It’s a common frustration in World of Warcraft: you vanish or stealth, expecting to lose your hunter’s pet, only to find it still snapping at your heels. This behavior, often observed since vanilla WoW, isn’t always a bug but a combination of factors that influence how hunter pets react in combat. Let’s break down the primary reasons behind this persistent pet pursuit.
Spell Batching and Delayed Reactions
One key element is spell batching, a game mechanic where actions are processed in batches rather than instantaneously. If a hunter’s pet uses an ability like Bite or Claw on you just as you vanish, these actions might already be in the processing queue. Even though you’ve vanished visually, the server may still register the pet’s attack as occurring before your disappearance. This can result in the pet continuing its attack animation and pursuit for a short duration as it resolves the queued actions.
Hunter Pet AI and Responsiveness Issues
Another factor is the sometimes unpredictable nature of hunter pet AI. Pets, especially in certain game versions or under specific conditions, can exhibit delayed responses to commands or changes in their target’s status. It’s not uncommon to see a pet pause for a moment before reacting, or even appear to “lag” behind player actions. This delayed responsiveness can make it seem like the pet is bugged when it continues to attack after a vanish, as the pet’s AI might not immediately register the change in target visibility.
Aggressive Pet Mode and Stealth Detection
Finally, pet behavior is significantly influenced by its mode. If a hunter has their pet set to “Aggressive,” it will proactively engage targets, even those in stealth, if they come within a certain proximity. While intended to detect stealthed rogues or druids, this can also lead to pets attacking you after you stealth if you remain too close to the hunter or their pet. This isn’t necessarily a bug but a design feature of the Aggressive pet stance, making pet positioning crucial when attempting to evade a hunter and their companion.
In conclusion, a hunter pet continuing to attack after a vanish isn’t always a simple bug. It’s often a combination of spell batching mechanics, occasional pet AI quirks, and the pet’s active mode. Understanding these factors can help players better anticipate and manage pet behavior in PvP and PvE encounters within World of Warcraft.
