Making MiniPets useful - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Larktu

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jun 2006

South Auzzie

House of the Magic Muffinmen

W/Rt

19 Feb 2007 at 11:14 - 1

I posted this on another site but thought I'd post my thoughts here as well.
----
I know quite a few people who never use their minipets as they are, for novelty only, or are just used to make a quick buck. I think it's a bit of a shame myself as I'd like to see more out in the wilderness runs with groups of humies. To address this I've had an idea for a while now to bring minipets back into the limelight and make them more useful and more sort after and bring the ever diminishing market back up and keep it sustained.

My sugestion is maybe make minipets have abilities that strengthen your characters stats. eg. Similar to what titles do.

For example;
Rurik +1 Swordsmanship(20%)
Shiro +1 Dagger Mastery(20%)
Jade Armour Armour +7 (vs elemental)
Kuunavang Half spell cast (20%)

Now to expand on this also make them like normal ranger pets where the longer you have them out the stronger the percentage of the skill /ability they affect.
eg; (using above examples)
Rurik starts off with 1% and gains an extra 1% per 10 hours of having him out of his box. (capped at 20%)
Jade Armour starts with +1 Armour and gains +1 every 10 hours(capped at +7)

Of course Green and Gold pets are better and have more room to grow in their ability. eg Jade Armour only gets 7 levels compared to the 20 levels for Rurik and the Kuunavang.

I think this would make the minipets more popular and have an actual use. Plus it majorly expands out the market for them as people can look to buy cheap 'low ability' pets so they can 'upgrade' them to help their characters out or keep them then sell them once their abilities are maxed out.
..and of course it helps Anet/ncsoft out by attracting people to play more Guildwars..which is never a bad thing.

let me/the community know what yaz think!

Kuldebar Valiturus

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2006

Garden City, Idaho

The Order of Relumination (TOoR)

R/

19 Feb 2007 at 11:29 - 2

Novel idea but it goes against Guild Wars design principles I think.

Now that vanity pets can be displayed in outposts they have a better role to play as "look at me" items.

The bonus idea would create possible balance issues as well as a have and have not scenario when it came to the rarer pets.

Also, any external "help" to a player should be able to be attacked, countered or nullified by opposing players/mobs...mini-pets are currently "untouchable".

Aegeroth

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2006

Sydney, AUS.

Sons of Dark Magicians [SoDM]

N/Me

19 Feb 2007 at 11:31 - 3

I dont think there would be enough to encompass all attributes, so yeh, kinda stuffed there.

Faer

La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo

Join Date: Feb 2006

19 Feb 2007 at 11:33 - 4

So basically, accomplishments in the game will start to become dependent upon who has the most gold to spend on minipets.

Nice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larktu

..and of course it helps Anet/ncsoft out by attracting people to play more Guildwars..which is never a bad thing.

At the same time as driving away a potential hundred thousand or more existing players.

Again, nice.

Xiaxhou of Trinity

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

CA

Scythes of Chaos [SoC], [PNOY] alliance guild forums: http://socguild.cjb.net

E/

19 Feb 2007 at 11:42 - 5

I think that there should be mini pet racing, just for the sake of having some fun with your mini pet other than having it as an eyecandy item. This could give an incentive to players on not deleting their characters, or a reason to just go out and spam WTB SO AND SO MINI. Or mini pet battles, as it seems each mini pet has it's own profession (except siege turtle and a few others). Maybe something modeled after AB, and minis without profession have their own unique skills. I suppose that the racing idea is a more plausible one as mini pet battles gets very complicated <.<

Innit

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

19 Feb 2007 at 15:17 - 6

Minipet duels, goddamnit!

Knightsaber Sith

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2006

Few Fallen Heroes [FFH]

W/E

19 Feb 2007 at 17:40 - 7

/notsigned

Having an advantage over others from having more money (to buy the expensive minis with the good stat modifiers) would definitely be against Anet's creed of, balance for all!

tenshi_strife

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2006

in sardelac getting yelled at.

