P99 Pet Guide: An Ultimate Resource
Welcome to the ultimate P99 Pet Guide‚ your go-to resource for mastering pet management in classic EverQuest! Understanding pets significantly enhances gameplay on Project 1999.
Pet management on P99 is a complex yet rewarding aspect of gameplay‚ crucial for classes like Mages‚ Necromancers‚ and Beastlords. Unlike many modern MMOs‚ P99’s pet system demands active engagement beyond simply summoning a companion. Players must understand equipment choices‚ stat optimization‚ and command utilization to maximize their pet’s effectiveness.
Pets ignore class‚ race‚ and level restrictions (except for procs and lore tags)‚ offering flexibility in gearing. However‚ mastering the nuances – like how weapon damage impacts maximum pet damage – is essential. Effective pet use isn’t just about hitting /pet attack; it requires strategic hotkey setups and a deep understanding of pet behavior. This guide aims to provide that comprehensive knowledge.
Why Pets Matter on P99
Pets are exceptionally valuable on P99‚ often acting as a primary source of damage‚ tanking‚ or support‚ depending on the class and pet type. They significantly enhance solo capabilities‚ allowing players to tackle content otherwise inaccessible. For Mages and Necromancers‚ pets are integral to their core gameplay loop‚ functioning as their main damage dealers.
Even for Beastlords‚ whose class revolves around companions‚ optimizing pet performance is paramount. Pets can also mitigate risk by drawing aggro‚ protecting the player. Understanding pet mechanics isn’t merely advantageous; it’s often necessary to progress efficiently. Mastering pet commands and equipment choices unlocks a substantial power boost.
Pet Classes on P99
Three classes excel with pets: Mage‚ Necromancer‚ and Beastlord. Each offers unique pet mechanics and playstyles‚ demanding specific strategies for optimal performance and synergy.
Mage Pets: A Comprehensive Overview
Mage pets on P99 are primarily elemental creatures – typically fire‚ water‚ or air pets – summoned through spells. These pets are crucial for soloing and providing a damage buffer. Remember‚ pets ignore class‚ race‚ and level (except for procs and lore tags) when equipping gear.
Effective mage pet play extends beyond simply casting /pet attack. Optimizing your pet’s damage requires careful weapon selection‚ understanding how the pet’s maximum damage scales with weapon damage‚ and recognizing that pet attack delay remains unchanged by equipment.
Post-Kunark fire pet reforms are important to note; the P99 guide may contain outdated information regarding fire pet mechanics. Mastering hotkeys beyond /pet attack is essential for efficient control and maximizing your mage’s potential.
Necromancer Pets: Mastering the Undead
Necromancer pets on P99 revolve around raising and commanding undead minions – skeletons‚ zombies‚ and ghouls. These pets are vital for tanking‚ damage dealing‚ and providing a strategic advantage in various zones. Like all pets‚ they are not restricted by class or level limitations when it comes to equipment‚ allowing for powerful combinations.
Effective Necromancer pet management involves understanding how to maximize their survivability and damage output. Weapon choices are critical‚ as pet max damage becomes the greater of its inherent max or (weapon damage rating)2.
Pairing with a Mage in duo scenarios‚ as demonstrated in Cazic-Thule content‚ showcases the synergy of pet classes on P99. Mastering pet commands and utilizing macros are key to efficient control.
Beastlord Pets: The Power of Companions
Beastlords on P99 excel with their diverse range of animal companions‚ offering unique tactical advantages. Unlike other pet classes‚ Beastlord pets are intrinsically linked to the player’s progression and abilities‚ demanding careful consideration during leveling. Experimentation is key to discovering which pet provides the best benefit for specific zones and encounters.
Similar to other classes‚ Beastlord pets benefit greatly from optimized equipment. Remember that pet max damage becomes the greater of its inherent max or (weapon damage rating)2‚ influencing damage output significantly.
Efficiently leveling pets alongside the Beastlord is crucial‚ often involving dedicated training sessions in appropriate zones‚ as seen in Steamfont and Befallen.
Acquiring Pets
Early pets (levels 1-4) are readily available‚ while mid-level (5-10) and high-level (11+) options require more effort‚ often from zones like High Hold.
Early Level Pets (Levels 1-4)
Securing your first pet on P99 is a crucial step for any pet class – Mage‚ Necromancer‚ or Beastlord. Dark Elves offer convenient access to level 1 and 2 pets‚ providing an immediate companion for early adventures. Level 3 and 4 pets‚ however‚ demand a journey to High Hold‚ a notoriously Kill-on-Sight (KoS) zone.
