Game Mechanics: Pet Targeting NPCs

Grozmok · #1 03-01-2012, 03:01 PM

I've been having an issue with skeleton pets on both my SK and my Necro not sticking to the initial target.

Is this some sort of bug or the way "classic" pets are supposed to work? [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

It's kinda retarded, since my SK pet has like 5hp and dies really fast once it gains aggro.

Example scenario:

I pull two mobs via a bow
I DoT mob A and send in pet
At some point during the fight with mob A, pet decides to switch to mob B
Pet gains aggro due to damage > initial frenzy hate via pulling mob A with bow
Pet dies

WTF

**kanras** · #2 03-01-2012, 03:20 PM

Need more info. Are you aggro kiting? Fear kiting? Has mob B swung at you? (thus getting on your pet's hate list). What is the pet's proximity to mobs and A + B when he switches? Has pet taken damage from mobs A or B prior to the switch?

Grozmok · #3 03-01-2012, 03:36 PM

Pet proximity to mob A and mob B is very close. I almost always pull the mobs directly to the group, right where the pet has been told PET GUARD HERE as to not proximity aggro other mobs (since my pet is such low level).

Pet has not taken any damage from either mobs. I've also disabled pet taunting to reduce chances of getting high on the hate list of mob A and mob B.

In this particular case I'm pulling mob A with the hostile action via the ranged attack and mob B with social aggro.

I usually send in my pet to attack mob A when they've reached the 'camp'.
Typically, I'll let mob B beat on me while I'm attacking mob A.
At some point during the fight, my pet will decide to attack mob B.
It even appears to ignore my commands of PET BACK OFF, even if I immediately follow it up with PET ATTACK mob A.

It seems like target switching is wonky when I try to get my pet to attack my target AFTER it's already been told to attack something at least once.

Flunklesnarkin · #4 03-01-2012, 03:55 PM

If somebody is rooting that could be the cause.

Rooting a monster causes it to attack w/e is closest to it.

Great trick to help tanks keep aggro if dps is over the top.

Grozmok · #5 03-01-2012, 04:15 PM

If mob B is rooted and attacks my pet (which has been told to attack mob A), that shouldn't cause my pet to switch targets though, right?

Extunarian · #6 03-01-2012, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grozmok [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

If mob B is rooted and attacks my pet (which has been told to attack mob A), that shouldn't cause my pet to switch targets though, right?

I have noticed that :
- IF I am tanking mob A and my pet is assisting...
- AND Mob B walks up and starts wacking pet...
- THEN The pet will turn and attack mob B

It is also a pain in the ass to keep pet on Mob A if Mob B has dotted the pet and Mob A is not attacking the pet.

DoucLangur · #7 03-01-2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grozmok [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

If mob B is rooted and attacks my pet (which has been told to attack mob A), that shouldn't cause my pet to switch targets though, right?

Pets can and will be taunted by NPCs - so to answer your question: This will eventually cause your pet to switch targets. And that's classic.

Cheers

Slozem

Grozmok · #8 03-01-2012, 05:41 PM

I see, well that's frustrating as all hell.

I guess I didn't notice it back in 2000-2004...

Grozmok · #9 03-02-2012, 01:44 PM

Is there a bug with pets or not?

Brinkman · #10 03-03-2012, 03:06 PM

Pets have always acted strange, when fear kiteing they just simply decide to switch mobs once one npc is feared.

Everything you are explaining is the way its supposed to be.

Npc's with equal hate on two enemies almost always go for the lower lvl one.

If something is hitting your pet, your pet will almost always switch and fight whats attacking it.

Pets are supposed to be hard to control, thats how it was designed.

In your scenarios you need to make sure your pet is closer to MOB A than MOB B. If your pet decided to attack MOB B for any reason ( like it was taunted by MOB B ) You need to back your pet off, and also spam follow at the same time, at the same time YOU need to take a few swings on MOB B to take agro away from your pet, and sick pet on MOB A, then you can switch back.

Its hard to do at times.

Remember when you pull 2 mobs, the one with social agro will be both on your hatelist and your pets with equal hate ( edit: This becomes true once the mob gets to you and takes a swing, that is what initiates your pet agro ), so you either need to do some damage or make sure you are the closest to both mobs.