A bunch of Ranger questions - Page 2 - Guild Wars Forums

Urcscumug · Mar 21, 2011, 03:21 PM // 15:21

I'll add to what others have said about pets. I like them, they're fun to have around. But their behavior is erratic so I don't usually bring them unless going specifically for a Beast Master build. They don't always obey "heel", they don't follow the flag and by default they pace around or pause in odd places. So most often than not they WILL cause unwanted aggro. Their use as tank is iffy because they're slow to react.

For example, if you want them to tank you have to stop out of aggro range and let them catch up (they usually trail quite a way behind the group); flag the group on the spot; move forward; pull the foe with a longbow shot; stand the ground for a moment to let the pet acquire the target; only once it starts moving towards them you can retreat; hope pet doesn't break target the moment you stop attacking. In short, it's just not worth it.

They can be useful in particular circumstances... such as with a beast master build, or when hunting Charr in Pre, or taking your Ranger Insignia exams in Shing Jea Monastery. But that's the exception not the rule.

If I have an empty slot on the bar I'd rather bring a trap than Comfort Animal; at least then I can set the trap and pull the mobs through it and get _some_ use out of that slot.

@Quaker: Instead of Comfort Animal + NRA I usually prefer Lightning Reflexes + a HP regen skill. Such as Shadow Refuge if you're /A. Lightning Reflexes is 33% IAS instead of 25% and also adds 75% chance to block; and it can be useful to have the HP regen separate.

Granted, NRA has its nice points; such as the fact it's not a stance, that its effect matches or outlasts the recharge time, and it helps with bar compression. It's great for BM builds... but for non-BM builds I'd think twice before taking it.

Quaker · Mar 22, 2011, 02:00 PM // 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alathaea

Appeal to tradition = failsauce argument. And it's not even true anyway. The "Archer" class is still alive and well, without a pet. To suggest that people have to consider pets vital just because other people do is ill-judged.

No one is suggesting that a pet is vital. Nothing is vital. I don't know how you can interpret "bring a pet for grins" as "a pet is vital".

Mar 21, 2011, 03:21 PM // 15:21	#21
Urcscumug Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jan 2011 Guild: UNO Profession: W/	I'll add to what others have said about pets. I like them, they're fun to have around. But their behavior is erratic so I don't usually bring them unless going specifically for a Beast Master build. They don't always obey "heel", they don't follow the flag and by default they pace around or pause in odd places. So most often than not they WILL cause unwanted aggro. Their use as tank is iffy because they're slow to react. For example, if you want them to tank you have to stop out of aggro range and let them catch up (they usually trail quite a way behind the group); flag the group on the spot; move forward; pull the foe with a longbow shot; stand the ground for a moment to let the pet acquire the target; only once it starts moving towards them you can retreat; hope pet doesn't break target the moment you stop attacking. In short, it's just not worth it. They can be useful in particular circumstances... such as with a beast master build, or when hunting Charr in Pre, or taking your Ranger Insignia exams in Shing Jea Monastery. But that's the exception not the rule. If I have an empty slot on the bar I'd rather bring a trap than Comfort Animal; at least then I can set the trap and pull the mobs through it and get _some_ use out of that slot. @Quaker: Instead of Comfort Animal + NRA I usually prefer Lightning Reflexes + a HP regen skill. Such as Shadow Refuge if you're /A. Lightning Reflexes is 33% IAS instead of 25% and also adds 75% chance to block; and it can be useful to have the HP regen separate. Granted, NRA has its nice points; such as the fact it's not a stance, that its effect matches or outlasts the recharge time, and it helps with bar compression. It's great for BM builds... but for non-BM builds I'd think twice before taking it.