Any dev plans for giving Rangers their beloved Animal Companions?

[UinseanRianAchta]

I'd understand if there arose some problems in creating such a thing, as Ranger animal companions progress differently than Druid animal companions. But that is one of my favorite parts of playing a Ranger in tabletop games. It'd really be awesome if they added this at some point in the future.

[Antiguo]

So rangers and their "beloved" animal companions, huh?
We have a name for those kind of guys in my country...

[Ryiah]

It might sound like an awesome idea, but last I tried them the Druid and Artificer pets were very underwhelming. Maybe they do better on Normal difficulty but on Elite difficulty they just don't seem to hold up without a lot of attention.

[danotmano1998]

I'd understand if there arose some problems in creating such a thing, as Ranger animal companions progress differently than Druid animal companions. But that is one of my favorite parts of playing a Ranger in tabletop games. It'd really be awesome if they added this at some point in the future.

You will probably be happier buying a cosmetic pet.
At least those won't die horribly or bug out and become unresponsive for most of the quest.

[phalaeo]

I hate to say it, but you're the only Ranger player I've ever heard of wanting a pet.

[Archangel666]

I hate to say it, but you're the only Ranger player I've ever heard of wanting a pet.

Well, here's a second one.

[BruceTheHoon]

I love playing my tempest, I'd hate fiddling with a pet.
It would be nice, if rangers could have a proper animal companion - not for me, but for players like OP, but I'm just terrified of such a companion becoming a considerable factor when balancing the class. Players who don't want to have a companion could suffer for it.

[samthedagger]

The ranger is the red-headed step-child of DDO. I had always been hoping that with the release of Druid they would add animal companions to the ranger. They honestly, truly NEED it.

[murf201]

Please no pets , boost ranger dmg options . I wish there was a game for you rp playing tabletop guys , stop trying to further hurt the eps balance . Why do you want a pet anyway , so you can be underwhelmed , make friends in real life or buy a dog , but please don't continue to beg for b.....s

[tralfaz81]

It might sound like an awesome idea, but last I tried them the Druid and Artificer pets were very underwhelming. Maybe they do better on Normal difficulty but on Elite difficulty they just don't seem to hold up without a lot of attention.

You must not have been playing it when the druid's companions were out killing everyone else in the party. I think the new update was supposed to bring down the amount of damage they were doing.


I hate to say it, but you're the only Ranger player I've ever heard of wanting a pet.

Make that three votes. Better companions or...just about any kind of boost. As mentioned, Rangers are the red headed step children of DDO.

[Ovrad]

Yes pets in PnP are fun. Know why? Cause they aren't controlled by some dumb as rocks AI.

Also, you already have cosmetic pets and you got your panther if you pre-order the xpack for your drizzt's clone what more do you want?

[shores11]

I hate to say it, but you're the only Ranger player I've ever heard of wanting a pet.

Not so, there has been many threads on this even prior to the artificer and druid ever came out. I have played a ranger for 6 plus years now and am still hoping it happens one day. So here is your second ranger that wants an animal companion similar to D&D pen and paper.

[Ausdoerrt]

^ Yeah, I think I've made one of those before, too.

Sad reality is, though, that ranges are a "free" class, and are therefore at the bottom of the devs' priority list, right below laundry and yawning.

[Archangel666]

^ Yeah, I think I've made one of those before, too.

Sad reality is, though, that ranges are a "free" class, and are therefore at the bottom of the devs' priority list, right below laundry and yawning.

I actually don't believe this to be the case.

Think about it.

Free to play does not mean worthless.

Turbine wants to attract new players who will spend money on the game.

It's in their own interest to make free to play classes appealing because this is what new players will likely experience and will be part of their decision of whether to become VIP or Premium.

[Galeria]

I think it was in a closed beta thread (can't find it now) that one of the devs said there were no plans to add ranger pets.

[BOgre]

I hate to say it, but you're the only Ranger player I've ever heard of wanting a pet.

I hope the devs are paying closer attention than this guy :rolleyes:

Yes, an Animal Companion can be a big boost. Rangers already make good solo'ers (not great, but good). A solo ranger might be tempted to take augment summon if he had access to a leveling animal.

Of course, I say this with the hopes that all the other things rangers have asked for come first, like some of the spells we've been asking for, slightly better dps, completed DwS, correctly working capstone, and a little beefier EDs...

[Bosco]

For balancing issues, if they did a pet. I would suggest killing off the deepwood sniper and making a pet ranger class as a prestige. And shouldn't the pally's get a pony?

[BOgre]

^ Yeah, I think I've made one of those before, too.

Sad reality is, though, that ranges are a "free" class, and are therefore at the bottom of the devs' priority list, right below laundry and yawning.

This is among my top 3 most hated arguments, (no offense to you Ausdo). It's just that Fighter, Barb, Pally, Bard, Rog, Clr, Wiz, Sorc are also all free classes. They're not being ignored... Game development still occurs around all the classes, free or $. And just because a person plays a ranger doesn't mean they don't spend $ on the game...

Anyways, point is, Rangers need luv, and an Animal Companion seems to be a fairly easy buff to give us, seeing as how the framework already exists in-game. Devs, please consider it.

[Glenalth]

I want a doggie.

If nothing else, it is nice to have an extra lever puller.

