Why do you think the ranger has no access to a rifle...this is still flabbergasting me. I mean he is a ranger, why does he not have access to all ranged weapons? As soon as he gets the rifle I will start playing him, because I really find the longbow skills quite boring and lets be honest the Mechanist is the better pet class with his rifle 😜
Not sure if you’re aware but the word ranger isn’t so much to do with being at a distance, as it does being on or patrolling a range (think forests, parks). That’s the natural connotation of the term.
Now when we apply that to fantasy, think of Aragorn from Lord of the Rings, or the Night’s Watch from Game of Thrones. Aragorn is introduced as a ranger, while the Night’s Watchmen fit similar duties as keepers of the wall and surrounding land (the range they’re charged with).
The theme of living off the land runs deep in the ranger fantasy, and so it gravitates to wooden bows and weapons with practical survival uses too.
I know I know, was more a joke on my side than sticking to the actual meaning of the word ranger.
I mention it above, I think it's the bow and the (imho) boring skills on them compared to the rifle of the engi, that really makes me wishing for another range option on ranger.
It is indeed a bit suprising, but I guess the reason is that they are Rangers and not Hunters, i. e. their bond with nature is so strong that using firearms is out of the question.
Rangers rely on a keen eye, a steady hand, and the power of nature itself. Unparalleled survivalists with traps, nature spirits, and a stable of loyal pets at their command, rangers can adapt to any situation.
I tried ... to more or less guess what ArenaNet's reasoning is. Personally I wouldn't mind Rifle on Ranger, but then I probably want Dwarf as a playable race, too. 😎
Guildwars rangers are very different from hunters of other competitors. They are more like druids in many regards, that are close to the nature. Using high tech weapons doesn't really fit their theme.
They probably don't want them to mix with engineers. With the Soto they are adding maces. For future updates I think they will first add other offhand weapons like sword or even focus.
If you don't like the bows check out the axes, they are great for both damage types.
That's the beauty of gw, just switch between characters anytime you want. I'm regularly switching between ranger and thief. Also played holo for some time and could do it without leveling and gearing a character for a few weeks.