Neilaren wrote:My only issue with the new Beast Cleave is that the damage has apparently been lowered to the point where I really can't use it to have my pet "keep" aggro on several mobs, since the cleaves don't generate more threat than my multi-shot does anymore.
I mean, it's a really good thing they fixed MD and I can apply it to pets once again, is all I'm saying. 8)
As you posted above the extra damage was only necessary to keep aggro because Misdirect was not functioning.
Now that it is fixed I think that it is completely fair lowering the damage the pet does since they are working less on implementing new attacks and mechanics and more on balancing the numbers.
Neilaren wrote:I haven't really put my addons in the beta (can you do that now?) for damage meters so I really can't tell how my aoe is in dungeons and whatever. I ran a dungeon yesterday and no one yelled at me for doing no damage, so I'd like to think I was fine.
I suggest that this is your first task before complaining about the damage that your pet is doing in a dungeon.
Especially when you can compare it against another class, like warlock, AoEing pack mobs.
From what I have seen (datum wise) Beast Cleave was in need of a nerf and although the nerf was pretty substantial and may be a a bit overboard I have not seen the datum to support this as of yet.
Not that this information might not be out there, I just have not seen it yet.
Not that you can't voice your opinion without looking at the numbers, its just that it is difficult for people like me to take it seriously.
Neilaren wrote:I do have tiffs, also, with the solution to "buff BM daage" being "buff pet damage", because, wasn't it pointed out partway through Cataclysm that we really need more sources of damage than the pet? We clamoured for having a real signature "shot" and we still basically just have Kill Command. Granted, Kill Command is a lot better in beta than it currently is in live, but it's still completely pet-reliant. I love having that for fights where player damage has drawbacks (I'm mostly thinking when we go to Black Temple and fight Reliquary of Souls; Desire has the mechanic where all damage is reflected back to you and it's really easy to just heal my pet while it does 90% of the work and I can focus more on dispelling the aura it gets)...
That is why they made the range change to Kill Command and it has really come into its own as a solid attack in my opinion.
Do not forget that as a pet based attack it has unique utility that other major attacks do not have.
Primarily that you can use it when your hunter is out of range or out of line of sight.
This utility must have a down side, being tied to the pet is perfect for this.
As for keeping your pet up, mend pet and other abilities (Exhilaration and Spirit Bond), make this much easier than it used to be.
Neilaren wrote:Certainly, other pet specs (demo locks, unholy dks..?) have other toys besides their pets. We almost literally have just the pets. And there's really so much you can do with something that's completely reliant on AI and that still has that issue where it needs a few seconds to scale its stats with your gear...
Yes, as Beast Mastery our damage is heavily tied to our pet, as it should be. However a great deal of our attacks are that, ours. Arcane Shot, Multishot, Cobra Shot, Serpent Sting, Kill Shot, not to mention our traps, and special shots like Distracting Shot, Scatter Shot, and Tranquilizing Shot are all attacks that we contribute to the fight.
It also seems to me that you discount your own argument for increased pet damage by your statements about pet reliance.
On one hand you want Hunter Pets to do more damage with Beast Cleave, but then you turn around and argue that Beast Master Hunters should be less reliant on their pets.
No offense, but which is it?
To me things are working out pretty well, there could be some tweaking here and there, and I expect that Blizzard is working on that stuff. But I am quite satisfied with the balance that Blizzard has worked out between Beast Master Hunters and their pets.
Of course I could be completely wrong on all of my opinion in this post and I am completely open to being wrong.
Just my 2 cents.