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Evil Geek

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Monster AI and aggro order

I've recently been playing WoW and am trying to fathom how the monster AI differs from what I'm used to. As some of you may know I'm a big GW player and the monster AI in terms of aggro is pretty straightforward. I've noticed (I'm playing a Warlock btw) when I'm playing with a friend (mage) that when I pull aggro so my voidwalker can tank often the mob will break off and head for the mage.

Can anyone enlighten me on how mob aggro works? Is it dependant on Armor/Health - mob goes for lowest armor/health rating and class - mob goes for Priest?

Any info on mob aggro would be greatly appreciated, Ive sussed the concept of 'Threat' and have been pulling with a wand or low 'threat' ranged skill (so hopefully I don't engage more mobs). I'm wondering if perhaps the same concept pulls the targets off my voidwalker onto the mage because the skills she uses have a higher threat?

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

04/04/08 04:35

meumesmo

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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

Hello EG, cool seeing you here! ^_^

Ok, to be simple about aggro: Every mob has aggression towards a player, the more threat (aggro) you create the player that is on top of the threat meter is going to be the one attacked.

Now you can create threat in multiple ways:

Dpsing
Healing
Using skills that create extra threat (Like Voidwalker's Torment)
Using potions, buffs etc.

Here is Omen Threat Meter, which can be used as a... threat meter lol, so you see how much threat you and other have created and who's on top. If you're above or close to the threat amount of tanks, maybe you should stop dps or use a skill that lowers threat like soulshatter... or your tank just sucks! =P

That is threat/agrro explained in a simple way.

04/04/08 09:42

Evil Geek

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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

So unlike GW mob aggro isnt governed by health/armor or class just purely on threat? Thats useful to know, following that theory that gives me a better chance of holding the aggro with me/voidwalker.

Thanks for the quick reply and the welcome :-)

I'll check out that addon once I get further in the game, only Lvl 25 atm but really enjoying the first few dungeons I've come across.

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04/04/08 11:32

psychobunny

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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

It might be useful to note that one point of damage done to a mob is one point of threat that you put out, while it takes 2 points of healing done to anyone in combat with a mob to do 1 point of threat to that mob.

Now there are talents and such that can either increase or decrease the threat you put out, but I won't go too much into it, you'll figure it out eventually.

Oh, and don't download Omen from curse, the curse site hardly ever updates it and you should make sure you have a current version. What you need to do is go to http://files.wowace.com/Omen/ and look for the latest version in the list.

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

04/04/08 11:46

meumesmo

Posts: 84
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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

404 NOT FOUND :( link is broken or site down

IMO stick with curse and yes they do update very very often, note the "last update" 1 day ago =P

04/04/08 11:51

nictrick777

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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

i like omen, and i suggest downloading it from wowace.com but either way as long as it is updated, either place is a reputable site.

04/04/08 19:22

psychobunny

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Joined: 11/09/2006
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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

QUOTE

404 NOT FOUND :( link is broken or site down

IMO stick with curse and yes they do update very very often, note the "last update" 1 day ago =P

Yeah, they updated to a version that was compatible with 2.4. The last update before that was 3 months ago, and Omen has the tendency to update at least once a day.

P.S. the link was broken because I forgot to spell Omen with a capital O in the URL :p

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

04/05/08 07:02

Rockshock

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Joined: 04/24/2005
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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

Mages tend to put out a lot of instant powerful hits, which means he's much more likely to get the aggro from a group than your DoT's and your voidwalkers punches.

Your mage can help with the amount of threat he produces by using his weaker spells or Magic missles which spread their hits out over time.

04/05/08 10:52

Thundarpants

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Joined: 12/18/2004
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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

Omen is having some compatability issues right now, but will be the best threat meter once they have the bugs worked out. They update the code almost daily, and each version is incompatable with the previous one. BUT..... they should have that worked out soon.

You should also run the KLH threat meter. Whith both running, there is an option in Omen to import KLH threat data so if someone only uses that threat meter, your list will be complete.

