Solo - Letting pet tank

[syniste]

I'm not sure if this is a glitch, but while practicing my solo techniques with my rat pet out, I've been able to have him gain agro every once in a while... which, of course, is huge for our situational damage output... not to mention reduced downtime for healing between fights. Like I said, it's only happened a few times, but it seems to happen after using a stun attack and then either invising or evading. If anyone has any reliable techniques for this let me know.

[Theo]

<DIV>ok this is really cool if we are starting to find out that there is a way to make pet tank so we can get behind our target and do some real dmg </DIV>

[Dormam]

<DIV>I have had this as well.  But it is hugly time consuming.  If you have a pet out you attack the mob..then run like hell.  At about the point the mob would stop chasing you he will turn on your pet.  I am not sure the pet even attacks at all....but he can absorb a good deal of damage.  This lets you come back and get positional attacks on the mob.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But, as I said, it takes so long as to not be very efficient.  Easier just to speed kill blues solo for exp than doing this.</DIV>

[syniste]

Hmm - I haven't tried running from the encounter yet... But, there has to be another way to consistantly recreate the rat getting agro. It worked for me soloing bears in Nek with the stun/stealth /evade type abilities to shake agro. You can get off a decent amount of attacks before the mob knows whats up. But, it may have to do with the pet's positioning... maybe it has to be told to attack even though it doesn't actually attack... not sure yet.

[Dormam]

<DIV>The only flaw I see in your thinking is that the pet rat never attacks and thus never generates any "hate".  You can evade all you want but you will always have more hate than the pet rat.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I can however, by running from the encounter, get aggro on the rat every time.  But as I said, its not worth it except in maybe an extreme life or death circumstance.</DIV>

[syniste]

It's not really a flaw in my thinking. It's not a question of IF my rat can take agro, because I know that it can - it has. It's just a question of what triggers this and how to expoit it.

[Dormam]

<DIV>Well thats my point.  Its not supposed to get aggro at all...hence your exploit.  My suggestion is play the game instead of working on an exploit.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Heh, and even as an exploit...its a pretty useless one at that.</DIV>

[Theo]

<DIV>aye useless as of right now .. but its actually a pretty good idea if u can loose the agro without running away </DIV>

[Quai]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Dormammu wrote:<BR> <DIV>...</DIV> <DIV>Heh, and even as an exploit...its a pretty useless one at that.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> Why do you say that?  Anytime the MOB I'm fighting turns its back on me it's in for a WORLD of hurt!

[Phro]

<DIV>i was cleaning out my quest journal yesterday, and i was on the lion mane helm (not very good helm i found out :/ ) and on th estep where youre supposed to farm 10 beetle wings, i was standing on the hill just outside WFP and the thought crossed my mind.. why not test? So i summoned the rat, and used stalk, trying to be as far away as possible and keep the rat in between.. i did this as soon as stalk was recycled for the good hour it took to get the **mods 4 teh win!!1!** wings. I managed to get him to aggro the rat once with Stalk (adept 1). Kinda fun seeing the dirty rat going at the beetle....</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But as i got it off once.. i think its a fluke <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[syniste]

<blockquote><hr>Dormammu wrote:<DIV>Well thats my point.  Its not supposed to get aggro at all...hence your exploit.  My suggestion is play the game instead of working on an exploit.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>Heh, and even as an exploit...its a pretty useless one at that.</DIV><hr></blockquote>Ummm... yeah. Why are you reading about the exploit then? And secondly, I wouldn't exactly call extra DPS useless... but that's just the logical person in me talking. I mean, I could see how someone playing a DPS class might not want to get more DPS... so you're right. Useless thread - sorry guys.:: :: :: For people who want to waste their time please read on :: :: ::Okay - I have a somewhat reliable way to do this now...First, pull the mob with Open Shot/Backshot or Ensnare.While that is executing, hit Stalk and keep your distance.The closer you get while invis, the greater the chance the mob will agro you again, so don't just sit around and watch the pet try to fight. If you get in there fast enough, you can get off an attack or two, plus the Backshot you got off earlier... makes for quite a bit of increased damage.If you try this in a group setting, it's kinda funny... the mob will run to the nearest group member even if they are way out of agro range. So if you feel like messing with your group mates, then go for it =) This can be useful, however, if your groups tank is the next closest player... the mob will run to him by default. There is more range on this type of pull than any ranged attack, but I don't know that it is any more useful to use. Who knows. But it's there.