[Jay203]

For balancing issues, if they did a pet. I would suggest killing off the deepwood sniper and making a pet ranger class as a prestige. And shouldn't the pally's get a pony?

leave my deepwood snpier alone :mad::mad::mad::mad:
if anything, they should force the ranger to choose between twf line or archery line when they give rangers their pets

[Qhualor]

out of all the classes, im actually surprised rangers were looked over for pets. the first ones was the artificers i think. an animal companion and ranger go hand in hand like cheese and crackers. its not like rangers actually use their summon spell anyways other than for a good laugh.

[oweieie]

Your favorite part of PnP was watching your animal companion die every time an AE spell went off? Ranger animal companions are a bit of a joke.

[Uska]

It might sound like an awesome idea, but last I tried them the Druid and Artificer pets were very underwhelming. Maybe they do better on Normal difficulty but on Elite difficulty they just don't seem to hold up without a lot of attention.

By the rules a ranger pet would be even more underwhelming as it would be half the level of a druid's pet

[Uska]

I hate to say it, but you're the only Ranger player I've ever heard of wanting a pet.

No there have been others that I think they just dont realize how whimpy the pets were in pnp and would be in ddo. I never knew a ranger in pnp that bothered with them long as they died at the drop of a helm.

[Uska]

The ranger is the red-headed step-child of DDO. I had always been hoping that with the release of Druid they would add animal companions to the ranger. They honestly, truly NEED it.

Rangers do need tweaking but the last thing they need is a gimpy animal that will die constantly

[Uska]

You must not have been playing it when the druid's companions were out killing everyone else in the party. I think the new update was supposed to bring down the amount of damage they were doing.



Make that three votes. Better companions or...just about any kind of boost. As mentioned, Rangers are the red headed step children of DDO.

I have never been in a party at any level since druids or artie's came out that the pet was the best or even in the top 6 of the killers in the party. including parties of 4 or less ie the melees were doubling the pets count at worse.

[SirValentine]

If nothing else, it is nice to have an extra lever puller.


This.

Who cares if it's useless for fighting, if it lets me short-man things I couldn't otherwise?

[Uska]

I hope the devs are paying closer attention than this guy :rolleyes:

Yes, an Animal Companion can be a big boost. Rangers already make good solo'ers (not great, but good). A solo ranger might be tempted to take augment summon if he had access to a leveling animal.

Of course, I say this with the hopes that all the other things rangers have asked for come first, like some of the spells we've been asking for, slightly better dps, completed DwS, correctly working capstone, and a little beefier EDs...

Rangers were given both the melee and ranged lines to make up for not getting a gimply halflevel pet. so which line do you want to give up for your dead pet.

[Archangel666]

Rangers were given both the melee and ranged lines to make up for not getting a gimply halflevel pet. so which line do you want to give up for your dead pet.

Can't speak for anyone else, but I'd happily sacrifice my TWF Line on my Pure Ranger Arcane Archer.

The only time I ever use melee is against bat swarms and occasionally ghosts.

[Qhualor]

No there have been others that I think they just dont realize how whimpy the pets were in pnp and would be in ddo. I never knew a ranger in pnp that bothered with them long as they died at the drop of a helm.

yeah, but this is DDO where dreams do come true :D

[FrozenNova]

If devs add pets to rangers, you can wave goodbye to any actually meaningful ranger buffs after that. No thanks.

In PnP animal companions weren't there for combat, in combat most of them were useless. They were just a roleplaying tool.

[Kalten_of_Amber]

Respectfully, I have to disagree. I've been running up my first arty, and until a few weeks ago I rarely even bothered summoning the companion. I found it like most of the rest of you, underwhelming and more trouble than it was worth. Until I ran Crucible with another arty. After one of the hardest runs ever through there (no rogue, and the evasion types didn't have great reflex saves, not really their builds), I learned just how much could be done with the companion. It's a lot like any other tool, if you take the time to really learn how to use it, it can do some amazing things. Banishing collar in coal chamber or running around the shavarath side of the vale? Many times I've seen the companion trip other dogs and four legged mobs, takes a lot of the pressure off soloing.

The cool thing about this idea is it really wouldn't take that much to implement. Like a previous poster said, the framework is already in place. To all those who don't want it, quite simply, don't use it. There's nothing forcing you to summon it. Just my two coppers.

[Ausdoerrt]

For balancing issues, if they did a pet. I would suggest killing off the deepwood sniper and making a pet ranger class as a prestige. And shouldn't the pally's get a pony?

For balancing issues, ranger pets are supposed to be much weaker than druid's, and they get access to them later.


@Uska: ever heard of multi-quote?

[Archangel666]

For balancing issues, ranger pets are supposed to be much weaker than druid's, and they get access to them later.

And Rangers are supposed to have access to far more Feats and spells, and players are not supposed to face 50+ mobs in a single encounter, and mobs are not supposed to have 300,000 HP (Hello Abbot).


Stating that because PnP has certain things like lower level Ranger Animal Companions doesn't really work when you take the other things in the game into consideration.

[Arlathen]

As a Ranger player, i couldn't care less whether we got the Companion or not. As long as we keep our versatility through dual combat styles, and our personal DPS is improved into the bargain as well.

[tralfaz81]

Rangers do need tweaking but the last thing they need is a gimpy animal that will die constantly

The could give us lemmings! You summon a herd of lemmings that immediately run off a cliff! That would so rock!

[Ausdoerrt]

Stating that because PnP has certain things like lower level Ranger Animal Companions doesn't really work when you take the other things in the game into consideration.

No, but saying ranger pets would be so OP that they need balancing is a bit silly.

