My new character (a.k.a. taming a white bear)

[John Salerno]

Why did I start a new character? I don't know, it's a compulsion really.
I'm going to see a psychiatrist this weekend. But until then I have a
new dwarf hunter to play with. :)

Anyway, I'm trying to decide on a pet. I like cats (had an NE hunter
with a nightstalker), so I'm thinking snow leopard. I checked out
petopia and I see that wolves are the more "well-balanced" type (no
negative bonus to HP, armor, or DPS), but they just look weird to me.

I also can't get out of my head how cool it would be to have a white
bear. So I check petopia again and see that I only have two choices! A
rare spawn, and apparently a quest bear, though not rare.

This makes having one probably a lot more of an accomplishment, but how
hard is it to get either of these? Anyone have experience with a white bear?

Thanks.

[Christian Stauffer]

Post by John Salerno
This makes having one probably a lot more of an accomplishment, but how
hard is it to get either of these? Anyone have experience with a white bear?

I got bjarn (the rare spawn) at level 11 or 12 (at its own level) and kept
him until level 60. Although he's a rare spawn he's almost always there,
since he's at a place where you don't normally go (since there isn't much).
The other white bear is a simple named quest mob and will be there almost
always. If I remember correctly he's at the northern pass to Loch Modan..

Chris

[John Salerno]

Post by Christian Stauffer
I got bjarn (the rare spawn) at level 11 or 12 (at its own level) and kept
him until level 60. Although he's a rare spawn he's almost always there,
since he's at a place where you don't normally go (since there isn't much).
The other white bear is a simple named quest mob and will be there almost
always. If I remember correctly he's at the northern pass to Loch Modan..

Awesome. And I assume there's no difference between the two bears,
stat-wise or anything else?

[drowland]

The one he's talking about is mangeclaw I think. He only spawns when you do
the quest by examining the dwarf corpse in the pass there. To examine the
corpse you first need to have accepted the quest from the other dwarf who is
in the same pass area.

Post by John Salerno

Post by Christian Stauffer
I got bjarn (the rare spawn) at level 11 or 12 (at its own level) and kept
him until level 60. Although he's a rare spawn he's almost always there,
since he's at a place where you don't normally go (since there isn't much).
The other white bear is a simple named quest mob and will be there almost
always. If I remember correctly he's at the northern pass to Loch Modan..

Awesome. And I assume there's no difference between the two bears,
stat-wise or anything else?

[John Salerno]

Post by drowland
The one he's talking about is mangeclaw I think. He only spawns when you do
the quest by examining the dwarf corpse in the pass there. To examine the
corpse you first need to have accepted the quest from the other dwarf who is
in the same pass area.

From what I've read, Mangeclaw has a nasty knockdown attack that makes
taming him difficult. I think I'm going to go with Bjarn, since it will
be easier but I think it would be cooler to tame a rare anyway. Plus I
like his name better, so I'm going to keep it at that. :)

[John Salerno]

Post by John Salerno

Post by drowland
The one he's talking about is mangeclaw I think. He only spawns when
you do the quest by examining the dwarf corpse in the pass there. To
examine the corpse you first need to have accepted the quest from the
other dwarf who is in the same pass area.

From what I've read, Mangeclaw has a nasty knockdown attack that makes
taming him difficult. I think I'm going to go with Bjarn, since it will
be easier but I think it would be cooler to tame a rare anyway. Plus I
like his name better, so I'm going to keep it at that. :)

Hmmm, read some more. Seems that Mangeclaw is difficult because of the
above, but Bjarn is a lot harder to find because his respawn is about 4
hours. Oh well, as long as they *look* identical (i.e. white!), that's
what matters. I think they are exactly the same color, right?

[Christian Stauffer]

Hmmm, read some more. Seems that Mangeclaw is difficult because of the above,
but Bjarn is a lot harder to find because his respawn is about 4 hours.

That's pretty much what defines a rare spawn.

Oh well, as long as they *look* identical (i.e. white!), that's what matters.
I think they are exactly the same color, right?

Petopia: http://petopia.brashendeavors.net/
All pets by looks: http://petopia.brashendeavors.net/html/showall_all.shtml
White bears:
http://petopia.brashendeavors.net/html/skins/skin_bearskinwhite.shtml

-> Yes, they're the same.