As for pulling aggro, you will regularly out aggro your VW. The best bet is to send him in and apply the less threat generating DoTs before cutting loose with the Shadow Bolts. By the time you pull aggro off of the VW, the enemy will be dotted up and below 50% heath, then just melt their face. Most mobs will die while en-route to come get you, but by that time it's too late for them.

Put the AoE taunt for your VW off, and the single target taunt on auto. Use the AoE taunt at your control to boost aggro on him for tougher mobs. But it'll pull unwanted aggro sometimes from neutral mobs(in yellow text above their heads).

As for the Mage pulling aggro, it's the DPS.

Also, where standard damage pulls 1 aggro point per damage, Crits are another story. I don't remember the actual ratio, but it's something like 10X aggro generation. Someone should correct me and shoot you the actual number. Basically, if you see a crit, expect to immediately pull aggro of the VW.

If you have just started playing and are not max level, you won't have the benifit of Soulshatter yet. It'll be very handy in the end game strategy for running your Lock.

I've been running a Lock for the last two years, and I'm mostly Destruction. Just hit the boards if you have any questions. Although I do dissapear for a week or so here and there, I always come back and check. I know a couple good level grinding build strategies. Warlock is a lot of fun to play.

World of Warcraft

Don't hate Raza because she's beautiful......
Because she's not......

04/07/08 07:11

binarydumb

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Joined: 09/12/2005
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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

Welcome to the WoW side, EG!

I'm glad your trying/playing WoW. It is quite different, isn't it?

Since most people have already provided adequate information regarding threat and aggro, all I wish to add is that it does take a while to understand it. It is much, much easier to understand once you've hit max-level, do a lot of instances/raids, or quest with a group. You'll see how important that mechanic is within the game.

Unlike GW, WoW's mechanics tend to be very dynamic and ever changing. If you're caught flat-footed or camp-casting, you'll learn the "hard-way". :D

Hehe, warlock, eh? Who would've guessed. :-D Like me, a priest, LOL. I hope you enjoy it as I do.

***THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED***

04/07/08 13:25

Evil Geek

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Joined: 10/18/2005
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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

Thanks for all your answers, I've been duoing with my mage friend (she btw) since we both started new toons at the same time.

WoW is a completely different game to GW and it really isnt the kind of game that can be judged until you get past lvl 20, up until then if your coming from something like GW it does feel little more than a grind fest. Passing level 20 seems to be where the fun kicks in, the instances I've done so far (SFK and Wailing Caverns) have been a real hoot and now ive reached the early 30's the quests have got alot more interesting too. I still cant get my head around how long it takes you to get everywhere and how much travelling is involved but the longer flight paths give me a good chance to grab more coffee :)

Yes no surprise I went Warlock considering how much love my beloved necro in GW gets :) It's a very common class in WoW, it seems every other character I come across is a warlock which almost makes me wish I went Priest BUT i'm enjoying the class despite how he looks.....makes me shudder when I look at his appalling looking armor.

• Guild Wars: Mutants [MU] • Age of Conan: Ampian Forerunners •

04/08/08 04:55

Thundarpants

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Joined: 12/18/2004
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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

The armor will get cooler in the end game. Don't sweat the crappy looking armor now. You'll out level it so fast that you won't have it for long.

Every 10 levels the game takes a jump in complexity and cool content. And every 10 levels for you there is a new pet to play with and learn how to use.

Consider one good luck part for you. They really increased exp gain, and how much it takes per level so you should plow to 60 a lot faster than in the old days. The grind was greatly reduced.

Once you hit 40, you can work towards your first mount. That makes travel a lot easier.

Then at 60, you can work on your first epic riding mount.

Stay out of the AH unless you are selling product, and save your gold.

World of Warcraft

Don't hate Raza because she's beautiful......
Because she's not......

04/08/08 08:42

Xaviak

GameAmp Staff
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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

Welcome to the WoW Forums, EG.

AmpWoW<-- Check it out if you need to find something. ^^
WoW@GA is looking for new staffers! More info HERE!

