Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
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Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
Pet tanking/offtanking is not only viable, for BM hunters at least, it's advised. BM hunters can provide two reliable forms of CC, and this should be used, so long as your group is warned. I haven't tried this as anything but BM yet.
Part of a BM hunter's rotation is Kill Command, an attack that comes from the pet. At T11 at least, this can and does hit for 20k or more on a crit. Every six seconds, in ideal situations. When trying, pet threat is through the roof even on a ferocity pet. Thus OTing/tanking in a normal is effortless, and DPS will have a hard time pulling off your pet even if they're trying. If your tank is having trouble, warn them, drop your pet on one target and turn growl back on, trap another and thus as one person lock down two mobs. In normals, generally, just mend pet will keep your pet alive.
If you want to tank/offtank in a heroic, however, bring a Cunning or Tenacity pet. Both are uncrittable spec'd right, and both have big health pools. Given Cunning's slightly higher DPS, I prefer them. (and shale spiders, omg so cute) OTing in a heroic is a little harder, and you may need more than mend pet to keep your pet alive, but they'll still hold aggro like a pro. Most healers, if warned that you're using 2 forms of CC to make their job easier, will toss a hot on your pet to help. This is all you'll really need.
The key is warning your group. If you're pet tanking or offtanking, your DPS WILL be lowered, your priorities are keeping your mobs locked down, not pewpewing your heart out. But there's little that can describe the feeling of being told you're awesome at the end of an instance run for reliably locking down any stray mob that crosses your path or tries to eat the healer. As DPS, it's our job to be as useful as possible to our group. Sometimes this doesn't mean just mass quantities of sustained ranged DPS.
It is gloriously fun. Pet tanking is back and unbelievably solid.
- Kurasu
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
The biggest problem that hunter pets have is TPS and crittability. With the rotation of Kill Command and Glyph Of Misdirect, you can keep threat rolling on your pet literally forever. And with the new talent change coming in Cata (6% crit immunity... WOOT!), that means that the pet cannot be critically hit by the average raid boss. All in all, this does make pets entirely viable for the Beast Master hunter. So as Albain said, pets are extremely useful now for tanking duties!
My suggestion is to stick with Tenacity pets for tanking, as they have far better TPS thanks to their improved Growl, and will give you a bigger boost toward those players who don't know how to hold their threat. In addition, Tenacity have an actual Taunt (with a 42s cooldown at full spec; not terrible) and Intervene, not to mention Last Stand and Blood Of The Rhino (your healing will be ticking for hellish amounts of damage and the healer will have no problem keeping them on their feet).
Don't forget your tanking cooldowns. If you're running a turtle or beetle, you have two: Shell Shield/Hardened Carapace and Cower. If you aren't running one of those power tankers, then you only have Cower; use it liberally!
Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
For sheer survivability, definitely you will need a tanking pet with those talents.
- Kurasu
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
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- Kalliope
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
Is it still in the game?
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
There has also been far to many cases where I've seen a tank thats really squishy or unable to hold aggro, and healers that for some reason have poor healing. So I've made it a habit of having a tankpet ready to call if need arises. And I've had to pull my pet out so many times to act as an emergency tank, and sometimes, as the full tank in some runs.
It's good to see that pet tanking will be even better!
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
- Kurasu
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
- Vephriel
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
I thought that too. xDAlbain wrote:That's the first time I've ever seen pants being used in that context. o__o
- Kalliope
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
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- Calomel
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
That post gave me a very sad/disturbing mental image of hunters skinning their tenacity pets and making pants out of them.
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Currently Hunting: ...for the pacifier...
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
Seriously?
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Re: Cataclysm Hunter Pet Tanking/Offtanking observations.
Ayup! 8D That's with hunter T11 and shiny free epix admittedly, but this is still the equivalent of being in naxx gear.The Insect Man wrote:170k health...?
Seriously?