where is my rangers pet?

[DeadlyDragons]

Before I uninstall the game I need to know for sure. where is my rangers pet? there is even a feat in custom to " Augment Summoning." yet I can not find out how to summon my wolf friend. This is the only class I enjoy and its because I'm a hunter style char with a animal friend.

[Zirun]

There are no animal companions or familiars (currently) in the game. There are summons from the Summon Monster spell (limited to 1), undead minions from the Pale Master prestige enhancement (also limited to 1), and mechanical dogs from enhancements (limited to 1 and counts as your Summon Monster summon) and that's it.

[DeadlyDragons]

well where is the summon wolf-loiness that the rangers get? this one http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Spell:Summon_Nature%27s_Ally_I

[Zirun]

Oh, right, that. That's basically a Summon Monster spell, just with different creatures summoned. Not really an animal companion per se.

You have access to that spell at Ranger level 4, if you didn't know.

[pie2655]

Before I uninstall the game I need to know for sure. where is my rangers pet? there is even a feat in custom to " Augment Summoning." yet I can not find out how to summon my wolf friend. This is the only class I enjoy and its because I'm a hunter style char with a animal friend.

You are playing this game just for a wolf pet? really?
But anyway at level 4 you get spells, one of them summon s a wolf for 10 minutes.

[Brennie]

Rangers gain access to spells at level 4, and that is when you will be able to summon your wolf companion.

A few notes: To summon your wolf you will need a modified wisdom of 11 or higher (Items, tomes, and buffs count towards this total, which is why many rangers start with an 8 or 10 wisdom).

Also, due to limited spell slots, if you really must have your wolf at level 4, you will have to put off slotting the much, much better ranger spells: Rams Might (Arguably one of the best self buff spells in the game), Resist energy, Jump, and Longstrider (Which is only really useful before you can slot in 15% striding items).

Lastly, Summons in DDO are weak. Unlike some other games (notably city of heroes or WoW), DDO classes are fully functional, fully competent, fully balanced and 100% complete *without* summoned creatures. Summoned creatures, therefor, needed to be balanced against this fact, and usually end up kinda weak (and occasionally more troublesome than they're worth). Ranger summons are doubly so, since ranger is not a full casting class. If you are willing to delete DDO entirely because of one tiny little underpowered mechanic, I'd say you're missing out on one of the best MMOs available. But if pets are the "make or break" point for you, DDO will leave you underwhelmed for sure.

[DeadlyDragons]

not just for a wolf pet. but a "Hunter."
A hunter is just a man with a bow without his hound

and thanks. =D

I'm also going to take the +4 for summons feat later to help my pet. I'm not one to just get every self buff i can anyway. lol also it adds a layer to the game to have a pet with you, even if it can't attack and only follows you.

[pie2655]

not just for a wolf pet. but a "Hunter."
A hunter is just a man with a bow without his hound

and thanks. =D

This aint WoW! There are no "hunters" in DDO there are rangers. They are different!

[MartinusWyllt]

Then you're looking for a certain Scandinavian-inspired class call a "Hunter" which is found in another MMO.

[DeadlyDragons]

I mean more a "Real Life" hunter. and rangers tend to have a bloodhound too or fox or smokey the bear by their side so =p

[BattleCircle]

i Mean More A "real Life" Hunter. And Rangers Tend To Have A Bloodhound Too Or Fox Or Smokey The Bear By Their Side So =p

Gah!

[Brennie]

not just for a wolf pet. but a "Hunter."
A hunter is just a man with a bow without his hound

and thanks. =D

I'm also going to take the +4 for summons feat later to help my pet. I'm not one to just get every self buff i can anyway. lol also it adds a layer to the game to have a pet with you, even if it can't attack and only follows you.

Please note that there are 3 different ways to build a character:

1) Strive for Excellence: Research everything, find builds that are popular and effective, with gear and in roles that you think you can manage, plan it all out, and go for being awesome. Your goal is to make the most out of the mechanics laid down by the game.

2) Flavor: Build your character around a non-mechanics related concept. Take skills, feats, gear, and abilities that fit your concept, regardless of their actual in-game use. Your goal is to crate a character, story, theme and have fun.

3) Willy-Nilly: You decide how to level up only WHEN you level up. You choose class composition, feats, skills, level-up points, and enhancements and gear on the fly. Your goal is to enjoy the game while playing it, and not deal with all that extra pre-planning and research.

Without trying to be harsh, you sound like you are a mix of number 2 and 3. #3 is always and will always create builds that are abject failures who cannot complete quests above level 10, and are constantly rejected from groups. #2's vary from people who know the mechanics and work their flavor around it, to people who stubbornly insist that 6 cleric/6 wizard/8 barbarian is a great build because "It fulfills the backstory i wrote for him".