This early acquisition phase focuses on establishing a basic combatant and familiarizing yourself with pet commands. Don’t underestimate the value of even a low-level pet; it can significantly ease soloing and provide valuable experience. Remember that equipping your pet with even a basic weapon can dramatically improve its effectiveness‚ boosting its damage output. Prioritize obtaining a pet as soon as possible to begin maximizing your P99 experience.
Mid-Level Pets (Levels 5-10)
As your character progresses from levels 5 to 10‚ upgrading your pet becomes paramount. Continuing the journey to High Hold remains a viable‚ though dangerous‚ option for acquiring higher-level pets. Focus on efficiently leveling your existing pet through consistent combat and strategic zone selection. Steamfont and Befallen are excellent choices for this stage‚ offering a good balance of manageable mobs and experience gains.
Equipping your pet with a stronger weapon during this phase is critical. Remember that a pet’s maximum damage is determined by the greater value between its inherent maximum and twice the weapon’s damage rating. Experiment with different weapon choices to optimize your pet’s damage output and prepare for more challenging content.
High-Level Pets (Levels 11+)
Reaching level 11 and beyond with your pet unlocks significant potential. At this stage‚ maximizing your pet’s effectiveness requires a deeper understanding of its capabilities and limitations. Continue seeking out challenging content to accelerate leveling‚ but prioritize survivability. Consider zones with appropriate mob levels to avoid frequent pet deaths‚ hindering progress.
Focus on optimizing your pet’s equipment‚ understanding that weapons won’t alter its attack delay. However‚ carefully selected weapons can dramatically increase maximum damage. Explore advanced pet commands and macros to streamline combat and enhance control. Remember pets ignore class‚ race‚ and level restrictions when equipping certain items!
Animation Pets: Obtaining and Utilizing
Acquiring animation pets represents a significant step in pet mastery on P99. Lower-level animation pets (levels 1 & 2) are readily available from Dark Elf vendors. However‚ obtaining higher-level versions requires venturing into High Hold‚ a notoriously Kill-on-Sight (KoS) zone. Prepare accordingly with strong gear and potentially a group.
These pets offer unique visual customization and can be incredibly powerful when properly equipped and leveled. Remember that pet damage scales with level and equipment‚ so continuous investment is crucial. Utilize animation pets strategically‚ considering their strengths and weaknesses in different combat scenarios. They are a rewarding‚ albeit challenging‚ pursuit!
Pet Equipment and Stats
Pet equipment is vital; a pet’s maximum damage is the greater of its inherent max or (weapon damage rating) squared‚ impacting overall effectiveness.
Weapon Choices for Pets
Selecting the right weaponry for your P99 pet is crucial for maximizing its combat potential. Remember‚ pets aren’t restricted by class‚ race‚ or level (excluding procs and lore tags)‚ allowing them to wield powerful items. However‚ a pet’s attack delay remains unchanged by weapon choice; the delay determines which weapon is actively used.
Focus on weapons that significantly boost the pet’s maximum damage. The pet’s final max damage will be the higher value between its inherent maximum and the weapon’s damage rating squared. Prioritize weapons with high damage ratings to capitalize on this mechanic. Experimentation is key‚ as different weapons will yield varying results depending on the pet class and intended role. Don’t overlook the potential for procs‚ ensuring your pet meets the level requirement to utilize them effectively.
Maximizing Pet Damage
To truly optimize your pet’s damage output on P99‚ several factors must be considered beyond simply equipping a powerful weapon. As established‚ the pet’s maximum damage is determined by the greater value between its inherent maximum and the weapon damage rating squared. Therefore‚ prioritizing weapons with high damage ratings is paramount;
However‚ remember that attack delay isn’t affected by weaponry. Focus on procs; ensure your pet is a sufficient level to trigger them‚ as these can significantly augment damage. Efficient pet leveling is also vital‚ as higher-level pets naturally possess increased stats. Regularly assess your pet’s performance and adjust equipment accordingly to consistently maximize its damage-dealing capabilities in various zones.
Understanding Pet Attack Delay
Pet attack delay on P99 is a crucial‚ yet often misunderstood‚ statistic. Unlike player characters‚ a pet’s attack delay remains unchanged by equipped weapons. This means that weapon choice doesn’t directly influence how quickly your pet attacks. Instead‚ the delay is solely used to determine which weapon‚ if wielding two‚ is actually utilized during combat.
Essentially‚ the game compares the delay of each weapon and selects the faster one. Understanding this is key to optimizing your pet’s gear. While you can’t reduce the delay‚ selecting weapons with complementary delays ensures the most effective weapon is consistently employed‚ indirectly impacting damage output and overall combat efficiency.
