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!
Make pets aggressive
Fighting Corpse
Cuilan
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
/notsigned to further discourage casters from bringing pets. 
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.
gremlin
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.
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
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?
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
You know, at first I thought: what a stupid idea, why would you need something like that?
Than I remembered this:
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...
Than I remembered this:
Quote:
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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.
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Amy Awien
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.
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
Quote:
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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.
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Quote:
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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. |
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
Quote:
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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
you're right - controling pets is really circuitous
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 no problem with the way the system works now, you just have to learn to use it correctly.
gremlin
Quote:
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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. |
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
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.
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
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.
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
Quote:
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Originally Posted by gremlin
To run with an animal companion you have to give up any decent attack ability of your own.
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Quote:
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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.
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Quote:
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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. |
gremlin
Quote:
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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. |
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
Quote:
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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.
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Covah
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
Quote:
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Originally Posted by gremlin
To run with an animal companion you have to give up any decent attack ability of your own.
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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 ... |
gremlin
I reserve the right to be wrong about anything I post here but for me its all down to personal experience.
First do I enjoy the build and second is it good enough for what I wish to achieve.
Its also about effectiveness am I more effective as a character by using an animal companion or not.
I can split points between 2 3 4 or more skill tracks but can that be effective.
Reducing the damage I do with a bow to have my companion do more damage is ok as long as I can manage the energy select targets and monitor the battle.
Can I also effectively micromanage what the companion is doing and what I am doing and is the overall damage done by the two of us significantly lower than what I could do alone.
Would I rather have a controllable companion or a mindless attacking drone, the former obviously.
That said Minion masters have mindless drones and so do Spirit spam builds and they do alright.
It's all about when and where you let loose these forces, and the pet is not that controllable they are just about the same as heroes and henchies.
The only fully controllable forces in the game are a good human party.
First do I enjoy the build and second is it good enough for what I wish to achieve.
Its also about effectiveness am I more effective as a character by using an animal companion or not.
I can split points between 2 3 4 or more skill tracks but can that be effective.
Reducing the damage I do with a bow to have my companion do more damage is ok as long as I can manage the energy select targets and monitor the battle.
Can I also effectively micromanage what the companion is doing and what I am doing and is the overall damage done by the two of us significantly lower than what I could do alone.
Would I rather have a controllable companion or a mindless attacking drone, the former obviously.
That said Minion masters have mindless drones and so do Spirit spam builds and they do alright.
It's all about when and where you let loose these forces, and the pet is not that controllable they are just about the same as heroes and henchies.
The only fully controllable forces in the game are a good human party.
Amy Awien
There's no big loss with a 3 attrib split, 11/10/10 does not loose much damage compared to 12/12, especially considering the use of runes and the fact that increasing a weapon attribute beyond 12 has a reduced return of investment.
You can set a pet at a specific target, make it follow your attacks or retreat from combat, thats more control then you have over henchmen. Flags would be nice but I can see huge interface problems if you equip heroes with pets ...
You can set a pet at a specific target, make it follow your attacks or retreat from combat, thats more control then you have over henchmen. Flags would be nice but I can see huge interface problems if you equip heroes with pets ...
dagrdagaz
/notsigned
I do not want a pet thats always agressive.
I wanted to add something else, dunno if it deserves a separate topic.
Due to this crappy attack AI from pets i just discovered Pet Attack skills dont work properly.
I was testing Poisonous Bite on a Dummy in Isle of Nameless, to test if the pet would continue attacking the Dummy after using Poisonous Bite on it.
I selected a dummy, and pressed Poisonous Bite skill,
and NOTHING happened !!!
My pet didn't even use only Poisenous Bite on the dummy!
Skill Description:
Pet Attack. Your animal companion attempts a Poisonous Bite that Poisons target foe for 5...17...20 seconds.
Oh, fyi, i had my pet set to Guard.
Pet AI and these Pet Attack skills really need fixing, hopefully when the Test Krewe is done with the Dervish overhaul.
I do not want a pet thats always agressive.
I wanted to add something else, dunno if it deserves a separate topic.
Due to this crappy attack AI from pets i just discovered Pet Attack skills dont work properly.
I was testing Poisonous Bite on a Dummy in Isle of Nameless, to test if the pet would continue attacking the Dummy after using Poisonous Bite on it.
I selected a dummy, and pressed Poisonous Bite skill,
and NOTHING happened !!!
My pet didn't even use only Poisenous Bite on the dummy!
Skill Description:
Pet Attack. Your animal companion attempts a Poisonous Bite that Poisons target foe for 5...17...20 seconds.
Oh, fyi, i had my pet set to Guard.
Pet AI and these Pet Attack skills really need fixing, hopefully when the Test Krewe is done with the Dervish overhaul.
Mintha Syl
Quote:
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Originally Posted by dagrdagaz
I was testing Poisonous Bite on a Dummy in Isle of Nameless, to test if the pet would continue attacking the Dummy after using Poisonous Bite on it.
I selected a dummy, and pressed Poisonous Bite skill, and NOTHING happened !!! My pet didn't even use only Poisenous Bite on the dummy! |
dagrdagaz
I still stand by my point that even in Guard mode the pet should start attacking (and using the Pet Attack skill) when pressing a Pet Attack skill.
Otherwise it sounds utterly stupid, a skill that is called a Pet Attack, but the pet does not attack when using it (when the pet is not attacking yet).
Otherwise it sounds utterly stupid, a skill that is called a Pet Attack, but the pet does not attack when using it (when the pet is not attacking yet).
