Analysis of new Pet Abilities

[Saturo]

Non-exotic cats get a raid-level buff? Oh come on...

All pets get raidlevel buffs. Exotics get two. :P

[Protego]

I see that, currently, "Cats" Prowl ability is listed as a "Bonus Ability". I wonder if "Cats" are getting "Roar of Courage". I'll need to see more official proof of that. I'm so, so happy that Exotic Rhinos are getting "Horn Toss". I thought they never would give Rhinos their knock-back back. I'd absolutely love to see a Hunter video of Rhinos returned knock-back! That is weird that Chimeras and Worms are getting damage in their Exotic ability. I wonder why they did that. No, we don't have "alot of time" with the Cataclysm beta. It is closing some time in early/really early October. That's not good that Spirit Beasts and Silithids have a similar thing going for them. I'm definitely going on the public test realm and protesting that. Heh, Blizzard does not wanna let go of "Prowl" for "Cats" and Spirit Beasts I see. I love the "Rest" Bonus Ability that bears are gonna get.

[Kalliope]

It looks like cats also get the same buff with the spirit beasts (the +Str & Agi buff)
http://db.mmo-champion.com/skill/209/pet-cat/

You know....in its own way, this makes sense. Cats and spirit beasts have been linked from the get-go since the first two spirit beasts were cats and both families got prowl. Wolves and devilsaurs were The Raiding Pets through LK and they share a raid buff. They weren't as closely linked, though, not like cats/SBs. So the double duty of the abilities makes sense. Raiders weren't even using prowl the last I heard; it's more of a utility ability.

So I'm pleased and so's Atalanta.

So what we are missing is the special ability of the Shale Spider (all pets get a special ability and a basic attack, exotics get an exotic ability which for Shale Spider is the BoK effect) information on the beetle family and a clarification on Froststorm Breath and Burrow Attack, two AoE attacks on non-ferocity exotics that are right now the only damage abilities on pets beyond basic attacks.

I'm still thinking those AoE attacks will turn into AoE debuffs of some sort, kinda like how spore cloud works now. Since spiders and silithids pretty much share their special ability (and are therefore linked), we'll have to see what the teeny tanking spiders get. Maybe since they're elemental-like, they'll get a stoneform sort of ability.

[minko]

Can't post any numbers, the patch isn't up on Beta yet. Also keep in mind that those formulas on MMO-champion are EXTREMELY wonky, and that's at best. It'll be a nerf, and probably a hefty one, but I am almost positive that it's being blown way out of proportion. Also Slick, it was hitting as hard or HARDER then KILL SHOT. I was easily criticaling anywhere from 14,000 to 18,000 damage on mobs, and that was on a low cooldown, instant attack. Not to mention that pet basica attacks JUST got a massive boost, and are now seeing criticals anywhere from 8,000 to 12,000, and thats in my level 83 quest gear.

Well, that brings to question.. what is the point of BM supposed to be?... If KC is supposed to be hitting weaker than all hunter shots, that's fine, except BM doesn't have a special then. I think the real problem here is a design flaw. People are upset with pets doing that much damage, but the BM 'special' IS something delivered by the pet.

What is the biggest damaging attack of BM supposed to be? We don't have a Chimera or Explosive, and if pets aren't supposed to do that sort of damage, what is BM supposed to be doing? Doesn't Chimera or Explosive hit harder than Kill Shot?

Or is BM supposed to just be a huge swarm of tiny hits?.. I really would like to know what the design goal of BM is.

KC was the hardest hitting shot of all 3 hunter specs by a large margin before this change. 40k Crits in greens and dungeon blues is a bit much.
KC will still hit like a truck even after the nerf.
KC is counted as pet damage so mastery has a dramatic effect on its damage output.

Explosive crits for 4k
Chimera crits for 6k
Kill Shot crits 9k
Arcane crits for 18k
Pets crit for 20k+ .... hell I did a dungeon run and my hardest hitting crit was a pet bite for 54k.

