Post by Myre on Aug 17, 2015 3:30:37 GMT -6
Hello hunter new and old.
The following is a comprehensive guide of playing a hunter based on several current and former hunters, hunters from other private servers, along with tricks and tips to help improve you play. It is long, filled with plenty of nuance, and best consumed slowly and over time.
Enjoy!
Note, if you don't know where to turn for looking up items, specs, the like, AoWoW Database is the best source. Here's a link: db.vanillagaming.org/
Section I. The Basics
Hunters have three jobs in Raid.
First, as a dps, your job is to kill the boss as fast as possible. Regardless of what other people say, hunters can top dps meters, but it takes practice and a few tricks.
Second, your job is to kite mobs that otherwise cannot/should not be tanked. Aspect of the Cheetah combined with Goblin Rocket Boots will allow you to run circles around most mobs, including bosses. Worst comes to worst, if a tank dies and you can grab aggro, you can buy time for the rest of the raid to finish a boss.
Third, you are to provide raid utility through traps, AoE, and buffs to other melee through Trueshot Aura (TSA). While you shouldn't feel like a "buff-stick" it is important to provide the raid with as much TSA as possible as it's very helpful for Rogues and Warriors.
Stats:
Hitcap for Hunters is 9%. However, 9% is only required for spells (Tranquilizing Shot the most important among them). Especially while you're gearing up, it is possible to get away with 7% hit if you're able to trade equally or more favorably hit for crit. Exchanging hit for any other stat is not recommended.
Here are the conversions:
53 Agility (Marks, BM) = 46 Agility (Survival) = 1% Crit, 106 Ranged Attack Power
1 Agility = 2 Range Attack Power
14 RAP ~ 1 flat dps increase
1% crit ~ 1.3 percent dps increase
Pets:
On Vanillagaming, the pet to have is Bangalash. The other "special" pets don't have many of their special abilities here (like Lupos the wolf). He can be found in Stranglethorn Vale, on the hill near the center.
Source: Wowhead.com
Why Bangalash? He is currently bugged and has an ability he shouldn't have, which makes him attack every 1.08 seconds, which is faster than just about anything, and more damage when you consider his great base stats. NOTE: The bug only remains in tact if you don't reset your pet's talents! If you do, you'll have to retame him. As soon as you can, teach him max-level Nature, Fire, and Shadow Resistance, along with Sprint Rank 1 (not Rank 2: it costs too much) and growl.
Claw and Bite (and Furious Howl)
You have Bang, but you're not done just yet. You'll also need the max ranks of Claw (8) and Bite (8) in order for him to do max damage. Claw can be found from a Winterspring Screecher...
Source: Wowhead.com
...and Bite can be found by in Lower Blackrock Spire, from Bloodaxe Worgs. The Worgs also have Furious Howl, which can be useful for buffing Melee groups and yourself. If you're on a fight that your pet won't survival melee-range, a Bloodaxe Worg with Furious Howl is the best pet you can have. Keep this in mind if you're having trouble on fights like Ragnaros, but remember that good pet positioning and control goes a long way towards keeping you pet alive.
Source: Wowhead.com
NOTE: If you're using a Bloodaxe Worg, make the following macro. This will greatly increase your AoE contribution.
/cast Furious Howl
/cast Multi Shot
Rotation and Doing Damage:
Hunters are a burst dps class, which is why hit is so important to them (missing one key shot, can seriously lower dps). While a hunter might also sound like a mobile class, the difference between being stationary and doing damage on the run is massive. As a rule, move as little as possible, and if you have to move, try and time it between your autoshots, and when Aimed and Multishot are already on cooldown.
The ideal rotation is as follows:
Autoshot, Multishot, Autoshot, Aimed Shot, Autoshot, Autoshot, ...
In practice, this often looks like this:
Aimed Shot, Autoshot, Multishot, Autoshot, Autoshot, ...
Whats the difference? The first has an extra Autoshot that smoothes out the rotation, and has almost no down time between Multishot and Aimed Shot cooldowns. If you're playing with zero lag, this will do the most damage. The second rotation has a slight .5sec downtime that is being wasted after the second autoshot (where Aimed Shot is ready, but you have to let the autoshot finish). It also misses and Autoshot every other cycle, which is the main damage loss. This changes a bit with weapon speeds, and there are some break points where this doesn't happen. However, for most weapons, this is the case.
Why also might this rotation replace your other? Because certain mobs might have to die quickly (and can be killed with a single Aimed Shot, or by the raid before you can finish one cycle of your rotation). You can also channel an Aimed Shot while a tank is picking up a mob for instance, which if you hit it with an Auto + Aimed might cause it to aggro to you, and for the tank to get (rightfully) angry.
What you don't ever want:
Aimed Shot, Multishot, Autoshot, Autoshot, ...
