Greetings... I am a long-time lurker of this forum, given that my very first 60 was a hunter. However, I have never played a warlock past level 25-ish, so I thought I'd inquire the opinion of someone who has played both classes.
I have two friends (a couple that almost always duo) that recently returned to WoW after a hiatus. The girl, formerly a warrior, is rolling a BM hunter. The guy, formerly a hunter, is rolling an afflication warlock (both belfs, against my recommendation of orc). We are all rolling on a new server, so we had to start from zero. It has been a lot of fun thus far.
My question is in the pet choice (no, not the usual mindless pet inquiry)...
It is my first instinct that the hunter would be best to choose the tanking pet, thus allowing the lock to use a DPS or CC pet. I would assume that giving the lock a wide array of choices for his pet-of-the-moment would be far better than forcing him to use the voidy most of the time.
However, I am admittedly ignorant with respect to warlock gameplay, so I would certainly appreciate some input on this matter.
Also, my guild is looking to do a server transfer once we hit 70 and loot-up from Kara. Any recommendations on a decent PvP server where the Horde battlgroup is strong?
Many thanks,
Seidan
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Hunter + Lock Pet InquiryFollow
I'll discuss your first question...
A hunter should not choose his pet based on "stats." All our pets are tank/DPS, and it's the skills that matter. That being said, no matter what the hunter will have a pet that can tank, so the warlock should just use another pet. It doesnt matter what the hunter uses....
A hunter should not choose his pet based on "stats." All our pets are tank/DPS, and it's the skills that matter. That being said, no matter what the hunter will have a pet that can tank, so the warlock should just use another pet. It doesnt matter what the hunter uses....
3 posts
Speaking as someone who has lock and hunter at 70, I would say yes, if a BM hunter has their pet out (especially if it is a tanking focussed pet) then the lock can just focus on DPS.
Hunter pets are more durable than lock pets; their focus is easier to manage than a lock pet's mana (the brief answer - the long one involves a whole lot about lock mana management (which of course only reinforces the point that hunter pet focus is in comparison something you can just forget about and get on with killing stuff :) )); letting the lock have their succy out will add a considerable amount to their total dps, alternatively having the imp out will reduce downtime greatly once they get Dark Pact; and Mend Pet, as a HoT, is a more potent spell than Health Funnel (again without going into all the stuff about lock health / mana management).
So yes: hunter pet tank, and everything else, kaboom :)
Hunter pets are more durable than lock pets; their focus is easier to manage than a lock pet's mana (the brief answer - the long one involves a whole lot about lock mana management (which of course only reinforces the point that hunter pet focus is in comparison something you can just forget about and get on with killing stuff :) )); letting the lock have their succy out will add a considerable amount to their total dps, alternatively having the imp out will reduce downtime greatly once they get Dark Pact; and Mend Pet, as a HoT, is a more potent spell than Health Funnel (again without going into all the stuff about lock health / mana management).
So yes: hunter pet tank, and everything else, kaboom :)
You might suggest your lock friend to try destro maybe, if the pet will be tanking all the time.
Affliction is nice for soloing and multiple mobs but it can be frustrating around high dps class. I never played with hunter myself, I played lock with a mage, but considering how fast my own hunter can kill I would say they are not that much different.
I tried playing ret pally with lock and I totally failed, due to running after mobs to get in melee range and such; I leveled my hunter with a prot warrior and when I dont get moody and insist on growl it works very good.
You can try different builds and see what works for you, but I would say hunter and lock might make very good duo if you make just a little adjusting effort.
Mind, while hunter can use only one type of pet actually, warlock can pull out up to 5 of them (including full DM) one after another depending on fight.
For example I use 3 pets in normal Slabs - felguard for offtanking and added dps, sacced succubus for void boss for bonus shadow damage and imp for Murmur for lowering threat and sta bonus.
In some other instance I can change my pets 6-7 times without problems, all depending on which one is better suited for incoming fight.
Hunter always and only has tanking/dps pet so warlock should adjust their playstyle and pets to situation imo. Just experiment a bit :)
Affliction is nice for soloing and multiple mobs but it can be frustrating around high dps class. I never played with hunter myself, I played lock with a mage, but considering how fast my own hunter can kill I would say they are not that much different.
