Pets are currently useless

Drexz · May 2014

Either they need better AI or players need to have control over them (summoned pets, NOT vanity). Many times they just stand there and watch you get pounded. When they do attack they never try to pull agro if there are multiple enemies, which is usually the case. They just stick to one. Going with a destruction impulse build makes the summon abilities a waste. We need improvements to the familiars to dig that skill line out of the grave.

KeynesAlley · May 2014

You aren't talking about pets (vanity items), but summoned familiars (skills).

I do agree that they need some serious work. Like you said, they quite often just stand around letting the bad guys pound on you while they just watch.

r4v3nw0lf · May 2014

I was going to say what the monkey going to do? Throw you know what..lol

Reenlister · May 2014

yes, I thought this was about pets.. Pets suck. I did mistakenly believe that by getting my order for the special pack my pet would at least do something. Oh well, he was cute to have around for a day or so.
I don't use the Familiars, but I have seen them watch their owners be smashed to the ground.
You now have my curiosity up to look into them more just to see how things go.

Mujuro · May 2014

I'd like to add the Summon Shadow NB skill to this; the shadow frequently stands around and does nothing.

ijRoberts · May 2014

Yes, they (pets and familiars) are completely useless. So please put them away when you're in town and the bank.

Drexz · May 2014

@KeynesAlley, thank you for adding the clarification. I was referring to the summoned pets.

Evergnar · May 2014

It would be great to have 2 modes for summoned creatures. Defensive & Offensive/Frenzy.

Pintobean · May 2014

I think it is great. Not only a problem with pets, but NPC's assisting on a quest. Just standing around picking their nose, I laugh while I die.

"Oh, you need sumpin?"

I have been in more than a few groups where there was one real live player gathering ore, plants, or just looking at the loot, while I was taking a beating.

I think of those guys every time my pet stares off into space in battle. Maybe they are shooting for realism?

The vanity pets do have a useful purpose, blocking other players at the wayshrine. Is why i have not used them, yet. I can run right through other players, but not their pets.

UrQuan · May 2014

Hmm, interesting. My 2 sorcerers have been saved by their Clannfears more times than I can count. They definitely don't draw aggro from multiple targets though - that would sure be nice. And I guess they are sometimes a little slow at going after enemies. Still, I've found the Clannfear to be pretty useful.

Qhival · May 2014

this thread is complete bs. I've seen clanfears summoned over and over to kill a boss while the players does nothing. if pets are made better, they would need a summon cooldown.

Attorneyatlawl · May 2014

I've complained about this since July... just made a suggestion thread again here: http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/96434/

KeynesAlley · May 2014

I love my Clanfears (I have 2 sorcerers) when they work, but it's a craps shoot on whether or not they are gonna do their job or just stand around.

Drexz · May 2014

@Ur-Quan‌ if you haven't tried the destruction staff impulse ability, plus evil hunter and inner light, you should give it a go. You will see just how useless familiars are. The damage output and survivability of that build outperforms summoned familiars in oh so many ways.

Drexz · May 2014

I was soloing a VR4 public dungeon at VR3 with the impulse build. There is absolutely no way you are going to do that using familiars. With the right passives and fully upgraded skills in this build, you are starting at about 30% crit and that's without using pots. The burst damage, magicka recovery and health recovery is so good, that unless you get a bad pull or space out you are going to survive just about any situation, and clear areas faster than you can imagine.

Voltair · May 2014

My Clannfear has saved my bacon a few times as well Ur-Quan. I can't remember if the morph I chose was to take or deal extra damage but he survives longer.

I have noticed that summoned creatures attack the same target as you do but they wait for you to initiate it. Only time I had trouble with mine was during the Balreth fight and the numerous scamps but I just re-summoned him. I've also found the clannfear rather better at distracting the enemy than the winged twilight.

One tip for sorcs - During the main quest (final) boss fight, it is pointless having a summoned pet so don't waste the spot.

Edit : I agree the destruction staff is great but I'm a healer with that on weapon swap and I still value the distraction the summoned creature gives.

Gelston · May 2014

Drexz wrote: »

I was soloing a VR4 public dungeon at VR3 with the impulse build. There is absolutely no way you are going to do that using familiars. With the right passives and fully upgraded skills in this build, you are starting at about 30% crit and that's without using pots. The burst damage, magicka recovery and health recovery is so good, that unless you get a bad pull or space out you are going to survive just about any situation, and clear areas faster than you can imagine.