Chris

[John Salerno]

Post by Christian Stauffer

Post by John Salerno
Hmmm, read some more. Seems that Mangeclaw is difficult because of the
above, but Bjarn is a lot harder to find because his respawn is about
4 hours.

That's pretty much what defines a rare spawn.

Post by John Salerno
Oh well, as long as they *look* identical (i.e. white!), that's what
matters. I think they are exactly the same color, right?

Petopia: http://petopia.brashendeavors.net/
All pets by looks: http://petopia.brashendeavors.net/html/showall_all.shtml
http://petopia.brashendeavors.net/html/skins/skin_bearskinwhite.shtml
-> Yes, they're the same.
Chris

That's what I assumed, but I read on thottbott something like "Bjarn has
a darker streak on his back" or something. Probably just nonsense though.

[John Salerno]

Post by Christian Stauffer

Post by John Salerno
Hmmm, read some more. Seems that Mangeclaw is difficult because of the
above, but Bjarn is a lot harder to find because his respawn is about
4 hours.

That's pretty much what defines a rare spawn.

But you said he's almost always there? I guess I can hope to just get
lucky and no one else will be after him. Of course, I can't even try to
tame him for two more levels, so even until 11 I need to get a different
pet for now.

[Christian Stauffer]

Post by John Salerno

Post by Christian Stauffer

Post by John Salerno
Hmmm, read some more. Seems that Mangeclaw is difficult because of the
above, but Bjarn is a lot harder to find because his respawn is about
4 hours.

That's pretty much what defines a rare spawn.

But you said he's almost always there? I guess I can hope to just get
lucky and no one else will be after him. Of course, I can't even try to
tame him for two more levels, so even until 11 I need to get a different
pet for now.

I said "since he's at a place where you don't normally go". If he's dead,
he's dead for a while. It's just that he isn't dead often. I farmed that
area (and loch modan) for a while before TBC for low level ore and he's
been there almost every time I rode by (he's near the mountain borders of
the zone).

Chris

[Darin Johnson]

Post by John Salerno
Hmmm, read some more. Seems that Mangeclaw is difficult because of the
above,

On the other hand, Mangeclaw is almost always there.
I'm not sure that starting the quest is necessary.
Just put a couple of freezing traps in a row and
give it a try. It's also a great quest for some
good early equipment for a lot of classes.

I went after the Ghostcat, which is level 20. It's
a bit of a grind to get though, but it certainly looks
nice. The bear will be better at tanking though,
whereas a cat/wolf will cause more damage. But bears
probably fit better with a dwarf.

Boars are also an interesting choice, because of their
charge attack.

--
Darin Johnson

[d***@gmail.com]

Post by Darin Johnson

Post by John Salerno
Hmmm, read some more. Seems that Mangeclaw is difficult because of the
above,

On the other hand, Mangeclaw is almost always there.
I'm not sure that starting the quest is necessary.
Just put a couple of freezing traps in a row and
give it a try. It's also a great quest for some
good early equipment for a lot of classes.

I've never had a problem getting Mangeclaw, even at the minimum
level. I think he only 'broke' me once.

Well... and the time that that damned Gnome Mage Miffy nailed my Night
Elf Huntress just as I was about to finish the taming. *still angry!*

[drowland]

Post by Darin Johnson
Boars are also an interesting choice, because of their
charge attack.

My L57 troll hunter has a pig (boar) pet he tamed back at L10 in durotar.
I've never looked back, they make an absolutely amazing pet. Even MORE
better now with the new 'gore' ability added! They are a little lower
hp/armor than a bear, but do quite a bit more damage. And the charge
attack...when you tell your pet to attack you can start your attack right
away, no need to wait...the pet will insta-charge the mob, stunning them
into place, and get a growl in before the charge stun wears off.

Being nearly full BM spec (46/2/0 at L57, headed to 46/5/0 by 60), my pig
pet can tank like crazy, he'll easily handle 3-4 melee mobs of same level.
Casters...well there's a problem but that's just because I haven't bothered
to train him in any resist abilities other than 60% shadow (to avoid some
fears - most of which are shadow-based). 61% physical damage reduction,
nearly 4k hp @L57, the pig is amazing.

