dire charm... what a waste of time

[bizbee]

What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell? Oh, must be terrific for
PL'ing lowbies in the Commons... and I'm sure glad I never have to
worry about that griz losing charm and turning on me, if I go to bed
he may kill me... I think the irritating thing is that it can't be
recast for like an hour or something, so not only is it gone if you
zone, but if it gets killed (since it can't leave the zone, it's
probably on a par with the rest of the mobs in the zone), it's gone
for an hour. Shit, if I need a pet, I'll stick with my bear, at least
he zones with me and I can recast immediately. One more aa ability
into the toilet, as far as I'm concerned, It should've cost about
three points, not nine. This spell either needs a zoning pet or a
lower recast time to even be moderately useful.

[Faned]

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell? Oh, must be terrific for
PL'ing lowbies in the Commons... and I'm sure glad I never have to
worry about that griz losing charm and turning on me, if I go to bed
he may kill me... I think the irritating thing is that it can't be
recast for like an hour or something, so not only is it gone if you
zone, but if it gets killed (since it can't leave the zone, it's
probably on a par with the rest of the mobs in the zone), it's gone
for an hour. Shit, if I need a pet, I'll stick with my bear, at least
he zones with me and I can recast immediately. One more aa ability
into the toilet, as far as I'm concerned, It should've cost about
three points, not nine. This spell either needs a zoning pet or a
lower recast time to even be moderately useful.

Or you could pay attention to what's going on around you. How often do you
see a druid using a pet? =P

[bizbee]

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 08:34:34 -0600 in

Post by Faned

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell? Oh, must be terrific for
PL'ing lowbies in the Commons... and I'm sure glad I never have to
worry about that griz losing charm and turning on me, if I go to bed
he may kill me... I think the irritating thing is that it can't be
recast for like an hour or something, so not only is it gone if you
zone, but if it gets killed (since it can't leave the zone, it's
probably on a par with the rest of the mobs in the zone), it's gone
for an hour. Shit, if I need a pet, I'll stick with my bear, at least
he zones with me and I can recast immediately. One more aa ability
into the toilet, as far as I'm concerned, It should've cost about
three points, not nine. This spell either needs a zoning pet or a
lower recast time to even be moderately useful.

Or you could pay attention to what's going on around you. How often do you
see a druid using a pet? =P

Well, bubba, in five years of playing this druid, I'd say I've seen
enough to know that the pet is a pet and that's about it. I use mine
for cleaning trash that I don't want to waste mana on... however, you
seem to have missed my point... it's not the worthlessness of the pet,
it's the worthlessness of the ability. I don't mind dumb spells like
stopping the weather, or a bear the size of a poodle... I thought it
could be fun to have my pet tigerraptor or whatever follow me around.
Bad enough that it's a frivolous pet, but nine points of aa's and it
won't zone, and the refresh is well over an hour? What exactly <is>
the point? Hell, they should have this be a buyable/drop spell around
55.

[Davian]

Post by bizbee
Bad enough that it's a frivolous pet, but nine points of aa's and it
won't zone, and the refresh is well over an hour? What exactly <is>
the point? Hell, they should have this be a buyable/drop spell around
55.

It was very powerful when it was first added during Luclin (at least the
enchanter version was.) Past 60 it became a "fun" ability rather than a
useful one, and past 65 its just useless. I don't think theres anything in
OOW zones it will even stick on.

[murdocj]

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 15:53:33 GMT, "Davian"

Post by Davian

Post by bizbee
Bad enough that it's a frivolous pet, but nine points of aa's and it
won't zone, and the refresh is well over an hour? What exactly <is>
the point? Hell, they should have this be a buyable/drop spell around
55.

It was very powerful when it was first added during Luclin (at least the
enchanter version was.) Past 60 it became a "fun" ability rather than a
useful one, and past 65 its just useless. I don't think theres anything in
OOW zones it will even stick on.

At 66 I can get Dire Charm to stick on lite blues in Dranik Scar.
It's actually a nice spell if you are farming there, or whiling away
the time waiting for someone to come online.