Why is this worse? Well compare it to the first rotation: your missing out on 2 Autoshot. That may not seem like a lot, but depending on the length of the fight, your crit rating, and how much movement is required that could be anywhere from a 20-50% dps loss. Moral of the story: DON'T CLIP AUTOSHOTS. Let them fire between your casts.
If you're having trouble clipping shots, I recommend Sorren's Hunter Timers. This can be found in the massive addon database on Vanilla Gaming: vanillagaming.org/forum/index.php?topic=1004.0
What about our other spells?
On Vanilla Gaming, bosses can only have 16 debuffs on them at a time, except for very specific fights, additional hunter debuffs are usually a dps loss for the raid (as other class' debuffs are better than ours).
Serpent Sting: This is the one you'll use the most of the "non-used" spells. Apply on the pull, as the tanks go in for extra damage. The threat it generates is marginal and you can get some extra damage up before the raid dps gets going. This is usually only done on pulls that involve movement.
You can also use Serpent Sting on specific boss fights. In BWL, this would include fights like Broodlord, Ebonrock (where only half the raid is dpsing at any one time, and all the debuffs won't be up), and Nefarian (during Paladin Class calls, Serpent Sting count to two, then Feign and drink). Ossirian in AQ 20 is similarly a good fight to keep Serpent Sting up on.
In 20 mans, feel free to use Serpent Sting, as the group probably won't have all 16 best debuffs up.
Arcane Shot: Only use on the move, when you know you won't be still for the next 7 seconds. It shares a CD with Aimed shot, does less damage, and can be resisted. Try not to use.
Scorpid Sting: Useful for certain bosses that hit particularly hard. The raid leader will notify when you should use this.
Viper Sting: Useful in some fights in AQ, including Moam. However, unlike Serpent Sting, only one Viper Sting can be up at a time, so make sure not to stack it, or you're missing out on dps.
Binds:
Keybinds are important. If you don't use them, you should. The difference between clicking and pressing buttons cannot be understated: it is massive. Why? Two reasons: 1) Moving your mouse takes time, and unless you're supremely quick with it, you're going to be late, and 2) Because when you're clicking, your eyes are focused on your action bars, not on the fight around you. If you're clicking, you're also very likely to be dying to fire, killing people with plague, or otherwise not performing as well as you should be. Don't click.
Binding all of your keys at once, might seem overwhelming, and it can be. However, I would still recommend binding everything you can manage at once, and then slowly learning the main buttons. After that, expand to some of the tricks and toys and throw potions into the mix. Lastly, you don't have to bind "everything." In a fight, you may only use 2 different types of consumables for instance, but that may vary from fight to fight. Feel free to move things around on your bars as the situation requires.
This next section is completely up to personal taste, but here's how I've bound my keys:
1: Autoshot, Shift: Serpent Sting
2: Aimed Shot, Shift: Multishot
3: Arcane Shot, Shift: Arcane Shot Rank 1
4: Raptor Strike, Shift: Mongoose Bite
5: Viper Sting, Shift: Scorpid Sting
R: Wing Clip, Shift R: Intimidation (or Black if not BM)
Q: Tranquilizing Shot, Shift Q: Feign Death
T: Rapid Fire, Shift T: Shadowmeld
E: Concussive Shot, Shift E: Mend Pet
F: Trinket #1, Shift F: Trinket #2
Z: Flare, Shift X: Volley
G: Freezing Trap, Shift G: Frost Trap
Shift S: Hunter's Mark
V: Immolation Trap, Shift V: Explosive Trap
Shift C: Distracting Shot
`: Goblin Rocket Boots
Shift Z: Potions/Consumables 1, Shift X: Potions/Consumables 2
I also use a Naga Razor for all the macros, aspects, tracking, mounts, and toys that I have, which gives me another 24 keys to play with. If you don't have a Naga, use the same format, but use another modify key (such as Control or Alt) and continue the pattern.
Here is a picture of the bottom two rows:
Section II. The Spec
The Basic Spec:
This spec is your go-to when starting out. As a hunter with very little gear, your job is to provide Trueshot Aura (TSA) to people around you. You also need to make sure you are getting as much hit as possible, as the majority of your damage comes from Aimed Shots and Auto-shot Crits, and if you're missing any of those, you're losing major damage points.
There are two areas of small flexibility. 1 Single point can be taken out of Survivalist for Deterrence, while 2 points can be taken out of Improved Hunters Mark for either Scatter Shot or Improved Serpent Sting. If you PvP, this swap can is good, and will only result in a minor dps loss.
The in-depth spec guide can be found here: reignguild.freeforums.net/thread/121/hunter-specs Please refer to it for additional information on how and when to swap specs as you gear up. The first break point is at 7/9% hit without the 3 points in Surefooted. The next important breakpoint is 450 Agility, which usually occurs in T-2 gear.
