Usually I find that using MZ's control; I can force my Jounin into melee range; and quite often if they're on agressive; they'll Hand-Crossbow Crit then Jump in for Leaping Chops.
The thing is that with Gloom, they're often in Bodyguard range; so it does help the incoming attacks; but it still is a little annoying.
I tend to get the reverse problem with my Genin charging everyone.
Shame, I wish I had the problem that I couldn't keep my Knights Out of Melee...
Sometimes the problem isn't melee range at all though. Sometimes my Knights will stand toe to toe with a MOb without reaching for their forks.
I hardly ever have my Knights on Bodyguard. I don't want my best hitters dieing for me, that's what zombies are for 
Just a quick question, are Melee oriented MM pets "Working As Intended"?
The problem is that there's no set rule for pets to use powers; as I gather the only set of rules is 'pick a random power'; or at least that's what it seems like.
There's also the body map; which tends to upset them; if you use 'follow' to run up to someone with a melee attack charged; often you can't path right next to them so it stays unused.
Creating a workable AI in these situations is murder; similar can be seen when you're locked in a prison cell; usually only 3 of the 6 will attack the door; and it's the fast-casts that will usually do it first.
I'd love to do a Ninja/TA as my next set(I will have a 50 of all MM's eventually, I love the class too much!) but to be honest the brute drives me batty enough, I don't really want to contend with 5 pets like that!
I hope they give us something to allow us to pick how our pets fight. Maybe like the stances we could have a button that tells the pet to "Only use melee" "Only use ranged" and "Go nuts, whatever"
[ QUOTE ]
I hope they give us something to allow us to pick how our pets fight. Maybe like the stances we could have a button that tells the pet to "Only use melee" "Only use ranged" and "Go nuts, whatever"
[/ QUOTE ]
Back in CoV Beta Posi stated this was not on the cards - if they did that they'd have to downpower the henchmen further.
I'd assume this is no on the cards still if I were you. Not that it wouldn't be nice, of course.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I hope they give us something to allow us to pick how our pets fight. Maybe like the stances we could have a button that tells the pet to "Only use melee" "Only use ranged" and "Go nuts, whatever"
[/ QUOTE ]
Bit unfair on Ninja's and Undead melee isn't it? 
Oh well, i'll stick to ranged for now, least they don't get horribly confused about thier role in life, well except the brute, but he's worth the hassle when he works 
Back in CoV Beta Posi stated this was not on the cards - if they did that they'd have to downpower the henchmen further.
I'd assume this is no on the cards still if I were you. Not that it wouldn't be nice, of course.
[/ QUOTE ]
Can I ask a question? Do you play mostly solo or in a team?
A tactic that I use when soloing my necro/dark is to have all my pets set to BG mode. I run into the middle of the group of enemies that I want to fight and use one of my powers (usually Darkest Night) - my pets then follow me into melee range before the enemy have managed to react, as soon as they get their first hits off my pets then all go into melee and wipe the floor with the enemy.
You can't always use this tactic though, if the enemy have AoE attacks then it really isn't a good idea to do this. In those situations the Goto command is very handy for positioning pets.
'Goto' is also very nice for the times when they hit you with an AOE and then fly off; stopping your rapidly departing Bodyguards in their tracks.
I find my Grave Knights 'lock' once they've drawn steel. That is when they move onto the next target they'll keep using the sword as long as they've used it at least once on the previous enemy.
[ QUOTE ]
I find my Grave Knights 'lock' once they've drawn steel.
[/ QUOTE ]I find this is also the case for me, but what I don't understand is why the Knights seem to have a phobia of actually drawing their swords in the first place.
I play mostly teamed so running head first into a spawn of +2/+3s is not the advisable thing to do, unless I want debt badges... and I'm not a badge hunter.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
could have a button that tells the pet to "Only use melee" "Only use ranged" and "Go nuts, whatever"
[/ QUOTE ] Back in CoV Beta Posi stated this was not on the cards - if they did that they'd have to downpower the henchmen further.
[/ QUOTE ] I am really intrigued by this one, why is it that being able to actually tell our henchmen what to do, instead of letting them stand in Melee (for Bots) /ranged (Ninjas and Zombies) where they are at a disadvantage, is concidered Overpowered. Having a button that will force your guys into Melee is almost needed, and using GoTo is very frustrating when they still refuse to draw swords.
Well, Oni Criticalling Flame Breath; Or Jounin Criticalling Caltrops (possible?) whilst Oni criticals RoF/Flame Breath?
Lots of REALLY bad combos that could be made up.
After levelling a Necro/* up to level 24 the AI of my pets is really starting to get on my nerves. As all of you are aware Grave Knights are kings in Melee combat, they slash, they chop, they disembowel and later they use my all time favourite, Head Splitter. So why in the name of all that is unholy do they stand back and fire Gloom and Dark Blast constantly.
Even using the Absolutely Fantastic and game changing Mastermind Numpad Control Binds I still find my Grave Knights, standing but a mere 2ft away from the target, easily within Tuning Fork Of Doom range, and guess what attack they are using over and over again. Yes, you guessed it, Gloom.
Now Im not saying Gloom is a bad power, Im not saying that the Grave Knight doesnt benefit from having this attack. Hell its a lovely attack but it is in no way comparable to Disembowel/Head Splitter. The damage that Gloom achieves on a target is negligible when compared to Head Splitter.
Now I know that this issue is one that we all know. But I for one am unsure as to why we know it, why is it that a Grave Knight, upon firing off his Dark Blast and his Gloom, does not wade into combat to use his wonderful sword. Why instead does he wait for Dark Blast to recharge and then begin firing it again? Why does the Grave Knight seem to have Prefers Ranged coded into his little pixelated head rather than Prefers Melee?
I am getting sick and tired and tired and sick... and maybe a little drunk. Please, tell me that this is something that will get fixed, the life of my Character depends on it (for if I am doomed to keep leveling up with this AI I will retire this one early and roll a Bot/*** MM)
Well there it is, make of this short rant what you will. I just hope that is not falling on deaf ears.
Edit: I realise that some of you will rejoice in the knowledge that my heracy has been crushed and that I have joined the Metal ranks of the Bot/*** MM. But seroiusly, I really like this MM and I really don't want to have to play her like it's a chore. If the AI could be tweeked just a little to make Grave Knights listen to commands and actually get into Melee rather than stand about, then I would never play any other.