Curse

GedLongbow · Nov 14, 2006, 01:17 AM // 01:17

They need a way to control pets, just like heroes. I get SO PISSED OFF when I'm trying to lure and my pet runs up and aggros everything between here and the next galaxy. I've lost many missions, quests, and lives from this, and I'd REALLY like it if there was a pet control.

SPIRIT OF THE SEA · Nov 14, 2006, 02:51 AM // 02:51

100% agreed like my margirds pet for example we are maybe 500 feet away and the pet goes agro everyhing and comes back to the group then margrid goes and agros even more!

/signed

Curse You · Nov 14, 2006, 03:37 AM // 03:37

Um, try pressing F and using Ctrl + Spacebar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by You

I'm targeting myself!
I'm targeting myself!
I'm targeting myself!
I'm targeting myself!

Not sure if that works though. You can also just press C and use Ctrl + Spacebar to make them attack the closest monster to you.

You could always just not bring a pet, seeing how most pet builds don't do very well in PvE.

Rhedd · Nov 14, 2006, 04:49 AM // 04:49

As someone who has gone through Prophesies and Factions, and is 1% away from my Canthan Grandmaster Cartographer title... all without a single skill on my bar other than Beastmaster skills, I'd like to say a couple of things;

1: "Pet builds don't do very well in PvE"? News to me. (In other words... bull.)

2: If you can't pull mobs without your pet running off (hero pets are a different story), then you haven't learned to pull. It's not hard. I do it hundreds of times a day, and it works every time.

As a dedicated Beastmaster, I'm actually against better pet controls. I'm almost certain that if they were more controllable, their skills would have to be toned down for people to consider them balanced.

Right now, they're "impossible" to control, so that balances the fact that pet attacks ROCK. This is a nice situation for those of us who actually have no problem controlling them. ^_^

Rathcail · Nov 14, 2006, 05:02 AM // 05:02

One thing I'd like to see for pets is an ability to go around npc's. Sure they gave henchies that in Factions, but just ignored pets completely. I am so sick as a beastmaster having my pet getting stuck to the res shrine priests way too often, only to notice that during fight when my pet skills say "Pet is out of range". Then it takes five minutes for me to jog back to the shrine where the pet is glued to the priest.

Argh!

jcapulet · Nov 14, 2006, 04:53 PM // 16:53

I find it very curious that there isn't a more advanced method for controlling pets. While my ranger uses her tiger as her primary "weapon," it's unfortunate that I can't better utilize her skills with basic commands (non-skills), or by changing my pet's AI setting.

It would be fantastic if there could be a pet control tab along with the Hero controls.

Thilarin · Nov 15, 2006, 03:51 AM // 03:51

/signed
i like the idea, as long as its mainly an 'attack when being attacked' 'attack everything' and then the click to tell the pet to stay put just like the hench can now...im guessing thats what your getting at but if it was like that im all for it

MMSDome · Nov 15, 2006, 03:53 AM // 03:53

is it bad that i thought that this was going to be a new class idea?

freekedoutfish · Nov 15, 2006, 10:22 AM // 10:22

Im not a huge expert on Rangers, but if we gave a pet with the same interface as a Hero, the it would in essence become a Hero-Pet.

It would need to list and carry all its own skills.

Now correct me if im wrong, but pets dont have skills in their normal state? They simply do dmg.

They only have different abilities when the ranger chooses to equip skills to influence them.

So if we gave pets an interface similar to that of Heroes, they would fundimentally remove the need for rangers to carry those beast mastery skills.

The pets themselves would have skills assigned to them, to use themselves as they choose.

You would end up with an independant Hero pet which had its own skill list which YOU set. This would remove the need to have the beast matery skills in the human skill list because you wouldnt use them... your Hero-pet would.

You would only need to keep charm animal in order to capture the pet to start with.

You would then need to add an extra icon in your inventory and Hero display to manipulate your pets skills, attributes and inventory (if was any).

I dont mind this and I actually think it would be pretty cool.

It might also help towards training a pet and its individual attribute points (assuming they have them).

It might help towards the evolution or make it easier.

