I just started playing on this server a few months ago so i don't have any idea how rangers was OP back then. All i can say is they somewhat lack gear choices. But it doesn't dictate how you play your character, an AS ranger plays differently from another AS ranger. You can also toss some traps in between and other combination of skills, maybe play other builds such as hybrid, autowarg, dagger trapper or other experimental build. My three closest friend has mained a ranger and looking at our stats and gameplay, we really are different in many ways.
I admit it feels good to be called the "main damage dealer" of the party and to be always in demand in TI's. But once outside of TI(sometimes even from high ti depending on the mobs), many other classes can outshine a ranger when equally geared properly. Not to mention they die pretty quickly.
Even though i play my gene and loving it, and all that being said, my ranger is special to me because she's my first killer class that i played after playing as support AB
(give rangers some love too plx)
& sorry for rambling lol