Chrizesu's Pet Guide (patch 4.0.3)

[Chrizesu]

I write this to only be a brief guideline to aid decision making in what pet to use. While there are people who wouldn't agree with what I believe is the best pet to use, they are entitled to their opinions. As well, while I typed this, I tried to be as least opinionated as possible.

Important
Link: Refer to this thread for ability redundancies.

Pet talent suggestions: And their top 3 suggested pets.
Swoop, Dash, and Charge have near the same purpose. Replace with a talent of your choice if you run with touchy tanks.
Link (suggested pets)
Surv/Marks Ferocity DPS (N/A)
With a cat you want dash instead of charge. You can also have both charge and dash. For example just use dash manually when something knocks your pet back.
BM Ferocity DPS (N/A)
Spirit beasts get the same treatment as cats. I left a point out since its placement is debatable.

PVP specs really depend on the player, so I just put down specs I would use.
Surv/Marks Ferocity PVP (N/A)
BM Ferocity PVP (N/A)
Surv/Marks Cunning DPS (N/A)
BM Cunning DPS (N/A)
Surv/Marks Cunning PVP (N/A)
BM Cunning PVP (N/A)
Surv/Marks Tenacity DPS (N/A)
BM Tenacity DPS (N/A)
Surv/Marks Tenacity PVP (N/A)
BM Tenacity PVP (N/A)
Surv/Marks Tenacity Tanking (N/A)
BM Tenacity Tanking (N/A)

The main sections of this thread will be in separate posts due to post size limit.
All damage listed is the raw unmodified damage. Range is melee range unless specified.

Method of this guide:
(portrait) (pet name)
(ability name)
(ability description)
(insight)

[Chrizesu]

Tenacity

Bears
Bears have the abilities Demoralizing Roar (10 sec CD)(melee) and Rest (self).
Demoralizing Roar reduces the physical damage caused by all enemies in melee distance by 10% for 15 sec.
Rest recovers happiness over time. This ability requires more information.
The bear's new ability is not just good for soloing but may be helpful to groups without a druid tank.
Beetles
Beetles have the ability Harden Carapace (1 min CD)(self).
Harden Carapace reduces damage to the pet by 50% for 12 seconds.
This ability is a clone of the turtle's ability shell shield.
Boars
Boars have the ability Gore (10 sec CD)(melee).
Gore causes the target to take 30% additional damage from bleed effects for 15 sec.
Most classes with a bleed have their own version of this move, so the normal case to use a boar is if you just like how they look and take off gore so it doesn't waste focus.
Crabs
Crabs have the ability Pin (40 sec CD)(melee).
Pin is a channeled ability that immobilizes the target for 4 seconds.
Many hunters value this pet in PVP for keeping enemy players stationary, unfortunately it is channeled and that means it can be interupted.
Crocolisks
Crocolisks have the ability Ankle Crack (10 sec CD)(melee).
Ankle Crack reduces movement the targets speed by 50% for 6 sec.
This ability is good for kiting.
Gorillas
Gorillas have the ability Pummel (30 sec CD)(melee).
Pummel interrupts spell casting and prevents spell casting in that school for 2 seconds.
Gorillas used to be popular pets when they had thunderstomp, but now their ability are sub-par with that of other pets.
Hydras?
May be obtainable in patch 4.1
Rhinos *Exotic
Rhinos have the ability Stampede (15 sec CD)(melee) and the extra exotic ability Horn Toss (1.5 min CD)(melee).
Stampede causes the target to take 30% additional damage from bleed effects for 30 sec.
Horn Toss causes a knock-back.
Horn Toss would be a superb ability for Eye of the Storm.
Scorpids
Scorpids have the ability Clench (1 min CD)(melee).
Clench disarms the target's main hand and ranged weapons for 10 sec.
Excellent for pvp.
Shale Spiders *Exotic
Shale Spiders have the abilities Web Wrap (45 sec CD)(30 yrds) and Embrace of the Shale Spider (Aura).
Web Wrap stuns the target for 3 seconds.
Embrace of the Shale Spider gives a 5% aura buff to main-stats.
Embrace is a great boost when kings or mark is not being provided already.
Turtles
Turtles have the ability Shell Shield (1 min CD)(self).
Shell Shield reduces damage to the pet by 50% for 12 seconds.
These pets are popular for soloing due to their ability.
Warp Stalkers
Warp Stalkers have the ability Time Warp (15 sec CD)(25 yrds).
Time Warp reduces movement the targets speed by 50% for 6 sec. 25 yard range.
Another excellent pet for kiting.
Worms *Exotic
Worms have the Acid Spit (10 sec CD)(30 yrds) Ability as well as the exotic ability Burrow Attack (30 sec CD)(35 yrds).
Acid Spit has a 30 yard range and causes the target to take an increased 4% physical damage for 25 sec.
Burrow Attack causes the worm to go underground dealing (257 + ((RAP * 0.40) * 0.24) Nature damage over 8 sec. 35 yd range.
Worms always surprise me with being a tanking pet with excellent dps abilities.