But it might also overpower a ranger. Because they could then be both a beaster master AND another build.

/mostly-signed because I like the idea

/semi-unsigned because I know people will complain about over-powerment.

frojack · Nov 15, 2006, 11:42 AM // 11:42

If you want to pull with a bow and not have your pet go charging in, it's really easy. This is what you do:

Fire an arrow, but break off your attack (move/retreat etc.) somewhere between as soon as it's fired and before that arrow connects. your pet will not attack. In fact, henchies will run in before your pet does.
Pet controls would be cool, but who knows when the fudge that's gonna' happen. Use this for now...

Rhedd · Nov 15, 2006, 11:52 AM // 11:52

Yep, frojack, and use a flatbow. That huge, slow arc gives you plenty of time to move after firing. Even if the arrow doesn't connect, the shot'll still aggro.

Kuldebar Valiturus · Nov 15, 2006, 12:26 PM // 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhedd

As a dedicated Beastmaster, I'm actually against better pet controls. I'm almost certain that if they were more controllable, their skills would have to be toned down for people to consider them balanced.

Right now, they're "impossible" to control, so that balances the fact that pet attacks ROCK. This is a nice situation for those of us who actually have no problem controlling them. ^_^

I actually think that's the crux of the issue. See, our pets have a mind of their own. Control is supposed to be a "tug-of-war".

ANet doesn't believe in a free lunch (no monthly fees aside) everything has a price. Look no further then your skill bar: theres mana cost, cooldowns, requirements, conditional requirements, sometimes health costs, etc.

In the case of Ranger pets, it's the price that's paid for having a extra-party companion with you.

If controls were 'improved", Rangers would soon find the beastmaster line nerfed, because that control would make the pets a helluva lot more efficient...and people would be screaming.

The price a a ranger pays for a pet:

-has limited control, the pet can be a 2-edged sword...or loose cannon
-and loses at least one skill slot on his skill bar
-attribute points for effectiveness

GedLongbow · Nov 15, 2006, 12:28 PM // 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by freekedoutfish

Im not a huge expert on Rangers, but if we gave a pet with the same interface as a Hero, the it would in essence become a Hero-Pet.

It would need to list and carry all its own skills.

I don't mean SKILLS, I just mean Aggressive, Defensive, Passive, and the little control flag thingy under the mini-map.

odly · Nov 15, 2006, 01:24 PM // 13:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhedd

As someone who has gone through Prophesies and Factions, and is 1% away from my Canthan Grandmaster Cartographer title... all without a single skill on my bar other than Beastmaster skills, I'd like to say a couple of things;

1: "Pet builds don't do very well in PvE"? News to me. (In other words... bull.)

2: If you can't pull mobs without your pet running off (hero pets are a different story), then you haven't learned to pull. It's not hard. I do it hundreds of times a day, and it works every time.

As a dedicated Beastmaster, I'm actually against better pet controls. I'm almost certain that if they were more controllable, their skills would have to be toned down for people to consider them balanced.

Right now, they're "impossible" to control, so that balances the fact that pet attacks ROCK. This is a nice situation for those of us who actually have no problem controlling them. ^_^

Pls explain how you pull when using a pet. Yes I'm a noob at beastmastering, a little help would be usefull.

freekedoutfish · Nov 15, 2006, 01:31 PM // 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by GedLongbow

I don't mean SKILLS, I just mean Aggressive, Defensive, Passive, and the little control flag thingy under the mini-map.

It just seems to be that if your going to give a pet an interface similar to Heroes, but only give them the agression options and the flag position...

...you might aswell go the whole hog and add the skill bar too.

If you with what I suggested above, about doing the whole hero-pet thing. To compensate for over-powering the pet, you can remove a Hero in its place.

Replace a Hero with your Hero-pet and then no-overpowerment, because you wont have anything extra.

Rhedd · Nov 15, 2006, 01:43 PM // 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuldebar Valiturus

In the case of Ranger pets, it's the price that's paid for having a extra-party companion with you.

I was with you until that line. ^_^

While I agree with what you said, that particular line is a myth I'd like to BURY.