I tried playing ret pally with lock and I totally failed, due to running after mobs to get in melee range and such; I leveled my hunter with a prot warrior and when I dont get moody and insist on growl it works very good.
You can try different builds and see what works for you, but I would say hunter and lock might make very good duo if you make just a little adjusting effort.
Mind, while hunter can use only one type of pet actually, warlock can pull out up to 5 of them (including full DM) one after another depending on fight.
For example I use 3 pets in normal Slabs - felguard for offtanking and added dps, sacced succubus for void boss for bonus shadow damage and imp for Murmur for lowering threat and sta bonus.
In some other instance I can change my pets 6-7 times without problems, all depending on which one is better suited for incoming fight.
Hunter always and only has tanking/dps pet so warlock should adjust their playstyle and pets to situation imo. Just experiment a bit :)
As a hunter who used to adventure with a lock for many levels, what you'll find is that the dynamics of the combination will let you choose the 'array' of deployed pets based on the need of the upcoming fight.
Sometimes we both tanked with our pets (VW & Cat). Sometimes we needed some extra dps so out came the imp. Need some additional CC? Use the Succy. We were able to take on VERY large groups of mobs and be confident of victory.
The Hunter pet is the least dynamic in the setup (unless you have multiple pets configured and a stable nearby) but also does great damage and holds aggro better than most lock pets. The targets would peel off a VW before they'd leave the cat. So keep the Hunter pet on the target you can least afford to lose aggro on.
Other than that, enjoy your lock partner! They are fun to adventure with and are currently the most powerful class in my opinion. I could be wrong... ^_^
Sometimes we both tanked with our pets (VW & Cat). Sometimes we needed some extra dps so out came the imp. Need some additional CC? Use the Succy. We were able to take on VERY large groups of mobs and be confident of victory.
The Hunter pet is the least dynamic in the setup (unless you have multiple pets configured and a stable nearby) but also does great damage and holds aggro better than most lock pets. The targets would peel off a VW before they'd leave the cat. So keep the Hunter pet on the target you can least afford to lose aggro on.
Other than that, enjoy your lock partner! They are fun to adventure with and are currently the most powerful class in my opinion. I could be wrong... ^_^
Grrr.. time lag and double post.. grrrr *see below*
Edited, Nov 5th 2007 6:31pm by WoWard
Edited, Nov 5th 2007 6:31pm by WoWard
Sounds like could be an awsome combo' so good luck with it all to you and your friends.
I also would suggest getting a rounded, all-purpose pet for the hunter (boar springs to mind especially as they eat anything & evererything, have great armor and HP's and nice skills in charge and gore to keep aggro and chase down runners but go with whatever takes the hunters fancy).
This would then give the warlock, as you suggest the option of changing pets to suit the situation which would ofc be much harder tor the hunter.. and everyone can focus-fire on the targets while the tanking pet keeps the aggro (if you want to do multiple targets at once which could also be nice, especialy if warlock is affliction is to get a hunter pet with AOE screech skill like a owl or bat - but of practice and you might manage many kills at once)
As mentioned above the hunter pet should be able to hold aggro much better than a VW (especially if the hunter spec's BeastMaster which is a great levelling spec and also proves itself later)
Hope that helps a bit - not sure about a great pvp server with an outstanding battlegroup as i'm on an RP-PVP server ;)
Happy hunting!
I also would suggest getting a rounded, all-purpose pet for the hunter (boar springs to mind especially as they eat anything & evererything, have great armor and HP's and nice skills in charge and gore to keep aggro and chase down runners but go with whatever takes the hunters fancy).
This would then give the warlock, as you suggest the option of changing pets to suit the situation which would ofc be much harder tor the hunter.. and everyone can focus-fire on the targets while the tanking pet keeps the aggro (if you want to do multiple targets at once which could also be nice, especialy if warlock is affliction is to get a hunter pet with AOE screech skill like a owl or bat - but of practice and you might manage many kills at once)
As mentioned above the hunter pet should be able to hold aggro much better than a VW (especially if the hunter spec's BeastMaster which is a great levelling spec and also proves itself later)
Hope that helps a bit - not sure about a great pvp server with an outstanding battlegroup as i'm on an RP-PVP server ;)
Happy hunting!