[tralfaz81]

You must really represent that 2011 start date under your profile , players do not want a garbage boost that does nothing for them .

Option b just remove the existing pets from spell table and never mention nothing about them again .

Stop worrying about it and go back to posting lfm's for slayers !!!

When you have a multi tr'd ranger with all the gear and knowledge of class then come back and post !!

Golly gee mister, you're right! I only hope that if I put as many years into the game as you have, I can be as good as you and have all the respect of my friends, family, and community as you surely have.

[Chai]

For balancing issues, ranger pets are supposed to be much weaker than druid's, and they get access to them later.


@Uska: ever heard of multi-quote?

I always thought those "balancing issues" in PnP were cute, because druids are BY FAR the more powerful class in PnP, and yet they also get the better pet thrown in on top.

[Uska]

Respectfully, I have to disagree. I've been running up my first arty, and until a few weeks ago I rarely even bothered summoning the companion. I found it like most of the rest of you, underwhelming and more trouble than it was worth. Until I ran Crucible with another arty. After one of the hardest runs ever through there (no rogue, and the evasion types didn't have great reflex saves, not really their builds), I learned just how much could be done with the companion. It's a lot like any other tool, if you take the time to really learn how to use it, it can do some amazing things. Banishing collar in coal chamber or running around the shavarath side of the vale? Many times I've seen the companion trip other dogs and four legged mobs, takes a lot of the pressure off soloing.

The cool thing about this idea is it really wouldn't take that much to implement. Like a previous poster said, the framework is already in place. To all those who don't want it, quite simply, don't use it. There's nothing forcing you to summon it. Just my two coppers.

A rangers pet wouldnt be near as effective as a druids or arties they are hallf the level

[Uska]

For balancing issues, ranger pets are supposed to be much weaker than druid's, and they get access to them later.


@Uska: ever heard of multi-quote?

Yes and I dont like it I read and respond to one post at a time always have.

[licho]

I agree that Rangers need a buff - as well as Paladins are most underpowered classes in DDO.
However plz no pets. I dont care about pets, i have one on Artificer and most useful trick it does was pulling the levers.

I can perfectly live without pet on Ranger, instead of this i would like:
1. Enough USEFUL spells to fil all 16 slots.
2. Melee capstone, and some buff for Temp III.
3. Some more class features after level 12.
4. Rework of FE enemies - making monster group more equal to each other. And making ranger suck less against no FE.
5. Generally the purpose to roll ranger instead of Rogue/Artificer/Monk.

And as for pets... maybe just make razor cat scale with ranger levels? If it has HP of lv 20 monster it will be OK pet for me.

[Emili]

Pets play entirely different aspect in DDO than they do in D&D. A ranger's pet is less a combatant and more a second hand in utility in D&D. In DDO I do not think rangers need much more utility.

Ranger issues over the years are the result the older PrE's they have being overshadowed by newer classes, PrE along with higher utility, skill and options such as boat buffs... etc... the list is rather long but what a ranger used to bring had all been compromised and handed out in other alternative options.

Take the Tempest PrE... it was the first true melee PrE and along side most other melee PrE is antiquated in the power level it presents. A good example of balance issue with this class PrE is the fact that the last boost to this PrE was not in the class itself but the introduction of Monk for attaining AC synergy via splash. That right there should clue on a light bulb above your head. ;)

Favour Enemy: the ranger's largest strong point in the difference in combat prowess (yes I know they're built in gtwf - but so are most classes easily configured like fighter and monk due feats becomes less relivant as levels attain more feat space)...

The point is however FE needs more UUUMMPPH to it i.e. think enhancements, a ranger spends increasing ap for a +1 here and there while a barb ever increased rage or a rogue increasing SA d6 all measurable more, It's not hard to figure out a rogue gets more per AP spent than a ranger.

I beleive I figured out long ago my kensei's PrE for instance added a constant +13 Due PrE where as my tempest added a +13 only when facing FE's... kind of underwhelming when you imagine Favoured should place them among the most specialized - but they're not.

I could go down the list in comparison on other aspects but you'd find they come up on pretty even keel with most others...

[GlassJaw]

/signed; many, many times signed

I would love for the ranged to get an animal companion. Makes completely sense and would be a great addition for the class.

I don't understand why people are so down on animal companions, esp the Artificer. I'm leveling an Art now (level 16) and the dog is amazing. Sure the AI isn't perfect but I think it's pretty darn good. Learn to use the "Stay" command when you don't want him freelancing.

However, I don't rely on it for DPS. I have his Intimidate, Trip, AC, hit points and threat maxed and he is tank. He also has a vertigo collar and trips and sunders stuff constantly. Nothing like named bosses getting tripped on elite.

I also have a Cursespewing collar of Improved Destruction waiting at 18 - that should be fun.

[Kalten_of_Amber]

A rangers pet wouldnt be near as effective as a druids or arties they are hallf the level

Actually, the combat from the comp is not huge, but there is a good bit of utility built in, and a lot of that wouldn't matter if they were half level. Also, remember, DDO is based on PnP, it is not the same rules. But that would ultimately be something the devs would decide.

[BOgre]

everyone's crying 'half level'. get off that already, gee. heck, they're even less than half level if we're picking from the 'alternate' list. No, Ranger's don't need another lame ability, summon, spell, or pet. We need a GOOD buff. A full level pet please.

As was said, ddo is based on d&d, but it hardly follows it rule for rule.

[shores11]

As was said, ddo is based on d&d, but it hardly follows it rule for rule.

