EvanNave55
Explorer
I would counter with the question, "If the devs intended all rangers to take hunter's mark, in order to be balanced, why is it only one of many spell's known choices and not just a class feature?"
If that's true, I've got another one for you: Is a ranger only considered 'balanced' when he has hunter's mark active?
I don't actually have a lot of experience with 5e rangers myself as I have yet to play one, this is merely what I know from what devs have said in certain articles/discussions with players. As far as making such things class features, it is constantly said that eldritch blast should have been a class feature and not a cantrip.