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.
Originally posted by Saiket The addon is still working with 3.1; just check "Load out of date AddOns" at the top right of your addon list. A new version is currently in the works with new features, but it won't be ready for a while longer.
thank you for the information. i should smack my self for not clicking that on
Originally posted by goldwarrior _npcscan out of date
The addon is still working with 3.1; just check "Load out of date AddOns" at the top right of your addon list. A new version is currently in the works with new features, but it won't be ready for a while longer.
The cache scan idea from Saiket is great. That's why I implemented it to ESN_Rare. But I added even more like Minimap tooltip tracking (for hunters or tracking food).
The target frame looks nice but it's not needed to find a rare mob in my opinion. But I was the first who had a Target-Macro.
Both addons (NPCScan and SilverDragon) are very useful but they did not fit my needs so I made a new one.
Originally posted by Kemayo Well, I liked it. I didn't think ESN Rare had copied it yet. (It did copy out my reimplementation of the cache-scanning, though.)
Ahh Silverdragon had cache scanning before npcscan?
Originally posted by Saiket Since all of the scanning is done within the game with no third party executables, it falls under the guidelines in Cairenn's sticky post, Mods FAQ (AddOns, UIs, Interfaces): 5. Legal?. In this regard, it is the same as similar mods such as ESN Rare and SilverDragon.
That is actually very good news. As it was my understanding that these automated tasks was no longer allowed.. Which just gives a whole set of ideas
Originally posted by ievil As it does seem to automatically scan for an npc, is this "legal" in regards to the EULA, and the blizzard stands on automated addons?
Just curious as I see some of our hunters are using it to catch the rare pet from SB.
Since all of the scanning is done within the game with no third party executables, it falls under the guidelines in Cairenn's sticky post, Mods FAQ (AddOns, UIs, Interfaces): 5. Legal?. In this regard, it is the same as similar mods such as ESN Rare and SilverDragon.
Clearing the cache manually does seem a little out of line with usual addons, but I figured since Blizzard often advises doing just that to troubleshoot many problems, it wouldn't be a problem. However, if Blizzard does decide that they don't like what _NPCScan does, they have at least one simple way to make it not work anymore without affecting any other addon. In any case, you are in no danger if you use the mod.
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Add on needs to be updated please
