Just about the time I was going to chime in on the Hunter forums, I saw this information posted on mmo-champion.com.
Pet changes (Build 9095)
- Swipe (Bear) focus cost reduced from 25 to to 20. Damage increased (60-84 to 90-126 for Rank 6)
- Snatch (Bird of Prey) focus cost reduced from 40 to 20.
- Gore (Boar) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20. Damage increased. (122-164 for Rank 6)
- Rake (Cat) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20. Damage lowered. (From 59-83 + 21-27 over 9 sec to 24-34 + 22-28 over 9 sec)
- Fire Breath (Dragonhawk) now has a 20 yards range.
- Froststorm Breath (Chimaera) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20. Damage increased. (64-86 to 128-172 for Rank 6)
- Lava Breath (Core Hound) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20. Damage increased. (64-86 to 128-172 for Rank 6)
- Monstrous Bite (Devilsaur) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20.
- Stamped (Rhino) damage increased (from 91-123 to 182-246 for Rank 6). Knockback reduced from 15 yards to 10 yards.
- Spirit Strike (Spirit Beast) damage increased. (from 43-47 + 43-47 over 10 sec to 85-115 + 85-115 over 10 sec)
- Acid Spit (Worm) damage increased. (62-88 to 124-176 for Rank 6)
- Thunderstomp (Gorilla) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20.
- Tendon Rip (Hyena) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20.
- Savage Rend (Raptor) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20.
- Ravage (Ravager) damage increased. (89-125 to 106-150 for Rank 6)
- Scorpid Poison (Scorpid) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20. Damage lowered. (From 85 to 45 for Rank 6)
- Poison Spit (Serpent) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20.
- Spore Cloud (Sporebat) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20.
- Lightning Breath (Wind Serpent) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20.
- Sting (Wasp) focus cost reduced from 25 to 20.
The reduced focus costs of the unique skills was badly needed. Lowering the cost 5 points means that the pet will always use its unique skill when the cooldown is up. Why they didn’t do this sooner, I do not know.
However, I can’t help but shake my head at the fact that 3 out of 4 of my pets are not included on this list. Wolves, Wind Serpents, and Bats are receiving no love.
Furious Howl looks great on the tooltip, but can be a complete waste since it doesn’t stack with Battle Shout or Blessing of Might. Having a Warrior or Paladin in your group negates the usefulness of this pet. That makes me sad. I’d like to see this changed to a % damage increase similar to Ferocious Inspiration, so that casters may benefit from it as well. Maybe that’s too much to ask, but ya never know.
Lightning Breath went from the hottest pet skill pre 3.0.2, to utterly useless. It either needs a serious damage buff, DoT, or debuff added to it. Another possible solution could be to lower its cooldown from 10 seconds to 6 like some of the other pet skills.
Ravage received a 20% damage increase to an already powerful skill. Yet, Bats’ Sonic Blast damage was left alone. C’mon guys… buff the nature damage just a little. Even with the allure of a ranged stun, the damage boost to a similar skill with a shorter cooldown makes me want to take another look at the Ravager. Good thing I already happen to have one in the stable. 😀
Lastly, I’m glad they left Thunderstomp alone. It just may be a bit overpowered at the moment, but let’s keep that on the down low. Ssshhhh… it’ll be our little secret. 1570 Thunderstomp crits at level 69 isn’t too powerful I don’t think. 😉
Mwahahahahahaha