Section III. The Gear
How you should read this section: "I'm going to try to get the first item in each list, but if I cannot easily, I will get the second, and then the third." Do not jump straight to the third, as you will miss out on a lot of hit / crit and will be doing very poor damage.
Items:
Head - Backwood Helm [Dire Maul West - Quest]
Neck - Pendant of Celerity [Tier .5 Summon-able Boss, Lord Valthalak in UBRS]
Mark of Fordring [EPL Quest Item]
Sentinel's Medallion [WSG Vendor Item in Ashenvale]
Shoulder - Bloodsoul Shoulders [Craftable by Blacksmith's. Req. friendly rep. w/Zandalar Tribe]
Truestrike Shoulders [UBRS, first boss. If you need more hit]
Abyssal Mail Pauldrons [Silithus Baron Drop. BOE with random stats
Spaulders of the Unseen [World Drop]
Stratholme Militia Shoulderguard [World Drop]
Back - Cape of the Black Baron [Stratholme, Baron]
Blisterbane Wrap [World Drop]
Chest - Savage Gladiator Chain [BRD - Gorosh the Dervish]
Bloodsoul Chest [Craftable by Blacksmith's. Req. friendly rep. w/Zandalar Tribe]
Bonebrace Hauberk [World Drop]
Wrist - Bracers of the Eclipse [Dire Maul West, Prince Tortheldrin in DM West]
Primal Batskin Bracers [LW Craftable]
Deepfury Bracers [World Drop]
Blackmist Armguards [UBRS, The Beast. If you need more hit.]
Gloves -Black Grasp of the Destroyer [Crafted by Blacksmith]
Devilsaur Gauntlets [Leatherworking craftable]
Bloodsoul Gauntlets [Blacksmith craftable, superior if 3/3 Bloodsoul, but worse than Black Grasp]
Waist - Warpwood Binding [Dire Maul, Tendris Warpwood]
Sash of the Great Hunt [BRD, Emperor Thaurissan]
Marksman's Girdle [LBRS, Urok Doomhowl. If you need more hit.]
Legs - Leggings of the Plague Hunter (Argent Down rep quest)
Devilsaur Leggings [Leatherworking Craftable]
Blademaster Leggings [UBRS, The Beast. If you need more hit.]
Abyssal Mail Leggings [Silithus Baron Drop. BOE with random stats]
Windrunner Legguards [World Drop]
Boots - Windreaver Greaves [Scholomance, Kirtonos the Herald]
1.Ring - Tarnished Elven Ring [Dire Maul North Tribute Run]
2.Ring - Painweaver Band [UBRS, General Drak]
Blackstone Ring [Mauradon, Prince. Can be soloed. If you need more hit]
1.Trinket- Blackhand's Breadth [Chain quest starting in LBRS and finishing in UBRS]
2.Trinket - Royal Seal of Eldre'thalas [DM hunter book]
3.Trinket - Earthstrike [Farm rep with Cenarion Hold]
Devilsaur Eye [Hunter Quest, starts at trainer]
Weapon - Barbarous Blade [Dire Maul North, King Gardok]
Warmonger [World Drop: If you're sub 7% (9% for tranq duty), this is superior]
2x Assassination Blade [World Drop, if you have the hit and want to swap for crit]
Ranged Weapon - Core Marksman Rifle [Engineer Craftable, expensive]
Fahrad's Reloading Repeater [Quest from Silithus, first boss of ZG+AQ]
Stoneshatter [Dire Maul West, Prince Tortheldrin]
Heartseeking Crossbow [World Drop]
Ammo - Thorium Headed Arrow/Shot [Crafted]
You're shooting for 9% hit, followed by as much crit and agility as you can. However, prior to tranq duty (and if you can swap hit evenly or more favorably for crit) you can get away with 7%.
Donations:
Vanillagaming supports donating, and if you're willing to spend a few dollars or euro, you can save yourself a lot of time and energy. The two most-worthwhile items to consider are Earthstrike (2 Euro) and Ossirian's Bindings (3 Euro). These items are very good and will see you through until the later stages of AQ40 and Naxx.
If you're looking at the 10 Euro Range, Crossbow of Imminent Doom is very good and will only be replaced in the later stages of BWL and AQ40. You can also donate for your Rhok'delar, Longbow of the Ancient Keepers (8 Euro), but you will need to get the Leaf out of Molten Core in order to get the BiS Quiver, so I don't recommend this.
