No more Ghosts...

Through a hotfix we’ve recently removed the ability to tame a Grimtotem Spirit Guide. Players who have already gone through the trouble of taming the creature will be able to keep them unchanged. This hotfix only removes the possibility to tame this creature from here on.

The removal of the spirit guide has been debated within design discussions for a while now as to what impact the pet and its precedent has on the game.
The unintended nature of the taming, the undead status of the guide, appearance of the wolf in relation to the feel of the hunter class, and the complex processes of taming were all issues touched upon and discussed.

Ultimately the discussions brought us to the conclusion that this should not be a permanent addition to the pet selection available to hunters; however, those that have already tamed them should be allowed to keep them due to their efforts in obtaining one.

- Drysc 15/1/07

A bit slow to notice this, but it's official. No more taming of the Ghost Wolf...

I did procrastinate on this forever and now, it's not possible anymore... While it's not something game breaking, hunters on the internet are getting up in arms over this 'stealth-nerf'.

Frankly, I'm puzzled that Blizz actually took the effort to sit down and brainstorm this thing through... This is especially since that the 'ghost' effect really had no effect in the game. It doesn't make it harder to see/target in PvP. It doesn't allow the pet to take less damage or do more damage. It just had the distinction of being different.

It takes a lot of effort to get; both in terms of the effort and gold required to gather the required gear/gem and the effort to level it to 70. It's the latter which had given me cause to procrastinate about it. I once tried to level a pet 10 levels below me, and it sucked bad. I cannot imagine having to do it for the wolf, but there are people who will.

In the end, is the nerf good? Actually, I think it is. It gives those who have done it something special to be happy about. For those who missed it, too bad... :p But look on the bright side, you saved 100+G... ;)