An example of the “Found” alert button for Fumblub Gearwind.
This warning appears when searched-for mobs are already cached at log in.
The options window with a list of all mobs currently being searched for.
NPCScan
_NPCScan tracks seldom-seen rare mobs by proximity alone, making the old “/targetexact …” macros obsolete. It has the same range as those targeting macros, but you won't have to mash any buttons. Just go about your business and let _NPCScan alert you when it finds something.
Details
The Cache
This addon doesn't use nameplates or mouseover units to find rares. Instead, it checks your creature cache for the moment a rare mob is found. There is one catch to this technique however: Once a mob is “found”, _NPCScan won't be able to find it again until your cache is cleared. If you find a rare mob's corpse—Dirkee for example—you would have to clear your cache before _NPCScan would find Dirkee again. Thankfully, clearing your cache is a safe and simple matter.
Clearing Your Cache
To clear your cache, follow these straightforward steps:
Exit World of Warcraft.
Delete the “Cache” sub-directory inside your World of Warcraft folder. For example on a standard Windows XP installation, you would delete the folder “C:\Program Files\World of Warcraft\Cache”.
Note: Windows Vista and Windows 7 users see this info to find your Cache folder in WoW's Virtual Store.
That's it. Log in after you've done that and you'd be able to find Dirkee a second time. It's completely safe because WoW will recreate your Cache folder after you log in again.
Cache Warning
If a rare mob is already cached when you log in, _NPCScan will print a warning message with the names of those mobs. If you see this message but still want to find the listed NPCs again, it's time to clear your cache by following the above procedure. Otherwise, you can quit searching for those mobs using the Search options window detailed below. You can suppress this log-in message using the main options pane, as well.
“Found” Alert
When a rare mob is found, _NPCScan alerts you by playing a loud and distinctive sound, making your screen pulse red, and displaying an animated targeting button. To get a feel for what this alert looks and sounds like, try the “Test Found Alert” button in the addon's main Interface Options panel. (See the Options section below.)
Targeting Button
When clicked, the targeting button tries to target the most-recently-found mob. You can also bind a key to hit this button. If the default button position isn't to your liking, you can move it while holding your <CTRL> key.
Note: The button cannot be shown during combat. In the unlikely case that you do find a rare while fighting, the button will appear after you leave combat. You will still hear the alert however, and the name of the mob will appear in your chat log.
Options
_NPCScan's main options window can be accessed from the Interface Options menu. This panel includes a “Test Found Alert” button, various ways to customize the alert sound, and an option to suppress cache warning messages on log-in.
New sounds can be added to the alert sound dropdown menu by installing SharedMedia-type addons.
Search List
The list of mobs that _NPCScan searches for can be modified easily through the Interface Options panel, however it comes pre-configured with most rare Outlands and Northrend mobs. To access the mob list, type “/npcscan”.
Grayed out NPCs in a list aren't being searched for, either because they're cached, a pet, or not needed for their achievement.
The first tab available lists Custom NPCs that you can enter or remove manually. NPCs that are already cached show a red “X” in the first column. You can add or remove Custom NPCs with the [+] and [-] buttons at the bottom right.
All other tabs control achievements like Bloody Rare and Frostbitten. These tabs show an additional column on the right with green check marks for completed achievement mobs. You may enable or disable tracking each achievement with its tab's checkbox.
The two checkboxes at the top left of the pane allow greater control over which mobs to search for. “Search for tamable NPCs” controls searching for mobs tamable by hunters (to avoid the issues detailed in the “Limitations” section below). “Search for completed Achievement NPCs” allows you to keep looking for mobs you no longer need for achievements.
Finding NPC IDs
A mob's NPC ID is its unique identification number, and it can be found on sites like WowHead or WowDB. For example, search for the mob “Dirkee” on WowHead and go to the mob's page. That page's URL will look like “http://www.wowhead.com/?npc=32500”; 32500 is Dirkee's NPC ID.
Limitations
The only problem mobs for _NPCScan are tamable beasts. Even when you run across the tamed version, _NPCScan gets tricked into thinking that mob is nearby. In order to prevent those false positives, _NPCScan only shows alerts for tamable mobs in their original zones. That is, if you spot Loque'nahak in Dalaran instead of Sholazar Basin where it usually patrols, _NPCScan would ignore it. When one of these tamable mob false-alarms happens, you'll see a message in your chat window explaining why it got ignored.
Since this makes tamable mobs are so difficult to track, I suggest you fly to the tamable mob's zone first, clear your cache, and then search for it. Any time you pass through a populated area like Dalaran, you risk filling your cache with popular rare pets.
Did you ever get the dungeon block removed so it searches rares now is is that still in progress ?
Also, I deleted my creature cache so I dont have anything cached right now but I am curious about something. Why do some of the rares have their names greyed out on the list while others appear light orange ?
Also, I see where the Bloody Rare & Frosbittin guys are listen but on the "custom" tab why are there only two rares / creatures listed. I know theres a ton more than two rares for old school (pre bc) stuff.
