Curse

Fighting Corpse · Jun 19, 2010, 12:40 AM // 00:40

There should be a new button on the pet command window next to the attack target for auto attack, so the pet will just naturally and automatically keep chomping away at the enemies.

Otherwise if I am a caster with a pet the pet just stands there uselessly, and doesn't even attack my target when I click on his sword half the time.. Just casually strolling back and forth during a heated battle.. And if he does attack, once his target dies rather than keep attacking the next one he runs back to me.

Henchies seem to have the same problem.. I stick balthazar's aura on the warrior henchie and I need him to STAY in the middle of the enemy mob but instead he runs back to me once while his aura is still on and wastes the other half of it.. Stupid Stefan stay there I wasted 25 energy on that bloody spell!

Cuilan · Jun 19, 2010, 01:08 AM // 01:08

You shouldn't be a caster with a pet unless you're human Ether Renewal healers know to heal and prot the pet, too.

Ugh · Jun 19, 2010, 01:21 AM // 01:21

/notsigned to further discourage casters from bringing pets.

Lanier · Jun 19, 2010, 02:31 AM // 02:31

If he thinks its fun to bring his pet along while he is a master, than why would u discourage this. I have brought a pet with my mesmer while running IW builds and I had loads of fun doing so. This alone is no reason to /notsign.

gremlin · Jun 19, 2010, 08:49 AM // 08:49

Something like this has long been needed.

You have all these command skills to control the companion yet you cannot order an attack while staying just outside of agro yourself.

Even using a bow isn't perfect, the system has flaws and they know it and some skill changes were made to encourage beastmasters.

As for the suggestion that casters shouldn't take pets, yes absolutely and no melee character should ever take a caster skill either.

That's fair isn't it, or you could just say it was a stupid comment before my companion kills you and I raise your corpse.

Just about every character I have began with an animal companion and I set the heroes that way too.
Very easy way of playing the early stages of the game 4 characters plus 4 pets plus any animations gives you a very nice edge early in the game.

Benderama · Jun 19, 2010, 09:35 AM // 09:35

more aggresive AI is the last thing you need, yes AI sometimes wait until they're below 50% health to attack, but other times (devona in particular) will run out of your aggro range to attack that big group of djinn. then she'll remember she's only 1 war and run back to the clumped up group.
really don't want my pet to do that too. try calling out a target first, or attackingg once then casting spells. that should get the AI to attack as well?

Mintha Syl · Jun 19, 2010, 10:27 AM // 10:27

You know, at first I thought: what a stupid idea, why would you need something like that?
Than I remembered this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by gremlin

You have all these command skills to control the companion yet you cannot order an attack while staying just outside of agro yourself.

In certain situations like, let's say, glacial griffon it would have been great. But still uhm I don't know, what if all members of the party bring a pet and just stay all of them out of aggro range to just make the pets fight? Ok it wouldn't be possible, all of them would have to be BMs to do so, so very scarse dmg, but still...

Amy Awien · Jun 19, 2010, 02:58 PM // 14:58

You can order an attack ona foe on approx longbow range.
Pet bonds can not be removed and can make 'em near invincible, while doing damage and feeding energy back, if pets would go out, and stay out far beyond aggro that might get a bit OP.

Ugh · Jun 19, 2010, 04:25 PM // 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanier

If he thinks its fun to bring his pet along while he is a master, than why would u discourage this. I have brought a pet with my mesmer while running IW builds and I had loads of fun doing so. This alone is no reason to /notsign.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gremlin

As for the suggestion that casters shouldn't take pets, yes absolutely and no melee character should ever take a caster skill either.

That's fair isn't it, or you could just say it was a stupid comment before my companion kills you and I raise your corpse.

You guys realize I was half-joking, right? Obviously features shouldn't be left out just to discourage builds that would be seen as 'bad' by the community.

The real reasons I /notsigned this:

Caster/beastmaster hybrids see almost no use, so they are far too insignificant to warrant a mechanic update.
Since pets only require one skill and no BM investment, having them require no management would just give every profession the option for a nearly free mini-tank that fights on its own.
If you click the target-lock icon on the pet panel, pets ALWAYS respond. The only reason they ever won't is if you're out of range. In that case, just take a step forward.
The last reason *is only half-serious*. Caster/beastmaster hybrid builds are bad and don't need to be encouraged.

