Just feel I have to throw in my $0.02 here.
Having played games like this a long time, I am here to tell you there is NO such thing as "balance" bewteen the choices you have available to you. Its like trying to claim that there is balance between army choices in a game like WFB or WH40K. It simply doesn't exist.
And, more to the point...
it never will.Balance only exists when everyone has the exact same options. For example, if you started a game where everyone pulled from the exact same list of abilities, points, etc. to create their characters, you might claim to have some form of "balance." Even then, those who make "better" choices will have an advantage over those who take less useful skills or abilities. AD&D does not even have THIS level of "balance," unlike, say GURPS or something similar. The very nature of the class system, and the unbelieveable amount of combinations of basic abilities, stats, spells, feats, skills, special abilties, etc. makes it literally impossible to "balance" anything. Even attempting to usually causesmoreproblems than it is worth. Again, I fall back on the examples of WFB and 40K, where each new army book or codex is bumped up a little in power, to make it attractive to new players (who then spend their money). The never-ending arms race begins.
AD&D is no different. Due to the nature of the server itself (crappy magic items, lots of undead), those who can bring their own magic to the table are the most powerful characters on the server, i.e. Clerics and Wizards. Those who are reliant upon items, or aren't good against the undead (Rogues, Rangers, Druids, for example) are automatically at a disadvantage. In order to "remedy" this and achieve some sort of "balance," its now possible for a fighter or ranger (or anyone else) to run around with literally hundreds of potions, varnishes, items, etc. I know one character who claims to have over 700 potions on them. I have a character who have over 300.
Thats CRAZY. But, thats what you get for attempts to provide "balance."
I've played a ranger in every game where the class exists. Including Everquest, from a month after it went live. Rangers are NEVER as good as the other fighter classes. NEVER. Its just one of those sad facts of life. A fighter, with bonus feats, can easily get the same fighting abilities as a Ranger, and do it while wearing full plate, and being specialized in his weapons. Boom. Ranger loses. Especially when you consider that the fighter can ALSO be versatile in the ability to go Two-Handed or with a Shield as well, at which they will be better agian than the ranger due to the armor and total AC. Especially at low levels. And the Paladin, while not as versatile, has vastly better special abilities and spells. Thats life, because thats the game.
Rangers are a class designed for PNP, where your DM caters to you and the party. Not for a no-holds-barred cutthroat online game where someone creates a world, pushes start, and lets it run. That said, there is nothing actually WRONG with playing a ranger. Not everything has to be balanced. Somethings should be a challenge. People I know with rangers derive a deal of personal satisfaction for HAVING the cards sort of stacked against them. Not everyone has to be equal.
I mean, geez. If you want complaints, how about the fact that my druid can't even enchant her own weapon to fight the undead? Or modify any stat except her STR? Or cast any spell that imrpoves her AB or AC except Barkskin and Bull's? Seriously. I just consider it more of a challenge. If I don't want to be challenged that day, I log in my Cleric or Wizard.
Stop complaining and BE PROUD that you are playing a class that is a bit harder, and doesn't have everything handed to them on a platter. Isn't that the point of the ranger anyway?