[Faned]

Post by bizbee
On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 08:34:34 -0600 in

Post by Faned

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell? Oh, must be terrific for
PL'ing lowbies in the Commons... and I'm sure glad I never have to
worry about that griz losing charm and turning on me, if I go to bed
he may kill me... I think the irritating thing is that it can't be
recast for like an hour or something, so not only is it gone if you
zone, but if it gets killed (since it can't leave the zone, it's
probably on a par with the rest of the mobs in the zone), it's gone
for an hour. Shit, if I need a pet, I'll stick with my bear, at least
he zones with me and I can recast immediately. One more aa ability
into the toilet, as far as I'm concerned, It should've cost about
three points, not nine. This spell either needs a zoning pet or a
lower recast time to even be moderately useful.

Or you could pay attention to what's going on around you. How often do you
see a druid using a pet? =P

Well, bubba, in five years of playing this druid, I'd say I've seen
enough to know that the pet is a pet and that's about it. I use mine
for cleaning trash that I don't want to waste mana on... however, you
seem to have missed my point... it's not the worthlessness of the pet,
it's the worthlessness of the ability.

I can get like 20 points of wisdom through AAs. Doesn't mean I ever will.
But the ability (far far *far* more worthless than dire charm) exists.

Post by bizbee
I don't mind dumb spells like
stopping the weather, or a bear the size of a poodle... I thought it
could be fun to have my pet tigerraptor or whatever follow me around.
Bad enough that it's a frivolous pet, but nine points of aa's and it
won't zone, and the refresh is well over an hour? What exactly <is>
the point? Hell, they should have this be a buyable/drop spell around
55.

[42]

Post by Faned

Post by bizbee
On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 08:34:34 -0600 in

Post by Faned

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell? Oh, must be terrific for
PL'ing lowbies in the Commons... and I'm sure glad I never have to
worry about that griz losing charm and turning on me, if I go to bed
he may kill me... I think the irritating thing is that it can't be
recast for like an hour or something, so not only is it gone if you
zone, but if it gets killed (since it can't leave the zone, it's
probably on a par with the rest of the mobs in the zone), it's gone
for an hour. Shit, if I need a pet, I'll stick with my bear, at least
he zones with me and I can recast immediately. One more aa ability
into the toilet, as far as I'm concerned, It should've cost about
three points, not nine. This spell either needs a zoning pet or a
lower recast time to even be moderately useful.

Or you could pay attention to what's going on around you. How often do you
see a druid using a pet? =P

Well, bubba, in five years of playing this druid, I'd say I've seen
enough to know that the pet is a pet and that's about it. I use mine
for cleaning trash that I don't want to waste mana on... however, you
seem to have missed my point... it's not the worthlessness of the pet,
it's the worthlessness of the ability.

I can get like 20 points of wisdom through AAs. Doesn't mean I ever will.
But the ability (far far *far* more worthless than dire charm) exists.

Post by bizbee
I don't mind dumb spells like
stopping the weather, or a bear the size of a poodle... I thought it
could be fun to have my pet tigerraptor or whatever follow me around.
Bad enough that it's a frivolous pet, but nine points of aa's and it
won't zone, and the refresh is well over an hour? What exactly <is>
the point? Hell, they should have this be a buyable/drop spell around
55.

At least yours is *only* worthless.

My SK can get spell subtltey to reduce the aggro my spells generate.

Outright counter productive!! Might as well give him an AA that
increases the taunt failure rate.

[bizbee]

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 19:49:08 GMT in

Post by 42

Post by Faned

Post by bizbee
On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 08:34:34 -0600 in

Post by Faned

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell? Oh, must be terrific for
PL'ing lowbies in the Commons... and I'm sure glad I never have to
worry about that griz losing charm and turning on me, if I go to bed
he may kill me... I think the irritating thing is that it can't be
recast for like an hour or something, so not only is it gone if you
zone, but if it gets killed (since it can't leave the zone, it's
probably on a par with the rest of the mobs in the zone), it's gone
for an hour. Shit, if I need a pet, I'll stick with my bear, at least
he zones with me and I can recast immediately. One more aa ability
into the toilet, as far as I'm concerned, It should've cost about
three points, not nine. This spell either needs a zoning pet or a
lower recast time to even be moderately useful.

Or you could pay attention to what's going on around you. How often do you
see a druid using a pet? =P

Well, bubba, in five years of playing this druid, I'd say I've seen
enough to know that the pet is a pet and that's about it. I use mine
for cleaning trash that I don't want to waste mana on... however, you
seem to have missed my point... it's not the worthlessness of the pet,
it's the worthlessness of the ability.

I can get like 20 points of wisdom through AAs. Doesn't mean I ever will.
But the ability (far far *far* more worthless than dire charm) exists.

