Can Hunters Tame Pets Higher Level Than Them? A Comprehensive Guide
In the vast world of online role-playing games, particularly in games like World of Warcraft (WoW) and its Classic versions, the Hunter class holds a unique position. Their connection with beasts, and their ability to tame and command them, is central to their gameplay. A common question among new and seasoned hunters alike is: Can Hunters tame pets higher level than them?
The short answer is a definitive no. Hunters cannot tame beasts that are a higher level than their own character. This is a fundamental rule within the game mechanics. If a hunter attempts to tame a creature that exceeds their level, the game will generate a system message indicating that their level is not sufficient to tame the target beast. This limitation ensures that players progress through the game at a balanced pace, preventing them from acquiring overly powerful pets early on.
Hunter Pet Mechanics: A Deep Dive
To understand why this level restriction exists, it’s essential to delve into the core mechanics of hunter pets. Pets are not just aesthetic companions; they are integral to a hunter’s damage output, utility, and survivability. Their abilities, stats, and even their specializations contribute significantly to the hunter’s overall effectiveness.
Leveling and Training
Hunter pets level up alongside their owners, gaining stats and abilities as they progress. Training is crucial, as it allows hunters to teach their pets specific skills like Growl, Claw, Bite, and more. However, just like taming, training also has level restrictions. You can only train a pet at your level or lower. You cannot train a pet that is of a higher level than you.
Pet Families and Specializations
Different pet families offer various advantages. Some are better suited for damage dealing (Ferocity), while others excel at tanking (Tenacity) or providing utility (Cunning). The “Family Ability” also varies across families. This diversity encourages hunters to explore different pet types to find the best fit for their playstyle and the challenges they face. Keep in mind that while the families all provide a unique ability, in current modern expansions, they all do equal damage.
Classic WoW vs. Retail WoW: Scaling and Abilities
The rules of taming and training pets were very different in classic WoW. In Classic WoW, it’s important to understand how pets scaled and how their abilities functioned. Certain pets, like Brokentooth, were highly sought after due to their unique attack speed, while in modern retail WoW, all pets generally scale to a similar level of effectiveness, with the primary differences stemming from their specialization and family ability.
In retail versions of WoW, pets scale with your level, making them consistently relevant throughout your journey. This ensures that your pet remains a viable combat partner, regardless of where you are in the leveling process.
Hunter Pet FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions that can assist you in understanding the complexities of the game further:
1. What level do I need to be to tame my first pet?
Hunters can start taming pets once they reach level five. This is often introduced through a quest, allowing new hunters to quickly learn the basics.
2. How many pets can a hunter have?
Hunters can have multiple pets. While you can only have one pet active at a time, you can store up to 50 inactive pets in the stable, plus 1-5 active pets with you, depending on your level. Each level of Call Pet you learn also unlocks another active spot.
3. What are the best hunter pets for leveling?
For leveling, particularly in Classic WoW, Owls and Carrion Birds are excellent choices. Their Screech ability provides a significant advantage by reducing enemy damage and generating threat.
4. Do hunter pets scale with my gear?
Yes, in retail WoW, hunter pets scale with your stats. A Hunter’s intellect used to increase the pet’s spell damage. But it’s important to note, that pets do not directly benefit from the hunter’s gear but instead their level.
5. Can a hunter pet loot?
Yes. Hunters can instruct their pets to loot corpses using a specific adaptation. This feature enhances convenience and efficiency during gameplay.
6. Does hunter pet type matter?
Yes, the type of hunter pet matters because they possess unique abilities and belong to different specializations (Ferocity, Cunning, Tenacity). These specializations affect the pet’s role in combat and the benefits they provide to the hunter.
7. Do hunter pets get bigger as they level?
Yes, pets do increase in size as they level up. This change is most noticeable when there is a substantial level difference.
8. What makes a pet good for DPS?
For DPS, attack speed and unique abilities play a crucial role. In Classic WoW, Brokentooth was prized for its exceptional attack speed.
9. What is the best level 19 hunter pet?
At level 19, The Rake is often considered the best pet due to its fast attack speed.
10. How often can my pet learn new ranks of abilities?
Typically, you can purchase a new rank of Growl from the pet trainer every 10 levels (at levels 20, 30, and so on).
11. What are the strongest pets for early game?
Ravagers are very strong due to their high-damage abilities, including a damage modifier, Dash, and unique ability like Gore.
12. Does hunter pet size vary by race?
No, hunter pet size does not vary by race. A pet will be the same size regardless of whether the hunter is a Goblin or a Tauren.
13. What race is best to play hunter with?
Dwarves make excellent hunters due to their passive Might of the Mountain, which boosts critical hit damage.
14. Do pets have different stats depending on level?
Yes, pets have different stats depending on their level. As they level, they gain stats and abilities. This information can often be accessed and tracked on resources, such as Petopia.
15. Where can I learn more about Hunter pets?
You can learn more about Hunter pets from several online resources. Petopia is a great place to start, it has a ton of great information on Hunter pets. You could also go to the Games Learning Society website to learn more about the game itself: GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion
While hunters cannot tame pets that are higher level than them, the diverse range of pets available and the strategic depth of pet management provide a rewarding and engaging experience. By understanding the mechanics of pet leveling, training, and specialization, hunters can optimize their gameplay and build powerful partnerships with their loyal companions.