[AlphaWoolf]

On Tue, 20 Mar 2007 22:10:23 GMT, "drowland"

Post by drowland

Post by Darin Johnson
Boars are also an interesting choice, because of their
charge attack.

My L57 troll hunter has a pig (boar) pet he tamed back at L10 in durotar.
I've never looked back, they make an absolutely amazing pet. Even MORE
better now with the new 'gore' ability added! They are a little lower
hp/armor than a bear, but do quite a bit more damage. And the charge
attack...when you tell your pet to attack you can start your attack right
away, no need to wait...the pet will insta-charge the mob, stunning them
into place, and get a growl in before the charge stun wears off.
Being nearly full BM spec (46/2/0 at L57, headed to 46/5/0 by 60), my pig
pet can tank like crazy, he'll easily handle 3-4 melee mobs of same level.
Casters...well there's a problem but that's just because I haven't bothered
to train him in any resist abilities other than 60% shadow (to avoid some
fears - most of which are shadow-based). 61% physical damage reduction,

I'll second that! My porcine wonder Trogbor is also a Durotar alumni
and has been snorting things up since the tender level of 11.

<orc voice>
For the boars!
</orc voice>


Gnuthulhu, Undead Warlock
Fthagn, Undead Warrior
Rhyleya, Troll Hunter
Wydefoote, Tauren Shaman
Thunderhorn,US
Remove your coat for email.

[neithskye]

Post by AlphaWoolf
I'll second that! My porcine wonder Trogbor is also a Durotar alumni
and has been snorting things up since the tender level of 11.

I'll third that. :-) My Troll Hunter also still has the Elder Mottled
Boar she tamed in Durotar when he was lvl 9.

As my Hunter levels and goes to new areas I'm sure she'll see fancy
tameable creatures with fancy colours. I don't care. There is not a
thing in the world that would get me to leave Snouticus, Best Friend
and Boar Extraordinaire!

--
Jill

[Barry Freeman]

On 21 Mar 2007 13:15:54 -0700, "neithskye"

Post by neithskye
I'll third that. :-) My Troll Hunter also still has the Elder Mottled
Boar she tamed in Durotar when he was lvl 9.
As my Hunter levels and goes to new areas I'm sure she'll see fancy
tameable creatures with fancy colours. I don't care. There is not a
thing in the world that would get me to leave Snouticus, Best Friend
and Boar Extraordinaire!

Fourthed.

65 Hunter and I still have The Rake I tamed at 11. Love that cat.
I do stable Mungojerrie occasionally, but just to tame something with
a skill upgrade for him.
--
Bazz
Moonglade
Zunafrex - 64 Troll Hunter
Malsis - 64 Orc Warlock
Zasufex - 58 Troll Mage
Malshakh - 56 Orc Warrior
Verdant - 39 Troll Shaman
Dhusidhe - 47 Blood Elf Rogue
Kaitleen - 27 Blood Elf Hunter

[steve.kaye]

Post by John Salerno
Why did I start a new character? I don't know, it's a compulsion really.
I'm going to see a psychiatrist this weekend. But until then I have a
new dwarf hunter to play with. :)
Anyway, I'm trying to decide on a pet. I like cats (had an NE hunter
with a nightstalker), so I'm thinking snow leopard. I checked out
petopia and I see that wolves are the more "well-balanced" type (no
negative bonus to HP, armor, or DPS), but they just look weird to me.
I also can't get out of my head how cool it would be to have a white
bear. So I check petopia again and see that I only have two choices! A
rare spawn, and apparently a quest bear, though not rare.

Um.... there are hundreds of white bears in the areas around
Ironforge. In fact, a white bear is one of the trial animals you need
to tame as part of your level 10 hunter quests.

steve.kaye

[Matt]

Post by steve.kaye
Um.... there are hundreds of white bears in the areas around
Ironforge. In fact, a white bear is one of the trial animals you need
to tame as part of your level 10 hunter quests.

These are light gray, not white. Apart from ones John mentioned, white
bears are level 50+.

--
Regards
Matt

[RogerM]

Post by John Salerno
Why did I start a new character?

Because it's fun. Less with a warlock or hunter, though, since it takes
a while to get a decent pet..

[John Salerno]

Post by RogerM

Post by John Salerno
Why did I start a new character?

