I like the Idea of the Rangers Pet (Animal Companion) being the focus point of the class and that they work together to damage. I just wish the Pet was actually something to brag about, I think it needs a across the board buff. It's DR is plenty I feel but its reflexes/deflection are horrid at like 20. I think they need a buff to reflex/deflection and also damage slightly across all pets.
The current build I am using right now is a Ranger (Hard) human 8 / 6 / 18 / 10 / 18 / 18. The idea of the build is using my wolf to do most of the dmg. So far I have taken 30% damage increase from sneak attacks, 50% damage increase from enemies under damage over time, and the flat 15% damage increase (all these for the pet). I have taken wounding shot which with 18 INT it hobbles for like 15 seconds and does damage over time for almost 30 seconds. With all that together my wolf hits for generally like 40 damage conservatively per normal hit on enemies, then you have to factor in my damage also on top of that. I am only level 4 now so it could get much worse soon. So far I think what obsidian should do is instead of making them tanks (especially when as of now they cant even tank) make the pets DPS and not have the Ranger be the DPS. Have the ranger work with the pet to get high DPS other wise the pet takes a back seat and is a wasted opportunity to be unique.