Post by bizbee
I don't mind dumb spells like
stopping the weather, or a bear the size of a poodle... I thought it
could be fun to have my pet tigerraptor or whatever follow me around.
Bad enough that it's a frivolous pet, but nine points of aa's and it
won't zone, and the refresh is well over an hour? What exactly <is>
the point? Hell, they should have this be a buyable/drop spell around
55.

At least yours is *only* worthless.
My SK can get spell subtltey to reduce the aggro my spells generate.

Druids too.

[Davian]

Post by bizbee
On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 19:49:08 GMT in

Post by 42
At least yours is *only* worthless.
My SK can get spell subtltey to reduce the aggro my spells generate.

Druids too.

Yeah, but the difference is druids *want* low aggro. Shadowknights need the
hate thier spells generate to allow them to tank.

[42]

Post by Davian

Post by bizbee
On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 19:49:08 GMT in

Post by 42
At least yours is *only* worthless.
My SK can get spell subtltey to reduce the aggro my spells generate.

Druids too.

Yeah, but the difference is druids *want* low aggro. Shadowknights need the
hate thier spells generate to allow them to tank.

Precisely! The AA actually handicaps the SK that purchases it, making it
less than *worthless*. If I had it, I'd pay additional AA's just to get
rid of it!

[Godot]

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell? Oh, must be terrific for
PL'ing lowbies in the Commons... and I'm sure glad I never have to
worry about that griz losing charm and turning on me, if I go to bed
he may kill me... I think the irritating thing is that it can't be
recast for like an hour or something, so not only is it gone if you
zone, but if it gets killed (since it can't leave the zone, it's
probably on a par with the rest of the mobs in the zone), it's gone
for an hour. Shit, if I need a pet, I'll stick with my bear, at least
he zones with me and I can recast immediately. One more aa ability
into the toilet, as far as I'm concerned, It should've cost about
three points, not nine. This spell either needs a zoning pet or a
lower recast time to even be moderately useful.

Its worse than that for necros. The pet WILL break charm if you 1)
Feign Death or 2) attempt to go invisible. So attempting to farm in
certain zones is not easy since at some point the necro will attempt
to FD to lose the mob aggro and get it on the pet. And since you can't
go invisible, you are left with fighting your way to camp or parking
pet and attempting to train to camp, then summoning the pet (if you
survived).

Chechen, Necro 65, Ayonae Ro

[Vladesch]

Post by Godot

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell? Oh, must be terrific for
PL'ing lowbies in the Commons... and I'm sure glad I never have to
worry about that griz losing charm and turning on me, if I go to bed
he may kill me... I think the irritating thing is that it can't be
recast for like an hour or something, so not only is it gone if you
zone, but if it gets killed (since it can't leave the zone, it's
probably on a par with the rest of the mobs in the zone), it's gone
for an hour. Shit, if I need a pet, I'll stick with my bear, at least
he zones with me and I can recast immediately. One more aa ability
into the toilet, as far as I'm concerned, It should've cost about
three points, not nine. This spell either needs a zoning pet or a
lower recast time to even be moderately useful.

Its worse than that for necros. The pet WILL break charm if you 1)
Feign Death or 2) attempt to go invisible. So attempting to farm in
certain zones is not easy since at some point the necro will attempt
to FD to lose the mob aggro and get it on the pet. And since you can't
go invisible, you are left with fighting your way to camp or parking
pet and attempting to train to camp, then summoning the pet (if you
survived).

You cant even do this, since you cant summon a dc pet. Another reason to to
bother with it.

[bizbee]

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 06:37:02 -0800 in

Post by Godot

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell? Oh, must be terrific for
PL'ing lowbies in the Commons... and I'm sure glad I never have to
worry about that griz losing charm and turning on me, if I go to bed
he may kill me... I think the irritating thing is that it can't be
recast for like an hour or something, so not only is it gone if you
zone, but if it gets killed (since it can't leave the zone, it's
probably on a par with the rest of the mobs in the zone), it's gone
for an hour. Shit, if I need a pet, I'll stick with my bear, at least
he zones with me and I can recast immediately. One more aa ability
into the toilet, as far as I'm concerned, It should've cost about
three points, not nine. This spell either needs a zoning pet or a
lower recast time to even be moderately useful.

