how do you get your beasts to not assist against aggro mobs that swing?

^^

order all sleep

Then wait for the aggro mob to come to you assuming you already attacked it. Can't really think of another way than that. And if it uses area spells then that doesn't really work either. Best way would to recall yourself home and then go around without the pets.

ah, figured something out, got a pass door potion and left them behind a door.

Forgot about that method.

Forgot about that method.

Don't forget to breathe, might get nasty.

Haven't played in a long while. Easy to forget a few minor things like that. I however breathe all the time so I doubt I'll forget how to do that.

The Town that Forgot to Breath

Least you dont live here.

Mob area spells only affect things they are engaged with. Other than that, if the mob is aggro, your pets aren't assisting until the second round so you have a whole round to put them to sleep.