In PTR 11.1, the Dark Ranger talent is still inferior to Sentinel. So much for the ideal dark fantasy.
And by the way, as a reply to your assumption why we play Lone Wolf. It is primarily for the damage on social and shared content like raids and dungeons. We like using pets for the class fantasy when we are role playing solo. Why do you think we play the hunter class? In essence, we hate Lone Wolf and the fake eagle pet.
And the ones who play hunter not for role play. Do their opinions really matter? They will switch to another class in a minute for the damage.