The Longbow appears to be slightly overpowered due to its three-shot burst, in my opinion. The issue mainly lies in the limited counterplay available when you’re at close range, as it almost guarantees three shots to the chest, which can be fatal for most classes.
However, there’s a prevailing sentiment among many players to significantly nerf the Ranger class, primarily focusing on the slow effect caused by their attacks. Personally, I don’t believe the slow effect is as problematic as some claim. Dodging the arrows becomes quite manageable, especially if you maintain unpredictability in your movements when you’re more than five feet away. For Barbarians, their ample HP allows them to effectively charge through the arrows.
I would argue that the slow effect is a necessary mechanic, as it not only makes follow-up shots easier but also allows Rangers to maintain distance. Without this feature, a Ranger would need to fire a couple of shots and reposition, which seems fair given the potential lethality of a triple shot. Presently, Rangers can simply put away their ranged weapon and reposition if they miss their shots.
Even if you haven’t been slowed, evading a Ranger’s shots while closing in for combat engagement can be quite challenging (even in open spaces). A skilled Ranger is unlikely to miss their shots unless facing a double-jumping Rogue with speed buffs from a Bard. While it’s possible to move unpredictably in front of them to dodge most shots, this essentially means that countering a Ranger involves stopping your attacks and dancing in front of them to avoid three out of four shots.
Damage seems reasonable for recurve bows but appears excessively high for longbows, particularly when combined with the Ranger’s current perks and skills. On a side note, Quickshot appears to be overpowered, overshadowing other potentially interesting Ranger skills.
The combination of long range, minimal damage drop-off, and the debilitating slow effect contributes to what I find unbalanced about Rangers. If the slow effect were less severe, their range were more in line with other classes, or their damage were reduced to a level where they couldn’t take down Barbarians with a single Quickshot, they would feel more fair to face. If fairness is lost, then ultimately the Dark and Darker Gold rewards will be skewed to one side and will only get worse.
Those who call for drastic Ranger nerfs are likely expressing their frustration, but it’s essential for Rangers to fulfill their role as ranged DPS while remaining counterable. Currently, it seems that Rangers often dictate the outcome of combat encounters and eliminate opponents who have little recourse but to succumb after a Ranger enters the fray.
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