Its worse than that for necros. The pet WILL break charm if you 1)
Feign Death or 2) attempt to go invisible. So attempting to farm in
certain zones is not easy since at some point the necro will attempt
to FD to lose the mob aggro and get it on the pet. And since you can't
go invisible, you are left with fighting your way to camp or parking
pet and attempting to train to camp, then summoning the pet (if you
survived).
Chechen, Necro 65, Ayonae Ro

note to self: definitely don't bother getting this ability for my
necro...

[Vladesch]

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell? Oh, must be terrific for
PL'ing lowbies in the Commons... and I'm sure glad I never have to
worry about that griz losing charm and turning on me, if I go to bed
he may kill me... I think the irritating thing is that it can't be
recast for like an hour or something, so not only is it gone if you
zone, but if it gets killed (since it can't leave the zone, it's
probably on a par with the rest of the mobs in the zone), it's gone
for an hour. Shit, if I need a pet, I'll stick with my bear, at least
he zones with me and I can recast immediately. One more aa ability
into the toilet, as far as I'm concerned, It should've cost about
three points, not nine. This spell either needs a zoning pet or a
lower recast time to even be moderately useful.

POV and COD are the only 2 zones that I can see any use for it.
The little rats in COD are actually pretty good, since you can give them 2
swords and they dual wield.
Even enchanter dire charm is seldom used. The new animation is as good as
most DC pets.
Only really good dc pets are in POAir, and they quad for almost 300 (and
arnt animal)

Yes. Waste of time.

[bizbee]

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 14:42:30 GMT in

Post by Vladesch
Yes. Waste of time.

hell, I'd have rather spent the points on MGB, and that's just about
pointless for anything more than making a bunch of people kind of
happy for a while with a druid buff (I've always thought it would be
interesting to throw a share wolfform mgb out at the Nexus stone when
someone is gathering a crowd for a KEI mgb).

[Impmon]

Post by bizbee
hell, I'd have rather spent the points on MGB, and that's just about
pointless for anything more than making a bunch of people kind of
happy for a while with a druid buff (I've always thought it would be
interesting to throw a share wolfform mgb out at the Nexus stone when
someone is gathering a crowd for a KEI mgb).

Or if there were a group illusion spell, you could sneak in a MGB in
progress and make everyone look like evil eyes. Nothing would creep
out more than a bunch of eyeballs.

I plan to get MGB aa anyway since beast do have something useful like
kitty crack and paragon.

[Mary Poppins]

Post by bizbee
hell, I'd have rather spent the points on MGB

Ouch, Ouch, Ouch... Yes, you should have. I love MGB. Very, very useful
to me at least.

[bizbee]

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 18:53:42 -0000 in

Post by Mary Poppins

Post by bizbee
hell, I'd have rather spent the points on MGB

Ouch, Ouch, Ouch... Yes, you should have. I love MGB. Very, very useful
to me at least.

Yeah, but I solo, so it'd only be for giveaways. Still, more fun than
a pet that won't zone.

[Mark Rafn]

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability?

Nothing is terrific about it. When 60 was the level cap and there was no xp
bonus for killing things within 5 levels of your character, it was insanely
overpowered. When the cap went to 65 and you had to fight harder things to
get decent experience, it became a toy. At least most PoP zones had specific
mobs for DC bait, that did about 2x the damage of a summoned pet. With the
better pets post-65 and lack of DC bait in OoW, it is a near-useless
ability when facing modern content.

For an enchanter, it's still kinda handy in a few zones - charming a shaman
giant in Kael sometimes (rarely) lets you slow unslowable mobs, and there are
some zones with DC fodder better than a summoned pet.

For any other class, it's a complete waste. It's not the only waste on the
list, though. Once you have 500 points spent, you may run out of things
to buy, and get it for completeness.

Post by bizbee
I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me.

Of course you knew it would be near-useless by asking other people, or
asking about it here, right?

Fortunately, it's only 9AA, so no great harm. At least you didn't spend 25AA
or more on some of the GoD abilities to find them useless.
--
Mark Rafn ***@dagon.net <http://www.dagon.net/>

[bizbee]

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 10:55:36 -0800 in

Post by Mark Rafn
When 60 was the level cap and there was no xp
bonus for killing things within 5 levels of your character, it was insanely
overpowered

I'm only 62, dude, and it isn't worth a shit. What could possibly
change in two levels? I'm stuck hunting in zones with level 40-48
mobs. No exp bonus is going to change the fact that it had to have
sucked then, too.
Now, if I could've accumulated aa's when I was in my 40's, it would be
a different story.

