Shattered Kingdoms

I wouldn't call scouts underpowered, but ambush should probably work for both ranged weapons and melee weapons. Also thrown weapons. Spears predate bows in the real world, but paleolithic hunters were definitely ambushing animals with spears. I'm not really sure why it is just limited to arrows in SK. It should basically work for every kind of attack a scout has, becuase why not?

It might be worth mentioning MAD. Which classes do and do not experience it?

Wtf is that

Because Scouts used to be able to do that and they can't anymore. You know the golden rule, bro: Dulrik never goes back on changes.

From what little I know, I picked Scout and warlocks. Scouts because a merc is just as good at ranged killing but better at almost everything else. I picked Warlocks because I think most classes can runaway and live easy enough when attacked by a warlock and add in that warlocks are easy to counter, I think that makes them weak.

I want to pick barbarians as well, not because they are very weak but because Mercs have always seemed better at pretty much everything. Then I have to realize that Barbarians are so much easier to use then Mercs, and MRbarbs is something mercs can´t do anymore.

I find that rogues are very easy to counter, just place a pet or NPC behind you and you pretty much don't have to worry about them.

Scouts are fine, an independent class for the most part, but with the changes to the tribunals with no rifts or gates, they take even more prep time. Ranged attacks can be fine, but easily countered with just a shield and mood defensive alone. Throw in some defensive buffs on top of that and the ranged attacks are pretty much nullified. I personally find that the only viable races for this class are the large + sized to do any effective ranged damage. @LaeZ1 Unfortunately snare wasn't that useful imo unless you feel like trolling people and leaving them along roads Honestly the only place to use them would be high traffic areas like roads next to portals stones, but I found myself snaring the wrong people or camping next to the snares with no luck.

Swashbucklers gained more survivability with recent updates, but still lack the proper defense against massive weapons which counter them easily. They are definitely the tactical fighters now with the changes to taunt, but probably wont last long in the front row against people who know what they are doing. Yes you could use dual crossbows, but as I said before, ranged attacks are easily countered, let alone low damage ammo like darts.

Out of all these, my vote goes to rogue because they are easily countered by any class through formation alone.

That's -generally- true, but just so that you're aware, I also said
Against an opponent that doesn't know that you're trying to kill them, sure, you might be able to get the drop on them, but one of the most annoying things about playing a rogue is that if someone sees you online, it's extremely easy to either put a pet behind themselves or group up if they're hanging around in a public place, which is where 95% of surprise rogue backstab kills occur. The only other times that your rogue actually gets the chance to backstab someone is if they're in PvP, and if you're about to face against a rogue in PvP then you can take your pick of putting a pet behind you, putting up mirror image, putting up stone skin, or just keeping your pulse racing by targeting yourself with a single-target damage spell. Any of these things will make backstab useless.

Rogues are certainly not useless, but they are really the epitome of one trick ponies as it relates to backstab/circle, and that one trick is really easy to counter from someone who knows what to do, which is why I think rogues are the most underpowered.

Edonas makes some valid points. I remember someone mentioned how it would be cool if rogues had a stealth ability that would prevent people from seeing them on the who list much like camouflage. That might help rogues get the jump on their enemies.

Rogues for the reason Edoras said.

Swashies... Not sure yet but I am inclined to believe that while kipup is a good step forward, they need more or barbs/mercs needs less +acc ability.

Scouts is because while they are great for utility, they are just a weak merc. If their rapid shot either made it easier to penetrate armor (ignore hvy armor bonus) or do more damage in general, then I would consider using them more.

runner up: Bards, with the significant nerf to songs of silence, best they can do is buff the party for +acc/+dmg/+spd... While good, it isn't enough, especially since there is massive amounts of it available.

rogue and swash. I think all the other classes have something going for them. They might be decent at getting players that never die now though, but stacked up against the other 2 warrior classes they're dead last. I mean you have to put a few more slots in between merc and barb because those two classes are amazing.

I'm not convinced by their ability to go action movie star/martial arts star on the game now.

Rogue is only good so long as nobody knows what class you're playing. Once they know, you'll spend the rest of the game putting storebought pets in body bags.