A few other honorable mentions:
8/8 Giantstalker Armor - Hunter Tier 1: 35 Euro
3/3 Trappings of the Unseen Path - Hunter Aq20 Set [Weapon, Cloak, Ring]: 15 Euro
Fang of the Faceless: 5 Euro [BiS Pre AQ40]
Core Hound Tooth: 5 Euro [nearly BiS Pre AQ40]
Wristguards of True Flight: 3 Euro [BiS Pre-Naxx]
Puissant Cape: 3 Euro [1% Hit, Great Cape, Pre AQ40]
Quick Strike Ring: 2 Euro [Great Ring, Pre AQ40]
Ring of Fury: 2 Euro [More Hit]
Blooddrenched Mask: 2 Euro [2% Hit, but will be replaced by T2]
Rune of the Guard Captain: 1 Euro [1% hit, if you aren't hit capped but will be replaced quickly]
Books:
AQ20 Hunter Books:
[Guide: Serpent Sting IX]
[Guide: Multi-Shot V]
[Guide: Aspect of the Hawk VII]
You can find all of these on the AH (usually) but they are pricey. A few runs of AQ and you should also have them.
Enchants:
15 Agility/7 Agility Gloves
8 Agility on Legs (Libram of Voracity)
7 Agility on Boots
25 Agility on 2h weapon
3% hitscope on ranged Weapon/7 damage sniper scope if your hitcapped
4 Mp5 on bracer, until you're in all T2+ at which time you should do 1 agility
3 Agility on Back
4 Stats Chest
30 Atack power on Shoulders if you willing to spend gold on ZG rep
8 Agility on Head(Libram of Voracity)
ZG idols are also fantastic for hunters (Helm and Pants T2+) as they give an extra point of hit and attack power. Get them as soon as possible.
Section IV. Raiding as a Hunter
Raiding as a hunter is relatively easy, although it can be expensive. Doing damage should come naturally after a bit of practice, which then gives you time to worry about positioning and execution. With that in mind, there are several things useful for any situation.
Items:
Kiting certain mobs can be challenging, and these items make it a lot easier to pull off. Especially useful if AQ40 if you're asked to kite Scarabs / Worms.
Goblin Rocket Boots - Speed boost (Required)
Nifty Stopwatch - Speed Boost (Recommended)
Skull of Impending Doom - Speed Boost, Causes Damage / Drains Mana (Recommended)
Consumables:
Consumables are very important for maxxing dps as a hunter. Take the time to farm / buy these on the AH before each raid. I recommend 10 Mongoose, 2 Flasks, 10 Mageblood, 10 Mana Potions, 5 Dark Runes. You may not use them all, but you may need to, and you don't want to be "that guy" who didn't pop consumables on the 1% boss wipe. We don't like that guy.
Elixir of the Mongoose - 25 Agility, 2% Crit (Required)
Flask of Distilled Wisdom - 500 Mana (Required)
Mageblood Potion - 12 MP5 (Required)
Mana Potions - Restores Mana (Required)
Swiftness Potions - Speed Boost (Required)
Dark/Deamonic Runes - Restores Mana, Different CD to Mana Potions (Recommended)
Juju Might - 40 Attack Power, For Self and Pet (Recommended)
Agility/Strength Scrolls - For Pet (Optional: Recommended for BM)
Juju Power - 30 Strength, For Pet (Optional)
Limited Invulnerability Potions - Temporary Immunity (Optional, useful for kiting)
Petfood (REQUIRED)
Arrows / Ammunition (REQUIRED)
Water (REQUIRED)
If you ever find yourself at the Darkmoon Faire looking for the buff, the correct sequence is 1-1.
Macros:
Use Traps in Combat:
In Vanilla, hunter traps cannot be used in combat by default. However, with Feign Death, a little pet control, and some scripting, you can drop combat, in the middle of combat. Replace the final line with each of the other traps (Freezing, Immolation, and Explosive). This is incredibly useful, and mandatory on certain fights.
/script PetPassiveMode()
/script PetFollow()
/Cast Feign Death
/Cast Frost Trap
3rd-Trinket Swapping:
Place your trinket in the upper left corner of your backpack. This will swap your current top-slot trinket with the one in your bags provided it is in that position. If you'd like to change it's position, change the second number in the 4th line (for example: (0,4) would be top right of backpack). This is absolutely necessary if you want to maximize dps as a hunter.
/script PetPassiveMode()
/script PetFollow()
/cast Feign Death
/script PickupContainerItem (0,1)
/script PickupInventoryItem (13)
When you get to four trinkets worth swapping, you'll want to use this macro. This will allow you to use two on-use trinkets together, and then swap them out for two passives (or other on-uses) while they're on CD.
/script PetPassiveMode()
/script PetFollow()
/cast Feign Death
/script PickupContainerItem (0,3)
/script PickupInventoryItem (13)
/script PickupContainerItem (0,4)
/script PickupInventoryItem (14)
To pop two on-use trinkets at the same time, use the following.
/script UseInventoryItem(13)
/run SpellStopCasting()
/script UseInventoryItem(13)
/run SpellStopCasting()
/script UseInventoryItem(14)
/run SpellStopCasting()
/script UseInventoryItem(14)
/run SpellStopCasting()
Regards,
Myre
Hunter Class Lead, Officer of Reign
Last Updated: August 25, 2015
The following is a comprehensive guide of playing a hunter based on several current and former hunters, hunters from other private servers, along with tricks and tips to help improve you play. It is long, filled with plenty of nuance, and best consumed slowly and over time.
