Step Sequencer

You can kind of ratchet if you set up the sequencer with 4 or more subdivisions/beat then add in extra notes where you want the ratchet. You have to work it all out in advance though which is creatively a very different process than using a sequencer as an instrument in its' own right. Another way of doing sort-of ratcheting is to use a delay and automate the mix control. Again, not entirely satisfactory.

I'd go further than you and in a request that the step sequencer be further developed so it has at least the basic functions found on most hardware sequencers such as the ability to miss steps out, jump locations in the sequence, reverse or randomise the direction of sequence travel, jump octaves etc.

Unlike hardware sequencers, Sonar's step sequencer is very easy to work with, has the ability to send as many MIDI continuous controllers as you want, and can handle as many steps and sub-divisions of beats as you need, it seems strange it's missing so many functions regarded as step-sequencing standard tools.

Most hardware step sequencers have the ability to determine whether a step sounds, does not sound or is skipped altogether.

As an example, the Doepfer Dark Time has two three way switches per step.

One of those switches has the functions on/off/skip and the other stop/jump/continue.

The first switch controls whether that step is on (sounds), off (no sound/trigger) or is missed out and the sequencer goes directly to the next step without waiting for the clock to advance.

The second switch is used to tell the sequencer to continue to the next step, jump to another location in the sequence or stop.

The switches turn a sequencer from a simple playback device into an instrument in its' own right.

Most hardware sequencers have these functions. The Sonar sequencer's randomise function is useful for adding a bit of variety but does not allow that kind of control.