I've heard a lot of different takes on this subject, as tamer, what type of pet is most ideal for bonding. It could be said that mares are ideal because they are harder to obtain, but a lot of people also say that they rarely use their mare. It could be said that dragons are idea because after they are fully trained up they are very lethal, but a lot of people also say that it's easier to just get another dragon if yours dies since they take a stat loss. It could be said that wyrms are similar to dragons but right out of the gate are far better. What is your take on which pet should be bonded and why?
Your pet takes such a stat hit when it dies that it's almost worth it just to tame a new one. With that in mind, I think the best choice is the mare. That way you always have a mount.
A pet loses 10% of all skills. Considering a dragon usually starts out with skills in the 50's and 60's for the most part, wouldn't it be better to bond the dragon and resurrect it with 90 of each skill rather than tame a new one if you manage to GM all of your dragon's skills? Same goes for Wyrms.
I don't think there's a best answer to this...it's really a matter of preference. You're correct that a dragon with low skills is still pretty effective since a good bit of its damage comes from the dragon breath and skills won't change that.. Some of the skills it loses will not raise quickly, however, like resist. I bonded a mare but I rarely use it. I think at times I'd be better off just riding a normal horse and having a bonded dragon.
