Kyle.7243

> @"bOTEB.1573" said:

> The ranger needs something in between druid and DPS. The DPS should be weaker than the other ranger's spec vs single target and should be stronger vs aoe. The healing should be weaker than the druid but the shaman should provide nice buffs to the party/squad. Something capable of AOE damage and squad/group buff. This is what the ranger lacks and this is why it can't find a place in a well organized or semi-organized squads.

>

> My idea for the new elite spec is the Shaman. For example, It can replace the pet with the ability to summon totems that can buff the allies or weaken/damage the enemies. The shaman can harness the power of the elements too, to call mighty storms or earthquakes that can damage up to 5/10 enemies. Also, most shamans are specializing in voodoo magic, which can take control of the enemies or curse them. The new weapon would be scepter or potentially 2h hammer. The shaman should have instant AOE damaging abilities and should be durable but weaker versus single targets. His strength should increase if there are totems near him. The totems could levitate a little above the ground but moving slower and the shaman should be able to call them at his location once a minute, for example.

> @"Bealis.6023" said:

> Hello, I had two ideas, which could give really nice touch to the ranger. First is the one with rifle, Ive always wanted it since the day one, but, as you said, I wont go over it here as its been spoken about alot.

>

> Second one would actually be more interesting, and that is Ranger getting the Ritualist. As original Guild Wars wiki says, Ritualist is a type of ranger that is connected to spirit world, or nature. It would fit with both themes of our ranger profession and Cantha (If it wont get a whole new profession treatment that is).

> Weapon of choice could be a focus. I would love having those focus skins with my ranger.

> Its elite spec mechanic would probably have to do something with the pets, and best thing that comes to mind would be using spirit power - so casting spirit enhancement on your pet, altering it with selectable spirits. Thats still different from Soulbeast and doesnt cross with Spirit skills.

> New skill line would either be weapon enhancements for yourself and allies, or urns for temporarily raising dead. (necro players wouldnt probably like that, but whatever)

>

I really see potential to mix your two ideas here.

With the recent announcement of a third expansion I thought it would be fun for us GW2 rangers to speculate/make requests for what we want our next elite specialization to be.

In my view this thread is for ranger players, not ranger haters. Everyone likes their own class and wants it to be more powerful, everyone hates classes that are too powerful when you don't play them. If you want to name your idea or theme that's fine, if you have multiple that's fine. Obviously it's up to the dev team to make it balanced but I figure this would be a way to show what we want for the future of our class. I am also operating of the assumption that a few new pets will be added so if you have ideas based on GW1 of what those should be go ahead and post that here as well. Last bit of general info, as a player I mostly play WvW (Go Yaks Bend) and play PVE. I know many people are into competitive PVP and Raids and they may be able to give more insight into what would benefit the class in those realms.

Druid relates to nature magic. Soulbeast relates to beastmastery, although I know many will not agree with that statement as beastmode gets ride of your pet, I still believe that soulbeast is a pet focused elite specialization. Because of this I feel that the new spec should focus on marksmanship, skirmishing or wilderness survival. Personally I feel that a skirmishing or marksmanship based spec would be great. Maybe wilderness survival could be good too but I have no ideas for it personally.

As far as weapons I would NOT want to see pistols in either hand or a rifle. I don't feel it would benefit the theme of the class nor add to the play style. I know many people have suggested rifle but I do not see how it would be different or better than the longbow but if you want to make an argument for it go ahead. I also tend to not enjoy the steampunk/futuristic elements so theme wise I am biased against the guns as well. I would also not want to see maces in either hand. Scepter and hammer I feel it could be okay but if the spec is going to lean towards magic I would rather have a focus. Hammer I simply have no ideas for, although i'm sure the dev team could make either work. I think a more magical ranger with a focus in the off hand would be a ton of fun. I also see potential in adding shield or off hand sword for a more melee focused ranger. So the weapons I would want to see are (in order) Focus, Shield, and off hand sword. I think each of these could bring an interesting element to the ranger, particularly a melee focused skirmishing ranger. Lastly on weapons, some threads have requested new weapons like nets, sling, crossbows, etc but as there is no precedent for adding new weapon types to GW2 I have ignored this idea, although you should feel free to use your creativity.

Mechanics I can imagine are a class more focused on weapons or possibly on some sort of gear. If you lean towards a wilderness survival type the gear especially could be interesting, almost like engineer. Another mechanic I can imagine would be having multiple pets at once or sacrificing your pet for an additional third weapon swap. Adding a stealth option as some sort of hunter/stalker mechanic is another feature that could be interesting. I know some of these might be OP but that is for the devs to decide.

Finally, as far as skills go the only type I can think of adding to ranger would be mantras or shouts. But I am unacquainted with some classes and there skill types that could make interesting ranger skills so feel free to make recommendations.

I hope everyone enjoys adding to or critiquing my ideas and I look forward to reading your ideas. Stay positive.