Petition for a pet-less ranger option

[BrettM]

I think Skyy has a good point and optional pets might take us right back into the GW1 mold for rangers. If pets are not required, then perhaps they should not exist as anything more than a temporary summons (such as the birds called by a ranger with a warhorn) and rangers should have been given a different professional mechanic.

As for the viability of fire-only eles, I think I would hate to be on a team with one. If your group is under heavy pressure and a quick Geyser or Healing Rain could pull you through, would you accept the ele telling you after the wipe that he's a fire ele and it's unreasonable of you to expect him to ever do anything else, even if the necessary skills are only an attunement-switch away?

I don't really see how an ele is rewarded any more for traiting two or three skills in one element than by spreading traits across elements or using generic traits. It depends on the play style, and a flexible approach should work at least as well as an approach focusing on one element. Each element has its own trait line, so only the weapon traits require decisions between generic and skill-specific traits. Is an ele with, say, improved Fireball and Lava Font really that much better off than one who improves Static Field and stuns his foes before switching to blast them with an improved Fireball?

[Alaris]

As for the viability of fire-only eles, I think I would hate to be on a team with one.

What I mean is that the ele doesn't have to switch away from fire usage if other party members take care of healing, e.g. if there's a guardian in the team. Or if things go well and you don't need healing.

Whereas ranger pretty much has to bring a pet to be effective, afaik.

The right analogy is if fire damage would be lower if he doesn't use water.

Well, maybe, but the ranger is for people who want to play with a pet. If you don't want to play with a pet, there are 7 other professions for you.

6 at most, necro is probably gimped if he doesn't use summons.

And also, this ignores *again* that I don't *always* want to be petless.

[raspberry jam]

6 at most, necro is probably gimped if he doesn't use summons.

And also, this ignores *again* that I don't *always* want to be petless.

May I suggest that you use an alt. Or maybe take advantage of the no-pet-buff that rangers will have if they don't use their pet.

[Alaris]

Or maybe take advantage of the no-pet-buff that rangers will have if they don't use their pet.

Which buff?

[raspberry jam]

Which buff?

Mmmmmm... I thought there would be some buff on you if you didn't take a pet. I might have been wrong. I'm not perfect, you know. I am wrong sometimes. Almost never. It does happen, though. Like once per year or so.

[BrettM]

Mmmmmm... I thought there would be some buff on you if you didn't take a pet.

That's what the whole topic is about: petitioning for the option to get a buff if you don't take a pet. This option does not exist, and we've been discussing whether this is really desirable, how it might be added, and how it might affect ANet's ability to balance the profession.

[Alaris]

You just used up your once per year.

You might have gotten confused with companions, which were kinda like GW2 henchmen / heroes anyone could take, and if you didn't then you'd get a buff instead. But that concept has since been trashed.

Petition is basically to have the same but for rangers... get a small buff if you decide not to take the pet...

[raspberry jam]

That's what the whole topic is about: petitioning for the option to get a buff if you don't take a pet. This option does not exist, and we've been discussing whether this is really desirable, how it might be added, and how it might affect ANet's ability to balance the profession.

Yeyeyeye so maybe I don't read the OP that carefully Stop being mean

Anyway, I think that the ranger seems to be powerful enough to play without a pet for part of the time, at least in more casual contexts.

[sorudo]

they could do something like, when you don't use a pet, you have a higher chance the evade attacks.
it isn't a HUGE buff, but it helps.

[Skyy High]

6 at most, necro is probably gimped if he doesn't use summons.

Considering that's just one type of utility skill, and we only get to pick 3, I certainly hope not...