compliments my playing style quite well.

Well put, I'd appreciate a little more respect from our rare class of wilderness aliens.

But so goes the ways of any profession I suppose. At least we're a re-occuring theme of interest.

000000000000000000Dyrwen Sy-X
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000000000000000000Imperial Master Ranger.
000000000000000000Meat Manager
000000000000000000Hide Heretic.
000000000000000000Bone Busybody.
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000000000000000000General PAC Man 
000000000000000000Penny Arcade Clan 
000000000000000000

Ic'ulus....always good to see a Kettemoor Ranger posting...of course while my sympathies lie towards the rebellion...I always defer to a Ranger, what ever their allegiance. I agree that our unique skills can be lent to PvP with great success if there are the proper people who know how to utilize our skills appropriately. Happy hunting on Naboo....I patrol Tattooine and love sneaking up on those unwary in Bestine. Man I love the tracking skill!

Diobe Soudaw

Kettemoor Ranger

"I track 'em.....they eat you....we both win!"

I agree with everything above except thosethoughtsthat Rangers are not very useful in combat. Being Imperial and based on Naboo, I feel a certain need to protect the Imperial element there. Most weekends lately you can find me at the Emperor's retreat with some of my fellow guildmates and stray Imps that happen to join in. We hunt the Rebels coming up to the retreat to find holocrons from Dark Troopers, or the occasional Rebel who only wants to bag a few AT-ST's for experience. I use my /areatrack and my guildmates try desperatly to keep up with me on the hills as I pinpoint the hapless souls. With a combination of Carbine (great medium-ranged weapon... we need more carbineers out there!), CH and Ranger I've been able to hold my own against some decent PvP'ers (Commandos beware of my bloodseeker mite ). Alone I'm above-average, but Ranger isa class that contributes to group activity (massive camps, camo, tracking prey) and with the right group working flawlessly you can be unstoppable.

My 2 cents

Ic'ulus

Kettemoor Server

Well, you can be a great ranger and a great combat class.

The most impressive template ive seen for a 'sniper' is master ranger, master rifleman and CH 1.1.0.0 (1 Greater Sludge Panther).

Its an almost perfect combo. in pve the ranger can track and do its thing with camps and traps. rifleman allows him to pick off 1 creature at a time without aggro (plus camo helps the rifleman a LOT), allows you to be an excellent sniper in pvp (you can track individuals), and to boot you get your GSP, which not only serves as your 'melee' defense (as rifleman you have none), as your tank and as your best bud.. but its almost mystical to see this master ranger with his big arse rifle and his trusty wild animal.

Dont forget EQ rangers...they are just corpses.

Sorry couldnt resist

Don't forget the Babylon 5 Rangers!

I totally agree with everything you said Chra. Also, beyond the literature and pop-culture, there is something about the word "Ranger" that is attractive. It is a word that is instantly recognizable and sparks a lot of association. Far-travelling, far-seeing, far-knowing/wise, watching-over, protective, borders, exploring, solitary... it goes on and on. It pulls at something that is embedded in our psychology. For many culturestraveling, moving from home, being out on your own in some way, is considered a right of passage -a way of proving ourselves. And we all want to prove ourselves. Even Tolkein pulled his inspiration for Rangers from somewhere. He felt the same way we do about the word. It implies something that has been a part of us for thousands of years. I don't imagine it ever going away.

The dichotomy is interesting too - we are one of the most basic, down-to-earth characters is SWG - we provide for ourselves, live off the land - and also one of the most mystical (barring Jedi). That also provides a lot of appeal for role players, I think - you have so much to work with!

lol - my 4 cents.

- Paks

Poor Lenier...

But yes, when I hear the title of Ranger, I think of all of these things too. The ideals that are traditionally held by ranger characters are what have made me want to be one since I joined in Beta 2 (even though at the time the servers weren't up long enough to sit in one camp!).

I also agree with Iccy about the Ranger, carbine, and pet combo. I don't have any CH skills, but my SL skills help me, my pet, AND my PA members, and my medium-range carbine (with a sufficient amount of carbineer skills) is the perfect support setup too.

My 'tree-fitty.'