Let me say this in no uncertain terms: DDO does not treat all builds equally. It is entirely possible to make a character who severely underperforms against more strategically built characters, and eventually has trouble with the increased difficulty higher level content. DDO rewards type #1, punishes type #3, and is unforgiving to type #2.

I am not trying to scare, intimidate, or berate, but I am going to highly, highly suggest you look at some established Ranger builds to see how best to maximize your character's abilities, before you start down the path of "I'll take what sounds cool, without knowing how it will impact my characters development". Tihocan has several good guides HERE (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=232660), and there are many more in the Ranger Forums (http://forums.ddo.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27).

Good luck on your journey!

[DeadlyDragons]

Please note that there are 3 different ways to build a character:

1) Strive for Excellence: Research everything, find builds that are popular and effective, with gear and in roles that you think you can manage, plan it all out, and go for being awesome. Your goal is to make the most out of the mechanics laid down by the game.

2) Flavor: Build your character around a non-mechanics related concept. Take skills, feats, gear, and abilities that fit your concept, regardless of their actual in-game use. Your goal is to crate a character, story, theme and have fun.

3) Willy-Nilly: You decide how to level up only WHEN you level up. You choose class composition, feats, skills, level-up points, and enhancements and gear on the fly. Your goal is to enjoy the game while playing it, and not deal with all that extra pre-planning and research.

Without trying to be harsh, you sound like you are a mix of number 2 and 3. #3 is always and will always create builds that are abject failures who cannot complete quests above level 10, and are constantly rejected from groups. #2's vary from people who know the mechanics and work their flavor around it, to people who stubbornly insist that 6 cleric/6 wizard/8 barbarian is a great build because "It fulfills the backstory i wrote for him".

Let me say this in no uncertain terms: DDO does not treat all builds equally. It is entirely possible to make a character who severely underperforms against more strategically built characters, and eventually has trouble with the increased difficulty higher level content. DDO rewards type #1, punishes type #3, and is unforgiving to type #2.

I am not trying to scare, intimidate, or berate, but I am going to highly, highly suggest you look at some established Ranger builds to see how best to maximize your character's abilities, before you start down the path of "I'll take what sounds cool, without knowing how it will impact my characters development". Tihocan has several good guides HERE (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=232660), and there are many more in the Ranger Forums (http://forums.ddo.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27).

Good luck on your journey!

I am doing 1 BUT with a little splash of pet helper. I'm useing this http://forums.ddo.com/showpost.php?p=2882691&postcount=90 with a "tiny" bit of modding here and there.

Ps. I was useing it before anything. Did A lot of research on making a AA

[Antheal]

DDO is more about min/maxing than it is about RPG gaming.

I highly recommend Lord of the Rings Online, another game by these same people (Turbine) and LotRO is now Free-to-Play as well, just like DDO.

They have the Hunter class that specialises in Ranged Weaponry, and they also have the Lore-Master class that specialises in Pets.

[DeadlyDragons]

DDO is more about min/maxing than it is about RPG gaming.

I highly recommend Lord of the Rings Online, another game by these same people (Turbine) and LotRO is now Free-to-Play as well, just like DDO.

They have the Hunter class that specialises in Ranged Weaponry, and they also have the Lore-Master class that specialises in Pets.

I tried it, I can't stand that auto lock **** those rpgs have. I like action/fps style fighting not "click target and lock onto it."

[Ttip]

Don't worry DeadDrag, Anthill was only partially correct. There are MORE min/maxers out there but there is also a great group of RPG and PermaDeath players out there that make DDO (IMHO) a much better game than the rush to 20, rinse, repeaters out there. But I am an altoholic and have alts that do PD, alts for RPG, and a fair few min/max alts myself....lol...depending on what type of play I feel like at the moment, DDO satisfies all my gaming needs in one place.

Warning: Don't forget which style you are playing, not recommended to zerg with your PD toon/guild...always good for a laugh...theirs not yours.

[donfilibuster]

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/5400/petrocks.jpg (http://img844.imageshack.us/i/petrocks.jpg/)

The best pet in ddo is the Pet Rock.

Get yours by crafting a greensteel with all tiers earth.

Earthgrab just rocks.

[Lornman]

I like using my young razor cat to draw aggro, but other than that the animal summons don't really have a lot of use. Would be great if you (the ranger) got auto-crits when your pet knocked things down....

