I dislike the Pet Pal talent. It's basically asking if you want to gimp one of your party members in order to experience extra content and quests. It kinda feels like a talent-tax on the party, although I always skip it. I'd like it if they just made it built-in that Source users could communicate with animals.
Mages are probably the best class to go for Pet Pal, but that's mostly because Mages best starting Talent is almost always Far Out Man, and while nice, is easily skippable.
Why not The Pawn for mages?
1AP of movement will get you 5m (or more) closer to the target, much greater than the 2m for Far Out Man, and it also works for kiting enemies, etc.
@LightningLockey
The opportunity strikes bug you described occurs for non-dagger weapons too. The devs say it's a known issue at least, so hopefully they work it out by the next patch.
