Dark Ranger Class?

Community General Discussion
1

I often see people asking for a dark ranger class.
It seems like something that makes more sense as an undead elf allied race playing a hunter.

I was curious if anyone knows of an example where someone has fleshed out a whole class idea based on the dark ranger.

What sets it apart from a hunter?
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Notes from discussion below :

Possible races :
Undead
Blood Elf
Human
Night Elf

Specs :
Ranged archery
Dual wield melee
Healing

Banshee form as a power up/cooldown.
Necromantic & Shadow based powers
Pets as an option. Undead as well? Undead beasts or humanoids too?
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ability ideas as suggested by Daiklave.
Dark Ranger

Darkstep
Using this ability while holding down a directional key causes the Dark Ranger to move 15 yards in that direction instantly, traveling as a shadowy wisp. The character cannot be rooted while using Darkstep.

Necrotic Shroud
A shroud of ebon mist pours from the Dark Ranger’s body, creating a 10 by 10 yard field that consumes half of any incoming ranged or magic damage. Darkstep’s range is doubled for any Dark Ranger within 30 yards of it, provided they are in a group with the one that used it.

Abhorrent Shear
A 30% life execute. If it strikes a killing blow, the victim is raised as a zombie that attacks the Dark Ranger’s next target.

Vorpal Shot
Arcane Shot analog, using deathly energy. When fired from within Necrotic Shroud, it does 5% more damage.

Aradne’s Arrow
1.5 minute cooldown - fire an arrow into a nearby corpse, raising it as an undead minion that attacks your target for 30 seconds.

Life Sever
Fire a shot into a target that prevents healing for 4 seconds.

Banshee’s Scream
Breaks stun or silence and fears nearby opponents. Shares a cooldown with other CC clearing effects.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

2 Likes
2

Have you ever seen a hunter use necromantic and shadow magic (lore wise)? Have you ever seen a hunter raise the dead (lore wise)? Dark Rangers can transform into banshees (just like Sylvanas as they were once banshees before they repossessed their corpses) and eviscerate their enemies. They can control minds, possess others, and apparently create glamours (Lindsay Ravensun). Dark Rangers don’t usually use pets. As they are undead, Dark Rangers can no longer utilize nature magics and rely on the darker kind for their spells.

Remember that not all Dark Rangers were hunters in life, some were rogues like our “buddy” Lorash Sunbeam. So there is actually a lot to set Dark Rangers apart from hunters if you really look and don’t try to over simplify things.

As for an example of a fleshed out class idea, I’m going to need to dig up an old link. But I also have some ideas myself like a healing spec.

1 Like
3

Dark rangers are archers with necromancy, just like death knights are warriors with necromancy. And you know what would happen if we got dark rangers as a class? People will just ask why we can’t play necromancers.

1 Like
4

Dark Arrow used to be a regular hunter ability, I know that doesn’t count for much though. Not sure if it was used in regular Lore.

I’ve never seen a Dark Ranger raise the dead…that I can recall, nor change into a Banshee. Sylvanas can because she’s a Banshee possessing her old body. Still uncertain as to why she can raise the dead all of a sudden.

I may be unaware of instances of older Dark Rangers being banshees. None of the current/newly risen ones are portrayed as such.

Would make for some interesting abilities though. Cooldown power up type thing.

I still wish hunters could dual wield like they used to. I have seen the Dark rangers doing so.

We do need Necromancers as a full class though. It’d be easy to flesh out 3 specs. That’s what I’ve been wondering about Dark Rangers. How they’d make 2-3 specs.

As long as they can be made fun to play, I’d certainly play both.

Seems like Dark Ranger would most likely be all DPS specs. Healing seems like an odd way to go unlike Necromancer where you could have a spec all around draining and bestowing like…kinda like DK Blood.
Anything could be whipped up though. Life draining arrows that allow the Ranger to channel into allies?

2 Likes
5

I have not played a hunter uptil now but dark ranger class is something I want to play really badly .from time to time I transform my meoww toon to dark ranger .

2 Likes
6

Nah enough with the dark necro demon class …i dont know why not happy tinker instead :smiley:

7

Seems like it’d make a nice additional spec rather than a full class, but maybe there’s more ideas to make it such.

I’d much rather play my hunter as melee but not using a stupid spear.
If a dark ranger had a melee dual wield spec and let me run around with my wolf, then I’d be on board.

I’m sure that’s already well on the way. Could be interesting as well and seems much easier to build 3 specs around.

2 Likes
8

I really dont want more classes tied to only 1 race.

1 Like
9

Agreed. What races would be open to being a dark ranger?

10

The First Dark Rangers, the ones that were killed during the siege of Quel’thalas by Arthas, were originally banshees that repossessed their bodies. As such like Sylvanas, those Dark Rangers should be able to go all banshee as well. It could easily be made a mechanic for the class. But you are correct none of the new ones have been portrayed as such. I’m just saying that a difference could easily be made between hunters and Dark Rangers.

As for Dark Rangers being all DPS, they could easily have a healing spec utilizing shadows or necromantic magics to heal their allies. Dark Rangers can also drain life from enemies to heal themselves. There’s no reason that they couldn’t use it to heal allies too. As a plus, their healing spec could use damage done to enemies as healing done to allies.

Possible races:
Night Elf
Blood Elf
Human
Forsaken

I appreciate you being open-minded, mature, and civil about this though.

1 Like
11

Undead.

12

Blood elf - undead -

13

I didn’t know the other banshees did the same as Sylvanas.
Yeah Banshee form would be a neat power up mechanic…makes me think of the one for Elemental Shaman…I can’t remember the name.

A healing spec would be great. If they’re using necromantic powers then the siphoning and funneling of life does make sense.

Races : that’d give at least 2 for each side.
I can think of two more that’d work well but neither of which are currently available. Broken, which I still fully expect…they’re all shadowy anyway. Then Man’ari would go for something like that as well. Still would like to see both of those added.

I’m still expecting some sort of undead allied race with Nathanos in the Embassy. I figured it’d be an undead elf race. San’layn would work well too.

The 4 you mentioned would be a good start.

Would any of those 4 visually look like current dark rangers kinda like how Death Knights have their own customization options?

1 Like
14

I don’t see the point, while I would’ve loved to see a Dark Ranger as a class, with the way the story is going and Garrosh 2.0 seemingly underway… it would just be rubbing salt in the wound of Sylvanas fans.

15

It’s been said a number of times that they have other plans for Sylvanas, be nice to know what they are, but I guess we’ll find out in time.

3 Likes
16

Black arrow.

Give me back black arrow, dammit!

(Please)

17

I would imagine that to be a signature ability for a ranged spec. Archery only? Seems out of place for a gun =P

18

Dark ranger class…aka the DH 3rd spec.

1 Like
19

Literally was the case in Legion. Black arrow was exclusive for marks, which, due to the artifact, was the bow user. Beastmasters used guns.

For a dark ranger class, I can’t see any specs using guns. Should strictly be a bow/crossbow class imo.

2 Likes
20

Makes sense to me.
Maybe even time to add in dual hand crossbows! Or it could be a little ability to whip out one like rogues do a pistol.
For dual,could make it a single two hand item, but visually occupy both hands.

I do like the idea of there being a melee spec too.
I know that ranger you accompany to find Saurfang fights that way some.
Plus Lorash…if we’re gonna count him as more than just a rogue.

It fits.
Hrm…the D3 Demon Hunter could be a good source of ideas. I’ve only played one a tiny bit.
I’d imagine some sort of stealth ability?

1 Like