Because it's fun. Less with a warlock or hunter, though, since it takes
a while to get a decent pet..

Agree 100%. I really love starting new characters, but I noticed that
getting to level 10 with this hunter was really a bit of a chore, I
guess because I don't feel like a true hunter yet without a pet.

Weird thing is, my NE hunter got to 10 a lot faster it seems (and it
seemed a little more fun, too). I think one reason is that I'm having a
bit of trouble finding quests for level 8-10 in Dun Morogh. But now that
I'm 10 I think I can head to Loch Modan.

[Darin Johnson]

Post by John Salerno
I think one reason is that I'm having a
bit of trouble finding quests for level 8-10 in Dun Morogh. But now that
I'm 10 I think I can head to Loch Modan.

There are also quests along the way to Loch Modan.
The mines with the troggs is pretty easy to do,
and there's a level 12 elite that the Amberstill
Ranch wants to kill (good rewards for low levels).
Then all those stupid trolls (I could never solo
them with paladin/warrior).

I think I was usually level 11/12 before leaving
the area with almost all quests finished.

--
Darin Johnson

[John Salerno]

Post by Darin Johnson
and there's a level 12 elite that the Amberstill
Ranch wants to kill (good rewards for low levels).

Where is this? I stopped at the ranch but didn't see anything. Perhaps I
wasn't high enough yet.

[Matt]

Post by John Salerno

Post by Darin Johnson
and there's a level 12 elite that the Amberstill
Ranch wants to kill (good rewards for low levels).

Where is this? I stopped at the ranch but didn't see anything. Perhaps I
wasn't high enough yet.

I think it's this one:

http://www.wowhead.com/?quest=314

--
Regards
Matt

[John Salerno]

Post by Matt

Post by John Salerno

Post by Darin Johnson
and there's a level 12 elite that the Amberstill
Ranch wants to kill (good rewards for low levels).

Where is this? I stopped at the ranch but didn't see anything. Perhaps I
wasn't high enough yet.

http://www.wowhead.com/?quest=314
--
Regards
Matt

Thanks. Requires level 6, and I know I was definitely around 8-9 when I
went there. Oh well. I might try back later.

[Darin Johnson]

Post by John Salerno
Thanks. Requires level 6, and I know I was definitely around 8-9 when I
went there. Oh well. I might try back later.

The quest giver is the woman standing at the doorway
to the building. With a pet you should be able to
solo it.

--
Darin Johnson

[drowland]

Post by RogerM

Post by John Salerno
Why did I start a new character?

Because it's fun. Less with a warlock or hunter, though, since it takes
a while to get a decent pet..

I'm probably the worst offender at starting new chars. Many of them never
make it past L12, but I think I've at one point or another started at least
50 characters in the life of the game. Only ever levelled 5 of them past L40
(40 priest, 45 pala, 57 hunter, 60 warrior, 69 rogue).

Awhile back I transferred my human rogue off my old pvp realm to join some
friends on a pve realm. Now for the sheer fun of it, I'm creating a blood
elf rogue with the same name on my old pvp realm, and going to go out
hunting for my old guildmates and friends there, once I'm high enough level
:) Can't wait to see the look on their faces when they get ambushed by a
blood elf rogue with the same name as my old human rogue :) Even if
they're much higher level when we meet, I'll still attack for the fun of it.
I learned to play on a pvp server by following the red = dead policy. I
attacked even against hopeless odds, just to try and better my pvp'ing
skills and maybe learn something in the death. I never attacked gray players
tho, just for the record, unless they were themselves being asshats to
alliance in the area or making a nuisance of themselves somehow.

[RogerM]

Post by drowland

Post by RogerM

Post by John Salerno
Why did I start a new character?

Because it's fun. Less with a warlock or hunter, though, since it takes
a while to get a decent pet..

I'm probably the worst offender at starting new chars. Many of them never
make it past L12, but I think I've at one point or another started at least
50 characters in the life of the game.

That's about my total.

Post by drowland
Only ever levelled 5 of them past L40
(40 priest, 45 pala, 57 hunter, 60 warrior, 69 rogue).

Only two over 36 for me: L43 Hunter, L68 Mage.