[NaturalHazard]

not just for a wolf pet. but a "Hunter."
A hunter is just a man with a bow without his hound

and thanks. =D

I'm also going to take the +4 for summons feat later to help my pet. I'm not one to just get every self buff i can anyway. lol also it adds a layer to the game to have a pet with you, even if it can't attack and only follows you.

Well it would be a wasted feat, ranger summons are terrible and weak most wont last 5 seconds up against what you will be fighting against at the level that you gain access to the spell. Even with augmented summoning.

[notforyou]

honestly the only class that can pull off decent pet damage is a palemaster wizard as they can summon a small army of undead pets and 1 other if they wish (i prefer my umbral worg atm cuz hes the only undead summon monster i have atm) so with skele knight, 4 ghouls and umbral worg thats a small party of mediocre pets that when together deal an acceptable amount of damage plus my death aura heals them and me. ranger is definitely not the way to go if ur gonna be a pet 'master'. if u want pets make a palemaster otherwise forget about it honestly

[Philibusta]

...3) Willy-Nilly: You decide how to level up only WHEN you level up. You choose class composition, feats, skills, level-up points, and enhancements and gear on the fly. Your goal is to enjoy the game while playing it, and not deal with all that extra pre-planning and research.

Without trying to be harsh, you sound like you are a mix of number 2 and 3. #3 is always and will always create builds that are abject failures who cannot complete quests above level 10, and are constantly rejected from groups. #2's vary from people who know the mechanics and work their flavor around it, to people who stubbornly insist that 6 cleric/6 wizard/8 barbarian is a great build because "It fulfills the backstory i wrote for him".

Incorrect. My main on Thelanis is a character I built using exactly that willy-nilly method. Only thing I knew I wanted was a TWF before I started. Now he's level 12 and doing fine, no problems being accepted into groups, have had my build critiqued by vets who tell me (other than a couple very minor things, that are mostly preference, like the fact I took the Bastard Sword prof) that my build is fine. Granted, he's a human fighter and thats kinda hard to screw up. but thats not the point. Dont say it ALWAYS fails when it doesnt. Just takes a little common sense.

Also, OP...consider this: Who's actually the better Hunter...the man who relies on an animal companion to do half the work for him in tracking and taking down his prey, or the man that accomplishes the same task on his own?

[donfilibuster]

honestly the only class that can pull off decent pet damage is a palemaster wizard as they can summon a small army of undead pets and 1 other if they wish (i prefer my umbral worg atm cuz hes the only undead summon monster i have atm) so with skele knight, 4 ghouls and umbral worg thats a small party of mediocre pets that when together deal an acceptable amount of damage plus my death aura heals them and me. ranger is definitely not the way to go if ur gonna be a pet 'master'. if u want pets make a palemaster otherwise forget about it honestly

Is true that PMs can pull a decent pet combo but just in case i gotta note here that palemaster is not just about pets as some people still think (mostly from before u7).
You can entirely skip the pets on your PM, but if you like pets yeah you can do good with the undead.

[Brennie]

Incorrect. My main on Thelanis is a character I built using exactly that willy-nilly method. Only thing I knew I wanted was a TWF before I started. Now he's level 12 and doing fine, no problems being accepted into groups, have had my build critiqued by vets who tell me (other than a couple very minor things, that are mostly preference, like the fact I took the Bastard Sword prof) that my build is fine. Granted, he's a human fighter and thats kinda hard to screw up. but thats not the point. Dont say it ALWAYS fails when it doesnt. Just takes a little common sense.

I'd consider any experienced player more #1 than #3. If you know you want GTWF, know what stats you need and at what levels you can take them, you know you want Kensai and you know how to get it, you know you want Fighter Haste boost, you know you want points in Balance or UMD or Jump, but not in Swim or Listen or Repair, you know you want Power Attack and Toughness and Improved Critical, but not Power Critical or Precise Stance (Or precision, or whatever), then you are leagues away from the #3 I'm describing.

You have some semi-formed plan, even if its a loose one. You have knowledge of what to take and what to skip. You won't be tempted by Shiny skills such as "Swim" or feats such as "Enlarge Spell". You're not quite as willy-nilly as you lead yourself to believe ;)

[Alexkawasaki7]

honestly the only class that can pull off decent pet damage is a palemaster wizard as they can summon a small army of undead pets and 1 other if they wish (i prefer my umbral worg atm cuz hes the only undead summon monster i have atm) so with skele knight, 4 ghouls and umbral worg thats a small party of mediocre pets that when together deal an acceptable amount of damage plus my death aura heals them and me. ranger is definitely not the way to go if ur gonna be a pet 'master'. if u want pets make a palemaster otherwise forget about it honestly

Or just build for high dc's and throw wail of the banshee/mass hold.

