Cael
03-29-2005, 06:30 PM
<DIV> <DIV>I've read other threads which discuss the pets afforded Rangers. Many feel that the pets should serve a purpose versus just being fluff. Important to note is that if Ranger pets suddenly become purposeful, then making fluff spells useful "must" happen to all the other classes that get fluff spells as well (e.g., a Conjuror's Fire Elemental illusion changes their appearance, but also grants them additional protection from incoming heat attacks, a Warlock's Bat or Assassin's Rat spell changes their appearance into a small animal (rat/bat), but also increases their likelihood to dodge an incoming attack since they are now smaller and more agile, etc.).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So.. ..if Ranger pets become purposeful, then how? Here's a few suggestions to get the ball rolling. Feedback and additional suggestions are always welcome.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The Hawk</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>A. One option could allow Rangers a chance to scout an area without risk. Meaning, the Ranger summons the hawk and the hawk will behave as it does now (following or staying in one place), but the Ranger will have a new option of assuming control of the hawk and "seeing" through the hawk's eyes. The Ranger can then pilot the hawk into an area ahead to scout what is in that area. The hawk will not be able to perform any functions such as open doors or attack; just fly. Having this ability will allow Rangers to do what they do best.. ..scout. The hawk may or may not draw aggro from any creatures that may exist in the area it is piloted into. While the hawk is under the control of the Ranger, there will only be two options. A. Control the movement of the hawk (just as if the Ranger was controlling their own character). B. Cancel the effect, which would then return the camera to the Ranger and the pet would either disappear and be right back with the Ranger.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>B. A different option could be to grant a single spell to the hawk that a Ranger could activate that would give the Ranger a chance to execute a flanking or rear attack. This spell could be something like "Hawk's Shriek" which when activated has the hawk emit a high pitched shriek that stuns the enemy for approximately 3 seconds giving the Ranger time to stealth and get off at least one flanking or rear attack. This spell would be on a timer just as other spells are.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>C. A different option could be a benefit applied to the Ranger while the hawk is present. If a Ranger summons a hawk, then the Ranger benefits from the spirit of it. A hawk has a highly accelerated heart rate and metabolism. While present, the hawk will grant a "slight" attack speed increase to the Ranger. This increase may be 2% when the Ranger first gets the hawk at level 20 and increase 1% every 10 levels afterwards up to a maximum of 5% at level 50.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The Bear</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV>A. One option could have the bear "forage" while summoned. By "forage" the bear could either forage food and/or drink or arrows (selectable or fixed?) from the area. As the bear forages, the items instantly appear in the Rangers pack. This could either be: A: A continuous task in which the bear forages a single arrow every 10 seconds (or item to eat/drink every 15 minutes) and places them in the Ranger's pack as each is found or B: A single pull that produces a quantity of arrows or sustenance with a longer reuse timer.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>B. A different option could be to grant a single spell to the bear that the Ranger could activate called "Bear's Torpor." This spell would function similarly to "Feign Death" and would put both the bear and the Ranger into a deep sleep that "may" make an enemy assume they killed the Ranger and move on. By "may", I mean there is a chance the spell won't trick the enemy.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>C. A different option could be a benefit applied to the Ranger while the bear is present. If a Ranger summons a bear, then the Ranger benefits from the spirit of it. A bear has extremely tough physical form. While present, the bear will grant a "slight" armor increase to the Ranger. This increase may be 4% when the Ranger first gets the bear at level 40 and increase an additional 1% at level 50.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV>The Feline</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV>A. One option could have the feline increase tracking abilities while summoned. This increase may allow a level 50 Ranger to track longer distances or detect creatures that might otherwise not appear on tracking (named or epic?). This increase to tracking makes sense since a level 50 Ranger "should" be a master at tracking everything in the surrounding area.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>B. A different option could be to grant a single spell to the feline that the Ranger could activate called "Tiger's Fang." This spell, when activated, will grant the Ranger a short period of time when all attacks will bypass either a portion or all armor on the target. Being that Rangers get this pet at level 50, it shouldn't be too unbalancing with regards to leveling a Ranger faster.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>C. A different option could be a benefit applied to the Ranger while the feline is present. If a Ranger summons a feline, then the Ranger benefits from the spirit of it. A feline has extremely fast reflexes. While present, the feline will grant a "slight" bonus to dodge, deflect, and parry skills to the Ranger. This increase may be a fixed 5% when the Ranger gets the feline at level 50.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Well.. ..some of my suggestions may be extreme, but I'm trying to create a springboard for ideas. Thoughts?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>P.S. Again, I want to point out that I'm not suggesting we get something that the other classes don't. If Ranger pets are made useful, then every class needs the same attention applied to their pets.</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV><p>Message Edited by Caelin on <span class=date_text>03-29-2005</span> <span class=time_text>08:35 AM</span>