Pet Proc Utilization
Pet proc utilization on P99 is a powerful‚ yet level-dependent‚ mechanic. Pets will utilize weapon procs‚ but only if they meet the required level threshold for the proc to activate. This means a lower-level pet equipped with a high-level weapon might not benefit from its proc‚ rendering that potential damage boost unusable.
Furthermore‚ remember that pets ignore class‚ race‚ and level restrictions (excluding procs and lore tags) when equipping weapons. This allows them to wield powerful items even if a player of that class couldn’t. Carefully consider your pet’s level when selecting gear‚ prioritizing procs that are within its reach to maximize its combat effectiveness and overall contribution.
Pet Commands and Control
Mastering pet commands is crucial beyond /pet attack. Utilize /pet follow for movement‚ and explore advanced commands and macros for efficient control in P99.
Basic Pet Commands (/pet attack‚ /pet follow)
Essential for any P99 pet owner‚ the foundational commands are surprisingly versatile. /pet attack initiates combat‚ directing your loyal companion to engage the targeted enemy. This is often paired with hotkeys for rapid response during intense encounters. However‚ simply issuing the attack command isn’t always enough; understanding target prioritization is key.
Conversely‚ /pet follow ensures your pet remains close by your side during exploration and travel. This prevents unwanted aggro and keeps your pet ready for immediate action. Remember‚ pets will generally maintain a reasonable distance‚ but can sometimes get stuck or wander off‚ requiring re-issuing the follow command. Mastering these two commands provides a solid base for more advanced pet control strategies on P99.
Advanced Pet Commands and Macros
Beyond the basics‚ P99 offers advanced pet control through commands and‚ crucially‚ macros. /pet dismiss recalls your pet‚ freeing up resources and allowing for re-summoning with potentially different buffs or equipment. /pet root keeps the pet in place‚ useful for specific tanking or kiting scenarios. However‚ the real power lies in macro creation.
Macros allow you to combine commands for complex actions. For example‚ a macro could simultaneously attack a target‚ cast a beneficial spell on your pet‚ and send a follow-up command. This streamlines combat and maximizes efficiency. Experimenting with macro combinations tailored to your class and pet type is vital for optimizing performance on P99‚ moving beyond simple /pet attack routines.
Pet Strategies and Tactics
Effective pet use demands strategic thinking. Utilize pet tanking with aggro control‚ optimize DPS through proper equipment‚ and explore support roles like buffing and healing.
Pet Tanking: Utilizing Pet Aggro
Mastering pet tanking is crucial for survivability‚ especially when soloing or tackling challenging content on P99. Your pet’s ability to hold enemy attention allows you to safely cast spells or deliver damage. Understanding how aggro works is paramount; pets generate threat through damage dealt and spells cast.
Prioritize pet equipment that boosts health and damage mitigation. While pets don’t benefit from attack delay changes from weapons‚ maximizing their damage output increases threat generation. Regularly monitor your pet’s health and be prepared to heal it‚ especially during prolonged engagements. Utilize commands like /pet attack to ensure your pet remains focused on the target. Remember‚ a well-equipped and strategically commanded pet can significantly reduce the burden on your character‚ turning difficult encounters into manageable challenges.
Pet DPS: Optimizing Damage Output
Maximizing your pet’s damage per second (DPS) is vital for efficient clearing and faster kills on P99. Remember‚ a pet’s maximum damage is capped by the greater value between its inherent maximum and (weapon damage rating)2. Therefore‚ selecting the right weapon is key. Focus on weapons with high damage ratings to push your pet’s damage potential.
While attack delay doesn’t affect the pet’s swing speed‚ it determines which weapon is actually wielded. Ensure your pet is a sufficient level to utilize weapon procs‚ as these can significantly boost DPS. Regularly assess your pet’s performance and experiment with different weapon combinations to find the optimal setup for various zones and encounters. A high-DPS pet dramatically accelerates your leveling and farming speed.
Pet Support: Buffing and Healing
While pets primarily function as damage dealers or tanks‚ understanding their limitations regarding self-preservation is crucial. Pets do not benefit directly from player-cast buffs like Fortitude or Resistances. However‚ maximizing their survivability relies on your strategic support. Focus on mitigating incoming damage through careful positioning and threat management.
Although pets lack inherent healing capabilities‚ a well-timed root or snare on a dangerous enemy can prevent significant damage. Prioritize keeping your pet alive by controlling the battlefield. Remember‚ a dead pet contributes zero DPS. Effective pet management isn’t just about offensive power; it’s about ensuring your companion remains a consistent force in combat‚ requiring your proactive support.
Specific Pet Considerations
Certain pets exhibit unique mechanics‚ like fire pets‚ requiring specialized knowledge. Choosing the right pet for specific zones and efficient leveling are key to success.
