This post is to discuss with the community the actual state of our pets, theyr effective role and usage, wich imho deserve a global rethinking, especially for the end game content.
What we use pet for? there are 3 answers that come to my mind:
1) Solo gameplay ( quest/old content/ etc.) : in this case, the optimal pet should be Tank/Melee DPS, with some utility that can help. Actually this role is covered by Voiwalker/Voidlord - Felguard/Wrathguard.
2) Raid/Dungeon : in this case, a ranged DPS with utility and a form of CC would be the optimal chice. Actually this role is accomplished by IMP/Felimp and Felhunter/Observer.
3) PvP : this can be the most tricky to assign a role, I'll give it a try: you need a DPS with utility that may vary from CC to defensive, the choice may vary a lot, Succubus/Shivarra offers Dps, a strong CC and a tactical Knockback, FelHunter/Observer offers a better (actually) Dps and a silence CC wich is extremely strong and situational, while Imp/Felimp offers reliable dps and defensive utility. FelGuard/WrathGuard has the best Dps wich can even be AoE on cd, and form of CC with the stun and a minor utility in specific to pvp in hampering healing. PvP is probably the most unclear choice, depends on situation, group composition and playstyle.
It is my opinion that our Pets should be modeled with these needs in mind, trying to give specific answers to specific needs, leaving the spot for customizations to be more of a cosmethic aspect of the class.
i mean, for Example, PITLORD= Tank/melee DPS, optimal for solo play- player may find ways to change colors/weapons(or get random ones as for names).
NATHREZIM=Ranged DPS/Utility/CC for DG and Raid, players can vary Colors and faces(as above)
DOOMGUARD= DPS ranged/AoE , CC less situational , some form of Utility, be it defensive or offensive.
One of these Demons Ability may change when u change spec, if u are AFF, one may grant more dmage from Dots, if u are Destro the actual target may have a 5% crit debuff, if u are Demo it can grant u more Demonic fury, making the pet more involved in playstyle.
Demons you use in the exping part, old demons like Imps,Succubi,Felpuppy,VW, may find a space as CD spells like IMP Swarm, we can see a Fellhound Pack that comes and make targeted silences, Succubi coming slahing targets randomly as a side effect of some dots like the imps in Doom mechanics.
This changes could be awsome to finally adjust the class, give the players a feeling of "upgrade" in theyr summoning abilities and feel more Demon Masters that we actually seem... from Vanilla very little has changed, and the confusion on what pet to use when often resolve in looking wich shows best DPS in Simcraft, leaving a pet class difficult to balance.
These are my 2 cents, i know lot of ppl may be happy with things like they are now, just some touch to numbers etc, but still i'm oretty sure changes like the ones i suppose above would be a great improvement to the class, and make it easier to balance/play, making it even more fun.