[Davian]

Post by bizbee
On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 10:55:36 -0800 in

Post by Mark Rafn
When 60 was the level cap and there was no xp
bonus for killing things within 5 levels of your character, it was insanely
overpowered

I'm only 62, dude, and it isn't worth a shit. What could possibly
change in two levels? I'm stuck hunting in zones with level 40-48
mobs. No exp bonus is going to change the fact that it had to have
sucked then, too.

Yes, it did. Seriously. Sean has posted the formula at times, I forget the
exact amount, but killing something 5 levels below you is more than *double*
the exp of killing something 6 levels below you due to the bonus. And it goes
up by about 12% for every level higher than (Your level -5) that the opponent
is. Once you get used to that... killing ultra low blues *seems* like it's
ultra slow.

Enchanters could go to Sebilis, charm one of the frogs near the entrance, buff
the shit out of it... and it would solo entire rooms full of 45 - 47 frogs.
Since they were all blue, they were raking in the exp. They would kill a bit
slower than a group, but they would keep all of the exp, and so make 5x as
much per kill.

To understand, you have to keep in mind that back then we had different ideas
of what "good" exp was. Our group would pull in an AA per night and think we
were doing great. An enchanter DC soloing in sebilis or HS would get twice
that. 2 AA's per night.

Now with OOW and the group bonus, and the high con bonus, 5 AA's per night is
a "good" night for our group. Enchanters that stay pegged at 60 can still
get thier 2 per night in Seb... but it sucks now, because of the comparison.
It's now slower than a group, instead of faster. And soloing high blues
without DC (since a DC pet would get owned on them.) you can solo near the
group rate. Or at least higher than the (level 60 doing low blues) rate.

[Hippie Ramone]

bizbee <***@earthlink.net> wrote:
: I'm only 62, dude, and it isn't worth a shit. What could possibly
: change in two levels? I'm stuck hunting in zones with level 40-48
: mobs. No exp bonus is going to change the fact that it had to have
: sucked then, too.
: Now, if I could've accumulated aa's when I was in my 40's, it would be
: a different story.

Back just after AA's started in a druid, Adawen who you may or
may now know, used to AA grind in Kedge with DC sharks and seahorses.
Don't think he managed to solo Phini that way but probably came really close.
So pre-PoP it could be quasi-useful.

K

[Mark Rafn]

Post by bizbee

Post by Mark Rafn
When 60 was the level cap and there was no xp
bonus for killing things within 5 levels of your character, it was insanely
overpowered

I'm only 62, dude, and it isn't worth a shit. What could possibly
change in two levels?

In those two levels, killing things in the high 40s became green. More
importantly, the GAME changed awhile ago, so even at 60, they weren't worth
killing. It used to be that xp was maximized by killing as many of the lowest
blues you could find. Sebilis was packed. The game evolved, and Sony made it
worthless to kill mobs outside of 5 levels of your own. THAT made DC
worthless.

I don't know anyone who recommends getting this AA in the last 2 years.

Post by bizbee
Now, if I could've accumulated aa's when I was in my 40's, it would be
a different story.

Oh, I'm agreeing. It's not a great AA. It was back in Luclin, but just isn't
today.
--
Mark Rafn ***@dagon.net <http://www.dagon.net/>

[Dan Harmon]

Post by Vladesch
Only really good dc pets are in POAir, and they quad for almost 300 (and
arnt animal)

300 per hit? The most I've gotten a dire charmed pet to hit for was 149 (in
any number of zones, though I've never tried in Air), not counting
double-attack, dual wield or anything else this consummate finger-wiggler
ignores as irrelevant. :)

In regards to Biz's original post; you're DCing as opposed to your bear with
50 (or so) hp, right? I don't know how much damage they do, but I find it
hard to believe they do more damage than even the 149hp a DC pet does. It
certainly does much more damage than my enc animation (I don't have the
level 66+ one though).

There are certainly more important AAs, though.

