Analysis of new Pet Abilities

[gaghiel]

Something we're missing though, does the Devilsaur still get big? cause it wont be the same unless he gets super giant sized with his Monster Bite.

[Protego]

They better not delay too long with giving rhinos, chimeras and worms their 2nd Exotic ability. And giving "Cats" their special ability. The Cataclysm beta isn't gonna be around too long, come next month, if even for a little while next month. With 4.0 out in the public test realms, Cataclysm is not far off.

[Slickrock]

Alright, flat out, the people insulting the people who don't like the changes need to stop, and I mean right now. Even disapproving, knock it off. Not everyone is going to like what Blizzard does. Doesn't make them wrong, doesn't make you right.

~Begin Rant~
First off, I did not see any insulting of people going on in this thread, but instead I see a disagreement about specific ideas and statements.
You may say that this is "in-fact" insulting, but it couldn't be farther from it. None of the posts that I have read thus far have been anywhere near insulting. Not even close.

If you think that someone disagreeing with your point of view is insulting, and you can't stand for it, then I suggest that you step back from these forums.

The world is filled with people who have different opinions and beliefs about things, and just because I don't like vanilla icecream doesn't make the fact that my best friend does insulting to me. It is just a simple difference of opinion.

If you can't handle this, you need to really need to back off of the keyboard and talk to someone.

~End Rant~

I suggest you be a bit more careful with your statements. The thread might not have been straight out namecalling, but it was quickly turning into it. And from some of the posters, it got pretty obvious that those of us who didn't like it are idiots. We have different reasons. Personally? I'm not too keen on having to keep my pet alive to provide that ZOMGAWSUM buff, because my pet might very well go down, quickly even. And giving all those buffs to us hunters? Not a very good idea either.
"We already have three hunters, but let's take one more so we can get the armordebuff too!"

I think the only ones that were being insulted were the ones crying "WAAHHH MY DPS IS GONE" without understanding what the change meant, or that the standard attacks were getting dps increases.

I've seen valid arguments here about why some people don't like it. INFORMED arguments. Like Saturo's. I don't quite agree, but I do agree that we could become the new pallys (at least we won't have to actively buff each class).

I can see how spirit beast lovers are miffed. (I kinda am).

But there are a few here that post emo-like, and then get butt-hurt when they are told to chill.

Like it or not, our role is changing some. That's what the discussion here (and in the feedback forums) should be about. Saturo makes a good point, we'll need to work more to keep our pets alive.

But let's please cut down on the emo reactions.

[Kalliope]

Saturo makes a good point, we'll need to work more to keep our pets alive.

So will the rest of the raid, seeing as how we're such important buffers now. ^_^

[Slickrock]

Saturo makes a good point, we'll need to work more to keep our pets alive.

So will the rest of the raid, seeing as how we're such important buffers now. ^_^

LOL, yeah, maybe the healers will finally heal our pets... (or a spirit beast assigned to run around and heal pets?.. )

[Saturo]

If this is the wrong place for me to have an educated and mature discussion about WoW Hunters, their Pets, and other mechanics, then so be it.

I will take my leave.

So now you leave because someone disagrees?

Several posts before Palladia's were offensive to several people. Your viewpoint on this is the polar opposite, thus why you're probably a bit biased, and somewhat agree with them, putting you at a "middle line", where they're not offensive to you, even tough they clearly are to those who disagree.

[Slivers]

My only assessment so far: The Devilsaur's two abilities will likely have me pulling it out far less than I do now. Which makes me sad

[Slivers]

OK, one more quick assessment

Bears will need to have a permanent position in the five callable stable slot for 10M and 25M raiders and demoralizing road is what the Exotic for Devilsaurs should be.

[Slickrock]

My only assessment so far: The Devilsaur's two abilities will likely have me pulling it out far less than I do now. Which makes me sad

You are probably less likely to bring them out in a 25-man raid, but in a good 25, it shouldn't matter what you pull out, the raid should cover all the buffs already.

Looking it all over..

Pros:
Hunters will be more in demand.
Our pets might actually get healed.
Pet dps should be balanced.
Leveling all those pets will be interesting and profitable.

Cons:
We'll have to manage a large stable of pets to cover buffs.
We may not get to use our favorite pet as much.
Leveling all those pets will be tiring.
Right now, cats and spirit beasts still get the short end of the stick.

Discussions on the dps balance should wait for a few more patches.

[Aquillian]

Wow, folks. The old damage is being made /baseline/ now. Which means we don't have to worry about choosing one pet over another just because it's special did damage and the other one's didn't. These are not nerfs... they are huge bonuses on top of all that old damage. o_o; It's /amazing./ I'm super excited!

[Kalliope]

OK, one more quick assessment

Bears will need to have a permanent position in the five callable stable slot for 10M and 25M raiders and demoralizing road is what the Exotic for Devilsaurs should be.

*twitch* God, it pains me to argue against any strategy that involves bringing Ursa to a raid....but....

Demoralizing Roar for bear pets is exactly the same as the bear druid demo roar, warriors' demo shout, prot pallies' judgements of the just, and death knights get it from improved icy touch. Basically, if your raid has a proper tank, this particular debuff will always be covered.

[Slivers]

Demoralizing Roar for bear pets is exactly the same as the bear druid demo roar, warriors' demo shout, prot pallies' judgements of the just, and death knights get it from improved icy touch. Basically, if your raid has a proper tank, this particular debuff will always be covered.

I was thinking more of the non-Boss mobs in a fight that generally do not get the debuff unless one of the tanks you mentioned is engaged; adds in Deathwhisper, Bloodbeasts, Slimes, adds in Dreamwalker, etc.

