Curse

Jenosavel · Apr 19, 2006, 01:59 PM // 13:59

Though it's a bit harder, it does work with a level 15 pet. It's what I usually use to level up my pet after it's hit the evolution I want. It's definitely slow, and you have to control your mobs carefully, but it's worth it for some nice quiet play every once and again.

ArianeB · Apr 19, 2006, 04:12 PM // 16:12

Another way to go is try a similar set up only replace ferocious strike with Poison Arrow, and Disrupting Lunge with Feral lunge. Or, if you dont want to lose Ferocious strike, replace read the wind with apply poison. This will require moving some points into wilderness survival.

The idea is that poison and bleeding stack. But since the only arrow that causes bleeding is Melandrus Arrow -- an elite preparation, there is no way to stack it with either poison arrow or apply poison.

But you can stack both conditions fairly easily if you cause the poison and your pet causes the bleeding. And because poison arrow and feral lunge both recharge fast, you can keep both conditions going even on bosses that shake conditions off fast.

Man O Beast · Apr 19, 2006, 05:53 PM // 17:53

I dont know if anyone tried out the beastmaster during the preview event, but after looking on the wiki and other places with documented new skills, i was wondering how these would change the normal beastmaster build. If you havent seen these, i suggest you take a gander, a good self/pet heal elite is in there as well as good normal skills including a poisionous bite and some new speed increases.

So, after lookin at those, anyone plan out a good factions beastmaster? Maybe even a ranger/ritualist to get his cheap ressurect?

Linkusmax · Apr 20, 2006, 06:35 AM // 06:35

Yeah I have a fairly good one for PvP at least. Of course It only uses one factions skill and thats Bestial mauling for the easy daze. I reckon stick three of these in a build and you have the possibility to daze a whole 3 monk backline with high dps to boot. Rit/Ra is somthing I havent checked out yet, but it could give your pets alot of health.

R/W Thumper
14 Beastmastery (Hat + Sup Rune)
12 Hammer Mastery
9 Expertise (Minor Rune)

Preferance + Druids Armour

Charm Animal
Comfort Animal
Hammer Bash
Irrisistable Blow
Bestial Mauling
Ferocious Strike (e)
Tigers Fury
Ressurection Signet

Huntmaster · Apr 20, 2006, 06:55 AM // 06:55

Quote:

Bestial Mauling
Your animal companion attempts a Bestial Mauling that deals 5..17 damage. If the attack stricks a knocked-down foe, that foe is interrupted and dazed for 5-17 seconds.

Interrupted...? Knocked.. down foe.. O..k....

SnipiousMax · Apr 20, 2006, 03:09 PM // 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntmaster

Interrupted...? Knocked.. down foe.. O..k....

Yea I thought that too... It should be vs. someone casting a spell instead, or without the interrupt.

blackbird71 · May 13, 2006, 05:57 AM // 05:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenosavel

I really never suggest using Sybiotic Bond any time except for when training a new, low-level pet towards Dire. It doesn't slow down or reduce damage at all, it merely shifts it from your pet to you. The problem, of course, is that as a ranger it's much easier to do a lot of healing on your pet than it is to do a lot of healing on yourself.

This is not entirely true. Note the skill description:

Quote:

Symbiotic Bond
Stance. For (120...264) seconds, your animal companion gains +1 Health regeneration, and half of any physical damage dealt to your animal companion is redirected to you. (Attrib: Beast Mastery)

The pet does gain one point of health regen. Not much, but I think that would qualify as slowing or reducing damage. And yes, this skill can make it difficult to keep up with healing yourself, but a monk secondary can be useful in overcoming that little obstacle.

SnipiousMax · May 13, 2006, 06:37 AM // 06:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackbird71

The pet does gain one point of health regen. Not much, but I think that would qualify as slowing or reducing damage. And yes, this skill can make it difficult to keep up with healing yourself, but a monk secondary can be useful in overcoming that little obstacle.

No, it doesn't reduce the damage taken, which is what you need to do when training a dire pet. Your pet regains what it has lost, but it still lost it to begin with, that is what Jeno was saying. Where as call of protection reduces damage by 15. That is reducing slowing not regening.

Man O Beast · May 15, 2006, 04:36 AM // 04:36

So, reading this it looks like most people just stay with the ranger. Does anyone ever try to work more of the secondary in to a beastmaster build? Maybe a monk to use a staff and smiting prayers in conjunction with the pet?

Jenosavel · May 15, 2006, 12:41 PM // 12:41

Some people do, but then it becomes less of a beastmaster build (in my mind) and more of a here's this body I use for corpses/to smite off of.

Investing in the pet requires a lot of room on the skill bar and a lot of attribute points spent, which is why you'll rarely see a secondary being used if the pet is being supported with attribute points.