Angels of Strife[Aoc]

E/

19 Feb 2007 at 17:56 - 8

yes this seems to be an advantage gears towards 12 year old with no lives.... /not signed, but for mini pet races that would be cool, they can set it u like the rollerbeetle races.

thezed

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Oct 2006

Iowa, USA

HoTR

19 Feb 2007 at 18:00 - 9

/not signed

for the same reasons stated above. Minipets should remain a vanity/collectable item.

Larktu

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jun 2006

South Auzzie

House of the Magic Muffinmen

W/Rt

19 Feb 2007 at 23:38 - 10

LOL! Minipet duels n brawls sounds like a funky idea. Have it that they copy what you do, so while you are fighting the unleashed minipets fight amongst themselves.

Regarding my ideas in the end I can agree that it could cause balance issues unless, as Kuldebar stated, they could be countered by opposing forces. Maybe have it like green items where enemy bosses have pets, which also have a slim chance of being captured by a player, just like their weapons. Maybe have skills like stomp and earthquake nullify the pets abilities for a duration of time. (30-60secs)

>At the same time as driving away a potential hundred thousand or more existing players.
I think you missed my point (plus I don't get your point??).... I stated "by attracting people to play more Guildwars" aka current players not new players. The point is to get people to have their pets out more, by playing more, rather than keep them hidden away. How exactly would this drive away potential hundred thousand or more existing players???

>yes this seems to be an advantage gears towards 12 year old with no lives....
Funnily enough I know more 30-40 year olds, than teens, who play GW and would give the 12 year olds a run for their money..and their keyboards..

Regarding the point 'it makes the game easier for people with money', then why not? If people invest more of their time into the game then I don't think it's an issue as they have worked hard to earn that cash that can allow them to buy the best advantage. Currently the people who farm more efficiently and play more can afford to buy high end weapons anyway, which to me, is no different to having highend 'moddable' minipets.
Also don't forget that people get mini pets for their characters birthdays, which doesn't cost money, and the recent flood of mini pigs onto the market, which are so cheap anyone could afford them(if they don't have one, or more, already).

Arkantos

The Greatest

Join Date: Feb 2006

W/

19 Feb 2007 at 23:40 - 11

Mini pets are already useful, they boost our e-peen.

clawofcrimson

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2006

Crimson Claw

W/

19 Feb 2007 at 23:51 - 12

/not signed

but....

MINI PET PIT FIGHTING!!!!! FTW "I choose you pikachu!" the next mini game....now there is an idea

MithranArkanere

Underworld Spelunker

Join Date: Nov 2006

wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigo

Heraldos de la Llama Oscura [HLO]

E/

19 Feb 2007 at 23:51 - 13

Minipets are useless, so their use should be 'useless' too.

Remember thay they are just enchanted toys. They should not do anything a toy can do.

Picking items, having a 'minibag' to hold 16 items (one per char and only in explorable areas, getting into a post would make the items show in a 'unclaimed items' window, so you'll have to pick them then).

Minipet fighting, setting them in 'agressive' so they attack other minipets...

Just useless things like those.

mqstout

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2005

Pittsburgh

20 Feb 2007 at 01:11 - 14

This shouldn't happen. It's already bad enough titles are causing massive farmers to get better salvage rates.

Sterrekat

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2007

Belgium, I think, but I can't actually remember it...

The Moonwailers

Me/E

21 Feb 2007 at 10:42 - 15

I've mentioned it before

make them your personnal slaves

**Bobby, go and get my loot!!**

Darksun

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

USA

Karr's Castle

W/E

21 Feb 2007 at 15:42 - 16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkantos

Mini pets are already useful, they boost our e-peen.

QFT

just let them be what they are. Cute.

