If you're running a magic heavy team (mage, lich, priest, druid), the druid is a bonny melée fighter. With GM in unarmed and dodge, he does a considerable amount of damage. That's why I didn't call it a pure magic team - I don't actually consider the druid a pure magic character. But as a "half and half" character, he beats the ranger supposed and paladin into a cocked hat.
The ranger in particular is a dead loss. The only weapon he can GM is the bow; he cannot even Master any other! With his permitted weapon, the lich is pretty near as good a melée fighter as the ranger! Also, he has no access to Dark Magic, and he can't get above Expert in any other magic skill. All this makes him useless for any sensible fully developed party, IMO. The paladin at least can GM armour, blade, and cudgel, and has decent skill with a bow, although his magic skills are nothing to write home about either.
