I have this problem occasionally just from having icons on my desktop using autologin. Once it goes full screen I have to turn spell effects and all that crap back off
Information about about class strength is a tightly guarded secret on the eq forums. The devs don't play and don't understand what they do in all honesty and if they see information even if it is false it often results in nerfs.
The drawback to the mate earth pet is aggro generation since they nerfed swing aggro. I'd be inclined to say that the magician air pet might still be the best all around pet tank of all the classes.