Originally posted by Odinsdottir Is it possible to clear individual monsters from the cache? I'd like to clear the ones I haven't killed, but not the ones I already have.
Nope, it's all or nothing with the cache file. You might want to disable the “Search for completed Achievement NPCs” option and delete any custom NPCs that you don't want to find anymore though. That way, once you find and kill an NPC, you won't be alerted about it again when you clear your cache.
I've added a new version for the 3.2 PTR at <http://wow.curseforge.com/addons/npcscan/files/>. Pick up the latest "Alpha" release in that list and feel free to let me know what you think of it.
Originally posted by lillocke why cant i get this to work, i have put the files in my addon map and removed the cache map, but everytime i go into WOW i cant find _NPCscan in my addon list, not in the game or the addOn feature after i logged in... please help!
If it's not showing up in your addons list, that means WoW can't find it. Check out WowInterface's intallation guide to make sure it's in the right place, and take special care if you're using Windows Vista. Addon installation can be tricky with Vista if you haven't done it before, although I don't know much about Vista to help you with.
why cant i get this to work, i have put the files in my addon map and removed the cache map, but everytime i go into WOW i cant find _NPCscan in my addon list, not in the game or the addOn feature after i logged in... please help!
Originally posted by PilsnerDk Am I mistaken, or does it not give an alert on old-world rares? I ran into Pyromancer Loregrain, a rare elite in BRD, and it did not sound an alert.
Is it possible to have it trigger on ALL rares, or does it have to be by ID?
It has to be by ID, unfortunately. In addition, it disables itself in dungeons for performance, but I think I'm going to remove that "feature" in the next version since this isn't the first time someone's asked about it.
I created this apple script to clear the cache and then start the game.
MacHD is your startup disk. Volumes:games can be eliminated if you don't have the game on another hard drive. Copy the lines between "begin code" and "end code" into script editor and edit to the proper location on your system. Run from script editor or after making sure it works properly you can compile it as an app and it will close automatically after launching the WoW launcher.
---begin code---
tell application "Finder"
if exists file "MacHD:Volumes:games:World of Warcraft:Cache:WDB:enUS:creaturecache.wdb" then
delete file "MacHD:Volumes:games:World of Warcraft:Cache:WDB:enUS:creaturecache.wdb"
end if
activate application "World of Warcraft Launcher"
end tell
---end code---
Originally posted by Zyland I didn't see a suggestion/bug tracker area, though it is likely I missed it.
In the options UI, the lists of mobs are not listed. Will provide further testing to see if it still alerts for the mobs that should be listed. (It does tell me that putridius is already in my cache)
Again, this is with the 3.2 PTR, just trying to help future development. Is there another place you prefer these reports?
_NPCScan's bug tracker is at <http://code.google.com/p/wow-saiket/...=AddOn:NPCScan>, although I've already fixed that particular bug for 3.2. The new version of the mod has a couple unfinished new features, but I'll have everything up and working again when the patch comes out.
I didn't see a suggestion/bug tracker area, though it is likely I missed it.
In the options UI, the lists of mobs are not listed. Will provide further testing to see if it still alerts for the mobs that should be listed. (It does tell me that putridius is already in my cache)
Again, this is with the 3.2 PTR, just trying to help future development. Is there another place you prefer these reports?
Originally posted by Saiket Are you positive that you deleted the right folder while the game was turned off? If you delete your cache while WoW is still turned on, it will appear again as soon as you close the game.
Right folder yes. In another MMorph I 'work' for the game creates a default folder upon relog, even if cleared while ingame. Of course that's what I tried here...half a dozen times
Finally figured out that that doesn't work too well with WoW since, like you said, it recreates the deleted folder rather than a new default one unless cleared while out of the game. Thanks.
Originally posted by chimeras I installed this addon a couple of days ago. I seem to have the same issue as many, red 'x' by several mobs upon login, like Loque'nahak and Gondria.
I've deleted cache a half a dozen times, reloaded the UI several times and completely reinstalled the addon, but the 'x' stays.
I'm running XP, so no hidden cache, single installation of WoW, no hunters in the area that could be running tamed cats and I've never seen, much less killed either of them.
I've deleted and readded both cats under custom NPCs.
Are there any other ways this could be fixed.
Are you positive that you deleted the right folder while the game was turned off? If you delete your cache while WoW is still turned on, it will appear again as soon as you close the game.
I installed this addon a couple of days ago. I seem to have the same issue as many, red 'x' by several mobs upon login, like Loque'nahak and Gondria.
I've deleted cache a half a dozen times, reloaded the UI several times and completely reinstalled the addon, but the 'x' stays.
I'm running XP, so no hidden cache, single installation of WoW, no hunters in the area that could be running tamed cats and I've never seen, much less killed either of them.
I've deleted and readded both cats under custom NPCs.
Are there any other ways this could be fixed.
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Is there another place you prefer these reports?