Enjoy!
Note, if you don't know where to turn for looking up items, specs, the like, AoWoW Database is the best source. Here's a link: db.vanillagaming.org/
Section I. The Basics
Hunters have three jobs in Raid.
First, as a dps, your job is to kill the boss as fast as possible. Regardless of what other people say, hunters can top dps meters, but it takes practice and a few tricks.
Second, your job is to kite mobs that otherwise cannot/should not be tanked. Aspect of the Cheetah combined with Goblin Rocket Boots will allow you to run circles around most mobs, including bosses. Worst comes to worst, if a tank dies and you can grab aggro, you can buy time for the rest of the raid to finish a boss.
Third, you are to provide raid utility through traps, AoE, and buffs to other melee through Trueshot Aura (TSA). While you shouldn't feel like a "buff-stick" it is important to provide the raid with as much TSA as possible as it's very helpful for Rogues and Warriors.
Stats:
Hitcap for Hunters is 9%. However, 9% is only required for spells (Tranquilizing Shot the most important among them). Especially while you're gearing up, it is possible to get away with 7% hit if you're able to trade equally or more favorably hit for crit. Exchanging hit for any other stat is not recommended.
Here are the conversions:
53 Agility (Marks, BM) = 46 Agility (Survival) = 1% Crit, 106 Ranged Attack Power
1 Agility = 2 Range Attack Power
14 RAP ~ 1 flat dps increase
1% crit ~ 1.3 percent dps increase
Pets:
On Vanillagaming, the pet to have is Bangalash. The other "special" pets don't have many of their special abilities here (like Lupos the wolf). He can be found in Stranglethorn Vale, on the hill near the center.
Source: Wowhead.com
Why Bangalash? He is currently bugged and has an ability he shouldn't have, which makes him attack every 1.08 seconds, which is faster than just about anything, and more damage when you consider his great base stats. NOTE: The bug only remains in tact if you don't reset your pet's talents! If you do, you'll have to retame him. As soon as you can, teach him max-level Nature, Fire, and Shadow Resistance, along with Sprint Rank 1 (not Rank 2: it costs too much) and growl.
Claw and Bite (and Furious Howl)
You have Bang, but you're not done just yet. You'll also need the max ranks of Claw (8) and Bite (8) in order for him to do max damage. Claw can be found from a Winterspring Screecher...
Source: Wowhead.com
...and Bite can be found by in Lower Blackrock Spire, from Bloodaxe Worgs. The Worgs also have Furious Howl, which can be useful for buffing Melee groups and yourself. If you're on a fight that your pet won't survival melee-range, a Bloodaxe Worg with Furious Howl is the best pet you can have. Keep this in mind if you're having trouble on fights like Ragnaros, but remember that good pet positioning and control goes a long way towards keeping you pet alive.
Source: Wowhead.com
NOTE: If you're using a Bloodaxe Worg, make the following macro. This will greatly increase your AoE contribution.
/cast Furious Howl
/cast Multi Shot
Rotation and Doing Damage:
Hunters are a burst dps class, which is why hit is so important to them (missing one key shot, can seriously lower dps). While a hunter might also sound like a mobile class, the difference between being stationary and doing damage on the run is massive. As a rule, move as little as possible, and if you have to move, try and time it between your autoshots, and when Aimed and Multishot are already on cooldown.
The ideal rotation is as follows:
Autoshot, Multishot, Autoshot, Aimed Shot, Autoshot, Autoshot, ...
In practice, this often looks like this:
Aimed Shot, Autoshot, Multishot, Autoshot, Autoshot, ...
Whats the difference? The first has an extra Autoshot that smoothes out the rotation, and has almost no down time between Multishot and Aimed Shot cooldowns. If you're playing with zero lag, this will do the most damage. The second rotation has a slight .5sec downtime that is being wasted after the second autoshot (where Aimed Shot is ready, but you have to let the autoshot finish). It also misses and Autoshot every other cycle, which is the main damage loss. This changes a bit with weapon speeds, and there are some break points where this doesn't happen. However, for most weapons, this is the case.
Why also might this rotation replace your other? Because certain mobs might have to die quickly (and can be killed with a single Aimed Shot, or by the raid before you can finish one cycle of your rotation). You can also channel an Aimed Shot while a tank is picking up a mob for instance, which if you hit it with an Auto + Aimed might cause it to aggro to you, and for the tank to get (rightfully) angry.
What you don't ever want:
Aimed Shot, Multishot, Autoshot, Autoshot, ...
