Guild Wars 2

Of my time playing, I have became a sadistic example to rangers on how to use your pets. However this can prove useful. I’m one of the only rangers I’ve met who can control the pet AI to some semblance of use. I’m not sure when the pets were updated, but they can now pull, detonate, and sometimes steal aggro for me.

To detonate bombs, mines, or other exploding like the fishheads in tequatal, flip to the ability “Guard”. Stick them behind or next to them. Once they come tangible again you get the sadistic pleasure of watching them topple across the floor and then get back up and take it again, (with careful positioning, you can make a game of this, how many can you detonate with only placing and calling them back?) You can also use this to detonate orrian mines, the inquest bombs in arah p2, the golems in CoE, and several other things. The heavier the pet’s vitality is, the better. I found the reef drake to be the most versatile with this.

Pulling is a little harder, you need a single attack pet such as the cats, bears, birds, dogs, or moas. I recommend moas or bears. If you use a drake, the tail sweep will hit more than one and that just gets messy. Let the pet get at least two good hits in, and then click f3 to call them back. Pull out a bow and pew pew a little when they get to closer range. This is the safest way to pull, and with practice you can actually pull singular mobs, such as bosses. Crown Pavilion’s Wiggin is a good one to practice on.

For rangers who say ‘kitten my pet’ and don’t really use them, please remember your f1-3 keys work when you are in a downed state. If there is a particular enemy killing you, target them and click f1. The pet will go after them and pull the aggro off you. Hit f2 on the blue moa to drop protection for some extra help, the fern hound is a little squishier but the regeneration is awesome when in a pinch. Everyone knows that pet heal is boss, but if you’re dangerously low, f4 to switch and then use it. They’ll be right on top of you.

If you’re having issues getting a mob off you that hits a bit too hard to handle, swap to a longbow if you can, point blank them back and send your pet after them.

Also note the Leopard pet has one of the faster cool downs on it’s f2 skill which grants might. In my experience it’s good to have one pet that can buff and the other that can tank. Think of yourself as 3 units, though the other two are quite squishier and don’t last as long.

Play minesweeper with your pets. It’s hilarious.

These are my tips for new rangers or people who are having issues on pet usage. If anyone else has some, I’d love to hear! Share the funsies.