Please, give my pet a brain...!!! - Guild Wars Forums

Nico2000 · May 03, 2010, 02:36 AM // 02:36

Hi everybody...

Playing for a couple of days now. So far it's kinda fun. Only one frustration...

Why is it that my pet keeps returning to my side after killing his immediate target in the middle of a fight with multiple opponents? (pre searing Northern lands). Why can't it switch to the next target like my main character does? Why doesn't it stay on attack? Is that an option I missed?

In numereous occasions the stupid animal returns to my side and just stands there, not even defending, while I'm getting my ass kicked... (sometimes it takes me a minute to realize the moron stopped fighting. By then I usually end up dead.

The imp (f.i.) keeps fighting... Why not the Pet ???

On other occasions the animal just won't attack at all. (Yes, I have him locked on target). I have to get so close to the target I take the first hits. Even then sometimes the dumb beast remains peaceful. And that's kinda useless.

Any tips?

Thanx...

Ninja Ninja · May 03, 2010, 03:13 AM // 03:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico2000

Hi everybody...

Playing for a couple of days now. So far it's kinda fun. Only one frustration...

Why is it that my pet keeps returning to my side after killing his immediate target in the middle of a fight with multiple opponents? (pre searing Northern lands). Why can't it switch to the next target like my main character does? Why doesn't it stay on attack? Is that an option I missed?

In numereous occasions the stupid animal returns to my side and just stands there, not even defending, while I'm getting my ass kicked... (sometimes it takes me a minute to realize the moron stopped fighting. By then I usually end up dead.

The imp (f.i.) keeps fighting... Why not the Pet ???

On other occasions the animal just won't attack at all. (Yes, I have him locked on target). I have to get so close to the target I take the first hits. Even then sometimes the dumb beast remains peaceful. And that's kinda useless.

Any tips?

Thanx...

You can set the pet to attack, guard and heel in the pet window.

wilebill · May 03, 2010, 03:30 AM // 03:30

Set him to guard. Or to attack. See which you like best.

The pet is quite effective, but remember that in this game you are there to support the pet, not the other way around. Similarly, I have found that I am there to direct and support my henchmen. They are not there to get me out of trouble. Just the way the game works.

Hells Fury · May 03, 2010, 03:33 AM // 03:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja Ninja

You can set the pet to attack, guard and heel in the pet window.

Yup, they are considered animals anyway. There is a delay when pet comes next to your target and when he begins his first attack. The AI of pets is like that, stupid. They have weird delays before attack and they can get stuck easily. So when the target dies you'll have to lock him to other target as soon as possible (or you can just start autoattacking) else he will come back to you.

StormX · May 03, 2010, 06:03 AM // 06:03

Because pet AI is horrible like that. For some reason you can't set them to auto attack nearest target, you need to manually lock them on it. I think there has been several posts in sardelac about it but nothing was done and I dont expect it to ever change.

Dewshine Wildclaw · May 03, 2010, 06:41 AM // 06:41

I never had that much of a problem with it, sure there is a small delay in the reaction. Gennerally my pet attacks after my first hit. If I change target before the first target is dead I need to lock the pet on the new target yes. And if I lock target before I get up close to a foe I can with some luck make them attack the pet instead of me.

But I do know about pets that don't react or do anything... this I have noticed happen for some casters, as they do not wand/autoattack at the foe but only cast spells.
Easiest way is to always have the auto attack on, otherwise you will need to use the attack, guard, heel options which might be more of a pain imo.

Mintha Syl · May 03, 2010, 09:16 AM // 09:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dewshine Wildclaw

I never had that much of a problem with it, sure there is a small delay in the reaction. Gennerally my pet attacks after my first hit.

But I do know about pets that don't react or do anything... this I have noticed happen for some casters, as they do not wand/autoattack at the foe but only cast spells.
Easiest way is to always have the auto attack on, otherwise you will need to use the attack, guard, heel options which might be more of a pain imo.