Notice how everything is totally out of wack.
Blizz just havnt run there numbers pass yet so dont cry everytime you see a negative change on mmo champion.
Kill Command NEEDED the nerf and you can probably expect a nerf to bite/claw/swipe and BM's mastery.

[Nymrohd]

It looks like cats also get the same buff with the spirit beasts (the +Str & Agi buff)
http://db.mmo-champion.com/skill/209/pet-cat/

You know....in its own way, this makes sense. Cats and spirit beasts have been linked from the get-go since the first two spirit beasts were cats and both families got prowl. Wolves and devilsaurs were The Raiding Pets through LK and they share a raid buff. They weren't as closely linked, though, not like cats/SBs. So the double duty of the abilities makes sense. Raiders weren't even using prowl the last I heard; it's more of a utility ability.

So I'm pleased and so's Atalanta.

So what we are missing is the special ability of the Shale Spider (all pets get a special ability and a basic attack, exotics get an exotic ability which for Shale Spider is the BoK effect) information on the beetle family and a clarification on Froststorm Breath and Burrow Attack, two AoE attacks on non-ferocity exotics that are right now the only damage abilities on pets beyond basic attacks.

I'm still thinking those AoE attacks will turn into AoE debuffs of some sort, kinda like how spore cloud works now. Since spiders and silithids pretty much share their special ability (and are therefore linked), we'll have to see what the teeny tanking spiders get. Maybe since they're elemental-like, they'll get a stoneform sort of ability.

It would be very nice for Worms to get thunderclap sans damage, that is AoE debuff -attack speed which is the defining tanking debuff. Not that I ever see a tank skipping the talents for that, but it would be nice thematically, and worms will never be raiding anyway. At the same time, if cunning ends up being raid-competitive, which would be very nice if actually design intented, I could see chimeras getting the +8% magic damage taken debuff, only AoE applicable.

[minko]

Unfortunately this build is pretty unstable so im crit erroring like a mofo buttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

I tamed a bird of prey rare spawn in tanaris and it had a damage component on its demoralising screech. Is this ability schedualed for a retune or is this new.

[Pewmew]

This PTR build my worm now has a Burrow ability I haven't seen before, along with his regular acid spit.

He goes underground and causes a mini earthquake effect.

[The Insect Man]

Unfortunately this build is pretty unstable so im crit erroring like a mofo buttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

I tamed a bird of prey rare spawn in tanaris and it had a damage component on its demoralising screech. Is this ability schedualed for a retune or is this new.

- must be a carrion bird to have the screech, and consensus seems to be that this is a holdover to the old build, and will be changed, based on current pet skill policy

[Kalliope]

This is a PTR observation, but I assume it'll be the same on beta: puppy lust now works with longevity. That means a 4.2m cd rather than 5m. I'm sure the sated debuff will still be 10m, but that's pretty nifty to note regardless.

[Rhyela]

I still wish Blizz would let us pick the talent tree for each pet. It'd be fun to bring a boar to a raid with its increased bleed damage (we have a feral druid in the group), but it's pointless to bring a tenacity pet. So far, it still seems that I'm going to be bringing a ferocity pet wherever I go, and that it will be one of maybe two options. I guess we'll see. But as of right now, I'm really not as impressed as I'd like to be. Seems that it'll be more of the raid telling you which pet you should bring to fulfill a certain role, rather than the hunter bringing a pet that they actually like.

[Raydex-of-the-dawn]

I still wish Blizz would let us pick the talent tree for each pet. It'd be fun to bring a boar to a raid with its increased bleed damage (we have a feral druid in the group), but it's pointless to bring a tenacity pet. So far, it still seems that I'm going to be bringing a ferocity pet wherever I go, and that it will be one of maybe two options. I guess we'll see. But as of right now, I'm really not as impressed as I'd like to be. Seems that it'll be more of the raid telling you which pet you should bring to fulfill a certain role, rather than the hunter bringing a pet that they actually like.

