Pet Family Abilities

Each hunter pet family has a varied set of abilities which are derived from several sources:

Specialization and Core Family Abilities

The following table cross-references spec and core family abilities for each family. Families each have one uniquely-named core ability, belonging to one of 7 ability types (left column). Each family also gains two abilities from the specialization to which it belongs (top row). For more information on specializations, see Pet Family Specializations.

Exotic family. Beast Masters only! = Exotic Family (Beast Masters only). Exotics have an additional ability, listed in the Exotic Ability Table.
Family Ability Type:
Cunning
Pathfinding
+8% movement speed
Master's Call
Stops movement impairing effects, 4 sec
Ferocity
Primal Rage
+30% party haste, 40 sec
Tenacity
Endurance Training
+5% max. health
Fortitude of the Bear
+20% maximum health, 10 sec
Defense
Reduce damage taken by 50% for 12 sec.
Dodge
Increase dodge chance by 30% for 20 sec.
Magic Defense
Reduce magic damage taken by 70% for 8 sec.
Mortal Wounds
Grievously wound the target, reducing the effectiveness of any healing received for 10 sec.
Pet Cure / Dispel
Remove 1 Disease, Magic, and Poison effect from the pet.
Slow
Reduce movement speed by 50% for 6 sec.
Triggered Defense
When health falls below 40%, reduce damage taken by 60% for 15 sec. Can only occur once every 120 sec.
*The Stone Hound family ability - Stone Armor - varies from the other abilities of its type in that it provides only 40% damage reduction, but regenerates 3% of its maximum health every second for 15 seconds.

Exotic family. Beast Masters only! Exotic Family Abilities

Beast Masters only! Each Exotic family has an additional unique ability.

Exotic FamilyExotic Ability
Dune Strider
Increases the Silithid's movement speed by 30%.
Calcified Carapace
Reduces physical damage taken by (Total health * 0.0015 * 0.7).
Froststorm Breath
The Chimera channels a frozen breath attack, causing [(0 + (Ranged attack power) * 0.144) * (1 + Versatility)] Froststorm damage every 2 sec for 8 sec to all enemies within 12 yards.
Blood of the Rhino
The Clefthoof has 10% additional armor and increases the effectiveness of healing received by 20%.
Molten Hide
When the core hound takes melee attacks, it infuses its hide with molten lava, causing (8.19% of Attack power) Fire damage to all further melee attackers for 10 sec. Molten Hide can only activate every 60 sec.
Feast
The devilsaur feasts on a nearby Humanoid or Beast corpse within 5 yards, healing it for 20% of its maximum health and restoring 20 focus over 6 sec.
Updraft
Your pet beats its powerful wings, slowing the fall speed of both itself and the hunter for 30 sec.
Shimmering Shale
Reduces magic damage taken by (Total health * 0.0015 * 0.7).
Spirit Mend
The Spirit Beast heals the current friendly target for [0 + ((Ranged attack power * 0.6) * 3 * 1.0504)] plus an additional [0 + ((Ranged attack power * 0.6) * 2 * 1.0504)] over 10 sec.
Eternal Guardian
When used, your pet will miraculously return to life with full health.
Surface Trot
Allows the Hunter and the Water Strider to walk across water. Any damage will cancel the effect.
Burrow Attack
The Worm burrows into the earth and shakes the ground above, dealing [(0 + ((Ranged attack power * 0.60) * 0.096)) * 8 * (1 + Versatility) * 1] Nature damage over 8 sec.

Common Family Abilities

The following abilities are available to all pet families. Note that Claw, Bite and Smack are really just different names for the same ability, and each family is assigned the one that best fits its theme.

Common abilities
Dash
Increases your pet's movement speed by 80% for 10 sec.
Growl
Your pet growls at the target, generating threat, taunting the target to attack the pet, and increasing threat that your pet generates against the target for 3 sec.
Bite
Bite the enemy, causing [(1 * 2 * 1 * 1 * (Ranged attack power * 0.333) * (1 + Versatility))] damage. Deals 100% more damage and costs 100% more Focus when your pet has 50 or more Focus.
Claw
Claw the enemy, causing [(1 * 2 * 1 * 1 * (Ranged attack power * 0.333) * (1 + Versatility))] damage. Deals 100% more damage and costs 100% more Focus when your pet has 50 or more Focus.
Smack
Smack the enemy, causing [(1 * 2 * 1 * 1 * (Ranged attack power * 0.333) * (1 + Versatility))] damage. Deals 100% more damage and costs 100% more Focus when your pet has 50 or more Focus.

Families With Extra/Bonus Abilities

A very few families get an extra ability, we're not sure why. Perhaps it's historical.

FamilyBonus Ability
Prowl
Puts your pet in stealth mode, but slows its movement speed by 50%. The first attack from stealth receives a 20% bonus to damage. Lasts until cancelled.
Updraft
Your pet beats its powerful wings, slowing the fall speed of both itself and the hunter for 30 sec.
Spirit Walk
Puts your pet in stealth mode, but slows its movement speed by 50%. The first attack from stealth receives a 20% bonus to damage. Lasts until cancelled.

Families That Can Perform Tricks

Clever beasts from a few families can also perform a purely cosmetic trick. In some cases this depends on the NPC model - for example not all Birds of Prey can perform their loop-the-loop trick.

FamilyTrick
Rest
You command your pet Bear to take a rest.
Trick
You command your Bird of Prey to do a trick. Larger birds may not be interested.
Play
Puts your Fox into a playful state.
Rest
You command your pet Rodent to take a rest.
Trick
You command your Crane to do a trick.
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