This. As long as you autoattack the pet always follows your target. True, he's not very fast but he does it. And if you keep switching targets too often he may not have the time to attack and will end up just running from one to the other (you also have to take into account he's a melee so changing target always requires more time than it takes to you with bow or to the imp with casting, apart from pet delay), but...just keep your attacks in a more pet-friendly way.

Benderama · May 03, 2010, 09:39 AM // 09:39

put the pet on aggresive (click on the number next to it's name in party window and click the sword button) this shoulkd act like the imp. however this means it will attack all enemies it sees, potential leading to an unexpected attack.

Zenzai · May 03, 2010, 10:48 AM // 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by StormX

Because pet AI is horrible like that. For some reason you can't set them to auto attack nearest target, you need to manually lock them on it. I think there has been several posts in sardelac about it but nothing was done and I dont expect it to ever change.

I wouldn't be surprised if they won't/don't do it for metagame balancing. A 'smart' pet might be up for abuse in the game depending on just how 'smart' it is made.

BrettM · May 03, 2010, 10:58 AM // 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benderama

put the pet on aggresive (click on the number next to it's name in party window and click the sword button) this shoulkd act like the imp. however this means it will attack all enemies it sees, potential leading to an unexpected attack.

Sorry, but the pet control panel does NOT work this way. The aggressive button for a pet works like the target lock button for a hero, and once the target is down the pet will automatically return to guard status. Pets never remain aggressive and will never act like the imp, a henchie, or a hero set on aggressive.

majoho · May 03, 2010, 11:16 AM // 11:16

Well pets aren't imps, heroes or henchies - they act as a part of the player, it makes sense because the ranger has the pets attacks on his skill-bar.

Quaker · May 03, 2010, 03:14 PM // 15:14

Pets set to "attack" will attack the target you set them on until until the target dies. It will then return to Guard status.
Pets set on Guard will attack whatever you are attacking. You don't need to actively set a target for your pet unless you want it to attack something other than what you are attacking. If you change targets (when the pet is on guard) the pet will attack your new target after a short delay.
If you are not attacking, your pet returns to you.
So, any time you are not actively attacking, your pet returns to you. If you were a healing Monk for example, and were only targeting allies, your pet would never actively attack, unless you locked it onto a target or (maybe) if it is attacked by something.
I assume that, as an E/R, there are times during which you are not actively attacking, which is resulting in your pet returning to you.

At any rate, it is more useful to learn how your pet's AI works, and proceed accordingly.

snaek · May 03, 2010, 03:19 PM // 15:19

protip: spam the spacebar

Nico2000 · May 05, 2010, 10:37 PM // 22:37

Thanx for the tips Guys. I kinda figured the pet needs some coching. It' all in the timing. I use my pet mainly to get the aggro of me. It doesn't do to much damage, but keeps the heat of me, so I can zap the baddies off one by one. But sometimes I get surprised by a sleeping pet :-)
Anyway... Tx for the tips.
Grtzz Nico2000
PS. Oh Ninja Ninja? please read the post and think about your answer before stating the over obviously obvious...

**Marty Silverblade** · May 06, 2010, 09:37 AM // 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico2000

PS. Oh Ninja Ninja? please read the post and think about your answer before stating the over obviously obvious...

You have a great way of treating people trying to help you. I'd say there's a fairly good chance there will be people who don't notice those buttons in their first few days.

May 03, 2010, 02:36 AM // 02:36	#1
Nico2000 Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2010 Profession: E/R	Please, give my pet a brain...!!! Hi everybody... Playing for a couple of days now. So far it's kinda fun. Only one frustration... Why is it that my pet keeps returning to my side after killing his immediate target in the middle of a fight with multiple opponents? (pre searing Northern lands). Why can't it switch to the next target like my main character does? Why doesn't it stay on attack? Is that an option I missed? In numereous occasions the stupid animal returns to my side and just stands there, not even defending, while I'm getting my ass kicked... (sometimes it takes me a minute to realize the moron stopped fighting. By then I usually end up dead. The imp (f.i.) keeps fighting... Why not the Pet ??? On other occasions the animal just won't attack at all. (Yes, I have him locked on target). I have to get so close to the target I take the first hits. Even then sometimes the dumb beast remains peaceful. And that's kinda useless. Any tips? Thanx...