[bizbee]

On Fri, 26 Nov 2004 15:30:29 -0500 in

Post by Dan Harmon

Post by Vladesch
Only really good dc pets are in POAir, and they quad for almost 300 (and
arnt animal)

300 per hit? The most I've gotten a dire charmed pet to hit for was 149 (in
any number of zones, though I've never tried in Air), not counting
double-attack, dual wield or anything else this consummate finger-wiggler
ignores as irrelevant. :)
In regards to Biz's original post; you're DCing as opposed to your bear with
50 (or so) hp, right? I don't know how much damage they do, but I find it
hard to believe they do more damage than even the 149hp a DC pet does. It
certainly does much more damage than my enc animation (I don't have the
level 66+ one though).
There are certainly more important AAs, though.

hell, It never occurred to me to use it hunting, there was nothing to
hunt, to speak of. Nothing I'd get exp or loot from that was worth a
shit, at any rate.
My biggest complaint, well other than only being able to charm a pet
that's in a zone full of shit that gives no experience, is that it
won't zone <and> it's more than an hour recovery time... like I'm
going to find some kind of exploit if I can cast it again in ten
minutes...
I've had it about four days, used it exactly once, and decided screw
it.
Good to see you around again!

[Dan Harmon]

Post by bizbee
hell, It never occurred to me to use it hunting, there was nothing to
hunt, to speak of. Nothing I'd get exp or loot from that was worth a
shit, at any rate.
My biggest complaint, well other than only being able to charm a pet
that's in a zone full of shit that gives no experience, is that it
won't zone <and> it's more than an hour recovery time... like I'm
going to find some kind of exploit if I can cast it again in ten
minutes...
I've had it about four days, used it exactly once, and decided screw
it.
Good to see you around again!

Oh! You'd have to check the druid grove or something for specifics, but I
know that the kittens at the entrance of HOH are DCable by druid. And the
rats in POJ (if you're helping someone do trial of execution these suckers
will virtually assure a win). I don't recall if druids can charm the little
rats in COD but I think so. Maybe the light blue/green ravens in Torment as
well (I can't remember if I can).

I wouldn't use them to tank (that hour+ recast time makes them rather
valuable to keep alive) but they're fantastic DPS for a druid.

[Celaeno]

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell?

I liked it for soloing geonids in WL at 60, with the black unicorn. We
also soloed assorted corrupted animals, giant priests, and Phenocryst.
I miss that pet.


Cel
Retired druids & sundry

[James Grahame]

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell? Oh, must be terrific for
PL'ing lowbies in the Commons... and I'm sure glad I never have to
worry about that griz losing charm and turning on me, if I go to bed
he may kill me... I think the irritating thing is that it can't be
recast for like an hour or something, so not only is it gone if you
zone, but if it gets killed (since it can't leave the zone, it's
probably on a par with the rest of the mobs in the zone), it's gone
for an hour. Shit, if I need a pet, I'll stick with my bear, at least
he zones with me and I can recast immediately. One more aa ability
into the toilet, as far as I'm concerned, It should've cost about
three points, not nine. This spell either needs a zoning pet or a
lower recast time to even be moderately useful.

Various mobs in Kedge Keep.
Wolves in Kael.
Hynids in Natimbi.
Black Unicorn in Wakening Lands.

There are some pretty good Dire Charmable pets out there, in zones where
you might actually want to be. Give those critters some pet weapons and your
best pet haste and they can crank out some fair DPS, with the only risk
being mobs that can dispel. I know there's mobs that are blue to a 62 in
Natimbi and Kael - go to town.

James

[Graeme Faelban]

Post by bizbee
What's so terrific about this ability? I just pissed away 9 aa points
to discover that I can't charm an animal that isn't much stronger than
my pet (of course, I already knew that) <that won't zone with me. Now,
in order to do this, first I have to find a zone where there are
<animals> that can be charmed at the proper level... then, after the
animal is charmed, what, I, at 62, continue hunting in a zone with
level 40 mobs? How stupid is this spell? Oh, must be terrific for
PL'ing lowbies in the Commons... and I'm sure glad I never have to
worry about that griz losing charm and turning on me, if I go to bed
he may kill me... I think the irritating thing is that it can't be
recast for like an hour or something, so not only is it gone if you
zone, but if it gets killed (since it can't leave the zone, it's
probably on a par with the rest of the mobs in the zone), it's gone
for an hour. Shit, if I need a pet, I'll stick with my bear, at least
he zones with me and I can recast immediately. One more aa ability
into the toilet, as far as I'm concerned, It should've cost about
three points, not nine. This spell either needs a zoning pet or a
lower recast time to even be moderately useful.

Most PoP zones have mobs of the appropriate level for DCing, including
even some of the elemental zones I believe. Even so, the DCable ones are
definitely quite a bit weaker than the non DCable mobs.