while i do think that ranger in sl makes sense given the established backstory/rp/etc, you have to keep in mind that there's another BIG reason for these kinds of restrictions as tep pointed out earlier..
faction flavor.
this way factions can be very different from each other in terms of what you can build. after you've tapped out all of one factions build possibilities, you can theoretically start toons on another and then you have an entire new area/perspective/set of build choices. it should keep the game fresh longer.
i think the reason the restrictions are questioned so often is because the devs perhaps don't realize how successful the faction/relic system really is (ironically partly due to the "flavor" thus granted). folks get pretty attached to a faction for a lot of practical and social reasons. so while its certainly possible to make many of the "restricted builds" by simply moving to another faction, that thought doesn't occur to most people or they just reject it. Factions are not really interchangeable in many players' minds (not all but definitely a significant chunk).
think of all the people who consider "themselves" as part of a faction, rather than their TOONS.
so i'm sure a similar question will pop up again in a few months, I just hope the management keeps in mind that these topics arise only due to the actual success of the system, before bringing out the flame throwers
