5 Comments so far

1. K-OSS on August 14, 2009 6:32 pm

   First of all, it’s best to manage two pets at once. Get to the local Stable Master and buy the first pet slot as soon as you can afford it. A pet only gains experience up to you’re both at the same level, so all that time between dinging 10 and 11, a lv 10 pet will not be gaining XP. This is true all the way to 70. Use that opportunity to keep two (or even three later on) pets up to par with you. It will give you a better selection for what you need.
   In terms of a tanking pet, the Bear is always a strong choice, but I have always preferred Boars. They don’t have the health bonus of the bears, but have more armor, they also have the charge ability which ensures the mobs stay right where you want them (and cuts down on the ever so fun Mob and Pet running 30 yards down the road and aggroing three other beasties in the process). And both Bears and Boars will eat anything, so they make good pets for early leveling. Turtles are also marvelous at taking alot of damage (They have a special ability that cuts damage taken by half). As for keeping aggro, just keep up on training them Growl, use Feign Death when you get it (and if the mob breaks from the pet before you get Feign Death? Wing Clip it, stop DPS, and run a bit so the pet can regain aggro).
   In terms of DPS, there’s alot of choices. I like Cat’s, they do pretty steady DPS. Other popular choices are Raptors (Less health than Cats, More Armor).
   Also keep in mind that it’s important to tame pets as you level up to lean more abilities to teach your pet. Not getting the higher levels of claw, bite, etc can seriously hurt the DPS and aggro holding abilities of your pet.

2. Aggie on August 14, 2009 7:23 pm

   Cats, Raptors, and Ravagers have the best damage ratings (all +10%), but not necessarily the best armor, health, and skills. http://www.thottbot.com/ has a list of pets and their Damage, Armor, and Health ratings, along with their diet and skills. http://thottbot.com/?pet=all This site will also tell you where they are found and the available levels.
   Bears actually have a -9% damage rating. They DO NOT do very good damage.
   Boars and Turtles have -10% damage rating.
   The health isn’t necessarily as important as the damage because you will have Mend Pet which will heal your pet while it is attacking and does not reduce the amount of damage or ranged attacks while you are casting (Mend Pet casts while you are still attacking). If your pet damage is not high enough then you will pull the mobs and your pet will not be able to hold the target.
   My main had a cat that I trained right inside of the Ghostlands. I had that cat until I hit Thousand Needles and I am still using that (along with another pets that I have in my Stable).

3. krennao on August 14, 2009 7:27 pm

   If you check on the hunter forums they have sites listed on what each type of pet does. Also specing in beastmastery would help you add to your pet’s abilities.

4. Mel on August 14, 2009 7:38 pm

   Bears are good tanks, cats (my personal favorite) are good for dps.
   Edit: No, bears aren’t good for damage, but they have more health for tanking.

5. Justin S on August 14, 2009 7:40 pm

   I use a cat. They seem to be the best pets.