Exotic Pets after 4.0.1

[Bonehunter]

With all of the changes to exotic pets in 4.0.1, thought it might be worthwhile to discuss experiences we're all having with the exotics. I will start but feel free to comment. I haven't reached the level where I can tame a Shale Spider, but I have all the others tamed and have been playing with them/experimenting.

Spirit Beast - Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but against solo mobs, my Spirit Beast kills them more quickly than any other pet. This is strange given that it's exotic ability is a healing ability. It never seems to die, and seems like my "uber-pet". Wondering if anyone has a good macro to use their healing ability on others. I seem to only be able to make it heal itself although it says it will heal any "friendly" creature.
Chimera - Possibly the most beautiful of all the exotic pets, the Chimera is good for solo questing where the lightning/frost breath slows down mobs. Start with Serpent Sting, which will activate the lightning/frost breath, and then a Concussive Shot, and then kill at your leisure.
Sithilid - A substantial group stamina buff, but I have had tanks complain about them, they are not fun to watch. Remind me too much of "Starship Troopers". Probably best for group PvP where your opponent doesn't like bugs.
Core Hound - Coolest looking exotic with the hot lava breath. The new "Ancient Hysteria" group buff is tremendous - watch how fast you take down your next boss if you have it active. Unfortunately it has a 10-minute cooldown, so what I like to do is use it for a boss and then change to another pet.
Devilsaur - +5% crit buff makes it like the Wolf, but it does more damage. Good for dungeons, seems like a classic pet to dungeon grind with.
Worm - Do not solo with this under any circumstances! Its exotic Burrowing attack causes it to lose all threat and the mobs coming running after you! This can also happen in dungeons if the tank cannot get sufficient aggro. However everyone seems to think this is the best exotic for raids as its damage is "defenseless".
Rhino - Seems like a good tenacity pet but I've had it use its Knockback ability, and then run after the creature it knocked back, pulling other Mobs. Not sure this is the greatest pet out there, it is my least favorite of the exotics.

Anyway, those are my initial impressions.

Bonehunter (Level 75 Night Elf Beast Master (Frostwolf))

[Furiku]

Okay so I can't speak for all those, but I can speak for a few.

Spirit Beast- I've noticed that spirit beasts have been more effective as well. I've also found the heal increadably useful too, especially in instances. Many wipes have been prevented using that. :3 I haven't found/made a macro to switch the heal to a specific target, but for me at least if I target the person I want to heal then hit the heal, it typicaly applies right.

Core Hound- I have to agree with you, the buff is awesome. :3

Devilsaur- I had an easier time doing dungeons with my Devilsaur rather then my wolf, I will say that. I didn't really notice a increase in damage though, but I don't quite pay much attention.

Worm- Really? Huh. I tamed a worm after 4.0.1 and it's burrow attack was amazing at holding aggro. I haven't used said worm lately though so maybe something has changed. I should check that out...

[Senna-Umbreon]

Okay, first of all... 'Do not solo with this under any circumstances!' for Worms? NO. Even if their ability is sucky, that does not mean you can go and tell people not to use it! I've been leveling my main using my Worm (Okay, I have my Devilsaur, Spirit Beast, Raptor and Shale Spider too... But still) and I've found that despite the fact that he cannot use his ability, he is STILL an amazing pet. No buggy ability will EVER change that.

Anywho... Spirit Beasts ARE amazing things with their Spirit Mend. Agh, I love it. Very useful for when I'm soloing heroic Sethekk Halls and I do my little 'RUN THROUGH EVERY STINKIN' THING THEN FEIGN DEATH' thing, as all I have to do is call Vixen or Voltali (Depending on who I have with me) and have them heal me~!

As for Devilsaur... Gah, they are amazing things too. I love mine <3

For all the others...? Well, I haven't really tamed any of the others besides a Core Hound and a Silithid. Don't use them, unfortunately....