Cunning DPS is now on-par with Ferocity, from what I've heard, meaning it'll be anything but tenacity. Anyhoo, all species being everything wouldn't really...work. Tenacity foxes? Foxes...aren't really that tenacious. Moths and wasps? Not tenacious. Turtles? Not cunning (I've seen insects smarter than our pet turtle. Seriously.) Thin flying snakes? Not gonna be tenacious.

I'd still love it though. I just don't see it happening.

[Rhyela]

I still wish Blizz would let us pick the talent tree for each pet. It'd be fun to bring a boar to a raid with its increased bleed damage (we have a feral druid in the group), but it's pointless to bring a tenacity pet. So far, it still seems that I'm going to be bringing a ferocity pet wherever I go, and that it will be one of maybe two options. I guess we'll see. But as of right now, I'm really not as impressed as I'd like to be. Seems that it'll be more of the raid telling you which pet you should bring to fulfill a certain role, rather than the hunter bringing a pet that they actually like.

Cunning DPS is now on-par with Ferocity, from what I've heard, meaning it'll be anything but tenacity. Anyhoo, all species being everything wouldn't really...work. Tenacity foxes? Foxes...aren't really that tenacious. Moths and wasps? Not tenacious. Turtles? Not cunning (I've seen insects smarter than our pet turtle. Seriously.) Thin flying snakes? Not gonna be tenacious.

I'd still love it though. I just don't see it happening.

What? Are you mad? A ferocity turtle would be beyond epic!!! XD

I understand what you're saying, of course, and to an extent I agree. I just can't shake the feeling that I'm still going to be expected to bring x pet for y situation. I suppose it's better than x pet for every situation (a la wolf).

[Silvarain]

Cunning DPS is now on-par with Ferocity, from what I've heard, meaning it'll be anything but tenacity. Anyhoo, all species being everything wouldn't really...work. Tenacity foxes? Foxes...aren't really that tenacious. Moths and wasps? Not tenacious. Turtles? Not cunning (I've seen insects smarter than our pet turtle. Seriously.) Thin flying snakes? Not gonna be tenacious.

I'd still love it though. I just don't see it happening.

of course it could work, blizz just has to put in game realistic? maybe no; but i dont play this game for realism; i play to ESCAPE reality lol. im just gald i can wait until blizz makes a spirit beast i WANT before i tame one. ..., unless... they... NEVER DO! *cries*

[The Insect Man]

Of course moths aren't ferocious eithe. Or cunning. Perhaps we need a new pet talent tree: "Stupid"?

[SpiritBinder]

Of course moths aren't ferocious eithe. Or cunning. Perhaps we need a new pet talent tree: "Stupid"?

Maybe we could make that a new forum title instead for gifted posters.... -_-

[Worba]

Of course moths aren't ferocious eithe. Or cunning. Perhaps we need a new pet talent tree: "Stupid"?

I was thinking more like "Snowflake"

[Raydex-of-the-dawn]

Cunning DPS is now on-par with Ferocity, from what I've heard, meaning it'll be anything but tenacity. Anyhoo, all species being everything wouldn't really...work. Tenacity foxes? Foxes...aren't really that tenacious. Moths and wasps? Not tenacious. Turtles? Not cunning (I've seen insects smarter than our pet turtle. Seriously.) Thin flying snakes? Not gonna be tenacious.

I'd still love it though. I just don't see it happening.

of course it could work, blizz just has to put in game realistic? maybe no; but i dont play this game for realism; i play to ESCAPE reality lol. im just gald i can wait until blizz makes a spirit beast i WANT before i tame one. ..., unless... they... NEVER DO! *cries*

Still wouldn't make sense. And Blizz doesn't make this game for you (or me or anyone) they make it for cash. Remember that.

Get Arcturis. He's best 8DDDD