Also, if you were running a IW mesmer build with a pet, the pet's targeting wouldn't be a problem for you, as you would be attacking.

Also, gremlin, if I ever get killed by an MM/beastmaster in PvP, I will take my own life. (-->[!]*JK

*[!]<--)

gremlin · Jun 19, 2010, 08:42 PM // 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugh

You guys realize I was half-joking, right? Obviously features shouldn't be left out just to discourage builds that would be seen as 'bad' by the community.

Also, gremlin, if I ever get killed by an MM/beastmaster in PvP, I will take my own life. (-->[!]*JK

*[!]<--)

Well I did kinda think it was said in a light hearted manner, but I find a lot of fault with Ranger skills so tend to take any opportunity to go for improvements, and I seldom pvp so am unlikely to be running a beast master build there anyway.

I would like to think there will be a total rethink of the ranger type character for gw2 and still hope for improvements in this game.

I see no earthly point in sacrificing all other ranger abilities to make your companion your weapon if it has to be used in such a limited way.

Considering the Norn skills, the alternative summon skills from eye and summoning stones I would say any of those routs would be far better than current beast master skills.

ie
Becoming an animal, Summoning an animal for a limited duration or using a summoning stone.

All three of those are better than current bm skills.
If I ever get an unlimited use summoning stone that summoned a Black moa or some other cool looking companion I would never even consider taking any bm skills again.

Now there is an idea dump all the bm attack skills and replace them with Summon x creature of y level for z duration.
x y and z increasing with Beastmastery skill.
You could even create elite Summons for special creatures.

Now get some programmers on it and have it ready for Christmas please.

ps sorry for all the bms I just got tired typing that word

Teh Nox · Jun 19, 2010, 10:51 PM // 22:51

you're right - controling pets is really circuitous

RedDog91 · Jun 23, 2010, 08:38 PM // 20:38

When you click the button that makes your pet attack a target, you have to be within a certain distance of the target so that the pet acknowledges its existence. And when the enemy dies, you have to manually select a new target and choose for him to attack it.

There is no problem with the way the system works now, you just have to learn to use it correctly.

gremlin · Jun 23, 2010, 09:46 PM // 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedDog91

When you click the button that makes your pet attack a target, you have to be within a certain distance of the target so that the pet acknowledges its existence. And when the enemy dies, you have to manually select a new target and choose for him to attack it.

There is no problem with the way the system works now, you just have to learn to use it correctly.

There is a problem, in my opinion anyway.

To run with an animal companion you have to give up any decent attack ability of your own.
I would like to be a ranger with a bow and usable skills and have a pet that's a useful party member.
That in my mind is the whole reason anyone would take an animal companion to increase their combat effectiveness ie 2 is better than 1.

If I cannot have that then I want an animal companion that lets me fight from range without drawing enemy fire myself.

At the moment you have to get just outside agro and fire a bow you hit the enemy and they start closing on you almost instantly they are in agro of you and are closing to get you.
At the same time the pet is moving towards them, usually this ends up with a split mob some after you some after the pet.

Its a little clumsy and doesn't work consistently.

If I could order the companion to attack or flag him into range then he would draw the fire and the combat would be more manageable.

That is why I almost never use animal companions and prefer to use summoning stones for extra firepower.
I accept the current rules but cannot say I like them.

Bandwagon · Jun 23, 2010, 10:03 PM // 22:03

The pet command console is the least of the annoying factors regarding pets. Having your pet stand for 2 seconds before engaging a mob ADJACENT to it really makes my eyes roll.

In regards to the OP, if you want coordinated warriors so you can abuse "Balthazar's Aura"'s effect, use heroes and the flag command, otherwise grab players.

I don't know why anyone would bring a pet without BM points, I mean if it dies your disabled for 10 seconds. If your a healer with a pet, thats a pretty hefty liability.