Fire Pet Mechanics on P99
Fire pets on P99 present unique considerations‚ particularly regarding post-Kunark updates. The guide acknowledges a past inaccuracy concerning fire pet reforms implemented with the Seeds of Storms expansion. Understanding these changes is crucial for optimal performance.
Historically‚ fire pets received significant buffs‚ enhancing their damage output and overall effectiveness. However‚ the P99 implementation requires awareness of these specific adjustments. Players must adapt their strategies to leverage the current fire pet capabilities.
Furthermore‚ remember that pets ignore class‚ race‚ and level restrictions (except for procs and lore tags) when equipping weapons. This allows fire pets to benefit from powerful weaponry‚ maximizing their potential. Mastering fire pet mechanics is vital for any P99 player seeking a competitive edge.
Choosing the Right Pet for Different Zones
Strategic pet selection is paramount for success on P99‚ varying significantly based on the zone. High Hold‚ for example‚ is notoriously Kill-on-Sight (KoS) to Dark Elves‚ impacting pet acquisition options. Early-level pets are readily available from Dark Elf vendors‚ offering a convenient starting point.
However‚ progressing to mid and high-level zones demands careful consideration. Zones like Cazic-Thule often benefit from specific pet types‚ as demonstrated in duo strategies involving Mages and Necromancers. Experimentation is key to discovering which pet provides the greatest benefit in each environment.
Remember to assess zone-specific challenges‚ such as mob types and resistances‚ when making your pet choice. A versatile approach‚ coupled with understanding pet strengths‚ will maximize your effectiveness.
Leveling Pets Efficiently
Efficient pet leveling on P99 requires a strategic approach‚ moving beyond simply sending your pet to “attack.” Early stages‚ levels 4-8‚ can be expedited in zones like Steamfont and Befallen. Equipping your pet with a strong weapon dramatically accelerates the process‚ as observed by players transitioning from level 5 to 8 quickly.
Focus on consistent engagement in areas with appropriate mob density; Remember that pet damage scales with level and equipment‚ so prioritize upgrades. While experimentation reveals optimal strategies‚ a proactive approach to finding suitable leveling grounds is crucial.
Consider the pet’s inherent capabilities and adapt your leveling strategy accordingly‚ maximizing experience gain and minimizing downtime.
Troubleshooting Common Pet Issues
Addressing pet problems is vital for smooth gameplay. Common issues include pathing errors‚ spell resistance‚ and losing aggro – requiring player intervention and strategic adjustments.
Pet Pathing Problems
Pet pathing can be frustrating on P99‚ often leading to pets getting stuck on terrain or failing to follow commands effectively. This is a common issue stemming from the classic EverQuest engine’s limitations. Players often report pets struggling in complex zones or around obstacles.
Several factors contribute to these problems. Uneven ground‚ tightly packed objects‚ and complex zone geometry can all hinder a pet’s ability to navigate. Sometimes‚ simply repositioning the player or issuing repeated follow commands can resolve the issue. Utilizing the /pet roam command can also encourage the pet to find a better path.
However‚ persistent pathing issues may require zone changes or acceptance that certain areas are difficult for pets to traverse. Understanding these limitations is key to effective pet management.
Pet Resisting Spells
Pet spell resistance is a frequent concern for P99 players‚ particularly when relying on pets for damage or tanking. Pets‚ like players‚ can resist incoming spells‚ reducing their effectiveness in combat. This resistance is based on the pet’s stats and the spell’s effect. Understanding these mechanics is crucial for maximizing pet utility.
Certain classes and spells are more prone to being resisted by pets. Fire-based spells‚ for example‚ may encounter higher resistance rates depending on the pet type. Players can mitigate this by utilizing debuffs that lower enemy magic resistance‚ increasing the likelihood of spell hits.
Additionally‚ ensuring the pet is appropriately leveled and geared can improve its overall stats‚ indirectly reducing resistance chances. Careful observation and adaptation are key to overcoming this challenge.
Pet Losing Aggro
Maintaining pet aggro is vital for effective tanking and control‚ especially in challenging P99 content. A pet losing aggro can quickly lead to player vulnerability and potential wipes. Several factors contribute to this issue‚ including damage output from other party members and the mob’s inherent threat table.
To prevent aggro loss‚ players should carefully manage their own damage and utilize commands like /pet attack to reinforce the pet’s focus on the target. Strategic use of slows and stuns on the mob can also reduce its ability to switch targets.
Understanding mob behavior and adjusting tactics accordingly is crucial. Some mobs have a higher tendency to break aggro‚ requiring more diligent pet management.