One of the main reasons I decided to make Throg a Champion is that prior to Lotro I had mainly played ranged characters and want to try something different. There is a lot of truth in the old saying that "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence". I used to envy melee characters the ability to duke it out with enemies toe to toe. My WOW hunter and my guild wars Mesmer were both easy pickings for any mob that got up close and personal. After a few month sof playing Melee only though I have changed my mind. Now I think that ranged characters have a much easier time of it.
Consider the relative ease with which players of either type deal with mobs of either type.
Ranged player versus ranged mob: Player are stronger than mobs - easy win for the player.
Ranged player versus melee mob: If the mob gets within range it can inflict serious damage on the player but as long as the player is sensible enough to pull carefully a ranged player can ensure a melee mob is half dead before it even touches him - another easy win for the player.
Melee player versus melee mob: Easy win for the player
Melee player versus ranged mob. This can be tricky. The player has to get close to do damage and is likely to take a few hits before he does so. Worse still the player cannot choose the ground on which to fight - he must run to the mob. This risks pulling adds along the way - this is a difficult win or possibly even a loss for the player. Th Imlad Balchorth region of Angmar in Lotro proves this point. Among its many inhabitants are a goodly number of undead archers who like to stand on platforms peppering players who happen to pass. Any attempt to charge one of these guys inevitably pulls a whole bunch of dangerous mobs down on the players head.
It is not just in solo play that ranged characters have an easier time of it. When fighting in fellowships Throg has to wade into the thick of battle. Often in the confusion of names and characters it is very difficult to see what is going on. How I envy the ranged hunters who stand at the outskirts picking their targets.
Consider the relative ease with which players of either type deal with mobs of either type.
Ranged player versus ranged mob: Player are stronger than mobs - easy win for the player.
Ranged player versus melee mob: If the mob gets within range it can inflict serious damage on the player but as long as the player is sensible enough to pull carefully a ranged player can ensure a melee mob is half dead before it even touches him - another easy win for the player.
Melee player versus melee mob: Easy win for the player
Melee player versus ranged mob. This can be tricky. The player has to get close to do damage and is likely to take a few hits before he does so. Worse still the player cannot choose the ground on which to fight - he must run to the mob. This risks pulling adds along the way - this is a difficult win or possibly even a loss for the player. Th Imlad Balchorth region of Angmar in Lotro proves this point. Among its many inhabitants are a goodly number of undead archers who like to stand on platforms peppering players who happen to pass. Any attempt to charge one of these guys inevitably pulls a whole bunch of dangerous mobs down on the players head.
It is not just in solo play that ranged characters have an easier time of it. When fighting in fellowships Throg has to wade into the thick of battle. Often in the confusion of names and characters it is very difficult to see what is going on. How I envy the ranged hunters who stand at the outskirts picking their targets.
Comments
Multiply that by a factor of 20 if you ever raid, and another 100 if you are the main tank.