Have some questions...

[Abyssi]

I just hit level 40 tonight, and have a few questions. The first i've been meaning to ask since 32, but never got around to it.#1 What are the advantages of using the scout pet over the mage pet in a group situation? I haven't grouped near as much as I did in my 20s, and then I only had the mage pet. I've only been in a few groups in RE since then, and switched out between the scout and mage while there. I didn't really notice any huge differences in damage between the two. (both spells are Adept I with Adept I aggresive stance buff)Question 2 is about Deathly Pallor, or our Feign Death spell. I've never used this spell yet, but if I use it while my pet is still attacking something, will he die too? If not, will the monster fall for the FD after he kills the pet? Or should I release the pet, let them come for me, then FD for it to work properly? Sometimes in close fights, both me and my pet will be very low on health. I'll be at about 3% health due to me trying to heal so much, and I cannot survive even one hit from the mob, so that would leave very little time to FD.Last question: I've been soloing since 29, with a few groups in between, but all the time I solo with the tank pet. Is it even possible to solo anything worthwhile with any of the other pets? I've used the scout pet a few times when facing enemies that are really easy,  and have never tried soloing anything above grey cons with the mage pet.Thanks in advance for your insight.<div></div>

[Noct1234]

1) If the scout pet grabs aggro, it gives you a little warning because it can absorb a hit or two. Mage pet is better against mobs that are a higher level than you because it gets spellcasting skills from the offensive stance. (This is the opposite for conjurors) 2)  All your pets will stick around until they are killed or their duration runs out (dumbfires). The mobs won't come after you after it kills the rest of your pets. Some advice about FD: you aren't a brawler so you want to FD in a safe spot while soloing, because when you get up, you have at least 10 seconds before you have a real defense again (another pet) or 2 seconds to invis. If the mobs took out you and your pet, what chance do you have solo against them? 3)  I will solo with the assassin pet against solo mobs that are white or blue.  But then I am level 53 and pretty twinked but most importantly I have Lich, so I tank as well as my assassin pet. If you want to have a little fun, go back to the Ruins and sick your assassin pet on 5 grey heroics at a time. 4) If you are short on cash, levels 41-42 are a great time to farm named deep in RoV solo.  Those battles also teach you the importance of root. <div></div>

[Boran]

General rule of thumb for pet use in groups is Mage for grouped mobs and Assassin for single mobs (this is due to their CA/spell make up). Mage can be better for AoE mobs too as they will hang back for a little bit casting spells, as soon as they start to run in just recall them and start again. I still use my tank pet against most mobs while soloing, mainly because it's the only time I get to use him <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> One additional point, as has been said many times, make sure you get Lich at adept 3 or above.

[Uanelven]

<div></div><div><blockquote><hr>Abyssion wrote:Question 2 is about Deathly Pallor, or our Feign Death spell. I've never used this spell yet, but if I use it while my pet is still attacking something, will he die too? If not, will the monster fall for the FD after he kills the pet? Or should I release the pet, let them come for me, then FD for it to work properly? Sometimes in close fights, both me and my pet will be very low on health. I'll be at about 3% health due to me trying to heal so much, and I cannot survive even one hit from the mob, so that would leave very little time to FD.<hr></blockquote>You don't have to dismiss your pet.    Your pet will carry on with the last instructions given  ie ,  if he was attacking when you FD then he will carry on attacking.   If you back him off after he has engaged then he will stay backed off and mobs will carry on beating on him till dead. Once your pet is dead, they will not come for you unless you agro them again when you stand up.</div><p>Message Edited by Uanelven on <span class=date_text>07-21-2006</span> <span class=time_text>01:11 AM</span>

[Aboun]

Honestly, it's a combination of several factors that will influence your pet decisions.As stated, in general you would want to use the scout pet when you know there will be mostly single target encounters and the mage pet when there are multiple target encounters.However, even in situations where I would prefer to use the mage pet I've shelved him because of tanks that are horrible at holding agro. I don't ever send the mage pet in right away, I give time for the tank to get some agro. There are still some thanks that either don't group taunt, or have very low level taunting abilities. Then agro goes to the pet which dies quickly then agro transfers right to you .. and of course tanks that fall into this category also won't use rescue or target the mobs killing anyone else in the party, they are completely oblivious to what's going on around them.I've also used the mage pet in favor of the scout pet even for solo encounters beause of the level difference between me and the mobs (dark orange) the mage pet for me was hitting more reliably and doing more damage on average than the scout pet.