Why is this worse? Well compare it to the first rotation: your missing out on 2 Autoshot. That may not seem like a lot, but depending on the length of the fight, your crit rating, and how much movement is required that could be anywhere from a 20-50% dps loss. Moral of the story: DON'T CLIP AUTOSHOTS. Let them fire between your casts.
If you're having trouble clipping shots, I recommend Sorren's Hunter Timers. This can be found in the massive addon database on Vanilla Gaming: vanillagaming.org/forum/index.php?topic=1004.0
What about our other spells?
On Vanilla Gaming, bosses can only have 16 debuffs on them at a time, except for very specific fights, additional hunter debuffs are usually a dps loss for the raid (as other class' debuffs are better than ours).
Serpent Sting: This is the one you'll use the most of the "non-used" spells. Apply on the pull, as the tanks go in for extra damage. The threat it generates is marginal and you can get some extra damage up before the raid dps gets going. This is usually only done on pulls that involve movement.
You can also use Serpent Sting on specific boss fights. In BWL, this would include fights like Broodlord, Ebonrock (where only half the raid is dpsing at any one time, and all the debuffs won't be up), and Nefarian (during Paladin Class calls, Serpent Sting count to two, then Feign and drink). Ossirian in AQ 20 is similarly a good fight to keep Serpent Sting up on.
In 20 mans, feel free to use Serpent Sting, as the group probably won't have all 16 best debuffs up.
Arcane Shot: Only use on the move, when you know you won't be still for the next 7 seconds. It shares a CD with Aimed shot, does less damage, and can be resisted. Try not to use.
Scorpid Sting: Useful for certain bosses that hit particularly hard. The raid leader will notify when you should use this.
Viper Sting: Useful in some fights in AQ, including Moam. However, unlike Serpent Sting, only one Viper Sting can be up at a time, so make sure not to stack it, or you're missing out on dps.
Binds:
Keybinds are important. If you don't use them, you should. The difference between clicking and pressing buttons cannot be understated: it is massive. Why? Two reasons: 1) Moving your mouse takes time, and unless you're supremely quick with it, you're going to be late, and 2) Because when you're clicking, your eyes are focused on your action bars, not on the fight around you. If you're clicking, you're also very likely to be dying to fire, killing people with plague, or otherwise not performing as well as you should be. Don't click.
Binding all of your keys at once, might seem overwhelming, and it can be. However, I would still recommend binding everything you can manage at once, and then slowly learning the main buttons. After that, expand to some of the tricks and toys and throw potions into the mix. Lastly, you don't have to bind "everything." In a fight, you may only use 2 different types of consumables for instance, but that may vary from fight to fight. Feel free to move things around on your bars as the situation requires.
This next section is completely up to personal taste, but here's how I've bound my keys:
1: Autoshot, Shift: Serpent Sting
2: Aimed Shot, Shift: Multishot
3: Arcane Shot, Shift: Arcane Shot Rank 1
4: Raptor Strike, Shift: Mongoose Bite
5: Viper Sting, Shift: Scorpid Sting
R: Wing Clip, Shift R: Intimidation (or Black if not BM)
Q: Tranquilizing Shot, Shift Q: Feign Death
T: Rapid Fire, Shift T: Shadowmeld
E: Concussive Shot, Shift E: Mend Pet
F: Trinket #1, Shift F: Trinket #2
Z: Flare, Shift X: Volley
G: Freezing Trap, Shift G: Frost Trap
Shift S: Hunter's Mark
V: Immolation Trap, Shift V: Explosive Trap
Shift C: Distracting Shot
`: Goblin Rocket Boots
Shift Z: Potions/Consumables 1, Shift X: Potions/Consumables 2
I also use a Naga Razor for all the macros, aspects, tracking, mounts, and toys that I have, which gives me another 24 keys to play with. If you don't have a Naga, use the same format, but use another modify key (such as Control or Alt) and continue the pattern.
Here is a picture of the bottom two rows:
Section II. The Spec
The Basic Spec:
This spec is your go-to when starting out. As a hunter with very little gear, your job is to provide Trueshot Aura (TSA) to people around you. You also need to make sure you are getting as much hit as possible, as the majority of your damage comes from Aimed Shots and Auto-shot Crits, and if you're missing any of those, you're losing major damage points.
There are two areas of small flexibility. 1 Single point can be taken out of Survivalist for Deterrence, while 2 points can be taken out of Improved Hunters Mark for either Scatter Shot or Improved Serpent Sting. If you PvP, this swap can is good, and will only result in a minor dps loss.
The in-depth spec guide can be found here: reignguild.freeforums.net/thread/121/hunter-specs Please refer to it for additional information on how and when to swap specs as you gear up. The first break point is at 7/9% hit without the 3 points in Surefooted. The next important breakpoint is 450 Agility, which usually occurs in T-2 gear.