The Drunkard
Can we please get over this "beastmaster caster LOLOLOLOL" crap? There are such things as ranger BM's. I think the idea of having a pet attack a nearby target (unless ordered otherwise) after the current target dies isn't a bad idea.
/sign
It doesn't.
If you actvate a pet attack, the pet has a 10 second window to attack something before the skill "expires"
/sign
Quote:
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Originally Posted by dagrdagaz
I still stand by my point that even in Guard mode the pet should start attacking (and using the Pet Attack skill) when pressing a Pet Attack skill.
Otherwise it sounds utterly stupid, a skill that is called a Pet Attack, but the pet does not attack when using it (when the pet is not attacking yet). |
If you actvate a pet attack, the pet has a 10 second window to attack something before the skill "expires"
dagrdagaz
Then change the name to Pet Skill instead of Pet Attack.
Yaksha
Would it be sensible to have the pet attack an enemy that you are casting a spell on as well as attacking an enemy that you are attacking?
It seems a bit silly, that I could attack an enemy with my staff and the pet follows. But if i attack the enemy with a spell, the pet just stands still and does nothing, even though I am attacking my enemy.
That would probably help a lot with the caster/pet problem, but still not make the pet fight independently (it still has to follow what you're attacking, just expanding what counts as an attack a bit).
I keep a pet stalker with me just because I like to, but most of the time it just stands there looking stupid during fights because I keep forgetting that I need to hit 'space' on every new enemy before it will do anything.
It seems a bit silly, that I could attack an enemy with my staff and the pet follows. But if i attack the enemy with a spell, the pet just stands still and does nothing, even though I am attacking my enemy.
That would probably help a lot with the caster/pet problem, but still not make the pet fight independently (it still has to follow what you're attacking, just expanding what counts as an attack a bit).
I keep a pet stalker with me just because I like to, but most of the time it just stands there looking stupid during fights because I keep forgetting that I need to hit 'space' on every new enemy before it will do anything.
dagrdagaz
@Yaksha
I have mentioned this in another topic, and would like that yes.
Pet AI needs improvement, but its not high on the Test Krew priority list i fear.
I have mentioned this in another topic, and would like that yes.
Pet AI needs improvement, but its not high on the Test Krew priority list i fear.
Mintha Syl
well, it now looks like they completely solved pet control issues...in gw2 
Miteshu
/signed all the way.
This will make Ranger pets more useful, and makes Vanq a lot more easy. So instead of a having to pull x12103 times I can make the pets tank with grace.
This will make Ranger pets more useful, and makes Vanq a lot more easy. So instead of a having to pull x12103 times I can make the pets tank with grace.
Mordiego
maybe their AI will get improved along witth melee heroes
Dewshine Wildclaw
I never had problems with my pet, and have never really been running anything else on my ranger for the 4 years I played her as my main.
Sure it aint as OP or as effective as other kinds of builds, but I quite like it anyway, and it is not as horrible as some people make it sound.
Would I like pets to become more effective? Maybe, although I don't seem to have any problems.
Do I like this idea? Not sure, theres already decent commands, and having a pet thats always aggresive does not sound good imo.
I could want something that somehow lessen the delays between targets and from when I attack till it is there. But for most part I kinda like pets the way they are.
Sure it aint as OP or as effective as other kinds of builds, but I quite like it anyway, and it is not as horrible as some people make it sound.
Would I like pets to become more effective? Maybe, although I don't seem to have any problems.
Do I like this idea? Not sure, theres already decent commands, and having a pet thats always aggresive does not sound good imo.
I could want something that somehow lessen the delays between targets and from when I attack till it is there. But for most part I kinda like pets the way they are.
Miteshu
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Dewshine Wildclaw
I never had problems with my pet, and have never really been running anything else on my ranger for the 4 years I played her as my main.
Sure it aint as OP or as effective as other kinds of builds, but I quite like it anyway, and it is not as horrible as some people make it sound. Would I like pets to become more effective? Maybe, although I don't seem to have any problems. Do I like this idea? Not sure, theres already decent commands, and having a pet thats always aggresive does not sound good imo. I could want something that somehow lessen the delays between targets and from when I attack till it is there. But for most part I kinda like pets the way they are. |
When it is aggressive, your pets will be the first to tank, which makes it very useful for Vqing since the entire objective is to annihilate everything.
melissa b
Maybe anet kept the ai like this and restricted the controls on purpose so pets wouldn't be overpowered?
Miteshu
Quote:
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Originally Posted by melissa b
Maybe anet kept the ai like this and restricted the controls on purpose so pets wouldn't be overpowered?
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Press x or the 'target closest' key, attack once, pet attacks. Making pet always aggressive removes the minor annoyance of having to flag heroes then pull.
melissa b
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Miteshu
How is it OP?
Press x or the 'target closest' key, attack once, pet attacks. Making pet always aggressive removes the minor annoyance of having to flag heroes then pull. |
walker911
If you do the hero/hench will stop attacking and run to you thinking you are running away.
Coach Outlet
Coach Outlet
Professional Plus 2010
Coach Outlet
Coach Outlet
Professional Plus 2010
Amy Awien
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Miteshu
How is it OP?
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Not that I'd be terribly upset if they did make pets 'aggressive' ...
Ximvotn
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Amy Awien
With 33% damage reduction, Call of Protection, Symbiotic Bond and Heal as One pets become nearly indestructible - while you stay safely out of aggro range and the pet auto-aggros it's targets. Add a couple of protective rituals and they do become indestructible, Balthazar's Aura for infinite energy. Eight of such pets on a rampage will eat through nearly anything PvE can throw at you while you read a newspaper.
Not that I'd be terribly upset if they did make pets 'aggressive' ... |