Post by drowland
Awhile back I transferred my human rogue off my old pvp realm to join some
friends on a pve realm. Now for the sheer fun of it, I'm creating a blood
elf rogue with the same name on my old pvp realm, and going to go out
hunting for my old guildmates and friends there, once I'm high enough level
:) Can't wait to see the look on their faces when they get ambushed by a
blood elf rogue with the same name as my old human rogue :)

EVIL! I love it.

[drowland]

Post by RogerM

Post by drowland
Awhile back I transferred my human rogue off my old pvp realm to join some
friends on a pve realm. Now for the sheer fun of it, I'm creating a blood
elf rogue with the same name on my old pvp realm, and going to go out
hunting for my old guildmates and friends there, once I'm high enough level
:) Can't wait to see the look on their faces when they get ambushed by a
blood elf rogue with the same name as my old human rogue :)

EVIL! I love it.

Yep, it'll be fun. But it's going to take me a couple months to reach
outland. I level glacially slow now that I have a newborn in the house and a
full-time job! :)

[d***@gmail.com]

Post by drowland

Post by RogerM

Post by John Salerno
Why did I start a new character?

Because it's fun. Less with a warlock or hunter, though, since it takes
a while to get a decent pet..

I'm probably the worst offender at starting new chars. Many of them never
make it past L12, but I think I've at one point or another started at least
50 characters in the life of the game. Only ever levelled 5 of them past L40
(40 priest, 45 pala, 57 hunter, 60 warrior, 69 rogue).

Pshaw! Amateur!

I bet I've started least 100 characters, and never made it past 30. :)

I am truly the "Lowbie Master".

Um... that's a good thing, right?

Sure wish I knew how Feign Death worked... :(

[John Salerno]

Post by d***@gmail.com
Sure wish I knew how Feign Death worked... :(

lol, i don't think i'll see it either...but after my first character got
to 44, i said i'd probably never get that high again, but now i have a
50 shaman...but i *really* don't think i'll get that high again! :)

[drowland]

Post by d***@gmail.com
Sure wish I knew how Feign Death worked... :(

Feign Death is a big part of what makes hunters so devastating at solo PvE.
You know that big bunch of L55-57 deadwood that guard the cauldron in the
northern camp in Felwood? There's about 6 of them in aggro range of the
cauldron. Sure, I coulda done what alot of ppl do, setup a distraction with
the pet, run in click the cauldron get quest and leave, but I decided to
clear the 6 mobs. 6 of them really tear apart your pet fast, and if you try
to 'mend pet' all the ones the pet isn't currently attacking aggro onto you
from healing aggro...anyhow I managed to drop 1-2 per round, then feign
death, res pet, feed pet, rinse & repeat.

Hunters...only class I know of that when geared in greens with nothing
enchanted, can easily dispatch a same-level elite by themselves. :)

Wanted to cross desolace without going around the huge kodo graveyard area
in the middle. This was when I was low enough all the mobs in the middle
there were red to me. (which also meant I had no mount yet). Ran into them
with pet on defensive, pet picked up the first few mobs, trailed behind as I
kept running, then most of the way across I feigned to drop the 6-8 mobs
that were hot on my tail, popped back up resummoned pet and kept on
truckin'.

Thing about feign death though is it has a nasty tendency to get resisted
when you need it the most, and you're incredibly far from the
graveyard...ever die out by the hydraxian waterlords' island in the bay of
storms, azshara? Long long LONG ghostwalk to get back there...

[d***@gmail.com]

Post by drowland
Thing about feign death though is it has a nasty tendency to get resisted
when you need it the most, and you're incredibly far from the
graveyard...ever die out by the hydraxian waterlords' island in the bay of
storms, azshara? Long long LONG ghostwalk to get back there...

Great info, thanks.

Do you know if there are any enhancements/attributes/trinkets/whatever
that would increase the chances of FD not being resisted?

[Coyrww]

Post by drowland
Thing about feign death though is it has a nasty tendency to get resisted
when you need it the most, and you're incredibly far from the
graveyard...ever die out by the hydraxian waterlords' island in the bay of
storms, azshara? Long long LONG ghostwalk to get back there...

