I think it's great you're willing to put the time and effort into challenging yourself and your pets. I haven't used earth as a tank build in a very long time, I prefer running around and fighting as shadow/shadow/shadow so I can just swap my pets around when needed and so that I'm not getting armor all mixed up. They don't kill things incredibly quickly, but they're sturdy. Have you tried any other builds?
As far as reactions to your team go, I'd probably ask the same thing if I've not already read through your OP, which you've answered: You like the challenge. There's no right or wrong here as far as reactions go. You do you.
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I'm going to quote you here and share my perspective regarding the main issue you seem to be coming across. Two things in particular.
"Some people in region chat seems to be surprised that I wander about the Lost Grove with my starter and the first couple of pets that I ever caught on this site."
"I think of max stat pets as being for people who have never played an rpg before."
Most players use max stats because they are more efficient. It's like mowing a 5 acre lawn with an zero-turn mower versus a push mower. Both get the job done, neither one is wrong, but one is faster and more efficient then the other. I'd recommend players learn to use the push mower before the zero-turn mower, specifically so they know what they're doing, and after a point where they've refined their technique, then swap over the zero-turn.
In short, the max stats just save you time and effort. It has nothing to do with never playing an RPG. I played so many that I breezed through the story line with my original pets when I first started, no help needed. I'd not recommend players solve their problem just by throwing max stats at them, but after you've learned how to use the battle system with the wild and starter pets and you are literally pressing the same buttons battle after battle, it comes to a point in which I'd personally rather just save time. My free time is limited and I want to get the most out of it, as do many other players and this is why max stats are so highly valued and used.
The Lost Grove isn't a permanent feature in this game. Once it goes away, it's gone. Since TLG is on a timer of sorts, most players are going to choose to save time by using max stat pets, because when you're on a timer, it's more about speed and less about the challenge. This is the same reason players use max stats in festival zones during battle challenges. You get a level 25 max stat team decked out in full level 25 mythic gear and all attuned to fire, you are literally going to shred the boards and get a spot.
That is why a lot of players use max stat pets. Their reasons are as valid as your for wanting the challenge. There's absolutely nothing wrong with battling with tamed pets. Most of the pets that I focus on are tamed (I'm a legendary collector) and when I have the time and when I want to see my gorgeous boys, I'll swap over to my "League of Beautiful Gentleman" party and I'll play with them every now and again. :) Tamed team consisting of a
shadow tank, a
light support and this reckless
wind boy. xD I will eventually bring them over to the Lost Grove even though I know they'll probably die a lot. I'd like to get each of them a full set of epic gear before I do. I'm not sure I want to see my baby boys constantly dropping just because of the way I flavor them. They were actually the team i used for Dungeon of the Forsaken before it got revamped and I always enjoyed taking them out. I've never tried them in the arena, but they're too high of a level for that now. Pretty sure I have a level 25 tamed team sitting around somewhere that I can try it with though. (My arena knowledge is super rusty at this point, but I'd be willing to give it a shot if you ever want to compare notes for it.)