Pets are NOT an extra party member. They're a weapon. Warriors have swords, axes, etc. I have a giant chicken. I have to apply ability points and skills to that weapon or it sucks. My other skills (like marksmanship) suffer greatly when I do this, just like a warrior can't have a decent axe AND sword skill.

Yes, uncontrollability is the balance for awesome pets, but they're still weapons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by odly

Pls explain how you pull when using a pet. Yes I'm a noob at beastmastering, a little help would be usefull.

I'd happily help out a fellow Beastmaster and explain, odly, but frojack already did a good job of that in post #10. Read that one, and my post right after it, and you'll learn what you need to know. Have fun!

Quote:

Originally Posted by freekedoutfish

...you might aswell go the whole hog and add the skill bar too.

Freekedoutfish... dude... While we're at it can we strap a nuke to my moa's back?

Don't overcomplicate things, okay? ^_^

Kuldebar Valiturus · Nov 15, 2006, 02:09 PM // 14:09

Originally Posted by Kuldebar Valiturus
In the case of Ranger pets, it's the price that's paid for having a extra-party companion with you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhedd

I was with you until that line. ^_^

While I agree with what you said, that particular line is a myth I'd like to BURY.

Pets are NOT an extra party member. They're a weapon. Warriors have swords, axes, etc. I have a giant chicken. I have to apply ability points and skills to that weapon or it sucks. My other skills (like marksmanship) suffer greatly when I do this, just like a warrior can't have a decent axe AND sword skill.

Yes, uncontrollability is the balance for awesome pets, but they're still weapons.

EXTRA:

Meaning: beyond or more than what is usual, expected, or necessary; additional...

Doesn't mean the Pet is a party member or the same as a party member.
(ie. extraterrestrial doesn't mean one more terrestrial.)

geekling · Nov 15, 2006, 02:21 PM // 14:21

/halfsigned

I don't want to mess around with hero type controls for my pet. All I want is control in the form of a simple 'come!'. (That'll make the pet break of whatever it is doing and well come to you... you know that thing that most pet dogs manage to learn even if they don't get any other obedience training.)
That'll be enough to make pulling easier for the OP (and me

) while hardly make pets into gamebreaking unbalanced in PvP.

That's all.

Well OK, I'd love a 'fetch' that made the pet pick up loot for me too. But that's not going to happen, why that'd be like getting an auction house in guild wars. - In the realm of wild dreams.

freekedoutfish · Nov 15, 2006, 02:25 PM // 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhedd

I was with you until that line. ^_^

While I agree with what you said, that particular line is a myth I'd like to BURY.

Pets are NOT an extra party member. They're a weapon. Warriors have swords, axes, etc. I have a giant chicken. I have to apply ability points and skills to that weapon or it sucks. My other skills (like marksmanship) suffer greatly when I do this, just like a warrior can't have a decent axe AND sword skill.

Yes, uncontrollability is the balance for awesome pets, but they're still weapons.

I'd happily help out a fellow Beastmaster and explain, odly, but frojack already did a good job of that in post #10. Read that one, and my post right after it, and you'll learn what you need to know. Have fun!

Freekedoutfish... dude... While we're at it can we strap a nuke to my moa's back?

Don't overcomplicate things, okay? ^_^

Animal Skill: Power of the Atom!!

Ranger casts spell and a WOMD apears on pets back.

Animal moves 50% slower, but when it makes contact with target, an all-mighty explotion is released. All Nearby persons are blinded, dazed and suffering health degen for 10 seconds.

Animal looses 50% health and grows a second head. But suffers health degen (not-effected by remove illness or hex).

Nearby-by enemies also take 75dmg every 2 seconds for 10 seconds.

A circle of radiation is left where explotion happened. Anyone inside it is afflicted with health-degen for 10 seconds.

I wouldnt have said I was overcomplicating it that much. :P

Sniper Corps · Nov 15, 2006, 02:30 PM // 14:30

My pet, Steve, Would be used for fetch jsut for fun. Be Like "OH, i forgot that gold half a mile back. Steve, go get it. No i wont wait, you'll just have to catch up."