Full explanation of /pet attack [name] command.
The /pet attack [name] had 4 components:
1) The pet would check the zone for the closest mob matching the given [name] or for the closest target that matched the shortened name (e.g. /pet attack a => pet attacks "a skeleton").
2) Self-target acquisition (the pet would target the mob itself).
3) Aggro its own target, according to the /pet attack command.
4) Aggro confirmation ([pet] tells you, 'Attacking [name], master.').
1) and 2) were believed to have infinite, or close to infinite range, until it got nerfed during Luclin. Pet classes could "pet track" raid targets anywhere from the zone-in by first typing "/pet attack [desired target]" and then assisting their pets. This, of course, didn't tell them where the mob was, but it did inform them if it was up. This was also routinely used on PvP servers by mages to acquire their guild mates as target for the Call of Hero spell.
I once tested 3) during classic and the aggro range was slightly bigger than the farthest clip plane allowed you to see monsters during clear weather, at day.
This was invaluable for pet classes, especially mages, since they had little tools at their disposal when looking for specific mobs in a zone (prime example: Quillmane) and would allow partial "visibility" of mobs during weather events (rain, storm) by using the pet like a blind man's dog.
Mind you, it would be understandable if 1) wasn't implemented on P99 as it were on live, but a toned-down version of 1) and an equivalent version of 3) instead of the ridiculously short aggro range we now have would be welcome.
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