No point in being BM with a wolf?

[Pawtrack]

Well, I've been on a pet trying out spree. Tried out a couple of wolves and settled on a little felpaw wolf. I named him Padfoot (it seemed to fit, plus the little harry potter reference :3)
So, I went in a few randoms to try and get him leveled to where I can quest with him without pulling aggro off him (learned the hard way that I've gotta level my pets up a bit before going off and questing with them )

So, get into a dungeon (dunno what it was... horrible with names... it was whatever one with sentry worgs...>.>) and they were at the last boss and failing miserably.
But anyway, everyone was waiting for the tank to catch up, after we had just died a second time (my second time, dunno how many other times they wiped).
So while we were waiting, the DK must've been inspecting me, because he pipes up in party "BM and no exotics? What's the point?" didn't have enough time to respond when another person answered, saying "Maybe because it's a great leveling spec?" (Not that that wasn't a good answer).
Well, a bit of a debate sprung up while I was trying to think of what to say. I eventually just said "I was just tryin' out a wolf." But by then the tank had finnally got up to us and so everyone stopped talking.

But it got me thinking... should I not be using anything non-exotic as BM? So far the only exotic I have is a Devilsaur, lol.

P.S.
Also, I managed to kill the boss before he could kill me! I was the last one alive and at half health! >:)

[Vephriel]

I don't think that at all. Exotics are certainly fun, but if you like the BM spec itself and the playstyle then play with whatever pet truly appeals to you. =)

[Slickrock]

Well, to be fair, that Trex can give you better dps depending on your gear and the fight. But that only really counts in serious raiding. Heroics are not that serious..

[Dulanie]

If you want to be elitest then a wolf is only good for BM in a stationary fight. In movement fights a devilsaur is much better. I personally say that it really doesn;t matter beyond how you want to play. If you want to use a wolf then go for it. If you're only using a wolf cause of elitism then Use whatever pet you want and feel comfortible with. It doesn't matter if it's a wolf/nether ray/warp stalker/hyena or w/e.

[Tahlian]

It also depends on your gear level. For someone just starting out, the wolf is likely to bring more to the fight than the devilsaur because at those gear levels, the AP buff from the wolf is a huge boon. Once you get better gear, then yeah, the devilsaur tends to edge out in front. But in all honesty? Exotics are not required for a beast master to be successful. It wouldn't be right for Blizzard to have forced BM hunters into an even more limited palette of pets than other hunters. If you want to run as BM with a wolf pet - knock yourself out. It may be the best pet for your experience, your gear, and your buffs. Don't worry about the idjits you run into in LFD. You're doing fine.

And give Padfoot a pat and a cookie for being such a great pet.

[Acherontia]

I still do more damage with my wolf than with my Devilsaur--in fact, my wolf out-dpss my Devilsaur. It may be down to my gems/chants, racials etc. I will still use Valak for heavy movement fights or fights with a lot of trash because I keep tabs on a massive green devil FAR more easily than searching for my wolf in the crowd.

This is coming from a raiding BM hunter with ~251-264 iLvL gear and ~8k dps on ICC bosses. So while I'm not the best, I'm certainly not a new ding nor am I 'levelling.' If you want to use a wolf, use a wolf, the dps loss even for those who perform better with Devilsaurs is hardly noticeable.

[zedxrgal]

I fully agree with what others have stated. I usually run dungeons every night and it's almost alway in BM. I've run with my Tallstrider and Hyena and yes there's a little difference in dps compared to an exotic or a wolf but really it didn't matter when it was all said and done.
I've received the same question not to long ago and had to explain simply because the DK tank didn't know a thing about the hunter class nor it's specs.

I say stick with whatever you want. You'll get a good buff from a wolf but won't be epic.

[Bulletdance]

I agree, just go with what you find fun. Each pet will help you in one way or another. It doesn't matter nowadays with most dungeons being an aoe fest. That and everything is going to change soon so just do what ever makes ya happy.

[Kikanu]

In my honest opinion, the wolf is a VERY good choice for BM. While no wolf skin appeals to me, and I cheated by taming a Hodir wolf (auto 80), my DPS has gone up by a good deal, and I'm supposedly good for ICC 10 now. What I don't get though is how a wolf, with a slight attack power increase, can compare to other pets, like spirit beasts and cats with their DoTs, and with a Devilsaur's NEED-TO-BE-NERFED bite attack. I tried a Devilsaur, but I could not do as well with it (along with the four color choices not tickling my fancy).

[Dulanie]

I don't know if it is just me, but it maybe something to consider. It's not a "hard" fact, but I would consider it a mental factor kind of the way the will to fight is a factor in battle. Personal play style, and mental outlook (for lack of a better term) may be a factor. Yes spec and gear are a "hard" factor, but how you think and hit the keys is also a factor. Take DKs for example. They are a class that can tank, but that is a side effect imo of the class. At the heart IMO they are a dps class, but each spec adds a different flavor to it. Blood = single target/heals/AP buff Frost = dual wield/dmg reduction/debuff protection Unholy = inceased debuff/pets/dots All specs are equally good for dps, but how one chooses to spec is a personal choice based on personal reasons. The same can be said about pets. Some people work great with one type of pet but have trouble with another. There are alot of impericle factors as well as "hard" factors. I hate to say it but it is similar to gear score. Yes a high GS helps with raiding, but if the player doesn't have the skill/knowledge to use it properly then GS is pointless. After all I am sure we've all seen players at one time or another with a low GS out dps a hgiher GS of the same class. i.e. 4k GS vs 5k GS I've seen this with not just dps but tank and heals as well.

