Hi there,
As of now, rangers are in a bad spot for competitive PvP (though pvp isnt really that big). Their lack in team fights, and support role is subpar to the currently existing meta builds. To put it simply, other classes are way too superior to pick up a ranger. I think ranger’s key element is the pet and quite honestly one of the biggest separation to other classes, but pet mechanic is extremely hard to control and its unpredictability makes it even worse.
The pet itself is very stupid and cant tell which target to attack, sometimes running away from the fight because its chasing a target that is not important. Naturally the pet will attack a target the master attacks, but can be set to attack another person.
So… I’m proposing a change to the pet mechanic that’ll revolutionize the way you play ranger. BUT WAIT YO! What about all the new players wanting to learn the class? they will be overwhelmed!
I’m so glad you asked ANET! So what I’m proposing is both constructive to the current ranger population, and noob friendly to newer players, So here goes, Introducing The Manual/Automatic Pet setup!
Instead of Avoid Combat/Guard:
It should be changed to Manual/Automatic
Automatic is for the new players and is basically just how pet works right now, it will be easier for newer players to just control the F2 skill. The pet auto attacks its natural cooldowns and just goes ham for ever, no problem.
Hold on a sec, but what if I want to keep my pet from attacking, I just want him to sit there and do nothing. Well, to you I say: set the pet to manual, and don’t press your F1-4 skills! GG. Manual puts the pet to doing nothing until told other wise.
Manual changes the F1-F4 Skills (where the magic happens)
F1: Target Lock/Cancel Lock
– Target Lock Rotates pets auto attack skill and its condition skill.
– Cancel Lock Releases pet from doing any and all actions and retreats back to Master (Can be used to cancel cast for pets).
– When F1 is pressed, a specific target is locked and the pet attacks the target until told otherwise, or until enemy is out of range.
– There should be a specific way to know which target is the pet attacking, Kinda like a mark target but green instead, so it’s clear to see who the pet is attacking.
– If the target lock is on, the Cancel Lock button pops up, so you can choose to target some other person if you dont want the pet to attack that target anymore. ( cancelling pet actions).
– Basically attack button, and pull back button in 1 rotational F1.
F2: Pet Specific Skill
– self explanatory
– pet auto locks to current target or closest target (unless its a PBAoE skill, i.e. wolf fear, hound immob)
– This will engage the pet.
– Will not activate for skills that need a target.
– Can be cancelled by F1
F3: Pet #3 skill, Brutal Charge on Canines, Posion Field on Spiders etc.
– Gives rangers control of key Pet elements. Like CC on command for canines, or healing on command if using Moa (GREAT FOR TEAM fights btw).
– Auto locks pet to current target. Unless it’s AoE skill like MoA heal, or Bear Invul.
– Can be cancelled by F1
F4: Pet Swap
Let me know what you guys think.
TL:DR
Change pet mechanical control. You should read it, its not that long.