[Chrizesu]

Ferocity

Carrion Birds
The Carrion Birds have the Demoralizing Screech (10 sec CD) ability.
This ability does 85 to 129 damage single target and reduces opponents in melee range AP by 410 at level 80.
Mania had no updated info on this pet.
Cats
Cats have the abilities Prowl (10 sec CD) and Roar of Courage (45 sec CD).
Prowl slows the pet by 50% while in stealth, and provides a 20% increase to the pet's first attack.
Roar of Courage increases the Strength and Agility of all party and raid members by 139 within 100 yards.
Yes, that is the number displayed in game. Fantastic for not having a dk on hand.
Core Hounds *Exotic
Core Hounds have the ability Lava Breath (8 sec CD) and the exotic ability Ancient Hysteria (6 sec CD).
Lava Breath slowes the target's casting speed by 25% for 10 seconds. (30 yd Range)
Ancient Hysteria Increases melee, ranged, and spell casting speed by 30% for all party and raid members. Lasts 40 sec. Allies receiving this effect will become Sated and be unable to benefit from Bloodlust or Time Warp again for 10 min.
Core Hounds are considered PVP pets for their ability to slow caster speed. The alternative bloodlust is also great when at loss for a mage or shaman.
Devilsaurs *Exotic
Devilsaurs have the ability Terrifying Roar (45 sec CD) and the exotic ability Monstrous Bite (8 sec CD).
Terrifying Roar increases the critical strike chance of all party and raid members by 5%.
Monstrous Bite reduces the effectiveness of any healing on the target received by 25% for 8 sec.
Like a wolf...a big scaly wolf on two legs. Or is that a worgen with mange?
Hyenas
Hyena's have the ability Tendon Rip (10 sec CD).
Tendon Rip increases the target's damage taken from bleed effects by 30% for 15 sec.
Needs usability input.
Moths
Moths have the ability Serenity Dust (1 min CD).
The moth's wings produce a cloud of dust that interrupts the enemy's spellcasting, preventing any spell in that school from being cast for 4 sec. 25 yd range.
Nice for PVP.
Raptors
Raptors have the ability Tear Armor (6 sec CD)
Tear Armor reduces the targets armor by 4%. Stacks up to 5 times. Lasts 30 sec.
If there isn't any contradicting abilities, this could make the raptor the best raiding pet.
Spirit Beasts *Exotic
Spirit Beasts have three abilities; Roar of Courage (45 sec CD), Spirit Mend (40 sec CD), and Spirit Walk (10 sec CD).
Roar of Courage increases the Strength and Agility of all party and raid members by 139 within 100 yards.
Spirit Mend heals the currently friendly target for (1237 + ((RAP * 0.35) * 0.5)) plus an additional (475 + ((RAP * 0.35) * 0.335)) over 10 sec.
Spirit Walk slows the pet by 50% while in stealth, and provides a 20% increase to the pet's first attack.
Spirit beasts are now like walking Swiss army knives.
Tallstriders
Tallstriders have the ability Dust Cloud (40 sec CD).
Dust Cloud has a 10 yard range, making all targets to have their melee and ranged attack speed reduced by 20% for 8 sec.
Good for groups with bad tanks.
Wasps
Wasps have the ability Sting (45 sec CD).
Stuns the target for 2 sec.
I'll miss how this ability used to keep mages from hiding from me, but it still is good for pvp.
Wolves
Wolves have Furious Howl (45 sec CD).
Furious Howl increases the critical strike chance of all party and raid members by 5%.
Great to bring to a party. Great pun.

