Ranger was just the first specialization I unlocked. And since I didn't read up I had no idea about assassins. So aside from Leliana's bardness, it was the only option available. So I became a dual-wielding ranger who later added assassination (took forever to finally meet Zevrand..), and she was an archer bard ranger. An obvious time where reading up would have helped me out I guess haha. But yeah, I wouldn't presume my team would be anywhere near a top-tier idea. I just wanted to have Leliana and the idea seemed balanced enough. I just wasn't ready for that MMO style of supplementing everyone with stuff from everyone else and trying to work two or three skills together to make an insane killing machine. I'll be going into Dragon Age 2 a bit more prepared...
I suppose if I ever felt motivated to play the game a second time I'd have a lot less to complain about since it won't all be so jarring and surprising
And I never found the blood mage specialization, so that idea would have never occurred to me haha