While I am on a topic of something that I do not know much about, let us derail a bit from talking about classes and towards the subunits limited to certain classes - which I fail to understand but in a different sense.

These subunits are companion beasts for hunters, summoned demons for warlocks, and elementals for shamans. Each has their own usage and different ways to be acquired.

A hunter must tame a wild animal to gain it as a companion beast, warlocks have to bind some restless soul to this world or simply enslave a demon, while shaman… uh, by communicating with elemental spirits or some sort?

To be honest, I have not much knowledge of lores to understand how shamans are so versatile and always get the good stuff.

It is not a must that any of these classes pick these companions unless their build is tailored towards working with such companions. However, it is to be noted that hunters are the ones on the short end of the stick if they ignore taking any of these companions, unless they pick a completely selfish build like a long ranged sniper. Most hunters would lose quite a portion of their damage and zone control potential by not taking any companion beast.

And guess who does not have any drawback whatsoever for ignoring this? Shamans.

Unlike the other two, they even have basic elementals that they can summon albeit not that strong. If they want a stronger elemental, then they have to sacrifice a custom ability slot. If they do not want one, then no big deal. Most of them fight without using any elementals anyway.

Warlocks are a bit better in this term since they often need their summoned demon to boost some of their spells, thus they get a certain demon based on their path.

The thing that I fail to understand regarding these companions are not exactly their functions, but more towards the control. I mean.. How is it even possible for a person to fight while controlling their companion?

Yes, there are some standard behaviours that can be commanded and AIs being used on the companions. However, as far as my tiny brain could fathom, they still need to give some command changes from time to time, not to mention that they also need to know the condition of their companion.

My, my, no wonder most players would just avoid using builds that have too much synergy with their companions. They might have even tinier brains than I do.

~AVK~