[Dormam]

<DIV>"Why do you say that?  Anytime the MOB I'm fighting turns its back on me it's in for a WORLD of hurt! "</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The reason I say that is its easier and better exp to kill 2 lower cons than using this to try and kill a higher con mob.</DIV>

[Dormam]

<DIV>"Ummm... yeah. Why are you reading about the exploit then? And secondly, I wouldn't exactly call extra DPS useless... but that's just the logical person in me talking. I mean, I could see how someone playing a DPS class might not want to get more DPS... so you're right. Useless thread - sorry guys."</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Actually how would it add to your DPS?  The rat doesnt do damage in any way, it just dies.  Plus the time it takes to try and get aggro on the rat is time you could actually be DOING DPS.  If you want to be logical and common sense its MUCH more logical to just kill something as quickly as possible without trying to get the stupid rat to get aggro.<BR></DIV> <DIV>"First, pull the mob with Open Shot/Backshot or Ensnare.<BR>While that is executing, hit Stalk and keep your distance."</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Ok, now explain to me logically how this adds to my DPS when I could have opened up with a big backstab to begin with (more DPS than open shot/backshot/ensare) and then starting attacking right after using HOs.  Remember its Damage Per Second...sitting around letting the pet tank lowers your DPS.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>"If you try this in a group setting, it's kinda funny... the mob will run to the nearest group member even if they are way out of agro range. So if you feel like messing with your group mates, then go for it =) This can be useful, however, if your groups tank is the next closest player... the mob will run to him by default. There is more range on this type of pull than any ranged attack, but I don't know that it is any more useful to use. Who knows. But it's there."</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Well, most groups I have ever been in would certainly frown on me pulling just to train a groupmate, but to each his own.  Typically, we do not fit the role of puller in most groups.  While I have used stalk to pull in some situations, I am still more than happy to leave that job to a main tank who can take the damage.<BR><BR></DIV>

[syniste]

** repeat<p>Message Edited by synister9 on <span class=date_text>12-07-2004</span> <span class=time_text>11:35 AM</span>

[syniste]

Wow. Alright, let's start from the top...It's a fact, first off, that if the mobs back is turned to you, you will get more chances to hit with more damaging abilities, plus you'll take less damage... and less damage = less down time. I don't even see how this is up for debate. If I can get off not just Assassin's Blade, but also Ebon, Back Shot, and cut throat off within the first few seconds of combat, don't you think that is a slight jump in DPS over maybe just getting 2 out of the 4? Secondly - The rat usually won't maintain agro long enough to die - if it does, GREAT - better him than me. Anyhow, it has plenty of HP and only has agro for however long it takes to execute a couple of back attacks (on the very rare occasion, it will keep agro indefinitely). Rats can take plenty damage and still tick.Third - This is just us testing some stuff out with our pet. It's called fun. Strategy. If it's there, might as well try to use it. No need to be so negative. No need to flex your uber gaming muscles. We all do just fine without our pet. This is for people who DO want to experiment and have fun with it.

[Kadaryn]

Dormammu If you take a second to read between the lines of what was said you'll see some great ideas. Here's something I've done successfully more than once:Pull with Open shot, hit stalk, Mob attacks pet. (At this point I've done well over 100 pts. damage)Pet fights back while I get behind mob I don't know how much damage he does, but I think he was doing something besides squeaking - either way it's no big deal, I got to use ranged and instead of sneaking up to the critter it comes to me. I open with Shadowblade and quickly get agro, do a quick HO ringing blow for debuff and fun then just generally whoop [Removed for Content] on it. all in all I get an extra high damage attack in with the openshot/backshot I used to pull. It does make the fight a little shorter and its fun.Pulling like that in a group is also a good thing, when the tank knows what your doing. Openshot/backshot for nice ranged pull, stalk - tank gets agro, you get behind the critter, then unleash the nasty daggers of death. The only reason a tank wouldn't like that is because you take away one of their duties like that.If you don't carry or use a bow, and you don't use poisons, this strategy sucks. Otherwise you get to do some fun things and add a little more damage to the encounter. I mean, who doesn't like seeing a critter come at you with two or three arrows sticking out of it and then seeing it completely loosing track of you?