I got to VR10 using both summons, soloing. For CC I'd just throw Volcanic Rune around. They made it extremely easy. Sometimes they bugged out, but then I'd just resummon them.

Thing to note, the summons themselves will not initiate a fight (unless you die, raise here, and resummon, then sometimes they'll run right back into the fray.)

ItsMeToo · May 2014

KeynesAlley wrote: »

You aren't talking about pets (vanity items), but summoned familiars (skills).

I do agree that they need some serious work. Like you said, they quite often just stand around letting the bad guys pound on you while they just watch.

Do you blame them? That's what I would do. LOL

paradoxorganisationb16_ESO · May 2014

Flashing news from whenever beta started. Basicly you are gimping yourself by having a familiar summoned now as you lose 10% max magicka and the pets does in no way make up for that.

Basicly they are unresponsive, poor ai and no dmg or utility.

Drexz · May 2014

@Gelston‌ Oh I don't doubt that it's possible. The familiars still have a few issues that make them frustrating at best to use in fights against multiple enemies. I do have to say I'm surprised that would work for you often against groups of mobs since the pet will not pull agro, and as soon as they hit the volcanic rune they will all focus you and your health and magicka recovery is not high enough to save you. I haven't tried it, so I'm not talking from experience, but I do know that ever since I switched my build to the one I described I have had a much funner time doing stuff in VR areas, since I'm not getting killed so often.

AlexDougherty · May 2014

Ur-Quan wrote: »

Hmm, interesting. My 2 sorcerers have been saved by their Clannfears more times than I can count. They definitely don't draw aggro from multiple targets though - that would sure be nice. And I guess they are sometimes a little slow at going after enemies. Still, I've found the Clannfear to be pretty useful.

Agreed, not seen any familars stand by and do nothing, seen them attack enemies I was trying to avoid, but not seen them do nothing. Without familars I don't think the sorceror class would be playable, would like a few more spells, but definately have no issues with the familars.

Gelston · May 2014

Drexz wrote: »

@Gelston‌ Oh I don't doubt that it's possible. The familiars still have a few issues that make them frustrating at best to use in fights against multiple enemies. I do have to say I'm surprised that would work for you often against groups of mobs since the pet will not pull agro, and as soon as they hit the volcanic rune they will all focus you and your health and magicka recovery is not high enough to save you. I haven't tried it, so I'm not talking from experience, but I do know that ever since I switched my build to the one I described I have had a much funner time doing stuff in VR areas, since I'm not getting killed so often.

They do come after me after that, but the clannfear often retakes the aggro before it gets to me. Either way, I drop volcanic rune again when they get up. My Magicka recovery is fine with the pets. Health recovery is always low, but I'm also a vamp. Anytime I was ever in a bad spot, I can drain and instantly restore it.. Or my Ultimate (devouring swarm) would be up and I'd toss that up.

I'd definitely disagree with the assertion that summons are useless. In a real dungeon, however, I drop them as there I do feel they are useless.

Drexz · May 2014

AlexDougherty wrote: »

Ur-Quan wrote: »

Hmm, interesting. My 2 sorcerers have been saved by their Clannfears more times than I can count. They definitely don't draw aggro from multiple targets though - that would sure be nice. And I guess they are sometimes a little slow at going after enemies. Still, I've found the Clannfear to be pretty useful.

Agreed, not seen any familars stand by and do nothing, seen them attack enemies I was trying to avoid, but not seen them do nothing. Without familars I don't think the sorceror class would be playable, would like a few more spells, but definately have no issues with the familars.

I'd like to see your clannfears do this. Action starts at 3:15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYhx4TeIyEY

Wifeaggro13 · May 2014

All that neefs to be done is add a attack, hold ,and follow command

frwinters_ESO · May 2014

was this a sarcastic post? I cant tell...cause if it wasn't....wait im supposed to be nice.

Drexz · May 2014

frwinters_ESO wrote: »

was this a sarcastic post? I cant tell...cause if it wasn't....wait im supposed to be nice.

No one cares what you think. So be whatever you want.

frwinters_ESO · May 2014

Drexz wrote: »

frwinters_ESO wrote: »

was this a sarcastic post? I cant tell...cause if it wasn't....wait im supposed to be nice.

No one cares what you think. So be whatever you want.

My mom cares!