Yes, the hunter pets are all very similar.
If you plan, however, on taking on large groups of mobs at once, consider a carrion bird. The CB has shriek or screech (I always forget which one it's called, sorry) - which is an AoE debuff that does NOT break cc in its area (it damages pet's target but just debuffs others in area).
The cb is a "medium" on ac and hp, so it's on the tough side. It can claw and/or bite and dive (after 32). It eats meat and fish - easy to feed.
Gorillas also have an AoE, but it breaks cc - and - gorillas are slow (they never get dash) (and they have a picky diet). You can work around these; a cb is better.
Any pet will do. The advantage gained by a tad more dps or a tad more ac won't matter much. But the cb's ability to grab more agrro might help. You also have to learn when to turn it off (it lures non-combat mobs into fights).
As to the lock pet, it really just depends on your fighting style. Having two tanking pets out is very useful (vw can area taunt too). Save the Felg, warlock pets don't really do that much damage. The imp is a pain to use - runs out of mana fast - dies in a snap. The Succy is better for dps, but she's not all that tough, either (moreso than imp, though).
For my money, keeping mobs off you and your friend > a teeny bit more dps from pets. Your best tactic is to keep the mobs off you while you blast/dot them from range.
If you plan, however, on taking on large groups of mobs at once, consider a carrion bird. The CB has shriek or screech (I always forget which one it's called, sorry) - which is an AoE debuff that does NOT break cc in its area (it damages pet's target but just debuffs others in area).
The cb is a "medium" on ac and hp, so it's on the tough side. It can claw and/or bite and dive (after 32). It eats meat and fish - easy to feed.
Gorillas also have an AoE, but it breaks cc - and - gorillas are slow (they never get dash) (and they have a picky diet). You can work around these; a cb is better.
Any pet will do. The advantage gained by a tad more dps or a tad more ac won't matter much. But the cb's ability to grab more agrro might help. You also have to learn when to turn it off (it lures non-combat mobs into fights).
As to the lock pet, it really just depends on your fighting style. Having two tanking pets out is very useful (vw can area taunt too). Save the Felg, warlock pets don't really do that much damage. The imp is a pain to use - runs out of mana fast - dies in a snap. The Succy is better for dps, but she's not all that tough, either (moreso than imp, though).
For my money, keeping mobs off you and your friend > a teeny bit more dps from pets. Your best tactic is to keep the mobs off you while you blast/dot them from range.
I agree with everyone who posted before me. The hunter's pet will be FAR better for tanking (regardless of pet family) than the warlock's pet. I have a warlock at 70 and a BM hunter now sitting in the mid-40s, so I think I can say at least a little about this subject.
Case in point: I recently did a quick quest with a guildie (the one in STV at the Vile Reef where you get the scales from the elite murlocs). I mostly let his VW tank, since I didn't really need to do the quest and it was easier to let him pick the targets, so I turned my cat's Growl off. My cat was consistently able to pull aggro off the Voidwalker, and keep it, using only bite, claw, and auto-attack. Admittedly, I'm specced BM, but I didn't use Intimidation or anything. I was actually trying to not pull aggro, and failing. If that doesn't tell you something about hunter vs. warlock pets for tanking, I don't know what will. :)
Case in point: I recently did a quick quest with a guildie (the one in STV at the Vile Reef where you get the scales from the elite murlocs). I mostly let his VW tank, since I didn't really need to do the quest and it was easier to let him pick the targets, so I turned my cat's Growl off. My cat was consistently able to pull aggro off the Voidwalker, and keep it, using only bite, claw, and auto-attack. Admittedly, I'm specced BM, but I didn't use Intimidation or anything. I was actually trying to not pull aggro, and failing. If that doesn't tell you something about hunter vs. warlock pets for tanking, I don't know what will. :)
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