EverQuest Rangers

An appology of sorts.....

Hello everyone! I recieved tons of e-mail regarding the post I made on how I viewed the upcoming upgrades for Paladins and Shadow Knights. I did read every single one, but I will not be responding to any of them (usually with every e-mail I recieve, I do reply). For the most part, it would be very time consuming and also I do not take any remarks or comments personally. Everyone has the right to their own opinion and views on the matter and I respect that. I will however try to relay most of the sentiments that were sent through those e-mails. Ok now having said that, let me start off by saying that many of the e-mails were very well written and thought out. After reading all the e-mail that I had recieved, it made me take a step back to look again at the entire situation.

Most e-mails were sent in by players who currently play Paladins, Rangers, or both Rangers and Paladins. Oddly enough, I didn't get much response from Shadow Knight's. I can only assume that there was not as strong of a response from them as there was from Paladins and Rangers because these 2 classes are played by more players than any other of the hybrids.

The areas of my article that stirred up the most comotion were the subjects of Armor and 1H Slashing weapons.

Most everyone (if not all) agreed that Paladins and Shadow Knights do need an upgrade in their class specific armor. Also most agreed (if not all) that Ranger Ivy Etched Armor should not be "nerfed". The general consensus was that the Paladin and SK armor should be above that of a Ranger, but less than that of a Warrior. In my article I did agree with that. I did also say that it should only be increased by 1 or 2 points. That figure was based on the comparision I made between Banded and Plate armor. I did not research the actual armor class differences between Ranger, Paladin, SK, or Warrior armor. For all I know, maybe 2 to 3 points, maybe even 4 points could be a fair amount. I appolgize if I did not relay my feelings properly. My point I tried to make was this....Just make the sure that the upgrades they get are FAIR. As I mentioned, it seems most agree that putting Paladins and SK's armor in between that of Rangers and Warriors is fair.

I also made a comment saying something along the lines of Rangers having to had work as hard as Paladins and Shadow Knights to get their class specific armor. After researching a bit and from what I read in the many e-mails that were sent, it seems that the Paladin Armor of Ro armor is quite a bit harder to get than the rest of the class specific armor. I do appologize for not having all the facts before I made this comment. Hopefully that will be fixed for you Paladins in the next upcoming patch as was stated.

Ok, here is the point that REALLY stirred up the most controversy. Many people argued the case that Paladins and Shadow Knights need more, better 1H Slashing weapons. I said that why would they need better 1H Slashing weapons if they already already have some of the best 2H Slashing weapons in the game. Ok, on this part, I guess I was mistaken and to sort of quote an old cliche "I didn't look before I leaped". Most of the Paladin and SK only weapons are not as good as some of the other non-class specific 2H Slashers. So again, you guys were right, I was wrong. Sorry :) .

So now onto WHY Paladins and Shadow Knights want and need better 1H Slashing weapons...

It was brought to my attention that Paladins and SK's want to utilize their secondary attack, Bash. In the e-mails I recieved, the case was made many times that Rangers and Warriors have the ability to Kick as a secondary attack which when combined with using duel wield or a 2H slasher, means that they can deal out alot of damage. Bash for Paladins and SK's as a secondary attack means they have to forfeit using a 2H Slashing weapon. Since there aren't alot of powerful 1H Slashing out there for Paladins and SK's, the general sentiment was that this leaves them quite under powered when compared to a duel wielding or 2H slash using Ranger or Warrior who can also utilize Kick as a secondary attack.

My original line of thinking was "Why would they want to go with 1H Slashing anyway? They can dish out alot of damage with a 2H slasher.". Well even though they CAN dish out alot of damage, as I mentioned above, they forfeit using their secondary atack when they do use 2H slash and still seem to come up a bit short as far as being able to dish out damage compared to Rangers and Warriors. Based upon all that I have read, I have become enlightened as to the reasoning and need for Paladins and SK's to get better 1H Slashing weapons. Now, I really have to agree that they merit and deserve the opportunity to at LEAST be as effective as a Ranger in combat.

So to all my Paladin and Shadow Knight friends out there, I am sorry for having been so blind to prejudge your needs. I now realize that you DO deserve to be at least as effective in combat as us Rangers. I sincerely hope you guys get the equipment you deserve.

- Kinien