Blocking works how riding currently blocking works.

Beasts do not bodyguard against NPCs nor do breath weapons currently work against NPCs.

More to the point with this new change you may have people with bought pets and their one beast getting a forever advantage that can never be matched again because you took out buying pets. Or is this incorrect?

They haven't taken out buying pets. All future pets will be handled like Beastmastery pets (with improvements - see help pets), but current pet owners can keep their pets as the old type.

Not sure what "forever advantage" you mean, but we've decided to let players keep their old pets as they are (which they bought credits with). However, these pets generally don't have much advanage in combat, unlike beasts. Remember too, Riding will eventually be retired and your old pet won't be able to do any of the abilities currently in Riding.

I'm sure there will be plenty of balance issues to work out as we go, but this looks awesome. I'm very excited to see what pets come out for training, and to start working on raising my skill.

I love the idea of using alchemy to add certain parts to your creature, like wings. It reminds me of Spore.

A creature I would like to suggest for future adding would be a gargoyle. That's always been the pet I've wanted to buy.

So how transparent are the effects of alchemy on beasts? Will I know what will eventually make my beast sprout wings and spit fire? Will this part of the beast system be applied to credit-bought pets at all?

So, uh... We have to wait 12 months before we can even do testing?

How to explain it, People with pets now will have a slight advantage which is minor. I know someone who has three bought pets. She isn't a combatant though so you would never really notice it. But now she has an edge if she ever does become a pvper that no one else will -ever- be able to duplicate again. the 750 so damage per 3 seconds or how ever much it is x3.

-edited- Why do Alchemists get this stuff, don't they already have enough money?? give it to tailors.

You can only have one beast out at at time.

I highly suggest going back and reading the posts.

You can only use -1- pet at a time for combat.

Still looking for a skill list, so I know if it's worth putting a small number of lessons into.

omg not beast but pet. I know you can use more then 1 pet I've seen it.

You have gained the following abilities in Beastmastery:
Riding Train any beast to be your loyal mount.
Swimming Any beast can be trained to ford waters.
Balancing Beasts trained to balance will be harder to move.
Battle Prepare your beast for the rigours of battle.
Galloping Gallop at great speed upon a mounted beast.
Whistling Whistle to call your active beast to your side.
Armour Thicken the hide of a beast so it takes less damage.
Trader You can trade your beast, bestowing its loyalty to another.
Diving Explore the ocean depths courtesy of your loyal beast.
StableMaster Remove or house your beast from anywhere.
Regeneration Quicken your beast's metabolism to heighten regeneration.
Trotting Your beast can trot quickly throughout the land.
Aggressive Increase the damage of battle beasts.
Jumping Your beast can jump over obstacles blocking exits.
MinorBreath Transform your beast to breathe magical blasts.
Influencing With a well trained beast, influencing can be made easier.
Flying With wings, your beast can take you to the clouds.
BeastEmpath Use your own energy to provide for your beasts.
Burrowing Train your beast to burrow deep into the ground.
MajorBreath Major breath weapons fill an entire room.
Healing Channel your beast's healing energies into yourself.
Blocking Train your beast to block exits.
Chameleon Train your beast to be invisible from prying eyes.
Kicking Use your beast to kick an unmounted opponent..
Trampling Frenzy your steed to trample all prone in your location.
Curing Allow your beasts natural healing energies to cure you.
Bodyguard Your armoured familiar will attempt to protect you.
Spellcasting The most intelligent beasts can be trained to cast spells.
Beastmaster Claim one skill over which you have complete mastery.
AB BEASTMASTERY for more information on an ability.

Didn't they say that this new skillset used your Riding rank to determine what you have access to?

Dude beast =! pet

If someone has 10 pets, good for them. They get no advantage.

...you can buy damage attacks to your pet? I didn't know that :/

"Dude" I've had Crylia attack me with tyr and her other 2 cat things at the same time before so.

I've asked to have my pet switched over, but I am wondering, will custom emotes/actions still apply? I paid extra for those, and I really like how he reacts to things right now.

(If the answer is no, I may wish to retract my issue asking for him to be switched to a beast)

I want mine to become a mimic.

Yeah, you know. An animated chest with big ass teeth.