Quick question about pet death levelling?

Ok, so I death levelled my Phoenix in the menagerie, and coming back to my computer after a bit found it at level 20; the problem is, I also have -60% death penalty, meaning that my max energy is 8, but "charm animal" uses 10 energy - so I can't charm the thing!

What can I do? I could start again, but everytime I would get the -60% - so is it just impossible for me to death level this way?

couldn't you equip some +5 e weapon?

Ahh, thankyou so much, for some reason didn't think of that - still, just stole Ogden's staff and tamed the Phoenix. Thanks!

I was going to suggest, if you're a ranger primary, that your expertise spec means it doesn't actually take 10e. But if you're not a ranger primary, and seeing as how you figured out your own way...nevermind.