Why the pet exp penalty came about?

[BennoFlo]

Is there any reason besides afk leveling that this change came about?

I just started playing a necro and was totally unaware of this change until today. I started EQ on live in the velious era and played a bard, so this didn't affect me, but after reading a few forum posts, it really urks me.

I feel one of the key points of a pet class is to utilize, buff, and accent your pet to be a successful player, and I feel like these changes almost divert from that concept. For example, if I get spells to buff my pet's damage later on, I will in no way be encouraged to use them because it greatly increases the chance of losing the dmg race with my pet.

Also, since this is a community server and not run by a bunch of corporate BS, was this change a consensus among players? It just seems so counter-intuitive in my knowledge of old world and new world mmo's to intentionally nerf your pet's potential in order for higher experience gain.

Thoughts?