Looking at the available terrains & expertises for different races, storm giants especially seem way too thematically restricted. In general I think that Forest should basically be a terrain and Survivalist an expertise choice for every race. I.e. less forcing of "common" or "most likely" racial background for rangers, but rather adding more variety/combos to play.

As far as stormies go, besides Forest & Survivalist, adding at least also Marshdweller (keeping with their wet theme) & Explorer seems reasonable (I'm just thinking in terms of expanding their very limited options, not in the skill sets, but I doubt there's an über ranger build in there).

When expertise/terrain changes went in, and they opened up a bunch of new races, they justified not giving those races Forester/survivalist because they were not permitted to be rangers previously. And pre-change rangers we're all forester/survivalists.

Don't get me wrong though. I can see the argument about opening up a little bit more for the home terrains or expertise though. Marsh really does make a pretty good fit for a Storm and that's just one example.

but maybe those stormies on Kiadana are all just warriors or something

They're not on their home terrain, they're invading.

nt