May 03, 2010, 03:14 PM // 15:14	#12
Quaker Hell's Protector Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada Guild: Brothers Disgruntled	Pets set to "attack" will attack the target you set them on until until the target dies. It will then return to Guard status. Pets set on Guard will attack whatever you are attacking. You don't need to actively set a target for your pet unless you want it to attack something other than what you are attacking. If you change targets (when the pet is on guard) the pet will attack your new target after a short delay. If you are not attacking, your pet returns to you. So, any time you are not actively attacking, your pet returns to you. If you were a healing Monk for example, and were only targeting allies, your pet would never actively attack, unless you locked it onto a target or (maybe) if it is attacked by something. I assume that, as an E/R, there are times during which you are not actively attacking, which is resulting in your pet returning to you. At any rate, it is more useful to learn how your pet's AI works, and proceed accordingly. Last edited by Quaker; May 03, 2010 at 03:19 PM // 15:19..

May 03, 2010, 03:30 AM // 03:30	#3
wilebill Desert Nomad Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mt Vernon, Ohio Guild: Band of the Hawk Profession: W/Mo	Set him to guard. Or to attack. See which you like best. The pet is quite effective, but remember that in this game you are there to support the pet, not the other way around. Similarly, I have found that I am there to direct and support my henchmen. They are not there to get me out of trouble. Just the way the game works.

May 03, 2010, 06:03 AM // 06:03	#5
StormX Krytan Explorer Join Date: Nov 2005 Profession: E/Mo	Because pet AI is horrible like that. For some reason you can't set them to auto attack nearest target, you need to manually lock them on it. I think there has been several posts in sardelac about it but nothing was done and I dont expect it to ever change.

May 03, 2010, 06:41 AM // 06:41	#6
Dewshine Wildclaw Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Planet Earth Guild: Weapons Of Tyria [WoT] Profession: R/	I never had that much of a problem with it, sure there is a small delay in the reaction. Gennerally my pet attacks after my first hit. If I change target before the first target is dead I need to lock the pet on the new target yes. And if I lock target before I get up close to a foe I can with some luck make them attack the pet instead of me. But I do know about pets that don't react or do anything... this I have noticed happen for some casters, as they do not wand/autoattack at the foe but only cast spells. Easiest way is to always have the auto attack on, otherwise you will need to use the attack, guard, heel options which might be more of a pain imo.

May 03, 2010, 09:39 AM // 09:39	#8
Benderama Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Guild: [Rage] Profession: Rt/	put the pet on aggresive (click on the number next to it's name in party window and click the sword button) this shoulkd act like the imp. however this means it will attack all enemies it sees, potential leading to an unexpected attack.

May 03, 2010, 11:16 AM // 11:16	#11
majoho Forge Runner Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Denmark	Well pets aren't imps, heroes or henchies - they act as a part of the player, it makes sense because the ranger has the pets attacks on his skill-bar.

May 03, 2010, 03:19 PM // 15:19	#13
snaek Forge Runner Join Date: Mar 2006 Profession: N/	protip: spam the spacebar

May 05, 2010, 10:37 PM // 22:37	#14
Nico2000 Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2010 Profession: E/R	Thanx for the tips Guys. I kinda figured the pet needs some coching. It' all in the timing. I use my pet mainly to get the aggro of me. It doesn't do to much damage, but keeps the heat of me, so I can zap the baddies off one by one. But sometimes I get surprised by a sleeping pet :-) Anyway... Tx for the tips. Grtzz Nico2000 PS. Oh Ninja Ninja? please read the post and think about your answer before stating the over obviously obvious...