Crab vs. Spider

[Ganjor]

I'm wanting to remove one of my pets for a crab or spider.
I know they both have the 4 sec root but the problem is I don't know which would be more beneficial for arena.
What do you all think?

[Striv]

They're both nice. But there is a difference I believe. Doesn't the crabs do a damage over time? That might be a bit better.

[Sarayana]

But crabs are tenacity. You want a pet that can put out some damage too. Spider definitely seems more suited for pvp.

[Saturo]

Spider, no doubt. He's cunning, so he can get lots of useful PvP spells.

[Anansi]

I love my pet Spider, FatCharlie. I wish I could raid with him, he's been my pet since level 10.
But alas, he only comes out for PVP and works quite well there, except he's a bit squishy (lacking the Bloodthirsty talent from Ferocity and the extra Stamina and/or Armour from Tenacity), but the Web is very useful as are the talents that boost his damage when the target is low on health.

In comparing a Spider to a Crab, since both have a snare ability, you're basically considering damage vs durability. So depending on how you play your PVP, this may be important (eg do you just do the daily BGs and WG or are you a fully kitted-out in PVP gear Arena player?). Since I PVP in my PVE raiding gear, I find the damage route is the way to go, but if you like to stack Resilience and have yourself and your pet be tough juggernauts, you may want to go with the Crab.
In Arena, the Crab's durability might go a bit further as every extra second it takes your opponents to take down the pet is more time they are not attacking you or or team-mate(s).

[Vephriel]

In comparing a Spider to a Crab, since both have a snare ability, you're basically considering damage vs durability. So depending on how you play your PVP, this may be important (eg do you just do the daily BGs and WG or are you a fully kitted-out in PVP gear Arena player?). Since I PVP in my PVE raiding gear, I find the damage route is the way to go, but if you like to stack Resilience and have yourself and your pet be tough juggernauts, you may want to go with the Crab.
In Arena, the Crab's durability might go a bit further as every extra second it takes your opponents to take down the pet is more time they are not attacking you or or team-mate(s).

Pretty much this. ^

[Saturo]

Then again, who would target pets, when you can just nuke down the other players?

[Anansi]

Then again, who would target pets, when you can just nuke down the other players?

They do. Whether it makes sense or not I don't know, but in my Arena experience my pet is usually dead before I am.

If a pet is preventing a player from moving, another player probably turns focus to quickly take out the pet. In 2v2, this is likely not an issue but in a 5v5 it may be more prevalent.

Ultimately, the choice of pet is going to hinge largely on how you play and in what Arena group bracket. Only you know your needs there.

[Charlie]

I would say crab for the extra bit of damage while pinned
though the spider would do a little more damage overal
it really depends on whether or not you pvp high levels or low
low: your pet's dps is important
high: not so much because it's so small compared to what you're putting out

and what spec you choose is important also in this
BM pets really dish out damage even at high levels
and if you PvP BM you should go Sithilid if you have the talent
Sithilid = cunning fun+snare ablitity+damage while snared
the best of crabs and spiders in my opinion

[Ryno]

I see more crabs in arenas then spiders to be honest. Just what I've seen though, hehe.

[Gozu]

I loved my crab, I'm not sure about in arena but in PvE I could always beat mobs (and groups) 5 to 7 lvls over me using it. I know most people say the only thing it does is pin - but it does put out good damage as well, also really nice extra damage with thunderstomp.

Please repost which you chose & which worked best for you

[Ganjor]

Well I leveled both to 80 yesterday and so far I'm leaning on the spider. The ranged immobilize can sometimes be crucial, and is just amazing for los runners. Sometimes the crab just can't pin when I need him to. But what I love about the crab is his charge, his durability, and his intervene. The intervene and Last Stand abilites are what are convincing me more than anything else. So it's basically the ranged immobilize/Roar of Recovery versus the intervene/last stand. Fighting melee is a lot easier than casters for me, so I figure the spider is better with his perma-dash and Roar of Recovery. The only thing really tempting me now to get the crab is Last Stand, for when they do attack my crab. Every extra second can be crucial.
Overall, I figure the spider is better for me. A frost nova'd spider can still web.