Pack of Wolves
You may remember Kiranya from the first time we shone the Community Spotlight on her and her pet, Mana, in February 2005. Kiranya now has the distinct honor of raising not one, but two level 60 wolf pets! We spoke with Kiranya again to see how Mana has progressed, and to meet Mana’s new playmate, Pua.
1. How long have you been playing Lineage II?
I've been playing since the beginning of Chronicle I - and though I admit me time online is much less then when I first started - I can honestly say the excitement I feel in this rich and beautiful world has yet to diminish.
2. What is your character name(s) and server? Are you in a clan?
The "Wolf Project" hunts and plays on Sieghardt - we consist of a group of 4. Katanya (Prophet), Wishya (SE), Mana (Wolf), and Pua (Wolf). Our clan, "Hawaiian Style", is our own - and politically neutral.
3. What do you enjoy the most about Lineage II?
Though I love me wolves to death, I enjoy most the company of others, though I could do away with Wish's constant complaining. Anyway, I've made many friends on this narrow and difficult path, and it is their support that sees me through the day. Support that seems to stretch beyond me own server - kindness that seems to come from all parts of the world. Granted I get an ocassional sour apple, but meh... ye can't win over everyone yes? ;)
4. When we first visited with you in February 2005, Mana was level 38. What level is she now?
Mana is level 60 now, and halfway to 61.
5. We hear Mana also has a new playmate, named Pua. What level is Pua? Why did you decide to raise another wolf?
Pua is also level 60. Wishya came into me life at the beginning of this year. We jested often about how a second wolf would really make things easier for us. Being that I was raising a scavenger at the time, raising a second wolf around the same level didn't seem like a bad idea. The result was a level 58 bounty hunter and level 55 wolf... oh... and roughly 120,000,000 adena (Manor + Seal Stones + Sweep + Spoil = $$$ and materials++) . ;) That money went to outfitting both of us in B grade armor, funded the Prophet reroll - and bought us overenchanted weapons. I'm using +7 Top C Duals, and Wish is using a +6 Berserker Blade. We've still about 40 million in unsold materials too. Hint to all of ye: Hunt for ADENA - leveling should be just a fortunate side-effect of hunting. ;)
6. What has been the most difficult part of raising two pet wolves?
I'm guessing ye mean raising them both at the same time? :) Surprisingly, it is not durability. With full Prophet and Shillien Elder buffs, they can take a decent number of hits from mobs at level 60 - so it becomes a matter of retaking focus, or killing the mob before one of the wolves knock out. The most difficult part of raising two wolves is finding a place to hunt. Catacombs and Necros were our favorite - that was until the pole groups started hogging the place. Field mobs die far too quickly against a group of four, and we end up spending more time waiting for mobs then we do killing them. This leaves us with strong type field mobs.. and those areas are quite limited.
We're hoping this will change in Chronicle 4- the upcoming "pole patch" might reduce the herding a bit in the cats/necros... and the Chronicle might introduce more strong type mobs that we could hunt out in the fields. This may seem hard to believe to most - but wolves hit HARD, and with pet soulshots coming in C4 - they're gonna hit HARDER. Ye'll see what I'm talking about when the in-game recording feature of C4 comes out. No doubt ye'd be catching a video or two from me. ;) Ever see two clerics hold a room and a half on their own in the catacombs? :) Well... we're doing it now, and the wolves aren't yet using shots. :)
7. Would you ever consider raising a non-wolf pet such as a hatchling or a new Chronicle 4 pet, or are you devoted to wolves?
Wolves are me calling. Wishya may complain about not having a subclass for the time put in - but I'm sure she feels the same way I do. They are a part of us - and now that we've got Pua caught up with Mana - our goals have changed. We're not stopping until they hit 70. :)
8. Based on your experience, which class do you feel is best suited to raise a wolf pet?
That would depend on how yer raising the wolf. If yer raising a character and a wolf at the same time, then ye'd best go with a "hate-enabled" tank. Nothing is more important then keeping yer wolf out of the fire in early levels, and a skill like "Hate" does wonders at keeping yer wolf's nose clean. And once ye get to later levels, ye've got a P.Atk deficient class with a pet that likes to eat things. The two seem to compliment the other, and it is this kind of mutual reliance that make tanks best suited in raising wolves.
Powerleveling a pet works a bit differently. I suspect a two man wolf party would do the trick. Tank hates mob, wolves eat mobs, healer/buffer sits around until a wolf needs healing or buffing.
9. Now that you have raised two pets to level 60, what advice can you offer to other wolf owners?
Salutations to all that have heard the call. Wolves are just beginning to show how powerful they will be. C4 will usher in a new age for sure - and while summoners get the most love, summon soul shots will benefit pet owners of both the scale and fur as it literally doubles their combat effectiveness to meet or exceed yer own. Also, be sure to talk to others ingame - or on yer forum of choice about yer pets. No doubt there are others who have already run into the problems ye now face, and have advice that may ease yer journey along the way.
On that note, I would also like to extend an invitation to all current pet owners to participate at me website at L2DancesWithWolves.com. I am already maintaining a journal of me day to day travels - I invite ye to do the same. Ye've no way of knowing how much happier I would be if I could read the stories of others that have walked the same path as I - and pets will no doubt become more popular as readers hear of the successes of others.
Oh... and a shout out to me friends on the official boards, L2Stratics, and L2Blah. ;) These are the people that keep me going when I'm not ingame. :) If ye'd like to contact me directly, feel free to contact me at kiranya@L2DancesWithWolves.com. That's me MSMessenger address and a functioning e-mail address as well. I'd love to hear from ye. :)
Best of luck to ye all - and grats to Dusk for finally winning the Seven Signs competition on Sieghardt. ;) Looks like I'm being forced to hunt field mobs afterall. :)
Mele Kalikimaka! (Merry Christmas!)
Thank you to Kiranya for answering our questions again!