But the more DDO does when possible the better they are for it.

[Captain_Wizbang]

Well, here's a second one.

And a third

Considering Rangers have been left out of the loop for an ED, this is added to the list of "new shortcomings" to the class.

[azrael4h]

leave my deepwood snpier alone :mad::mad::mad::mad:
if anything, they should force the ranger to choose between twf line or archery line when they give rangers their pets

Rangers need a boost, not to be incompetently nerfed further into worthlessness. Just because you have an intense hatred for the class and want it to be weakened further so no one ever runs one doesn't mean that's the correct way to do things.

[Raithe]

Rangers need a boost, not to be incompetently nerfed further into worthlessness.

Please speak only for your own ranger. Your's may need a boost, mine doesn't, especially with 5 levels of Shiradi Champion.

That said, I don't think an animal companion similar to an artificer's is necessarily a bad idea. I wouldn't use it, because I find non-healing hirelings and charms to be nearly worthless in the game and problematic on occasion.

What I would like to see is more utility applied to charms and summons, perhaps the ability for some of them to move more rapidly while stealthed (or perhaps not induce aggro) and for the charmer/summoner to be able to get a hazy view of what was seen (perhaps a shadow-walk-like picture-in-picture). Then a ranger could summon a cat or other appropriate animal, and scout without being able to necessarily bypass any important encounters.

[teh_meh]

what's a ranger? the only thing people play now is SAM: sorcs, artis and monks cause they have the biggest easy buttons

SAM is short for sammich, not surface to air missle. I'm hungry. What are we talking about again???

[azrael4h]

Please speak only for your own ranger. Your's may need a boost, mine doesn't, especially with 5 levels of Shiradi Champion.

That said, I don't think an animal companion similar to an artificer's is necessarily a bad idea. I wouldn't use it, because I find non-healing hirelings and charms to be nearly worthless in the game and problematic on occasion.

What I would like to see is more utility applied to charms and summons, perhaps the ability for some of them to move more rapidly while stealthed (or perhaps not induce aggro) and for the charmer/summoner to be able to get a hazy view of what was seen (perhaps a shadow-walk-like picture-in-picture). Then a ranger could summon a cat or other appropriate animal, and scout without being able to necessarily bypass any important encounters.

I like how your first response is an ad hominem attack. It is also proof you have no argument other than "anyone who disagrees with me is a poor player". BTW, my Ranger, who was able to solo Shavarath, is currently TRed into a Fighter (done well before U14, so no she never ran into Eveningstar). I know exactly what a Ranger is capable of and isn't capable of because I have done it. I've done the exact same thing on nearly every class in DDO. At this point, I only have not played a Barbarian.

You know what? Rangers need a boost. I gave up precisely nothing and gained a huge chunk of HP and DPS by leaving Ranger and going Fighter.

The Ranger, as it stands, really has one thing going for it; versatility. In a game increasingly designed around focused specialists. This game is increasingly about DPS, simply because of ever increasing HP mobs which hit for ever increasing damage numbers. This is partially why I laugh about those saying EE is challenging; it's not. It's simply tedious. 500,000hp mobs that hit for 150-200 a pop aren't challenging, except for the poor divine who has to heal the melee through it. It ends up being a battle of attrition, and high DPS wins out there over self-sufficiency.

In this environment, especially given that you really sacrifice little but time to get self-healing on a melee via SF pots, the Ranger's self-healing becomes irrelevant. You sacrifice a little more for Half-Elf dilettante, and only a skill point or two and inventory space for UMD. When other classes offer FoM, Resists, Barkskin, and more desirable class abilities besides, the Ranger's buffs become irrelevant. Even Ranged combat, you are far better off both personal DPS-wise and group DPS wise to bring an Artificer in. Evasion is a two level splash, one which brings full UMD which is more powerful than many of the Ranger's own capabilities.

So what does Ranger bring to a group, at any level? What incentive does a group leader have to take a Ranger over a Barbarian or Fighter? The answer, unless you are a lying troll, is none. They are not alone in the bottom of the pile, after all there is less reason to bring a Paladin than a Ranger.

For that matter, what reason do you have to level a Ranger past 14? Many even stop at 12. The fact that deep multiclasses are considered more powerful than pure is a strong argument that the class is flawed. Every class should be desired in a group, and every class should have strong arguments for pure versus multi-classed. Ranger only has arguments to multi-class, and nothing to make them desirable for a group. Soloist, sure, they're good at soloing all content depending on gear. But so can every other class, and most other classes have something to make them useful in group settings.

Shiradi is irrelevant to the discussion. My Fighter can hop over there right now, and take anything I deem useful. My Sorcerer can take Shiradi. So can my Bard, and so can my Monk. Or Rogue, Artificer, Druid, Wizard, another Fighter who can take Shiradi if I will. I may even eventually run a Cleric again one day. All EDs are irrelevant to any class power discussions as all EDs can eventually be taken by any class.

In the end, Rangers need to be buffed. And not have their one piddling advantage, the free feats, taken away by people who despise the class for whatever reason, likely the hordes of Drizzt clones. I can go on about what needs to be brought in to balance them with the other melees, but I have to go to work.

[Raithe]

I like how your first response is an ad hominem attack.


Ummm, no. It was a directive to avoid over-generalization, which is a common fallacy.



I know exactly what a Ranger is capable of and isn't capable of because I have done it.


