I tend to agree that dual-wielding is not the end-all and be-all, particularly on this server. Considering how many extra feats characters get, ANYONE can end up dual-wielding if they want to. In addition to that, it really doesn't give you much over another style of fighting, if anything, damage-wise. Consider a character with, say, an 18 STR who either dual-wields a steel longsword/shortsword combo, or has a steel two-handed sword. With the dual-wielding, they will get, essentially, an extra attack at -2 to hit that does D6 (short sword) + 2 (steel) +2 (half-strength for off-hand). This is NEVER going to make up for the extra base damage of a steel two-handed sword (2d6+d8+1.5 STR bonus), even considering the longsword does d8+d4. Lets play with some numbers. Assume 3 base attacks per round (level 11 fighter or ranger). Assume all hit. We'll even give the two-weapon fighter Improved Two Weapon Fighting for an EXTRA off-hand attack. We'll ignore Specialization, Favored Enemy, etc...this is just pure base damage output.
Two-handed sword = 6d6+3d8+18 = 27 (min) to 78 (max), avg = 51.5
Two-weapons = 3d8+3d4+12 (longsword) + 2d6+8 (shortsword) = 28 (min) to 68 (max), avg = 48
Even with Exotic Weapon Proficiency and a two-bladed sword (offhand damage goes to d8+d4) you STILL BARELY beat the two-handed damage. 5d8+5d4+20 is 30 (min), 80 (max), 55 (avg). Almost no difference in damage, and, in fact, the two-bladed sword will do LESS damage, as we are considering every swing a hit, when, in actuality, the two-bladed sword will be at -2 to hit compared to the two-handed sword (-10%).
So, is dual-wielding better? Perhaps, for AC purposes...the character would have to take Improved Parry to get their full Parry Bonus with the two-handed sword, and they wouldn't benefit from Two-Weapon Defense or Imp. TWD. Theoretically, the dual-wielder could get nearly the same damage output AND a +2 AC bonus, but has to spend 3 extra Feats to do it (Exotic, TWD, Imp TWD, and Imp TWF vs just buying Improved Parry).
But the real meat of it comes when you consider armor...unless you wear Padded and have a 28+ DEX (i.e. no one on THIS server), you are limited to a combined Armor + DEX bonus AC of 9. Doesn't matter if it is Studded Leather (AC3 with max DEX bonus of 6) or Full Plate (AC8 with max +1), you top out at 9 points, period. So, in order to use the "free" dual-wield Rangers get, and still get your 9 AC, you'd have to wear Studded and have a 22 DEX (either naturally or with Cat's Grace). At that point, your AC would equal a Fighter or Clerics, for the most part. Obviously no one is going to do this...your other stats would suffer so much you would be screwwed.
So why not actually play a ranger INTELLIGENTLY? Take a good DEX (say, a 16) and a good STR (ditto) as oppose to just maxxing out STR like the fighter would? At creation, you could spend points to get a 15 DEX and 15 STR (Ranger, 16 points spent) and have both be 16 by level 8, or you could buy a 16 STR and 12 DEX and have an 18 STR at level 8 (Fighter, 14 points spent). The Ranger could wear Banded Mail and use a two-handed sword when fighting (AC6 +3 DEX =9) and carry a spare set of darkened leathers in a bag, along with his dual-wielding weapons, for when he wanted to go stealthy. And probably still only be carrying as much as the Fighter in full plate. With the Studded Leather, you would still end up at a net -1 AC over the banded mail if you had the Feats. And you get versatility, Stealth, Animal Companion, Spells...I really fail to see the problem. Yes...the pure Fighter will always do slightly more damage (1 extra from the STR difference, another couple from Specialization). Yes, they don't have to manage their inventory as much (one set of armor, one good weapon).
But in the end, the differences are SO minor that I don't really understand the complaints.
L20 Fighter. Full Plate (AC9 with DEX), + 3 or 5 (Varnish or Vestment), +4 (Brooch) +3 (Barkskin) +4 (Parry) +2 (Tumble) +2 (Boots) +4 (Potion of Speed) = AC 41-43
L20 Ranger. Banded (AC9 with DEX), + all the same stuff. = The same.
L20 Ranger. Studded (AC 6 with DEX), + all the same stuff, +TWD and Imp. TWD, = The same. One less, actually. With Cat's Grace, probably one MORE.
Either can give up a huge chunk of their damage potential and pick up a shield, so thats a wash.
Yes. The fighter has 2 points more STR, and Specialization. At level 20, he should be churning out a whopping 20 or so more points of damage than you per round, with any given weapon combo and 4-7 attacks (depends on weapon type, Haste, etc....and might vanish entirely vs. a Favored Enemy, against which the Ranger should do MORE). If thats REALLY that important, then go play a fighter instead, and give up entirely on your Spells, Animal Companion, Stealth, Favored Enemies, and RP.
Ranger. Medium-Heavy armor, good DEX and STR, two-handed sword. Stealth armor and weapons in a bag. Improved Parry, TWD, Imp. TWD, Imp TWF. Undead, Humans, Shapeshifters, Constructs, Outsiders as Favored Enemies. As good as a fighter any day, and more fun to play.