Solo Hunter woes

[LavCat]

So I'm trying to solo a low-level hunter right now... he's lvl 14 and is questing in Loch Modan right now.

The problem is, his gun far outstrips the damage his pet does ... I'm in the unenviable situation where I'll send in my pet to tank for me (bear with +2 to the increased health skill) but the monster ends up running up to whack me instead.
Here's a short transcript of my battles:
...
So what do you guys suggest?  Trade in Olaf for a wolf or a cat?  Or should I try to go for a hard-hitting pet like a raptor or dinosaur?
[right][snapback]90682[/snapback][/right]

No one has yet mentioned Intimitation (five levels down in the beast talent tree), which creates additional pet threat and also gives a three second stun. Intimidation should not be required for Olaf to hold agro, but Intimidation is there for the times it is. Olaf would of course need to be a little older.

Make sure Cower is not enabled.

I would not open with a Concussive Shot, as it seems to make things angry. Slowing the target down at this point should not be necessary, but then Woad (now level 55) has never used a bear as pet (except for training). Her two main companions are Mist Howler and Broken Tooth. Both have Dash and a fast attack. If the target looks difficult Woad will let her pet attack first. If not she opens with a Serpent Sting. Woad has been tempted to train Ursala, the level 56 (as I recall) bear just outside of Everlook, to see what a really slow attack will do.

For a Beast Mastery build I would use a low damage gun or bow with a fast attack. I am not familiar with the gun choices but Woad uses Hurricane (1.60 speed), which Tribade found for her on Sorrorw Hill. I have no experience with other builds.

Woad's problem is that her damage in the log is a lot less than in the lying character screen. This is great for the pet holding agro, but not so great for killing monsters. Her DPS (without thorium arrows) is shown as over 130, but as I remember her actual hit is often around 125-128, not in the neighborhood of 200 as it is supposed to be. I should collect more data. She has +110 attack power from items, and I am not convinced this is adding as it should.

I also have no experience with increased health, increased armor, or any of the new pet skills. Broken Tooth has five skills and I really do not want to have to respec and give one up. Fire resistance sounds good to me, but I would love to see suggestions. I don't think though that any of these would have an effect on holding agro, other than that your pet will probably hold more agro while alive.


Edit: Duh -- the answer to my damage difference is most likely target armor.

But I will ask another question: does anyone have experience with the new Spirit Bond? Is it worth getting?