Ok then, provide us with the details. What can't a ranger do that a fighter can do? That's what the forums are for, to provide compelling arguments. Showing up and simply stating something as fact when it is not in evidence is worthless for the purposes of the forum. I would point you to Uska's posts as an excellent example of such.



You know what? Rangers need a boost. I gave up precisely nothing and gained a huge chunk of HP and DPS by leaving Ranger and going Fighter.


Funny, because when I compare my ranger and fighter, one can't cast spells. One doesn't even have an SP bar. One has relatively limited ability to range. One doesn't have speed boost. One has poor stealth. One has mediocre spot. One has a relatively mediocre reflex save, a relatively poor will save, and only slightly better fort save.

Granted that same one can trip and stun better, use UMD better, and do more melee damage - especially in bursts. There still is no comparison though, the ranger is superior in just about every category including overall DPS (using a mix of TWF melee with manyshot ranged).



The Ranger, as it stands, really has one thing going for it; versatility. In a game increasingly designed around focused specialists...


K, here is exactly where you fell off the boat. The game has become less about focused specialists as it has slipped into major power creep. What do you think the "exploiter" build was, back when rangers were all-powerful? It was a build that could do everything and do it as well or better than specialists.



In this environment, especially given that you really sacrifice little but time to get self-healing on a melee via SF pots, the Ranger's self-healing becomes irrelevant.


Again, you are overgeneralizing. You can observe rangers who solo Epic Elite versions of quests on YouTube. They most likely use, to a very large percentage at the least, their own spell points to heal. My ranger can heal approximately 5400 hit points per shrine with cure spells, approximately 5000 hit points with Healing Spring, and depending on the length of time between shrines, about 1200 hit points with Fury of the Wild fast healing. Add that to a couple of cure serious wands and some cure serious pots (1250/250 per wand/stack) and you got more self-healing than my ranger actually needs in any difficulty of quest.



For that matter, what reason do you have to level a Ranger past 14?


What reason is there to take any levels other than sorc or wizard, on perhaps a warforged? You are trying to compare classes in a severely misbalanced game.

I'm comparing my ranger to the content. I would suggest you do the same.



In the end, Rangers need to be buffed.


Buffing rangers for players who cannot perceive the advantages of being a generalist is going to leave those who do in a position of vast superiority. Most of my characters have ranger levels, one of them is nearly pure. You would expect me to appreciate any "developer help" that comes along the way. I won't really care, but I don't think it's good for the game.

What's good for the game and what's good for Azrael4h is not necessarily the same thing.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

My personal "problem" with my ranger is - that he is an abolutely GREAT fighter - for these 20 seconds ManyShot is turned on.

And after that I have to wait 120 ? seconds ( = two minutes) to be ready for it again (cooldown) ... And that in the midst of any fight ... Which is not much fun, imho ...

I could live with the rest. But 120 vs 20 seconds is a bit ... "unfun", imho.

[samthedagger]

... And shouldn't the pally's get a pony?Um... yes!

Edit: To add to that, Rangers and Paladins already get full caster levels for each level because having 1/2 caster level like in pnp would be gimp and devs realized that. If they give the rangers a companion, it should be equal to a druid companion. Same with the pally horse, which they should also add, but I am willing to wait a little longer on that one.

You know thinking on it. A paladin's horse doesn't need to be super-complicated to be a nice benefit. Just let them use it in public areas to move around more quickly and I guarantee you pally players would love it for that alone, as long as it doesn't have a ridiculously long summoning time that takes up more time than it would save.

[Brennie]

I agree that Rangers need a buff - as well as Paladins are most underpowered classes in DDO.
However plz no pets. I dont care about pets, i have one on Artificer and most useful trick it does was pulling the levers.

I can perfectly live without pet on Ranger, instead of this i would like:
1. Enough USEFUL spells to fil all 16 slots.
2. Melee capstone, and some buff for Temp III.
3. Some more class features after level 12.
4. Rework of FE enemies - making monster group more equal to each other. And making ranger suck less against no FE.
5. Generally the purpose to roll ranger instead of Rogue/Artificer/Monk.

And as for pets... maybe just make razor cat scale with ranger levels? If it has HP of lv 20 monster it will be OK pet for me.

I agree with these suggestions! Infact, all of these suggestions sound very familiar... (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=302409)

I'm glad someone else thinks Favored Enemies are a problem! Honestly, i think Favored Enemies are the most glaring issue with the Ranger class. FE's are so wildly unbalanced that there is pretty much a "best" FE list for every character (Though the 4-5th FE get a little more wiggle room, Evil outsiders, undead, Constructs, Giant and often Elementals are usually the winners.). Changing FEs wouldn't be a big boost to ranger power, but it would help give more options and would hopefully mean rangers encounter FEs on a more consistant basis... because a 14 damage-per-hit difference between FE's and nonFE's is kinda huge (And when a huge chunk of DDO is going to be nonFEs no matter what you do, that only holds Rangers back!). Suggestions on how to rebalance FEs are in the link above.

Alternate ways to get useful DCs on spells, or more spells that have no DC would be nice too. And obviously capstone/tempest III changes for our melee ranger friends (Here's hoping the enhancement update addresses those)

[7-day_Trial_Monkey]

You must really represent that 2011 start date under your profile , players do not want a garbage boost that does nothing for them .

Option b just remove the existing pets from spell table and never mention nothing about them again .

Stop worrying about it and go back to posting lfm's for slayers !!!

When you have a multi tr'd ranger with all the gear and knowledge of class then come back and post !!

