Corehound Pups in the mail with patch 3.3 [Updated]
by Robin Torres 
Dec 8th 2009 at 4:00PM
My level 23 Gnome Warrior, whom I have not logged onto in years, got a Corehound Pup in the mail after the servers came back up. He is as adorable as a corehound pup could possibly be. But why did I get him? What's he for?
It appears that several other staff members have gotten the pups in the mail. Some characters have them, some don't. There doesn't seem to by any rhyme or reason behind which characters get them.
We are researching this further, of course, and will keep you up to date. No word from Blizzard yet about this, however.
Did you get a Corehound Pup, too?
Video Update 5:25pm: Video above and screenshot is after the break.
Update 4:39pm: Blizzard confirmed that the Corehound Pup pet is for Authenticator users.
Updated: He (they?) throws a bone in the air and catches it, rolls over and digs a hole in the ground.
Filed under: Patches, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)
Michael Dec 8th 2009 4:10PM
Level 2 Draenai Paladin on Collector's Edition Account #1 = Core Hound Pet
Level 2 Blood Elf Rogue on Collector's Edition Account #2 = No pet
"There doesn't seem to by any rhyme or reason behind which characters get them." - Agreed.
Scard Dec 8th 2009 4:01PM
Toon I haven't played in months = corehound pup
Toons I have played recently = no pup
Michael Dec 8th 2009 4:10PM
For the many who are asking, the core hound pet is BOP.
So it's not BoE and not BoA.
It sucks.
Raynier Dec 8th 2009 4:11PM
My name is Inigo Montoya. You stole my dog here. Prepare to die!
Rhabella Dec 8th 2009 4:16PM
Could it be for time/effort spent on the PTR?
Kaa Dec 8th 2009 4:20PM
One word: Authenticator
Michael Dec 8th 2009 4:21PM
All characters (both factions) on Account #1 got corehounds in the mail. Account #1 has an authenticator.
Account #2 does not have an authenticator.
Account #1 and #2 have never participated in PTRs.
So more info for the curious. I am NOT saying that authenticator = pet; just giving the info I have.
Nadie Dec 8th 2009 4:29PM
It's the authenticator.
The corehound modeled off of Cerberus (Kerberos), the hound who guards the gates of Hades in Greek mythology.
Makes perfect sense.
Nadie Dec 8th 2009 4:30PM
For more on Kerberos:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerberus
Michael Dec 8th 2009 4:32PM
You mean something more like "it seems likely that accounts linked to an authenticator are receiving the pet, since all data so far supports that hypothesis and The corehound modeled off of Cerberus (Kerberos), the hound who guards the gates of Hades in Greek mythology"
Until you have confirmation from Blizzard, it's conjecture. You shouldn't definitively state it.
jealouspirate Dec 8th 2009 4:32PM
If it really is accounts with an authenticator, that is a FANTASTIC idea!! Good job Blizzard!
Everyone SHOULD get an authenticator to improve the game as a whole. Of course, that's not quite how we work. We want something cool and cute. Right now.
So everyone who doesn't have an authenticator? Go get one so you can get the pet you crave, and you will make WoW a better and more secure game for everyone!
Janaa Dec 8th 2009 4:35PM
Account #1 - Collector's Edition. No PTR play. 80 toon played yesterday: Pet
Account #1 - Collector's Edition. No PTR play. 32 toon played 6 months ago: Pet
Account #1 - Collector's Edition. No PTR play. Level 1 bank alt: Pet
Account #2 - Collector's Edition. PTR play. 80 toon played yesterday: Pet
Account #2 - Collector's Edition. PTR play. 43 toon played 3 months ago: Pet
I seem to get a pet on everything. Note: These accounts both had authenticators linked to them. I can't test non-collector's edition accounts without acting one of my dormant accounts.
Lol - my server just crashed and won't let anyone back in. Wheeeee!! I love patch days. So much drama. :D
Myf Dec 8th 2009 4:40PM
Blue post:
The Core Hound Pup is a gift for anyone using an authenticator (attached to an account) whether it's the physical authenticator or the mobile authenticator. Anyone who attaches an authenticator will also receive this lovable new pet. Think of it as your own personal guard dog.
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=19820641631&sid=1
Nadie Dec 8th 2009 4:41PM
Nah, Michael, I meant exactly what I said: It's the Authenticator, and my basis for arguing as much is that the Corehound is the perfect symbolic representation of the Authenticator (further, Kerberos is the name of a network security protocol, which the security team is, no doubt, quite familiar with). Alongside the observations, I'd call it a secure inference.
It is possible that I'm wrong, of course, but I meant what I said, nonetheless. ;P
curtisrutland Dec 8th 2009 4:41PM
==THREAD HIJACK==
The core hound is a gift for using the authenticator:
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=19820641631&sid=1
Skonged Dec 8th 2009 4:41PM
Ahh the pet is a guard dog if you have an authenticator.
Pathemavan Dec 8th 2009 4:43PM
It's because of the authenticator:
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=19820641631&sid=1
confirmed by a blue
:)
Wither Dec 8th 2009 4:43PM
Nadia's theory seems very sound. Just to spell it out more clearly (as the double meaning is only obvious to those who work in IT), Kerberos is also a security protocol for authentication.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerberos_(protocol)
Aeter Dec 8th 2009 4:48PM
I like how people can go "Oh, you don't have a Corehound? Good, you're easily hacked now!". Bad plan.
Imnick Dec 8th 2009 5:14PM
Except that people who have core hounds don't have them out permanently, so there's no guarantee that someone not displaying one doesn't have one.