Tethering as it is right now is a cheap way to fix problems with AI and by association server performance. I can’t really fault the devs for it, despite hating it too.

AI would have to be able to hide when they can’t press a ranged attacker. Spiders could climb, big-ass insects too, winged things just fly. Then aquatic animals need to swim, crocs being the most commonly requested. Then we’ve got climbing. Human AI could pelt rocks that cause stamina damage. Big animals could smash trees and rocks, and bash at walls to shake us off.

As for dragging mobs from their spawn, they could have an escalating chance to slow down and stop, then return home as they get further away from it, and their target. Imagine some exiles just chased you away from their camp for a minute or two, then stop and shake their fists for a while and throw rocks at you before returning home.

I’m all for a rework of “tethering”, but at the same time I can already see how much work has to be done. New animations and probably a ground up AI rework. Cause damn they’re bad, honestly. And un-optimised as far as I can tell.