Saulot.7259

> @"Bealis.6023" said:

>

> I really like this Warden idea. Type of ranger that has reliance on plant/nature protective and enhancing magic - new skills maybe?, and trading abilities with your pet could be spec. mechanic , or vice versa. The trait line would surely compliment those. Iam not much fond of using the shield though, I would rather have focus, but thats probably just my thing :)

A focus would be a cool idea. I like the idea of channeling Tyria for protection,

> @"draxynnic.3719" said:

>

> Given current design principles, what would be the tradeoff? The core ranger mechanic is, for better or worse, pets, so an elite specialisation that only strengthens that would be hard to tradeoff short of a direct penalty to the ranger's stats. One possibility, I guess, could be to make it so that the F2 is no longer under the player's control, but happens when the pet chooses to use it - this could possibly fit for a case where the ranger has _both_ pets out at once.

Good question. I honestly hadn't considered it when I was thinking of the concept initially. Off hand I would be nervous about removing micro from the pet. Honestly I am all for more micro of pets. It may just be me but controlling both the character and the pet adds another level of play to pet classes.

As far as a tradeoff, off hand since my suggestion was to improve the ranger within a certain distance of the pet, the ranger could be negatively affected if they are beyond a certain distance. Maybe reduced movement since they are not as confident by their side or reduced toughness since they are used to the pet guarding their flank. I don't think that it needs to be completely debilitating as otherwise it could be too easily exploited in pvp. The pet stat reduction on druids for example is not really crippling.

I would really love the new specialization to be pet focused. The previous two specs fought the class mechanic. Druid weakens your pet, soulbeast removes your pet the majority of play (individually depending on your game mode). I want to see the specialization enhance the pet.

I was thinking something like a Warden. A tanky build that adds a shield as a weapon. The ranger may split some of its damage to the pet or receive damage reduction within a certain proximity of the pet. The Warden could potentially use wells where they gain fortitude by connecting with the earth.