If you say so, but you can simply use stealth and survival with guidance (everybody can do it), or use items like the cloak of elvenkind, you do not really need the ranger features to track or hide with high chances of success; The elven cloak that gives you even better chances to hide, and you can move from the spot for example. Also, a druid is far better at tracking than a ranger, because they usually have more wisdom and can use some spells or shapeshifting forms to support his abilities, including the free cantrip guidance (+1d4) and those skills are not only for one type of monster. For that matter, even some clerics or a monk could be a better tracker or the skill powerhouses of the rogues and bards.
...Or you can simply use wands or scrolls if you can if you do not have time to cast the ritual spell, but it is not mandatory. You usually do not have to do that many survival checks in the session, a few will suffice.
ED: Also I forgot spells like scrying. Unless your quarry goes to another plane of existence, you can track it in any place in the world. Beats favored enemy any day of the week.
Honestly, I fail to see how features that gives you an advantage in survival checks to track one kind of enemy, to spend one minute to create a bonus +10 to hide in a place that you cannot move or that you can move at full speed in difficult terrain do not seem a little underwhelming when at those same levels other classes are evading deadly blows, running at double speed, inspiring the party, casting amazing spells, shapeshifting into savage beasts, killing with a touch of their hands and more...
The story the DM and players should create is a spirit of party cooperation, not who can stand out the most.
I disagree. I found out that if a party member does not felt useful or does not have the opportunities to participate he does not have fun and tends to space out. It is a party-based game, which means that the best outcome is that everybody is having fun. So that means that everybody would need a chance to do something in the session. That is not standing out, it´s simply that everybody participates.