Remove existing pets from spell table?!?! Well that comment shows that you don't even know what you are talking about. Because there are no pets on the spell tables. What you have on the spell tables are summons.

They are completely different. Druids have wolf pets and Artificers have dog pets. Those are the only pets in game and my artificer finds his dog to be very useful.

At the mid levels my arti's dog used a paralysing collar and it was a very helpful. At end game the dog is using Grave Wrappings for some stunning, ac debufing and some level draining.

On a druid at end game, having your wolf use Improved Shattermantle on it's collar helps out a lot with penetrating spell resistance.

[Malison]

I'm always amused to see people saying the druid or arti pets are underwhelming. Sure, it's not going to out-dps any reasonably built character. But I park my arti's dog at the entrance of any of the mining challenges in house C and in 1-2 person parties (level 21-23) never go back to defend. When it trips with ~50 DC, pets can absolutely fight small numbers of enemies without supervision [edit: not talking about epic elite. PLAYERS are underwhelming in EE].

On topic, I would absolutely support rangers getting a companion, and for balance reasons skip the level reduction. Make it the same as the druid's pet.

Or, insert more pet options. Note that the ranger enemy in the U15 content has a Vermin companion.

[zobo]

\I can perfectly live without pet on Ranger, instead of this i would like:
1. Enough USEFUL spells to fil all 16 slots.
2. Melee capstone, and some buff for Temp III.
3. Some more class features after level 12.
4. Rework of FE enemies - making monster group more equal to each other. And making ranger suck less against no FE.
5. Generally the purpose to roll ranger instead of Rogue/Artificer/Monk.


Agree with all, and along with spell issues allow Ranger Bark Skin to go above +5. Random loot now has +6 and I can only cast +5.

[Brennie]

Agree with all, and along with spell issues allow Ranger Bark Skin to go above +5. Random loot now has +6 and I can only cast +5.

Worse than that, "barkskin" is the ranger active past life ability. Now that druids exist, spiderskin is a spell, random gen items get natural armor (up to +6) and +3 barksin pots are buyable via plat while +5 barskin pots are buyable via commendations, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE THIS HORRIBLE PAST LIFE FEAT?

[LOOON375]

You want a ranged toon with a pet? Play an Arty.

My very first toon was a Ranger for sentimental reasons as I was an Army Ranger in real life.

I even did the the "auto" build, Deepwood sniper. It suuuuuuuuuuucked. I did a LR into a Tempest and built it myself and it turned out better, but no great.

I ended up TRing her into a rogue and she now does better bow damage on a single shot than I could have ever hoped for. Sneak attack damage is amazing with a bow in close quarters. (rare occasions)

[Archangel666]

You want a ranged toon with a pet? Play an Arty.

My very first toon was a Ranger for sentimental reasons as I was an Army Ranger in real life.

I even did the the "auto" build, Deepwood sniper. It suuuuuuuuuuucked. I did a LR into a Tempest and built it myself and it turned out better, but no great.

I ended up TRing her into a rogue and she now does better bow damage on a single shot than I could have ever hoped for. Sneak attack damage is amazing with a bow in close quarters. (rare occasions)

Or we can do what we're doing in this thread and ask for Rangers to be updated to the current game and people have more choices in what they can build and we don't end up with so many of the same builds.

Is asking for choices in how we play the game really such a bad thing?

[sirdanile]

You must not have been playing it when the druid's companions were out killing everyone else in the party. I think the new update was supposed to bring down the amount of damage they were doing.


*Edit* Damage numbers are around level 8-12 druid
Druid companions were doing ~50ish buffed main number no sneak attack or weapon mods
They are now doing ~20ish buffed main number no sneak attack or weapon mods.

I think they got hit too hard with the nerf bat...

BACK on topic...

I don't want rangers to get animal companions automatically, make it a trade off for two weapon fighting or ranged combat style options and have all rangers already created count as ignoring the animal path. (Would need a free lr to all rangers over level 2 to implement this without customer rage)

[LOOON375]

Is asking for choices in how we play the game really such a bad thing?Absolutely not.

But I just personally decided to go with what I got and rolled myself an arty so I could effectively play a ranged toon that happens to have a pet.

[goodspeed]

I don't need another freakish dumber then a rock hireling running around ma screen. What I need is for ma bow to not suck outside of manyshot/ heavy splasher.

What I need is for the UI system, the controls, the windows to actually work. What I need is for fred to stop be a little )( and show my feats and provide service without wiping me. I need to be able to use an item to reset levels in game without fear the the *&% result.

What I don't need is for another idiotic thing that prolly won't be summoned past lv 14 except by the nubbies that sucks up that much more space and load on the screen. And what will probably screw up something major. Like cut off xp from completion of an epic quest.

[Yehediah]

Agreed, Rangers need their companion if they are giving pets to the druid and the artificer.

[Handpicked]

Fighter, Barb, Pally, Bard, Rog, Clr, Wiz, Sorc are also all free classes. They're not being ignored... Game development still occurs around all the classes, free or $. And just because a person plays a ranger doesn't mean they don't spend $ on the game...

Anyways, point is, Rangers need luv, and an Animal Companion seems to be a fairly easy buff to give us, seeing as how the framework already exists in-game. Devs, please consider it.

Well, I can say as a wiz that our familiars are nowhere in sight, so the free classes being looked over arguement remains in tact. Could be coincedental... but it is this way nonetheless.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

Rangers are imho to DDO what the Old Content (Eberron) is compared to the New Content (MOTU).

Simply left alone and forgotten.