[Uska]

Umm this isnt wow and they gave ddo rangers both ranged bonuses and melee to make up for the loss of the ranger pet.

[Uska]

not just for a wolf pet. but a "Hunter."
A hunter is just a man with a bow without his hound

and thanks. =D

I'm also going to take the +4 for summons feat later to help my pet. I'm not one to just get every self buff i can anyway. lol also it adds a layer to the game to have a pet with you, even if it can't attack and only follows you.

Hunter is wow think about what your playing

[UltraMonk2]

Umm this isnt wow and they gave ddo rangers both ranged bonuses and melee to make up for the loss of the ranger pet.

Dungeons & Dragons Rangers (and therefore DDO) are based upon Forest/Park Rangers.

[Memnir]

not just for a wolf pet. but a "Hunter."
A hunter is just a man with a bow without his houndMy suggestion: Buy yourself a lot of Hirelings - and name em "Rover", "Fido", and "Spot". Sure you can only use em one at a time (unless you've got Points to burn on Gold Seal hirelings), but you can use the ones that suit you best for whatever "prey" you are after...

"Rover": I need a meatshield for my Ranged predilections. Sick em, Rover! - Barbarian or Fighter.
"Fido": Since I don't like to self-buff, Fido will help me! - Bard or Wizard
"Spot": I take a lot of damage once my prey gets close! Spot, you are my best pal! - Cleric or Favored Soul

As an added benefit, you can still summon "Bitey" your wolf to be the alpha dog in your hunting pack.


And as an added added benefit, Augment Summoning will help boost up your Hirelings along with your wolf.

[Brennie]

Dungeons & Dragons Rangers (and therefore DDO) are based upon Forest/Park Rangers.

Actually, Dungeons and Dragons rangers are based off Rangers from the Lord of the Rings (Most things in DDO are based off Lord of the Rings, actually). Rangers in their current incarnation, especially in DDO, don't resemble the Aragorn character much, but thats because Dungeons and Dragons has had 40 years and multiple incarnations to evolve over.

But park rangers? Really? I'm gonna have to start a new petition for new Ranger abilities 1) Give a hoot, don't pollute, and 2) Only YOU can prevent forest fires. Also, new favored enemy: Bears who steal picnic baskets.

[UltraMonk2]

Actually, Dungeons and Dragons rangers are based off Rangers from the Lord of the Rings (Most things in DDO are based off Lord of the Rings, actually). Rangers in their current incarnation, especially in DDO, don't resemble the Aragorn character much, but thats because Dungeons and Dragons has had 40 years and multiple incarnations to evolve over.

But park rangers? Really? I'm gonna have to start a new petition for new Ranger abilities 1) Give a hoot, don't pollute, and 2) Only YOU can prevent forest fires. Also, new favored enemy: Bears who steal picnic baskets.

Yes it is based on LOTRO Rangers, but the word Ranger does not mean a ranged character as most people assume.

The ranger is one of the standard playable character class (http://forums.ddo.com/wiki/Character_class_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)) in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons (http://forums.ddo.com/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons) fantasy (http://forums.ddo.com/wiki/Fantasy) role-playing game (http://forums.ddo.com/wiki/Role-playing_game).[1] (http://forums.ddo.com/#cite_note-0) They are protectors of nature (http://forums.ddo.com/wiki/Nature), skilled woodsmen, and often live reclusive lives as hermits (http://forums.ddo.com/wiki/Hermit).

As per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)

I wasn't talking about modern day Forest/Park Rangers, although they are derived from the original Forest Rangers.

[simsiim]

I am doing 1 BUT with a little splash of pet helper. I'm useing this http://forums.ddo.com/showpost.php?p=2882691&postcount=90 with a "tiny" bit of modding here and there.

Ps. I was useing it before anything. Did A lot of research on making a AA

looks like a 2 to me.

if you can afford the one feat you want, I say go for it, Spells can be changed at Shrines and in the Taverns, so if you find you need a more useful spell then having the Summons, then find that closest shrine , so no real issues about the summons spell, only the feat could be or not.

As long as your enjoying your time playing, with what ever you build is what counts the most.
but what some of the replies have mentioned, some players will only play with min/max'ers, while there are groups that do play Flavor and/or RP in the game more then trying to reach that capped level in the minimal time possible with all the best top gear. There is a group ever every style of game playing, just some are harder to connect with :o
Flavor characters can accomplish the same thing, just much slower ;)

[Lornman]

Little bit of 2WF melee, little bit of Deepwood Sniper, lots of sneaking around, and multiple animal summons/companions.... could be a basis for The Lone Woodsman PrE, a 4th enhancement line for Rangers.