DON'T LEAVE OUT THE RANGER!!!!! In my many seasons of playing EQ I have seen alot of people underestimate rangers. Some even go so far as to laugh at them or call them a dumb alt class. Yes everyone and there mom has a barb warrior (which is good, they are essential to hold aggro properly). However, they are not the only asset a grp needs. Every class has there advantages and disadvantages. If you look around u will notice that there are alot of rangers starting to pop up now. I just want everyone to take a closer look at rangers. Im sure you will see that they are a wonderful DD to have in any group. If you dont believe me I challenge u to make a ranger. Once you get to lvl 29 u will begin to c the potential of a ranger as a DD (I can only speak for those rangers who chose the sword path for I have not a bow path ranger). However, if you take him to lvl 39 you'll be hooked and won't ever again hesitate to invite next time u c a "weee lil" ranger LFG. I have tanked with my ranger many times when we could not find a tank and No not once did our healer die. The amount of damage the ranger can unleash by chaining his combo's together is more than enough to maintain aggro. I won't lie, rangers are tough and can take damage as long as they have good ac and agi, but they can not even compare to the amount of damage a tank can take. If the group gets mobed by more than 2 the ranger probably wont be able to hold aggro off the healer due to the recast time. One can speed up the recast by using cm's which greatly reduces the wait period. A lvl 39 ranger that uses dancing blades, whirling blades, haste blade, and kick as one complete combo is worthy of the DD title. They will surely pull aggro from A tank within 2-3 lvls above them while dishing out all that Damage. Soloing is a piece of cake with a ranger due to making your own food, sow, and invisy. My 41 ranger also does more damage than my 43 rogue 99% of the time. So, in my opinion Rangers are one of the best if not the best DD. I hope this sheds some light on the rangers and helps reduce the lack of respect that many have towards them.
~CLW~
Dejjavu 41 Elf Ranger
Mardok 43 Barb rogue
Aerzen 32 Eru Wizard
Mada 39 DElf Sk
Sakis 32 Orge Warrior