Ranger > Warlock

[ProfessorCirno]

Just to interject, I can't quite grasp why some people are saying "Who cares?"

Frankly, I think a lot of people care because 4e billed itself as being very balanced. If it's not balanced, then what is it?

 

[Kordeth]

Warlock's curse also has a huge disadvantage, in that you must curse the closest creature. It doesn't even let you target the closest uncursed creature, just the closest creature.

Umm, Hunter's Quarry has the exact same caveat.

 

[Kordeth]

Just to interject, I can't quite grasp why some people are saying "Who cares?"

Frankly, I think a lot of people care because 4e billed itself as being very balanced. If it's not balanced, then what is it?

People aren't saying "who cares if the classes are balanced," they're saying "who cares if the damage numbers are equal?" As has already been pointed out, warlocks have a lot more powers with nifty riders and status effects, whereas rangers generally focus on pumping out massive damage. In effect, rangers appear to be almost 100% pure striker, whereas warlocks have a healthy smidgeon of controller tossed in there (much like paladins are defenders with a bit of leader).

Now, the question isn't "is the warlock crappy because his average damage is lower?", it's "do the warlock's extra goodies make up for the fact that his damage output is less than that of the ranger?" And that, IMHO, is something that cannot be answered without playing both characters in actual encounters. Remember the 3.0 "monks are broken" and the 3.5 "mystic theurge is too powerful" debates?

 

[Diirk]

Umm, Hunter's Quarry has the exact same caveat.

Oops I didn't realise that... in that case, maybe the curse is better since I don't think there's any feats to set multiple quarries at a time. You can still only do damage once per round tho, so its not too much of an issue; altho it can free up some minor actions for the warlock if he has to curse less often.

 

[loisel]

Pardon my lack of knowledge but how does the ranger get +9 to damage at this point in his career?

Dex 22 = +6
Weapon = +2
Weapon focus = +1
Total = +9

Just read the character sheet (link in first post), the information is all in there.