The only exception is Precision.

[LOOON375]

Threads like these are usually started by people that choose to only play one particular class or race. And then complain about the "toys" all of the other classes or races have.

If I may make a suggestion, branch out and try other things.

It's threads like this that caused me to try almost every race and class to this point in time. I have taken all but a couple of races and or classes to cap.

Eventually I will get to the last couple of classes (Favored soul and paladin), and the last race (Helf).

The first toon I took to cap was my gimped Deepwood sniper. I ended up LR'ing into a Tempest so I could melee pretty decent when manyshot wasn't up. Live and learn.

And my problem wasn't the class or it's abilities, it was my newtothegameness. (newbness)

Now that Ive been playing for 3 years solid, I know I could build a viable, endgame capable Ranger, that would absolutely kick ass. And I will get to it eventually.

[Yehediah]

Threads like these are usually started by people that choose to only play one particular class or race. And then complain about the "toys" all of the other classes or races have.

As an active participant in several of these threads, I can say that is VERY incorrect. I have 8 different characters using different classes (with little overlap in a few being multi-class).

The dev's have continually shafted clerics (see other posts) - though, they have finally given two nice items for them in the last two updates. There's more than one reason why the last role filled is often healers - shafting them is part of that reason. But, though being a case in point of the complaints, it is digressing from the point here, as this is about rangers.

Rangers were treated well when the prestige classes came out and with some updates to them after that. However, ever since the FTP revolution, rangers have been forgotten and you see less of them running now.

In all MMO's, the most powerful classes typically end up being the most popular. So, dev's ought to pay attention to frequencies of play on various classes and throw bones to those dwindling to help keep a variety of classes and to be kind to those paying to play those classes.

I speak as a very unhappy VIP who has been playing to pay long before FTP came around.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

Threads like these are usually started by people that choose to only play one particular class or race. And then complain about the "toys" all of the other classes or races have.

If I may make a suggestion, branch out and try other things.

It's threads like this that caused me to try almost every race and class to this point in time. I have taken all but a couple of races and or classes to cap.

Eventually I will get to the last couple of classes (Favored soul and paladin), and the last race (Helf).

The first toon I took to cap was my gimped Deepwood sniper. I ended up LR'ing into a Tempest so I could melee pretty decent when manyshot wasn't up. Live and learn.

And my problem wasn't the class or it's abilities, it was my newtothegameness. (newbness)

Now that Ive been playing for 3 years solid, I know I could build a viable, endgame capable Ranger, that would absolutely kick ass. And I will get to it eventually.

Uhmmmm.... no.

First, DDO was supposed to be based off of 3.5 edition D&D rules.
Now, I totally understand why they made many changes to those rules along the way. And we have a much better game because of it....

but.... now... now that we have the pets.
They need to give them to Rangers. Like 3.5 Rangers are suppose to have.
(they also need to give familiars, but those are sightly different from animal campanions.)

This is not some guy who loves Babarians wanting to have a cute Artificer dog too.
This is someone who knows that 3.5 edition D&D Rangers are suppose to have animal companions... that are basically the same as Druid companions, but a little weaker.

[RumbIe]

Without reading all the replies I will add that I would like to have them for rangers.

I would also add that any and all who complain about how weak pets are and how they don't do anything are just using them wrong. If you are building one to aggro and tank epic mobs for you as you sit back and dps away unscathed then there's your problem. Even a player character who does that needs attention from someone to help heal.

Think of your pets as some dps, but mostly debuffing. I have improved cursespewing of shattermantle on mine and spec them for shedding aggro and add some hp. If I'm not mistaken my arti dog has over 700 hp unbuffed. I have been meaning to try and turn a paralyzing wrap into a module (not sure if you can) but if I do then how is that not uber for a pet? Don't expect your pet to lead the kill count, but expect him to YOU lead it. That's how pets help and I've been enjoying mine on both arti and druid.

[Bimbelbo]

I would love to see rangers getting a pet, however I doubt it will ever happen. Rangers are a f2p class and thus there is no motivation from the devs to buff them. But as a compromise, at least give them a summon that's half-way appropriate compared to their level, like the cleric's ones. (I'm not talking about epic levels, where they become mostly useless, but that's an other issue). The highest pet a ranger can summon right now is CR 4 (!!!). Wouldn't be too much work to improve this a bit.

[yawumpus]

out of all the classes, im actually surprised rangers were looked over for pets. the first ones was the artificers i think. an animal companion and ranger go hand in hand like cheese and crackers. its not like rangers actually use their summon spell anyways other than for a good laugh.

Except that the ranger's companion is as nerfed as those summons. Do not want.



Please speak only for your own ranger. Your's may need a boost, mine doesn't, especially with 5 levels of Shiradi Champion.


[QUOTE=Raithe;4675182]Please speak only for your own ranger. Your's may need a boost, mine doesn't, especially with 5 levels of Shiradi Champion.

And everyone playing a tempest looked at the Shiradi ED and wondered how long it would take to grind over to fighter.



[lots of truth in this post, plus a few comments]
For that matter, what reason do you have to level a Ranger past 14? Many even stop at 12.

Level 15 gets you another FE and some other good stuff. The catch is if you want to grab a better ED you need 6 or more of rogue or fighter (or possibly something else, but those are your best bets). This leaves splits like 13/7 ranger/rogue or 13/1/6 ranger/rogue/fighter.