[Slickrock]

What it really boils down to is this:

Dungeons (and Heroics): Bring whatever you really want, any pet will do enough dps to suffice, and some utility might help.

VOA and Sarth: You should bring higher dps pets, but don't necessarily need to be the best.

ICC and Ruby Sanctum: You owe it to the fellow raiders to do your best, which likely means trex or wolf, or perhaps wasp for the debuff (or worm for it's debuff). You have 5 slots, one can be for a high-dps pet.

[kamoodle5]

From what I read in a web page, a wolf suffices for any of the three talent branches. Still, there's no reason to be shunned by people just because they think exotics are the best. Yes, they are really good compared to any other pet but then they're exotics and they're not invincible.

I'd say any pet can be good for any situation as long as you have good faith in them. I am planning to run dungeons one day on my choice of pets and none of them are gonna be wolves or exotics, but I trust them.

[Slickrock]

I am planning to run dungeons one day on my choice of pets and none of them are gonna be wolves or exotics, but I trust them.

And for 5-mans, regular or heroic, that's perfectly acceptable. Raiding is another matter. But we do have 5 slots at least...

[Rhyela]

I am planning to run dungeons one day on my choice of pets and none of them are gonna be wolves or exotics, but I trust them.

And for 5-mans, regular or heroic, that's perfectly acceptable. Raiding is another matter. But we do have 5 slots at least...

That's your opinion, and while you are entitled to it, it isn't shared by all. I specced SV because I wanted to, not because my guild made me. But my pet of choice is a cat because I like it. I'd say it's up to the guild you're running with. My guild is laid back and people bring the specs they want. As long as they perform their best, we don't ask questions. So while one may say a wolf/exotic is the only way to go and to do any less is a detriment to your guild, well maybe that's the case in your guild, but not everyone's. So please don't look down on those that don't play or think the same way you do.

[Hunterseth]

its not what spec you are or what pet you have...its how badass you and your pet are together...plus...all the added talent bonuses from the bm stuff makes your wolf just as deadly

[Slickrock]

I am planning to run dungeons one day on my choice of pets and none of them are gonna be wolves or exotics, but I trust them.

And for 5-mans, regular or heroic, that's perfectly acceptable. Raiding is another matter. But we do have 5 slots at least...

That's your opinion, and while you are entitled to it, it isn't shared by all. I specced SV because I wanted to, not because my guild made me. But my pet of choice is a cat because I like it. I'd say it's up to the guild you're running with. My guild is laid back and people bring the specs they want. As long as they perform their best, we don't ask questions. So while one may say a wolf/exotic is the only way to go and to do any less is a detriment to your guild, well maybe that's the case in your guild, but not everyone's. So please don't look down on those that don't play or think the same way you do.

Point taken. It wasn't meant to look down on anyone. And you are right, it depends on your guild. I've been in guilds that don't worry about flasks, and in ones that will boot you if you don't bring them.

Survival is perfectly acceptable for raiding (heck, I raid as BM, even though it isn't the highest dps).

What does matter is that you do your best with the spec you like. Part of that is bringing the right pet. Not necessarily the highest dps, but the right pet for the situation. For me raiding as BM, that might mean bringing a Worm if there isn't someone there to do sunder.

So yes, everyone is free to raid as they want, and bring whatever spec and pet you want to bring, but, saying that all pets are equal for raiding is a disservice to those that are looking for information. Some pets do more dps, there's no getting around that.

Perhaps in Cata Blizz will normalize pet dps in each tree, and then we won't have these issues anymore.

Again, I don't mean to offend, and I'm not looking down on anyone.

[Rhyela]

Point taken. It wasn't meant to look down on anyone. And you are right, it depends on your guild. I've been in guilds that don't worry about flasks, and in ones that will boot you if you don't bring them.

Survival is perfectly acceptable for raiding (heck, I raid as BM, even though it isn't the highest dps).

What does matter is that you do your best with the spec you like. Part of that is bringing the right pet. Not necessarily the highest dps, but the right pet for the situation. For me raiding as BM, that might mean bringing a Worm if there isn't someone there to do sunder.

So yes, everyone is free to raid as they want, and bring whatever spec and pet you want to bring, but, saying that all pets are equal for raiding is a disservice to those that are looking for information. Some pets do more dps, there's no getting around that.

Perhaps in Cata Blizz will normalize pet dps in each tree, and then we won't have these issues anymore.

Again, I don't mean to offend, and I'm not looking down on anyone.

I'm sorry I got so snippy. Without going into too great of detail, I've been really bummed this weekend with my poor grandfather being in the hospital after a really bad car accident and they still aren't sure if he'll make it. I'm usually not that pooey when I talk to people, so I'm sorry I took out my frustration/sadness/etc. on you. /hugs

[Slickrock]

I'm sorry I got so snippy. Without going into too great of detail, I've been really bummed this weekend with my poor grandfather being in the hospital after a really bad car accident and they still aren't sure if he'll make it. I'm usually not that pooey when I talk to people, so I'm sorry I took out my frustration/sadness/etc. on you. /hugs

Oh no! I (and I'm sure everyone else here) hope and pray that he pulls through. You certainly had a reason to be upset. /hugs /thoughts /prayers

Please let us know what happens...

[Dulanie]

Rhyela, I think I can speak for everyone here on this......You have our simpathy, and he is in our prayers. I hope he gets better soon.