How Many Pets Can I Tame in WoW? A Hunter’s Guide
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The world of World of Warcraft (WoW) is vast and teeming with creatures, and for the Hunter class, taming these beasts is a core part of the experience. So, the burning question: How many pets can you actually tame?
The answer is multifaceted and depends on several factors, most notably your specialization and available stable slots. As of the latest expansions, Hunters can effectively tame hundreds of pets and store them in their stables. However, only a limited number can be actively used at any given time. Currently, you can have up to five pets readily available on your Call Pet bar, allowing for quick swapping during combat or exploration. The total stable size has been significantly increased to 200 slots.
Understanding Active Pets vs. Stabled Pets
It’s crucial to differentiate between active pets and stabled pets. Your active pets are the ones readily available to summon and fight alongside you. Stabled pets are safely stored and can be swapped out with your active companions at any Stable Master. This is essential for expanding your collection and adapting to different combat situations.
Beast Mastery: The Pet Master’s Domain
The Beast Mastery (BM) specialization truly shines when it comes to pet management. With talents like Animal Companion, Beast Master hunters can have two pets active simultaneously, though the second pet operates at a reduced capacity.
Taming and Managing Your Pet Collection
Taming a New Pet
Before you can add a new beast to your menagerie, you must ensure you meet certain conditions:
- Dismiss your current pet: You cannot tame a new pet while another is actively summoned.
- Have an open slot on the Call Pet bar: This ensures there’s a place for your newly tamed companion.
- Beast Lore: If you can use this ability on a beast it is tameable.
Stabling a Pet
If your Call Pet bar is full, you’ll need to visit a Stable Master to either stable an existing pet or abandon it. Stabling is the preferred method, as it allows you to retrieve the pet later. Abandoning is permanent, so think carefully before making that decision.
Choosing the Right Pet
The best pet for you depends on your specialization, playstyle, and the content you’re engaging in. Ferocity pets are generally preferred for DPS due to their Primal Rage ability. Tenacity pets are better for tanking, while Cunning pets offer utility with movement speed boosts and other helpful abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hunter Pets
1. Can Hunters have 2 pets out at once in all specializations?
No. Only Beast Mastery Hunters with the Animal Companion talent can have two pets active simultaneously. All other Hunter specializations can only have one active pet at a time.
2. How many pets can I have in my stable?
The stable size has been increased to 200 slots. This allows you to collect a vast array of different creatures.
3. How do I tame exotic pets?
Only Beast Mastery Hunters can tame Exotic Beasts, and they must have learned the Exotic Beasts skill. These pets often have unique abilities and appearances. Exotic Beasts skill is available at level 39.
4. What happens if I lose the beast’s attention during taming?
If you lose the beast’s attention during the taming process, it will fail, and you’ll have to start over. Avoid taking damage or being interrupted during taming.
5. Can I have multiple of the same type of pet?
While you can tame multiple pets of the same species, their names will be the same. This is where the stable really shines, by allowing you to expand your collection with as many unique types of pets as you want.
6. What is the best pet for leveling as a Beast Mastery Hunter?
For leveling, Ferocity pets are often the best choice due to their damage output. Scalehides, Core Hounds, or Clefthooves are good options due to their special abilities.
7. What is the best pet for DPS as a Hunter?
Ferocity pets are generally considered the best for DPS due to their Primal Rage ability, which provides a significant damage boost.
8. Why do my pets sometimes shrink in size?
Blizzard has occasionally adjusted pet sizes to address issues with visibility and manageability. Additionally, pets grow in size as you level. Glyphs may also exist to reduce pet size.
9. Can I tame pets that are a higher level than me?
No, you can only tame beasts that are the same level as you or lower.
10. How do I get rid of a pet I don’t want anymore?
You can either stable the pet or abandon it. Abandoning is permanent, so choose wisely.
11. Can I gift pets to other players?
You can gift pets through the Blizzard Shop. It is not possible to gift pets directly through the in-game interface.
12. Why can’t I summon my second pet even though I have the Animal Companion talent?
Ensure that you have a pet in the furthest left slot of the top row on the first page of your stable. This is the pet that will be summoned by the Animal Companion talent.
13. Does my second pet do as much damage as my main pet with the Animal Companion talent?
No. The second pet summoned by Animal Companion does reduced damage compared to your main pet. Your main pet also deals 35% less damage.
14. Do pets have different strengths and weaknesses?
Yes, pets have different families, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, Aquatic pets are strong against Elemental attacks, while Beast pets are strong against Critter attacks.
15. Is the Animal Companion talent worth it?
Animal Companion is a viable talent choice for Beast Mastery Hunters, as it allows for increased damage output, especially when combined with other talents that enhance pet damage. Ultimately, it comes down to playstyle and preference.
Conclusion
The Hunter class in WoW offers a unique and engaging experience focused on taming and bonding with powerful creatures. With the expanded stable size and the flexibility of swapping pets, you can build a diverse and formidable team to tackle any challenge. Remember to choose your pets wisely, manage your stable effectively, and enjoy the thrill of the hunt!
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