Also, to put a little imput in on Shale Spiders... While they don't have their second ability yet (DARN YOU, LAZY BLIZZARD!!!!!!), they're still amazing little things. Not only do they have a wonderful little buff that's akin to Blessing on Kings... They have such charm for spiders made out of rock! With their little squealing, they'll absolutely just make you melt from how adorable they are! Eeee, I really love mine <3

[Cerah]

Spirit Beast - Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but against solo mobs, my Spirit Beast kills them more quickly than any other pet. This is strange given that it's exotic ability is a healing ability. It never seems to die, and seems like my "uber-pet". Wondering if anyone has a good macro to use their healing ability on others. I seem to only be able to make it heal itself although it says it will heal any "friendly" creature.

I've found that if I just set my spirit beasts' heals on auto, they will cast it on whatever party member needs it the most, babysitting the ability not required.

Chimera - Possibly the most beautiful of all the exotic pets,

That's a subjective observation, depending entirely upon your own definition of "beauty" and/or the skin of chiamera we're talking about (not that my Numaroc isn't awesome)

the Chimera is good for solo questing where the lightning/frost breath slows down mobs. Start with Serpent Sting, which will activate the lightning/frost breath, and then a Concussive Shot, and then kill at your leisure.

I also find they're quite good at pvp.

Sithilid - A substantial group stamina buff, but I have had tanks complain about them, they are not fun to watch. Remind me too much of "Starship Troopers". Probably best for group PvP where your opponent doesn't like bugs.

I've never had any tank complain about my Deekah. In fact, most like the stamina boost. They're perfect for groups without a Priest. Also, I find them quite adorable! Again, looks are purely subjective. Also, how the hell are you supposed to find out whether or not pvp opponents don't like bugs? Even among our own faction, Wintergrasp and BGs are hardly the most conversation-inducing places. What are we supposed to do? Wait for them to emote /eww?

Core Hound - Coolest looking exotic with the hot lava breath. The new "Ancient Hysteria" group buff is tremendous - watch how fast you take down your next boss if you have it active. Unfortunately it has a 10-minute cooldown, so what I like to do is use it for a boss and then change to another pet.

Screw changing! Corehounds still do an amazing amount of basic damage as Ferocity pets. Mine likes to bulldoze through enemies like they were bowling pins. Lava Breath might not do much against, say, Ragnoros, but against non-Fire-resistant bosses and mobs, this pet really doesn't have many restrictions.

Devilsaur - +5% crit buff makes it like the Wolf, but it does more damage. Good for dungeons, seems like a classic pet to dungeon grind with.

Actually, an equal-level and specced Devilsaur does no more base damage than a wolf. However, Monsterous Bite does cast a debuff on mobs that reduce the effectiveness of heals on them, so depending on the particular fight, maybe they just appear to be doing more damage because an enemy who would otherwise be making a pain in the ass of himself by healing isn't. Regardless, having your own, personal T-Rex is always fun.

Worm - Do not solo with this under any circumstances! Its exotic Burrowing attack causes it to lose all threat and the mobs coming running after you! This can also happen in dungeons if the tank cannot get sufficient aggro. However everyone seems to think this is the best exotic for raids as its damage is "defenseless".

/hears the rumbling in the distance of the s***storm this comment's going to cause.

I picked up my Worm and found him a great tank long before Exotic abilities were even announced, and while Uber-Burrow was fun while it lasted, I actually prefer the new version. It requires us to use more intelligent AoE strategies than just "send the worm in and sit back and watch". I haven't used my Worm in raids, since I usually use a Tenacity pet in groups, but in a PuG Halls of Stone run, the tank actually was quite grateful that Daggoth's burrow made the iron dwarf swarm battle a lot less tedious for him. Anyway, Daggoth's my number 1 choice for soloing, and that's not about to change anytime soon.

Rhino - Seems like a good tenacity pet but I've had it use its Knockback ability, and then run after the creature it knocked back, pulling other Mobs. Not sure this is the greatest pet out there, it is my least favorite of the exotics.

I haven't tried a rhino, mostly because I don't like their models, but knockback doesn't sound like the greatest ability for something that's supposed to be attracting mobs to it.


Thanks for your insights, Bonehunter. Just don't expect everyone to agree with everything you've said.