[Chrizesu]

Cunning

Bats
Bats have the ability Sonic Blast (1 min CD).
Sonic Blast immobilizes the target for 2 seconds.
Bats are part of a useful line of pets that keep the opponent in one spot. Get now the sonic care bat brush.
Birds of Prey
Birds of Prey have the ability Snatch (1 min CD) and the joke ability Trick.
Snatch now only disarms a target for 6 seconds.
Trick apparently makes the bird poop. It's be great if there was a big pigeon.
These birds make great PVP pets as well as PVE pets because they also disarm a few bosses.
Chimaeras *Exotic
Chimaeras have the abilities Frost Breath (10 sec CD) and Froststorm Breath. Froststorm is labeled as the exotic ability.
Frost Breath slows the target for 5 sec. 30 yd range. Looking for someone who can tell me by how much.
Froststorm breath is a channel causing (243 + ((RAP * 0.40) * 0.24)) Spellstorm damage every 3 sec for 8 sec to all enemies within the 35 yd range.More information is needed on this ability.
If you can get over the obstructing wingspan these pets are good for slowing escaping enemies.
Dragonhawks
Dragonhawks have the ability Fire Breath (30 sec CD).
Fire Breath increases magic damage taken by the target by 8% for 45 sec. 40 yd range
These pets are often tamed for their fire breathing ability animation.
Nether Rays
These pets have the ability Nether Shock (40 sec CD).
Nether Shock has a 20 yard range and is single target. This ability interrupts spell casting and prevents any spell in that school from being cast for 2 seconds. 20 yd range.
These pets make excellent anti-caster pets.
Ravagers
Ravagers have the ability Ravage (15 sec CD).
Ravage causes the target to take an increased 4% physical damage for 25 sec.
Similar to the worm's acid spit, but with a higher cool down and no range.
Serpents
Serpents have to ability Corrosive Spit (6 sec CD).
Corrosive reduces the targets armor by 4%. Stacks up to 5 times. Lasts 30 sec.
Great ability for melee heavy groups.
Silithids *Exotic
Silithids have the ability Venom Web Spray (40 sec CD) and the exotic ability Qiraji Fortitude.
Venom Web Spray has a 30 yard range and immobilizes for 5 seconds.
Qiraji Fortitude increases party and raid members' Stamina by 1485. This ability requires more information.
This pet species is very energetic and not recommended for the easily annoyed.
Spiders
Spiders have the ability Web (40 sec CD).
Web has a 30 yard range that immobilizes the target for 4 seconds.
Because their ability does no damage, spiders are not recommended outside of Marks/Surv PVP.
Spore Bats
Sporebats have the ability Spore Cloud (12 sec CD).
Spore Cloud reduces all enemy targets within 6 yards casting speed by 25% for 9 sec.
Mass spellcaster reduction for the win.
Wind Serpents
Wind Serpents have the ability Lightning Breath (30 sec CD).
Lightning Breath increases magic damage taken by 8% for 45 sec. 40 yd range
To help your caster friends out.

[Saturo]

Actually, all stealth since 3.3 cause the stealthed player to move at 70% speed, since the different ranks have been removed.

[Chrizesu]

Actually, all stealth since 3.3 cause the stealthed player to move at 70% speed, since the different ranks have been removed.

'Player'. I'll have to test pets, and this is going off of petopia which still has outdated data.

Edit: Grammar error.

[Saturo]

It's for pets too, I just checked.

[Chrizesu]

It's for pets too, I just checked.

I just tamed a cat and it had exactly what I put down. It could be a tooltip error, but I think they'd fix it.

[Saturo]

That's odd, both patch notes and my experiments prove that cats move at 70% speed now. When they are following you, they move faster too, which means that I might actually stand having a cat for more than just randoms.

[Chrizesu]

That's odd, both patch notes and my experiments prove that cats move at 70% speed now. When they are following you, they move faster too, which means that I might actually stand having a cat for more than just randoms.

I'll add the modified speed then. You know if they changed the bonus at all?

[Saturo]

They shouldn't have, I think it's just a speed change.

[SpiritBinder]

Nice work Chrizesu!
The pictures and compilations of abilities are rather nice in helping those choose a pet for what they need.
Keep up the good work!

P.s I absolutely <3 your sig

[Chrizesu]

They shouldn't have, I think it's just a speed change.

I looked over the patch notes, and the pet prowl had no notes, while the druid's did and the rogue's did.

[Saturo]

Just noticed that. I had just done a search for prowl on the list.

My kittie is much faster than 50% at level 10 tough.

[Vephriel]

Very nice compilation Chrizesu! ^^

[Chrizesu]

Anyone who can find all of the errors gets a cookie.

[Ryno]

Hehe, a well put together guide. Hopefully it'll reduce the need for people to post asking about what pets people are good for X activity.

[Chrizesu]

Hehe, a well put together guide. Hopefully it'll reduce the need for people to post asking about what pets people are good for X activity.

Not to mention the "what the heck I spec my pet into" posts.

Why yes, I must always have the last word.

[Ryno]

Why yes, I must always have the last word.

Orly?

[Saturo]

Yeh 'rly.