Pet Family Abilities

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

Special Family Abilities

The following tables list the special abilities each family receives. Families each have at least one uniquely-named core ability (two for Cats and Spirit Beasts). These abilities are more varied and less standardized than in the retail version of WoW, so we couldn't easily group them by ability type.

Cunning Family Abilities

FamilyAbilityDescription
BatsSonic BlastEmits a piercing shriek, inflicting Nature damage and stunning the target for 2 sec.
Birds of PreySnatchThe bird of prey grabs the enemy's weapon with its talons, causing damage and disarming them for 6 sec.
ChimaerasFroststorm BreathYour pet simultaneously breathes frost and lightning at an enemy target, inflicting Frost and Nature damage and slowing the target for 5 sec.
DragonhawksFire BreathBreathes Fire on the target for damage plus damage over 2 sec.
Nether RaysNether ShockInstantly lashes an enemy for Shadow damage. Also interrupts spellcasting and prevents any spell in that school from being cast for 2 sec.
RavagersRavageViolently attacks an enemy for damage, stunning it for 2 sec.
SerpentsPoison SpitSpits poison at an enemy, dealing Nature damage over 8 sec and reduces the target's casting speed by 25% for 8 sec.
SilithidsVenom Web SpraySprays toxic webs at the target, preventing movement for 4 sec and causing Nature damage over time.
SpidersWebEncases the target in sticky webs, preventing movement for 4 sec.
SporebatsSpore CloudDusts nearby enemies with spores causing Nature damage every 3 sec for 9 sec and reducing armor by 3%.
Wind SerpentsLightning BreathBreathes lightning, instantly dealing Nature damage to a single target.

Ferocity Family Abilities

FamilyAbilityDescription
Carrion BirdsDemoralizing ScreechBlasts a single enemy for damage and lowers the melee attack power of all enemies in melee range. Effect lasts 10 sec.
CatsRakeRake the target for bleed damage and additional damage over 9 sec.
CatsProwlPuts your pet in stealth mode, but slows its movement speed. The first attack from stealth receives a bonus to damage. Lasts until cancelled.
Core HoundsLava BreathYour pet breathes a double gout of molten lava at the target for Fire damage and reduces the target's casting speed by 25% for 10 sec.
DevilsaursMonstrous BiteYour devilsaur ferociously bites the enemy, causing damage, and boosts its own damage by 3% for 12 seconds. This effect stacks 3 times.
HyenasTendon RipTears at an enemy's legs for damage and reduces movement speed by 50% for 6 sec.
MothsSerenity DustThe moth's wings produce a cloud of dust that increases its attack power by 10% and heals it over 15 sec.
RaptorsSavage RendSlashes the enemy with the raptor's talons for damage, and causes the target to bleed for damage every 5 sec for 15 sec. Successful critical strikes with this ability temporarily boost the raptor's damage by 10% for 30 sec.
Spirit BeastsSpirit StrikeBurns the enemy for Arcane damage and then additional damage after 6 sec.
Spirit BeastsProwlPuts your pet in stealth mode, but slows its movement speed. The first attack from stealth receives a bonus to damage. Lasts until cancelled.
TallstridersDust CloudYour tallstrider kicks up an obscuring cloud of dust, causing all enemies within 10 yards to miss their next attack. Lasts for 8 sec.
WaspsStingYour wasp stings for Nature damage, and decreases the armor of the target by 5% for 20 sec. While affected, the target cannot stealth or turn invisible.
WolvesFurious HowlIncreases melee and ranged attack power for the wolf and its master for 20 sec.

Tenacity Family Abilities

FamilyAbilityDescription
BearsSwipeSwipe nearby enemies, inflicting damage.
BoarsGoreYour boar gores the enemy for damage. Causes double damage if used within 6 seconds of a Charge.
CrabsPinPins the target in place, and squeezes for damage over 4 sec.
CrocolisksBad AttitudeSnap back for damage at any target that strikes you for the next 45 sec.
GorillasPummelPummel the target, interrupting spellcasting and preventing any spell in that school from being cast for 2 sec.
RhinosStampedeYour rhino slams into a nearby enemy for damage and causing it to take 25% additional damage from bleed effects for 1 min.
ScorpidsScorpid PoisonStings an enemy for Nature damage over 10 sec.
TurtlesShell ShieldThe turtle partially withdraws into its shell, reducing damage taken by 50% for 12 sec.
Warp StalkersWarpTeleports to an enemy up to 30 yards away and gives the pet a 50% chance to avoid the next 3 melee attacks. Lasts 4 sec.
WormsAcid SpitYour worm spits acid at an enemy, causing Nature damage and reducing its armor by 10% per Acid Spit for 30 sec. Can be applied up to 2 times.

Basic / 'Focus Dump' Abilities

Each pet family has one of the following basic, 'focus dump' abilities. Other than the name and textual description, all three abilities are identical. 'Focus dump' abilities have no cooldown timer - so they can be used every time your pet has enough focus with no waiting. Skills like this as a way to 'dump' focus that isn't being used for some other skill and turn it into damage.

AbilityDescriptionUsed By
BiteBite the enemy, causing damage.Carrion Birds, Crocolisks, Core Hounds, Bats, Devilsaurs, Warp Stalkers, Chimaeras, Nether Rays, Serpents, Spiders, Wind Serpents, Turtles, Hyenas, Worms, Dragonhawks, Ravagers, Wolves, Boars
ClawClaw the enemy, causing damage.Scorpids, Spirit Beasts, Bears, Crabs, Cats, Birds of Prey, Raptors, Tallstriders, Silithids
SmackSmack the enemy, causing damage.Rhinos, Moths, Wasps, Gorillas, Sporebats

Defense & Threat Management Abilities

All pet families have these two skills for decreasing damage taken and increasing threat during combat.

AbilityDescription
CowerYour pet cowers, reducing damage taken. While cowering, your pet's movement speed is reduced.
GrowlYour pet growls at the target, generating threat and increasing the likelihood the target will attack it.
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