Mists of Pandaria: Pet Battles

Sections of this post:

• Outlook on Battle Pets before playing Mists of Pandaria BETA
• How to get battle pet companions
• My personal experience with the Battle Pet system
• Using the Battle Pet System
• How to spot wild battle critters
• Where to start training your battle pet

Outlook on Battle Pets before playing Mists of Pandara BETA

Recently we have heard about Blizzard releasing the "Battle Pet" system to Mists of Pandaria. Before doing some investigation into this i had to download an almost 20GB patch for Mists of Pandaria BETA. So either its a completely new install, or just one massive patch which might make World of Warcraft Mists of Pandaria BETA over 40GB in size. At the moment I just don't know.

The theory of introducing the Pet Battles system is somewhat alike the theory of the Pokemon games. Have a pet, and battle it against other players. Whether this is an attempt as to lure more younger, and more female potential players to the game (along with the lure of a kung fu panda) its just a guess and speculation by myself at this point.

Having not yet played with the battle pet system enabled as I am currently waiting for the 20GB patch to download, my outlook on this new feature is optimistic yet reserved.

You can read up on the official news of the Pet battle system at the this link.






After reading up on the information Blizzard have provided us with regarding the new Pet Battle system, it seems that it will turn our companions into Battle Pets. For example, I have a Singing Sunflower companion which I take with my character everywhere, from what Blizzard have described I will be able to send my "Singing Sunflower" companion into a battle after teaching the companion new skills and abilities for battles.

As companions fight in battles and win they will gain experience and levels making them stronger, tougher and unlock brand new abilities for them to learn.

How to gain battle pet companions. 

Blizzard explain that you can go out into the world of warcraft and collect these companions. There are three ways of obtaining battle pet companions.

• Buying them at vendors
• Finding them in loots dropped by MOBS and in Chests etc. 
• "Encountering" them in the wild and after winning the battle with your current companion, the wild battle pet companion will be added to your collection.

My experience with the Pet Battle system

After downloading the new 20gb Mists of Pandaria BETA, I have been playing the game and focusing on the Battle Pet system. The first thing that I noticed was Blizzard had taken away my "Singing Sunflower" and all other companions apart from "Mr Chilly" and the "Corehound pup". This I was not amused at in the slightest as my "Singing Sunflower" companion goes with my character everywhere.

After learning the "Battle Pet Training" at the Battle Pet Trainer in Stormwind, I went out to Elwyyn forest and found the level 1 battle pet critters out there.

Using the Battle Pet Menu

You now access your companions (battle pets) and mounts through a new icon located on the bottom game menu (highlighted in the screenshot below). Once in the menu you click on "Companion Journal" and it will give you all the information you need on your collected "Battle Pet" companions.

How to spot wild battle pet critters.

As the below screen shot shows, battle critters will show up on your mini-map as a green paw print. In this image you see two paw prints of slightly different shades, the bright green one is a live battle critter, the darker green one is a dead battle pet critter.

While wandering the world of warcraft any wild battle critters that you encounter will have a clear green paw print above them. To start a battle with a wild critter, right click the critter itself.

Where to start your Battle Pet Training?

The best place to start is at a trainer, believe it or not. The Battle Pet Trainers found throughout the world of Warcraft will give you the ability to battle your pets, and allow you to buy new battle pets.