Section III. The Gear
How you should read this section: "I'm going to try to get the first item in each list, but if I cannot easily, I will get the second, and then the third." Do not jump straight to the third, as you will miss out on a lot of hit / crit and will be doing very poor damage.
Items:
Head - Backwood Helm [Dire Maul West - Quest]
Neck - Pendant of Celerity [Tier .5 Summon-able Boss, Lord Valthalak in UBRS]
Mark of Fordring [EPL Quest Item]
Sentinel's Medallion [WSG Vendor Item in Ashenvale]
Shoulder - Bloodsoul Shoulders [Craftable by Blacksmith's. Req. friendly rep. w/Zandalar Tribe]
Truestrike Shoulders [UBRS, first boss. If you need more hit]
Abyssal Mail Pauldrons [Silithus Baron Drop. BOE with random stats
Spaulders of the Unseen [World Drop]
Stratholme Militia Shoulderguard [World Drop]
Back - Cape of the Black Baron [Stratholme, Baron]
Blisterbane Wrap [World Drop]
Chest - Savage Gladiator Chain [BRD - Gorosh the Dervish]
Bloodsoul Chest [Craftable by Blacksmith's. Req. friendly rep. w/Zandalar Tribe]
Bonebrace Hauberk [World Drop]
Wrist - Bracers of the Eclipse [Dire Maul West, Prince Tortheldrin in DM West]
Primal Batskin Bracers [LW Craftable]
Deepfury Bracers [World Drop]
Blackmist Armguards [UBRS, The Beast. If you need more hit.]
Gloves -Black Grasp of the Destroyer [Crafted by Blacksmith]
Devilsaur Gauntlets [Leatherworking craftable]
Bloodsoul Gauntlets [Blacksmith craftable, superior if 3/3 Bloodsoul, but worse than Black Grasp]
Waist - Warpwood Binding [Dire Maul, Tendris Warpwood]
Sash of the Great Hunt [BRD, Emperor Thaurissan]
Marksman's Girdle [LBRS, Urok Doomhowl. If you need more hit.]
Legs - Leggings of the Plague Hunter (Argent Down rep quest)
Devilsaur Leggings [Leatherworking Craftable]
Blademaster Leggings [UBRS, The Beast. If you need more hit.]
Abyssal Mail Leggings [Silithus Baron Drop. BOE with random stats]
Windrunner Legguards [World Drop]
Boots - Windreaver Greaves [Scholomance, Kirtonos the Herald]
1.Ring - Tarnished Elven Ring [Dire Maul North Tribute Run]
2.Ring - Painweaver Band [UBRS, General Drak]
Blackstone Ring [Mauradon, Prince. Can be soloed. If you need more hit]
1.Trinket- Blackhand's Breadth [Chain quest starting in LBRS and finishing in UBRS]
2.Trinket - Royal Seal of Eldre'thalas [DM hunter book]
3.Trinket - Earthstrike [Farm rep with Cenarion Hold]
Devilsaur Eye [Hunter Quest, starts at trainer]
Weapon - Barbarous Blade [Dire Maul North, King Gardok]
Warmonger [World Drop: If you're sub 7% (9% for tranq duty), this is superior]
2x Assassination Blade [World Drop, if you have the hit and want to swap for crit]
Ranged Weapon - Core Marksman Rifle [Engineer Craftable, expensive]
Fahrad's Reloading Repeater [Quest from Silithus, first boss of ZG+AQ]
Stoneshatter [Dire Maul West, Prince Tortheldrin]
Heartseeking Crossbow [World Drop]
Ammo - Thorium Headed Arrow/Shot [Crafted]
You're shooting for 9% hit, followed by as much crit and agility as you can. However, prior to tranq duty (and if you can swap hit evenly or more favorably for crit) you can get away with 7%.
Donations:
Vanillagaming supports donating, and if you're willing to spend a few dollars or euro, you can save yourself a lot of time and energy. The two most-worthwhile items to consider are Earthstrike (2 Euro) and Ossirian's Bindings (3 Euro). These items are very good and will see you through until the later stages of AQ40 and Naxx.
If you're looking at the 10 Euro Range, Crossbow of Imminent Doom is very good and will only be replaced in the later stages of BWL and AQ40. You can also donate for your Rhok'delar, Longbow of the Ancient Keepers (8 Euro), but you will need to get the Leaf out of Molten Core in order to get the BiS Quiver, so I don't recommend this.