A perfect example of that is the last part of the hunter quest at 50,
it all sounds easy enough; travel to Sunken temple and take out a dragon...
Fight your way to the instance, go up the left hand stairs - there is a
small group of about 5 dragons...np /dismiss pet, aspect of the monkey -
run like hell...
Get far enough away /feign & eat

A big room opens up and damn there are about half a dozen groups of
dragons with just enough room between them to fegn and eat without
drawing aggro.

Get to the last group they always resist at 50...

it was 57 before i got the devilsaur tooth. and it cost a fortune in
repairs...

[RogerM]

Post by d***@gmail.com
Pshaw! Amateur!
I bet I've started least 100 characters, and never made it past 30. :)

But THAT is going to be fixed! :)

Post by d***@gmail.com
I am truly the "Lowbie Master".

Better (or is it worse) than me.

Post by d***@gmail.com
Um... that's a good thing, right?
Sure wish I knew how Feign Death worked... :(

You know how to find out.

[d***@gmail.com]

Post by RogerM

Post by d***@gmail.com
Sure wish I knew how Feign Death worked... :(

You know how to find out.

Yes, I've got two Hunter characters dangerously close to 30!

[John Salerno]

Post by d***@gmail.com
Yes, I've got two Hunter characters dangerously close to 30!

Don't do it!

[Matt]

Post by John Salerno
I also can't get out of my head how cool it would be to have a white
bear. So I check petopia again and see that I only have two choices! A
rare spawn, and apparently a quest bear, though not rare.

I think that Mangeclaw - white bear found in Dun Morogh near bunkers
at north exit to Loch Modan - should be there all the time. I went
after it to train Claw and found it even when no one was in the area
doing the quest.

--
Regards
Matt

[k***@adelphia.net]

Post by Matt
I think that Mangeclaw - white bear found in Dun Morogh near bunkers
at north exit to Loch Modan - should be there all the time. I went
after it to train Claw and found it even when no one was in the area
doing the quest.

Me too. I went looking for either Bjarn or Mangeclaw to learn new
tricks to teach my pet. Could not find Bjarn in the area is is
normally in, so opted for Mangeclaw between the two tunnels on the
north pass into LM. He was right where I'd seen him before, but
unfortunately I killed him by hitting the wrong key! Happily he
respawned almost immediately. I was standing by his corpse and there
was his twin, back where he came from and not too far away. This time
I got it right and trained him no problem. I was lvl 20 at the time I
think.

I almost kept him as a new pet, (he **is** a good-lookin' bear) but
got fond feelings for my original little ice claw bear, so I abandon
Mangeclaw and went back home to teach Little Thor the new tricks.

Ken

[John Salerno]

Post by John Salerno
I also can't get out of my head how cool it would be to have a white
bear. So I check petopia again and see that I only have two choices! A
rare spawn, and apparently a quest bear, though not rare.

I got Mangeclaw! Only took two tries, too. The first time was almost
complete and then he knocked me down, so I ran. The second time it
worked nicely (no knockdown).

And not only did I catch him, but about 10 seconds later when I truned
about around he had respawned, so I could finish the quest. Aside from
the knockdown attack, he's very catchable in that regard.

Furthermore, he's in a nice, out-of-the-way area where no one else was,
so it's easy to spend time there alone just trying to catch him.

Didn't see Bjarn, but doesn't matter now.

I named my bear Iorek after the polar bear from the His Dark Materials
trilogy! :)

[Darin Johnson]

Post by John Salerno
Furthermore, he's in a nice, out-of-the-way area where no one else was,
so it's easy to spend time there alone just trying to catch him.

Hmm, on my high-population server, I often see people going
after him. Either for the quest or to tame or people that
didn't realize there was a quest and were just killing him
for fun. I've definately had to wait more than once to
get to him.

--
Darin Johnson

[John Salerno]

Post by Darin Johnson

Post by John Salerno
Furthermore, he's in a nice, out-of-the-way area where no one else was,
so it's easy to spend time there alone just trying to catch him.

Hmm, on my high-population server, I often see people going
after him. Either for the quest or to tame or people that
didn't realize there was a quest and were just killing him
for fun. I've definately had to wait more than once to
get to him.
--
Darin Johnson

Interesting. My server is usually medium to low pop., so that helps. I
did see someone else a little later with him as well, so they must have
just gotten him around the time I did too.