[Kalliope]

Demoralizing Roar for bear pets is exactly the same as the bear druid demo roar, warriors' demo shout, prot pallies' judgements of the just, and death knights get it from improved icy touch. Basically, if your raid has a proper tank, this particular debuff will always be covered.

I was thinking more of the non-Boss mobs in a fight that generally do not get the debuff unless one of the tanks you mentioned is engaged; adds in Deathwhisper, Bloodbeasts, Slimes, adds in Dreamwalker, etc.

Not sure what kind of ICCs you run, but those all get the debuff in my raids. 'Cept maybe bloodbeasts, but they're not supposed to be hitting anyone anyway.

[Palladiamorsdeus]

Alright, flat out, the people insulting the people who don't like the changes need to stop, and I mean right now. Even disapproving, knock it off. Not everyone is going to like what Blizzard does. Doesn't make them wrong, doesn't make you right.

~Begin Rant~
First off, I did not see any insulting of people going on in this thread, but instead I see a disagreement about specific ideas and statements.
You may say that this is "in-fact" insulting, but it couldn't be farther from it. None of the posts that I have read thus far have been anywhere near insulting. Not even close.

If you think that someone disagreeing with your point of view is insulting, and you can't stand for it, then I suggest that you step back from these forums.

The world is filled with people who have different opinions and beliefs about things, and just because I don't like vanilla icecream doesn't make the fact that my best friend does insulting to me. It is just a simple difference of opinion.

If you can't handle this, you need to really need to back off of the keyboard and talk to someone.

~End Rant~


I love the idea that We as Hunters have something else to offer the raid aside from Pure DPS.
Although we haven't done it in a while, we can CC quite effectively.
Again, since we haven't done it in a while, we can kite mobs that can't be CCed as well. (well, some of us can, others will have to learn how.)
Now we can bring something else, something ALL of the other classes bring to the table, BUFFS!!
And not just any old Buff but just about any buff you need! We are going to be the group/raid multi-tool. We can do it ALL!

Ever been in a 5-man without a stam buff when your tank really needs it?
~Not anymore! As of patch 4.00 it will be no problem! Hunter, you can summon your awesome Silithid or Beetle pet for some Leet Buffage!!

Tank isn't a Warrior but you still want that awesome armor debuff so you can top the DPS charts?
~No Problem! Hunters have a Pet just for that! Just call out your trusty raptor pet for some MAX DPS!

Seriously though, this FIRST pass of Hunter Pets has been awesome. Sure there are some kinks to work out, but Blizzard is working on it.
Sure, like anything there is change, some good, some bad. But so far, the VAST majority of the changes have been GOOD.

Hell, I have to give them some serious props for doing all that they have for the Hunter Class so far in Beta.


If you don't agree with my opinion, thats fine too. I actually love discussions and debates.
Its the only way you can really learn what a person is really like, and what views they actually entertain.
But you do have to be able to explain your reasoning with some logic.

Alright buddy, at no point in time did I say I personally was offended. A bit annoyed, but not offended. Several posts were downright talking down at the people who didn't like the changes, and if you don't consider being called a whiner an insult, then you and I differ on what is insulting. There was even a post not long after that were some one admitted to have BEEN offended. Your thread here was EXACTLY what I was trying to forestall. You can disagree or debate all you like, but DON'T be an ass about it. I am not going to have people chasing off other posts just because they disagree with their point of view, got it?

[Bellatryx]

This is a long post and my brain kinda hurts from trying to pick through the abilities..

..I was wondering since all these abilities have raid/party applications, does that mean that we must be in a raid or party to use them or will we be able to reap the benefits as a solo player?

One ability that comes to mind is the Silithid's priest-like buff. Even if temporary I think I'd enjoy that when trying to take down a nasty mob.

(side note and partially un-related to the topic. I want a warp stalker again, I wasn't playing a hunter when they changed 'em to tenacity and I just saw this last night.. with the Time Warp I would like to have one hangin' around.)

[Palladiamorsdeus]

You can still use them solo. No need for a group or raid.

[Kalliope]

One ability that comes to mind is the Silithid's priest-like buff. Even if temporary I think I'd enjoy that when trying to take down a nasty mob.

This is actually a fantastic idea. Fort buff AND you can (potentially) root the mob you're fighting, in addition to having traps for kiting. I definitely expect to see more silithids out there for soloing.

*quietly glees about brainbug kiting*

[Bellatryx]

One ability that comes to mind is the Silithid's priest-like buff. Even if temporary I think I'd enjoy that when trying to take down a nasty mob.

This is actually a fantastic idea. Fort buff AND you can (potentially) root the mob you're fighting, in addition to having traps for kiting. I definitely expect to see more silithids out there for soloing.

*quietly glees about brainbug kiting*

I'm one of those people who was BM from day one so I'm super excited about the exotic pets having a bit more "umph" than just looking pretty.

btw which pets are we missing on this list? the only one that seems to stand out to me is cat..

[Palladiamorsdeus]

Cat's still have rake and prowl, so I am pretty sure they aren't done. I think the crab still had it's old ability, but I might be wrong.

[Kalliope]

Crabs are completely missing, I know that for sure. This is odd because if the duration of web was increased, the same should have been true of pin, and it wasn't.

Carrion birds already have demoralizing screech, but I haven't seen a post specifically saying that they still bring the same debuff a bear does.

Turtles. I want to know if they're keeping shell shield or what.

Everything else has been mentioned in some way.