Delta_24

Academy Page

Join Date: Sep 2005

R/

21 Feb 2007 at 15:49 - 17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sterrekat

I've mentioned it before

make them your personnal slaves

**Bobby, go and get my loot!!**

That'd be nice, just like Sparx in Spyro picks up all your gems

/signed in this aspect, but not having to upgrade them.

tijo

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2007

Montreal

[CDDR]

R/

21 Feb 2007 at 17:26 - 18

Against minipets bonus but minipet fights or races FTW

-edit- i could see a title associated with those

Barrett

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Feb 2006

UK

W/

21 Feb 2007 at 17:45 - 19

bad idea
it would make rich people even more rich cuse they can afford very pricey minipets that people like me who cant even get over 150k mark only been over 100k mark can hope to get AKa mini kanaxai or bone dragon

Navaros

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2005

Mo/Me

21 Feb 2007 at 17:48 - 20

Don't you guys realize that when they put the panda minipet in it meant minipet fights will never ever happen because pandas are not allowed to be harmed in video games in certain countries where Guild Wars is sold, which is why they don't allow pandas as normal pets.

Original poster has a good idea. What he is suggesting are minor buffs that would not be all that useful anyhow (the 20% chance mods are very sucky compared to other mods). And it's not that hard to get the gold required for any minipet you wanna buy so the argument of "Oh no, only people with a bit of gold can afford them" is not really valid either in my view.

Barrett

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Feb 2006

UK

W/

21 Feb 2007 at 17:54 - 21

good point about pandas(i think that there is some countries like that)
now wheres our support on the pigs no more harming to pigs

wudnt that be great no1 would dare attack my chars pet warthog then

Faer

La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo

Join Date: Feb 2006

21 Feb 2007 at 18:01 - 22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larktu

How exactly would this drive away potential hundred thousand or more existing players???

Did you forget that quite a large chunk of the player base plays this game because it is based on player skill and not the amount of time the player spends playing? Those people will most likely leave if the game turns into a "who can grind for the best miniature pet collection" fest.

This game is about player skill, not bonuses from gear (or in this case, miniatures).

FoxBat

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Amazon Basin [AB]

Mo/Me

21 Feb 2007 at 18:22 - 23

Find me a Kanaxai or Panda for 20K.

Sterrekat

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2007

Belgium, I think, but I can't actually remember it...

The Moonwailers

Me/E

21 Feb 2007 at 18:30 - 24

Well, it was at least a nice time of dreaming...

And the **Bobby, go and get my loot!** idea can still happen...

***keeps dreaming***

Thomas.knbk

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2006

21 Feb 2007 at 19:52 - 25

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Prophecies Box

-YOUR SKILL WILL BE YOUR LEGEND-
You'll prove your worth in every battle as skill, not hours played, decides your fate.
Whether battling horrific monsters or competing at the highest level of tournament play, it will always be your skill that earns your victory or defeat.

Promoting grind ftl

Nuff said imo.

Praetor

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2005

Somewhere over the rainbow

Devil Me [DEvM]

E/D

21 Feb 2007 at 20:09 - 26

Indeed, either grind a pve char to 12 months, or farm gold (or worse, buy gold) to obtain a minipet.

-.-

Dscrilla

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Sep 2005

Me/N

21 Feb 2007 at 20:23 - 27

/unsigned

I think minipets should stay as they are, collectable,fun, diversions. All the effects you mention are already available from lunar fortunes and blessings.

Sterrekat

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2007

Belgium, I think, but I can't actually remember it...

The Moonwailers

Me/E

23 Feb 2007 at 11:35 - 28

*sigh*

^_^
'-_-'

freekedoutfish

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2006

E/

23 Feb 2007 at 11:39 - 29

I /notsign any ideas of giving mini pets fighting abilities or buff abilities.

But I think it would be cool if you could take control of your mini-pet (in a possess kinda way) and use them like scouts. Move into their bodies while your character stands defensless, and you can use them to look around areas.

To spot mobs and chests, but it wouldnt count towards exploration and the creatures wouldnt be agroed.

And it would have a limit to distance.

odly

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

N/

23 Feb 2007 at 11:59 - 30

I actually like the idea.

/signed.

but I very much doubt they'll do it.

tyche7

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2006

Nebraska

The Killer Panda Bears

W/Mo

23 Feb 2007 at 15:09 - 31

I heard a good idea once to have minipets auto-pick up drops for you so you don't have to. (-: I loved that idea...any others?

