Whilst it is important to have a well rounded "game", which of the fighting ranges do you consider most important to get good at first and why?
Striking, definately. If they get in close to you, they can inflict loads of damage, and your opponent could very well be stronger than you and/or have a weapon. If can keep them at bay, with kicks, punches and striking weakpoints, they're yours.
striking gives you a good base for other things. all ranges include strikes, even groundfighting. i belive the ranges should be developed simultaneously. striking is just a tool that can be used in every range. (grappling is too, just not quite so easily)
Striking, best ranges being middle and long range, but im a long fist guy so I may be a bit biased...
getting good at striking first is better because it lays down the fundamentals for grappling, such as hand-eye, reflex, and mental training. grappling, for me, is sort of like a weapon for striking, it evens out a fight where striking alone cannot prevail.