A few other honorable mentions:
8/8 Giantstalker Armor - Hunter Tier 1: 35 Euro
3/3 Trappings of the Unseen Path - Hunter Aq20 Set [Weapon, Cloak, Ring]: 15 Euro
Fang of the Faceless: 5 Euro [BiS Pre AQ40]
Core Hound Tooth: 5 Euro [nearly BiS Pre AQ40]
Wristguards of True Flight: 3 Euro [BiS Pre-Naxx]
Puissant Cape: 3 Euro [1% Hit, Great Cape, Pre AQ40]
Quick Strike Ring: 2 Euro [Great Ring, Pre AQ40]
Ring of Fury: 2 Euro [More Hit]
Blooddrenched Mask: 2 Euro [2% Hit, but will be replaced by T2]
Rune of the Guard Captain: 1 Euro [1% hit, if you aren't hit capped but will be replaced quickly]
Books:
AQ20 Hunter Books:
[Guide: Serpent Sting IX]
[Guide: Multi-Shot V]
[Guide: Aspect of the Hawk VII]
You can find all of these on the AH (usually) but they are pricey. A few runs of AQ and you should also have them.
Enchants:
15 Agility/7 Agility Gloves
8 Agility on Legs (Libram of Voracity)
7 Agility on Boots
25 Agility on 2h weapon
3% hitscope on ranged Weapon/7 damage sniper scope if your hitcapped
4 Mp5 on bracer, until you're in all T2+ at which time you should do 1 agility
3 Agility on Back
4 Stats Chest
30 Atack power on Shoulders if you willing to spend gold on ZG rep
8 Agility on Head(Libram of Voracity)
ZG idols are also fantastic for hunters (Helm and Pants T2+) as they give an extra point of hit and attack power. Get them as soon as possible.
Section IV. Raiding as a Hunter
Raiding as a hunter is relatively easy, although it can be expensive. Doing damage should come naturally after a bit of practice, which then gives you time to worry about positioning and execution. With that in mind, there are several things useful for any situation.
Items:
Kiting certain mobs can be challenging, and these items make it a lot easier to pull off. Especially useful if AQ40 if you're asked to kite Scarabs / Worms.
Goblin Rocket Boots - Speed boost (Required)
Nifty Stopwatch - Speed Boost (Recommended)
Skull of Impending Doom - Speed Boost, Causes Damage / Drains Mana (Recommended)
Consumables:
Consumables are very important for maxxing dps as a hunter. Take the time to farm / buy these on the AH before each raid. I recommend 10 Mongoose, 2 Flasks, 10 Mageblood, 10 Mana Potions, 5 Dark Runes. You may not use them all, but you may need to, and you don't want to be "that guy" who didn't pop consumables on the 1% boss wipe. We don't like that guy.
Elixir of the Mongoose - 25 Agility, 2% Crit (Required)
Flask of Distilled Wisdom - 500 Mana (Required)
Mageblood Potion - 12 MP5 (Required)
Mana Potions - Restores Mana (Required)
Swiftness Potions - Speed Boost (Required)
Dark/Deamonic Runes - Restores Mana, Different CD to Mana Potions (Recommended)
Juju Might - 40 Attack Power, For Self and Pet (Recommended)
Agility/Strength Scrolls - For Pet (Optional: Recommended for BM)
Juju Power - 30 Strength, For Pet (Optional)
Limited Invulnerability Potions - Temporary Immunity (Optional, useful for kiting)
Petfood (REQUIRED)
Arrows / Ammunition (REQUIRED)
Water (REQUIRED)
If you ever find yourself at the Darkmoon Faire looking for the buff, the correct sequence is 1-1.
Macros:
Use Traps in Combat:
In Vanilla, hunter traps cannot be used in combat by default. However, with Feign Death, a little pet control, and some scripting, you can drop combat, in the middle of combat. Replace the final line with each of the other traps (Freezing, Immolation, and Explosive). This is incredibly useful, and mandatory on certain fights.
/script PetPassiveMode()
/script PetFollow()
/Cast Feign Death
/Cast Frost Trap
3rd-Trinket Swapping:
Place your trinket in the upper left corner of your backpack. This will swap your current top-slot trinket with the one in your bags provided it is in that position. If you'd like to change it's position, change the second number in the 4th line (for example: (0,4) would be top right of backpack). This is absolutely necessary if you want to maximize dps as a hunter.
/script PetPassiveMode()
/script PetFollow()
/cast Feign Death
/script PickupContainerItem (0,1)
/script PickupInventoryItem (13)
When you get to four trinkets worth swapping, you'll want to use this macro. This will allow you to use two on-use trinkets together, and then swap them out for two passives (or other on-uses) while they're on CD.
/script PetPassiveMode()
/script PetFollow()
/cast Feign Death
/script PickupContainerItem (0,3)
/script PickupInventoryItem (13)
/script PickupContainerItem (0,4)
/script PickupInventoryItem (14)
To pop two on-use trinkets at the same time, use the following.
/script UseInventoryItem(13)
/run SpellStopCasting()
/script UseInventoryItem(13)
/run SpellStopCasting()
/script UseInventoryItem(14)
/run SpellStopCasting()
/script UseInventoryItem(14)
/run SpellStopCasting()
Regards,
Myre
Hunter Class Lead, Officer of Reign
Last Updated: August 25, 2015