04/09/08 09:22

A R A K I

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Joined: 05/22/2006
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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

Hey geek nice to hear from you again! What server are you playing on? Might make a new toon and catch you up. That said ounds like you have a horde toon so i guess some new starter zones for me to explore. :P

04/09/08 10:35

Evil Geek

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Joined: 10/18/2005
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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

I'm on Bloodhoof (EU) and my character is called - Bjoramarsh - cookie to the first person who guesses where the name comes from :) He's just hit 35 although I'm starting to get a little bored of the skill setup in WoW, seems all I do is button mash the same few things - send in the voidwalker, cast immolate add some curses and wand 'em to death.... I guess that reaching near max level and getting in on the larger raids/instances is when things get really interesting? seems along way to go....

The quests have been fun since I hit 30, loved doing the quest chains in Thousand Needles, the height dynamic added alot to the enjoyment.

Thnx again for all the help :)

• Guild Wars: Mutants [MU] • Age of Conan: Ampian Forerunners •

04/11/08 04:56

Thundarpants

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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

I personally find the 5 man instances a lot of fun, but with the leveling changes they made from 1-60 a lot of folks just skip them altogether until they hit 60 and grind through Azeroth to get to Outlands. Normaly in the past you would be running more of the lower leveled instances for big quest turn for experience and gear that came out of them because you would use that gear for a longer period of time.

You just don't have a lot of people at your current level doing that righ now.

Lucky for you Warlock is your preference. It's really easy to solo those up to the higher levels.

Some days you are just a Shadow Bolt cannon or DoT generator with just a few buttons to punch, but when you get to higher levels you'll be activating trinkets and hitting soulshatter to drop your aggro, working multiple targets, fear kiting and lord help you, managing crowd control with your Succubuss.

Until you grind up into a few more levels, boring ass Void tanking is going to be a lot of what you do. Trust me on this one. Warlock gets very fun in the higher levels.

World of Warcraft

Don't hate Raza because she's beautiful......
Because she's not......

04/11/08 09:09

meumesmo

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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

Everything that TP said, plus the possibility of getting one shotted by basically any mob in an instance will add lots of fun when you reach outlands =P

04/11/08 09:26

Thundarpants

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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

QUOTE

Everything that TP said, plus the possibility of getting one shotted by basically any mob in an instance will add lots of fun when you reach outlands =P

LMAO! Yeah, part of being a good DPS generator is know how NOT to pull aggro off the Tank. Aggro management a skill set all it's own. At some point you will want to start downloading a few mods like either KLH Threat Meter, or Omen once they fix it for 2.4 so you know where you are in relation to the tougher character classes.

As a hard core Destruction Lock, I know all about pulling unwanted aggro. But heck, cloth is cheap to repair! Try wearing plate and paying those repair bills! *OUCH*

You'll find that the better you get at dishing out the DPS, the better the Tank has to be to hold it. I've even been known to "sandbag" my DPS from time to time when pugging groups when the tank keeps losing aggro.

There had better be at least a couple sunders down before I pull a 7K crit!

World of Warcraft

Don't hate Raza because she's beautiful......
Because she's not......

04/11/08 09:59

Evil Geek

Posts: 15
Joined: 10/18/2005
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RE: Monster AI and aggro order

QUOTE

Some days you are just a Shadow Bolt cannon or DoT generator with just a few buttons to punch, but when you get to higher levels you'll be activating trinkets and hitting soulshatter to drop your aggro, working multiple targets, fear kiting and lord help you, managing crowd control with your Succubuss.

lol now all of that sounds much more interesting! Ive got 3 months paid for as it stands, by that time I should be toward endgame content and been able to see how the game really works.

TBH I'm just killing time with WoW until GW2 and maybe Aion hits the shelves, whether it becomes more than a game to fill a gap remains to be seen. Thanks for filling me on what kind of roles a Lock is expected to play at higher levels, I am definately intrigued :)

• Guild Wars: Mutants [MU] • Age of Conan: Ampian Forerunners •

04/11/08 11:14

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