Also other casters have been able to cast FOM for a long time, but having a ranger around conserves SP. Now that FOM has been nerfed it is just a way for rangers to pretend to do something. Casting fire resist only really helps in the Shroud after everybody's guild resists have been taken away after death.

I don't need my tempest nerfed to "balance" having a gimpy pet rat. I need a reason to take tempest 3 (although I am still happy with a level of rogue and places to put those skill points). I need a reason to cast those spells. I need to keep my bow (don't take my bow away for a gimpy 1/2 level pet, or even a druid-level pet for that matter). I need to have a reasonably good chance to face favored enemies (and don't pretend we keep up with anybody on even them) and at least a reason to keep swinging against non-favored foes.

[Teufel_Hunden]

I usually don't read these long threads all the way through, but this one is near and dear to my heart and love of Rangers (with bards, my favorite class in PnP), so I feel compelled to post my support for this.


Uhmmmm.... no.

First, DDO was supposed to be based off of 3.5 edition D&D rules.
<snip> but.... now... now that we have the pets.
They need to give them to Rangers. Like 3.5 Rangers are suppose to have.
(they also need to give familiars, but those are sightly different from animal campanions.)

This is not some guy who loves Babarians wanting to have a cute Artificer dog too.
This is someone who knows that 3.5 edition D&D Rangers are suppose to have animal companions... that are basically the same as Druid companions, but a little weaker (no, not weaker, lets deviate from 3.5 here as well).

^^This is (one of) the best argument i've seen here. Right to the point. I dont' feel they should be weaker, though. Maybe not as damaging, but don't limit their hit points by being weaker. Make them a more utilitity build, like debuffers, paralizing etc...



I would love to see rangers getting a pet, however I doubt it will ever happen. Rangers are a f2p class and thus there is no motivation from the devs to buff them. But as a compromise, at least give them a summon that's half-way appropriate compared to their level, like the DRUID'S ones. (I'm not talking about epic levels, where they become mostly useless, but that's an other issue). The highest pet a ranger can summon right now is CR 4 (!!!). Wouldn't be too much work to improve this a bit.

I support this too. I understand that they only have 4 spell levels, but make the summons appropriate for the Caster level. Level 4 (1st spell level)= the CR4 Pet. Level 14 (last spell level) = the CR14 Pet. or something like that. At level 14, summoning a CR4 pet is...well, dumb, and a total waste of spell slot. Its not even worth putting in the list. I mean, honestly, why is it even there?

[DeafeningWhisper]

Copy paste the druid pet and give it to rangers, they'll be weaker simply becuase they lack the animal/hireling/companion spells druid have.

[MrkGrismer]

Copy paste the druid pet and give it to rangers, they'll be weaker simply becuase they lack the animal/hireling/companion spells druid have.

^^ this ^^

Although it would be nice to have a choice, instead of just 'wolf' (and choice for druids and choice for artificers as well).

Of course, once epic you can take Primal Avatar and get some buffs for the pet, but you still wouldn't have the druid spells that help a bit.

[Charononus]

Think of your pets as some dps, but mostly debuffing. I have improved cursespewing of shattermantle on mine and spec them for shedding aggro and add some hp. If I'm not mistaken my arti dog has over 700 hp unbuffed. I have been meaning to try and turn a paralyzing wrap into a module (not sure if you can) but if I do then how is that not uber for a pet? Don't expect your pet to lead the kill count, but expect him to YOU lead it. That's how pets help and I've been enjoying mine on both arti and druid.

You can make a para module no problem, my iron defender typically uses/used (haven't gotten anything to do imp para so at epic regular para doesn't cut it) para modules, I also maxed the trip line and now have a blademarks docent for him. It works out ok while soloing but most the time I don't summon him. The reason for this is at high end content the limited ai can become too much of a hinderance. Leveling up though pets can be great.

[Aldured]

Why? Well p2p classes have them, if you have a f2p class that ranges melees and buffs, an extra effort should be necessary.

It would still be weaker because of the limited ranger spells and options for the pet.

However, I can imagine some synergy from the sniper PRE.

EDIT Oh and if we could get something other than wolf It'd be sweet. At the very least a re-skin would be nice

EDIT2 A ranger past-life should allow you to get a pet, though it should require at least one level in ranger. That said, the pet's level should be determined by the number of levels as ranger (just like the artie and druid)

[UurlockYgmeov]

It might sound like an awesome idea, but last I tried them the Druid and Artificer pets were very underwhelming. Maybe they do better on Normal difficulty but on Elite difficulty they just don't seem to hold up without a lot of attention.

Hmm.... I disagree.... haven't done the druid yet - but the arties and their dogs - well... I can let my dog loose in Vale all by himself and he'd decimate it (at level 16)

Yes - augment summoning does help - but so does the proper choices in gear and enhancements.

[UurlockYgmeov]

I hate to say it, but you're the only Ranger player I've ever heard of wanting a pet.

I have a 25 AA - and I'd like the pet. If druids and arties get them - so should Rangers.

[UinseanRianAchta]

Please no pets , boost ranger dmg options . I wish there was a game for you rp playing tabletop guys , stop trying to further hurt the eps balance . Why do you want a pet anyway , so you can be underwhelmed , make friends in real life or buy a dog , but please don't continue to beg for b.....s

blah blah, metagame, blah blah

some of us like a little Roleplay in our Roleplaying Games

[Charononus]

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/18794881/images/1334973155285.jpg

[TheLegendOfAra]

blah blah, metagame, blah blah

some of us like a little roleplay in our roleplaying games

holy thread necro batman!