[Dormam]

<DIV>"I don't even see how this is up for debate. If I can get off not just Assassin's Blade, but also Ebon, Back Shot, and cut throat off within the first few seconds of combat"</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Ok, I personally think your talking out of your butt on this one.  4 attacks, 3 of which require stealth isnt really going to happen in the first few seconds of combat.    Plus, your counting on the rat, who doesnt taunt and who does no damage, to keep aggro while you do all this?  Sounds good, but I just dont think its feasible.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> "Rats can take plenty damage and still tick"</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Agree on this.  Silly things seem to be tougher than you are for their level.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>"No need to be so negative. No need to flex your uber gaming muscles. We all do just fine without our pet. This is for people who DO want to experiment and have fun with it."</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Whatsammater, cant handle a difference in opinion?  I just disagree with you thats all.  Not flexing my uber gaming muscles far from it.  Not being negative either.  Dont take it so personally. </DIV>

[Dormam]

<DIV>"Here's something I've done successfully more than once:<BR>Pull with Open shot, hit stalk, Mob attacks pet. (At this point I've done well over 100 pts. damage)<BR>Pet fights back while I get behind mob I don't know how much damage he does, but I think he was doing something besides squeaking - either way it's no big deal, I got to use ranged and instead of sneaking up to the critter it comes to me. I open with Shadowblade and quickly get agro, do a quick HO ringing blow for debuff and fun then just generally whoop [Removed for Content] on it. all in all I get an extra high damage attack in with the openshot/backshot I used to pull. It does make the fight a little shorter and its fun."</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I will try this myself tonight in game and see how well it goes.  My back shot can do well over 200 points of damage sometimes so I will admit the addition of that would certainly increase my DPS.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Okok, I will try to keep an open mind on this.  It might just justify the silly 14 sp I spent for the silly rat ability.<BR></DIV>

[syniste]

Cool Dorm =b I didn't mean to come off as a jerk. It's just something different to try and I felt like you weren't taking it for what it is. This isn't something that will make or break a fight for an assassin, so don't look at it that way. But, sometimes you get off a bit more damage, and take a bit less which can help in the long haul. Plus, it still allows you to pull with your range attack and get off a high damage assassin's blade or whatever for safer pulls.For whatever reason, all of the 'rare' fights (where my rat actually keeps full agro) have been in NEK soloing bears. Not sure why, but after the pull, stalk, and at some point after my stun attack, I'm able to stay behind and just beat on them. The rat usually ends the fight with about 50% to 75% health in these cases. Usually, on most mobs, I end up re-agroing after a hit or two.

[Dormam]

<DIV>Thats funny, thats exactly where I saw the bears attacking the pet rat also.  I wonder if it has something to do with how the bears are "programmed" as a mob?</DIV>

[Grinda]

you dont need to agro them then run....Heres how to do it so they go for your pet 9 times out of ten:Target your enemy, with your pet out and ready. Activate STALK.Agro goes to your pet... now assasins blade that nasty monster <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />If you do this in a group, then the pet wont get the agro, usually the highest lvl char in your group will though. Stalk is real useful, more range than using a bow, and more range than the SK's method of pulling. (forgot spell name most people use)

[syniste]

<blockquote><hr>Grindath wrote:you dont need to agro them then run....Heres how to do it so they go for your pet 9 times out of ten:Target your enemy, with your pet out and ready. Activate STALK.Agro goes to your pet... now assasins blade that nasty monster <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />If you do this in a group, then the pet wont get the agro, usually the highest lvl char in your group will though. Stalk is real useful, more range than using a bow, and more range than the SK's method of pulling. (forgot spell name most people use)<hr></blockquote>Well, before the stalk, it's best to try to get some damage in there with Backshot or something, but yeah - that's the general idea. As soon as you stalk, the pet will grab agro for a few seconds - usually long enough to get a good hit from behind.I've also been trying to stun, then evade mid-combat and see if I can get the rat to reagro. It works from time to time, but usually not worth wasting the stun. Do we get a better Evade type skill later in levels? If so, that might give us yet another opportunity to set up the mob for back attacks.

[MistressStorm]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Dormammu wrote:<BR> <DIV>The only flaw I see in your thinking is that the pet rat never attacks and thus never generates any "hate".  You can evade all you want but you will always have more hate than the pet rat.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I can however, by running from the encounter, get aggro on the rat every time.  But as I said, its not worth it except in maybe an extreme life or death circumstance.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <DIV>I can pull a mob using stalk and it will immediately attack the next closest player in my group besides me, even if they have not done anything to generate any agro. So I don't think it has anything to do with how much agro you or the pet have, that's just the way the skill works.</FONT></DIV> <DIV></FONT> </DIV> <DIV>You say it's an exploit.. I don't see how it's an exploit any more than the example you gave to lose agro.</FONT></DIV>

[Maht]

use stalkpet get aggro

[Meatsicle]

<p><cite>Maht0x wrote:</cite></p><blockquote>use stalkpet get aggro</blockquote><p>Good idea.</p>

[Lethe5683]

<p>This is all just a result of the stupid modification to make it so mobs can turn instantaniously, sometimes even while stunned, to be facing you.</p>

[Shareana]

<p>Wow!  I could smell the decay a mile away!..  Locking it down to avoid confusion since the post is a few years old....</p>