Burning Freebies · Jun 23, 2010, 10:16 PM // 22:16

I'm not sure on this about pets. I have just dusted off my ranger recently to level him up, and his pet flamingo (hey, he was just starting out!) moved straight between enemies. And, besides, pets on their own aren't very useful. Just make sure you ping the enemy by targeting an enemy and pressing the space bar whilst holding the control key down-it has worked for me fine.

As for henchies, i completely agree with you. As the rule goes, you should always target the monk first in a fight, and during my HM expeditions, I do notice that the henchies stray from the monk boss, which I am pinging like mad. So I end up spending a good 10 minutes whe it comes to monk bosses or strong teams, because my henchies wont listen to the pings. I also notice this with some heroes, who stray. Its pointless them doing it-the monk is fully capable of healing itself and the enemy, to when we kill the monk, the enemy is still full health.

RedDog91 · Jun 24, 2010, 12:31 AM // 00:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by gremlin

To run with an animal companion you have to give up any decent attack ability of your own.

Not so. I have made plenty of builds that can utilize my pet's potential without diminishing my own attack power.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gremlin

If I cannot have that then I want an animal companion that lets me fight from range without drawing enemy fire myself.

Refer to my above post. Let someone else aggro and when enemies are close, follow my instructions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gremlin

At the moment you have to get just outside agro and fire a bow you hit the enemy and they start closing on you almost instantly they are in agro of you and are closing to get you.
At the same time the pet is moving towards them, usually this ends up with a split mob some after you some after the pet.

Its a little clumsy and doesn't work consistently.

If I could order the companion to attack or flag him into range then he would draw the fire and the combat would be more manageable.

There is no need to flag him into range to grab aggro. doing so will certainly get the pet killed and then the mob will run after you anyway.

gremlin · Jun 24, 2010, 05:54 PM // 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedDog91

Not so. I have made plenty of builds that can utilize my pet's potential without diminishing my own attack power.

Refer to my above post. Let someone else aggro and when enemies are close, follow my instructions.

There is no need to flag him into range to grab aggro. doing so will certainly get the pet killed and then the mob will run after you anyway.

We could go back and forth all day at this and if we were sitting at a bar having a drink maybe it would even be enjoyable.
I respect your view and will be looking at the concept again to see if I am wrong.

The ranger can do a lot but I find if I split my skills into more than 2 skill tracks I lose out tremendously and the builds become less than optimum.
I do need a fair number of points into Marksmanship for obvious reasons and if I chose another weapon I would have to put a similar number of points into that weapon.

I also need some points assigned to Expertise and then the rest presumably into Beast mastery, I find that doesn't lead to a great build.
If there was a ranger weapon in Expertise say a crossbow or one in Beast mastery say a whip then it would work out fine.

I recon if I concentrate the points in Marksmanship and expertise it works out far better
I can then take along a summoning stone and have a fully functioning companion of my level and with its own skill bar.

Anyway each to his own I say and if it works for you then I am happy for you.

Mintha Syl · Jun 24, 2010, 07:02 PM // 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by gremlin

I can then take along a summoning stone and have a fully functioning companion of my level and with its own skill bar.

You mean you prefer an ally who attacks everything is sight like a mad, without no possibility at all to control it, preventing you any strategy and that, once dead, you can't have anymore until the summoning effect ends (that if you use a stone, but small time avalaible if it's a skill, instead)?

Covah · Jun 24, 2010, 08:06 PM // 20:06

If you are bad enough to bring melee hench/heroes you need to know that you always have to be wanding and never move when fighting. If you do the hero/hench will stop attacking and run to you thinking you are running away.

Amy Awien · Jun 24, 2010, 10:00 PM // 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by gremlin

To run with an animal companion you have to give up any decent attack ability of your own.

Why? Good builds are possible with Expertise, Beastmastery and Marksmanship. With 3 skills you have the pet, IAS, mending and energy-management, that leaves 4-5 skills for whatever you want to do with the bow.

If you want to be glued to 12/12 builds then that is your choice, but doing so does not provide a valid argument in a discussion.

Quote:

At the moment you have to get just outside agro and fire a bow you hit the enemy ...

You can set the pets target with the command console, the range is approx equal to longbow range.