Good news about Stampede!!!

[Makoes]

Well, unless Stampede is going to make or break your dps (and it really shouldnt) I wouldn't worry to much about fixating on perfect pet line-up for one 10sec (or so) ability that I can only use once every 6-10min (or so). Especially in a Raid setting where most buffs should already be provided anyways.
For pvp I can understand focusing more on the buffs/debuffs of the pets.
For random dungeoning/quests I wouldn't even worry about what my line-up is since they're so easy anyways.

Although it would be awsome to put together a team for stampede that would bring the most dps, or provide the best buffs, or just be the best line-up ever...I really dont think that limiting our team of pets for one ability is good.

Since these stampeding pets wont be as powerfull as they would be if they were our "active" pet, I am hoping that they will all have an equal stat scaling, and just use the abilities they have toggled on. If they keep thier specs, it still really shouldnt make that much difference.

[Ziarre]

It's probably going to be a significant DPS cooldown, so yes, I'm worrying.

[Taeliana]

The only thing I could see, is that as a BM, if you're going raiding, to maximize dps you'll need to bring 5 ferocity pets. With the talenting system for pets atm, that's not that huge of a deal anyways.

Also, it addresses their abilities but not their spec. It's quite possible they'll have some normalized 'stampede spec' instead of being feroc/tenac/cunning for the duration of the spell.

I am *fairly* certain that the ability actually pulls the pets from your list of active ones and therefore allows them to cast ANYTHING they have on autocast. I haven't gotten a chance to test it, but i'm also fairly certain that the pets pulled into Stampede from your active pet stable will maintain their chosen spec. So if you have a cunning or tenacity pet in there somewhere, you will (most likely) wind up with a minor DPS loss.

I will test this tonight on the beta and post my results.

OT, I just wanted to say how much I've been enjoying the community here at Petopia. The people here are VERY friendly and helpful. I am able to ask questions or broach a topic without fear of getting trolled into oblivion or written off as a noob I'm not sure exactly who runs the site and who the moderators are, but you've created an awesome, instructive environment. Keep up the good work!

<3 Tae

[Acherontia]

In a raid setting most buffs should already be provided anyway. It will likely just provide a small amount of damage per pet--in fact, you might want to turn the buffs OFF in advance so they don't spam >.> I'd imagine the BIGGEST increase would likely be with four Cunning pets popping out to spam you with Roar of Recovery! ...assuming it's not been removed?

In Soloing and PvP, however, this will be sick. Imagine periodically popping 5 different damage-increasing buffs on yourself for burst? Say crit, mastery, BoK etc?

Or for tanking (or PvP), four or five Spirit Mends, or a Stamina + BoK + 2 Spirit Mends as a sort of minor Last Stand?

[Ziarre]

Mmm, Spirit Mend isn't spammed though, it's a 'smart' heal. Only triggers once you're below a certain percentage.

[Gimlion]

Mmm, Spirit Mend isn't spammed though, it's a 'smart' heal. Only triggers once you're below a certain percentage.

I find my Spirit Mend is on CD alot, even when I don't think my health is dropping too low. Also, PvP drops health fast, so the spirit mends should be cast anyways.

[Ziarre]

It's still a smart heal--I could dink around with full or high health all day and never see it go off. I don't know the percentage I'd need to drop under to trigger it, usually because if I'm taking enough damage (or my pet is) to trigger the heal I'm worried about other things.

[Kalliope]

Roar of Recovery is removed.

[swimgremlin]

Spirit mend works like shell shield, when someone in party is below 50%. I wish you could adjust the priority.