Guild Wars 2

Personally i do not want a 25% move speed signet. if we get one then i will feel compelled to keep it on my skill bar at all times and have one less utility skill, just like i do now with my Ranger and Ele.

I have also noticed that if you charm a new pet, the new pet will recieve the old pets name and the old pet will revert to juvenial.

During the napoleonic wars a british regiment, the royal corsican rangers, were equiped with the baker rifle. Therefore rangers have usedblack powder weaponry and your statement is false.
(edit for spelling)

I have been experimenting with spirits (untraited) lately and the biggest issue IMO is how squishy they are. I have been testing the range and feel it is decent and the effects are useful, especially the more people you have around.

I dont think it will affect the duration of the spirit but it should increase the duration of a boon you gained from the spirit ( like protection from stone spirit).

There are two options you could try, they wont get rid of your pet but might let you play closer to the style you want. first you could choose the ranged pets like the spider, they will stand back and lob poison while you melee. Second you could set your pets on passive and just use the brown bear and fern hound for their f2 cleanse/heal. This might not resolve your issues, but will reduce the emphasis on pets. (sorry for any typos, apparently the forums dont like my phone)