Acerbus

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Feb 2007

Knights of Lord Balzamon

N/Me

23 Feb 2007 at 16:52 - 32

While exploring the realm of torment, I sent out my miniature Kirin while in the Gate of Anguish location... above it read that it was in a party of two. There were other minipets in the area that were 'level 1' and there was even another minipet that was targetable (is that a word?)
I think that they're going to do something with the minipets later on, or maybe what I saw was a bug. I do hope that they improve the minipet idea... but I don't like the idea that it will act as a mod of some sort.

AptaleonIII

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Feb 2007

N/

23 Feb 2007 at 17:15 - 33

i'm also against giving minipets any use. /notsigned. this would be like making 15k armour give more bonuses than regular armour- people with more time/ money would get unfair advantages.

I also think that Faer's tendencies to make his posts into almost personal attacks is rather unnecessary. If people enjoy a game, a slight change would not make them abruptly stop playing. it's an overused empty threat that, sadly, is ever-present; "omg i'll leave and stop playing GW if they don't make Alesia's shoes match pixel for pixel". and even if the unfair advantage did make people leave, which is unlikely, it wouldn't be hundreds of thousands, Mr Daily Mail reporter. (i'm a hyprocrite btw)

Uh, actually i have the exact same basic view on minipets as Faer does though.

Evilsod

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2006

England

Lievs Death Squad [LDS]

23 Feb 2007 at 17:29 - 34

I already knew what the answer was before i came into the thread... but i read the OP anyway.

Just no. Stop been stupid and think. Like Faer said, it'd drive away lots of people from the game.

ext3nder

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Mar 2007

Were Better Then [Apes]

Mo/

08 Mar 2007 at 19:52 - 35

i posted this aswell seemed to be a dubble post.
anyway.

yall thinking to big...
why would it have to be +20% armor penetration... make it +1

and a other pet +3 to max health (for the pets owner)
another one +2 to maximum energy (for the pets owner)
yet another one +2 dmg to plants (for the pets owner)
etc etc that sort of stuff

i like the idea... ALOT.

cyberjanet

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Feb 2007

The Netherlands

Rich Mahogany

N/

09 Mar 2007 at 09:13 - 36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xiaxhou of Trinity

I think that there should be mini pet racing, just for the sake of having some fun with your mini pet other than having it as an eyecandy item.

Nice idea. I've always wondered what to do with my minipig. I'm not really one for showing off in public.

erk

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2006

Australia

09 Mar 2007 at 23:40 - 37

I reckon you should have mini pet battle arenas at the waiting area to get into AB to kill the half hour waiting bordom. Just a little ring and you submit your pets to battle for a random result. Perhaps with a small wager on the side

Nevin

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2005

10 Mar 2007 at 00:17 - 38

This is stupid so basically 100% of the community should have little dumb pets? No, I think Necklaces/Rings should come before that if it ever comes.

Silent Elvin Ranger

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Apr 2006

Ontario, Canada

10 Mar 2007 at 00:43 - 39

Hmm necklaces and Rings...i wouldnt mind that.

Back to the subject

This is STUPID. This has been stated but guild wars is about skill, not how rich you are/how long you have played. If you are expected something this dumb, do you want black dye to give your armor extra effect cuz u payed xtra for it? im surprised that you dont want ascended armor to give you an added bonus? And obsideon armor should be able to have 2 insigneas? Mini Pets are just like ascended armor - all they say is:
"Look at me im rich! And i have been playing for a while! Look at me, Look, pay attention, lalala im so rich and i have too much time on my hands cuz i play too much and look at my armor it does the same thing yours does but mine costed more hahaha that means im pure leet pwnsors hax lol n00b p00nd haha look at my useless pet it just stands there and it PWNED YOU MUAAHAHAHAA!!"

*Reads above* hmm i really have too much time on my hands...

Btw i have 6 minis and all my chars have ascended so im not making fun of any1 who does have it.

Sry mate, back to the drawing board.
~Silent

JMFD

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2005

Looking...

E/

10 Mar 2007 at 00:55 - 40

the auto collect loot idea is nice, I was in a NWN server where you could hire npcs to do that and it was really handy!