The Hunter — one of the easier specs in WoW Classic, with a great balance of solo play and end-game viability. The spec will certainly cater to those who enjoy having a pet companion on their journey in Azeroth. With 3 DPS specs to choose from Marksmanship, Beast Mastery and Survival, the Hunter has a number of different options available to it.
The Hunter is no different to how you'd expect it to be in many other fantasy worlds, in having a great balance of solo play and end-game viability. While the spec has a bad reputation for being played by bad players (something that still happens in live WoW), mastering this ranged DPS will make you an invaluable asset to your team.
Available to: Night Elf, Dwarf, Orc, Tauren, Troll
Type: Ranged DPS
Standard Bars: Health/Mana
Available Armor: Cloth, Leather, Mail (level 40)
Available Weapons: One-Handed Axes, Daggers, Swords Guns, Bows, Unarmed, Crossbows, Fist weapons, Spears, Staves, Two-Handed Swords, Axes Thrown
Survival just edges it for us when it comes to comparing it to Marksman. The spec has high damage output, lots of mobility and crowd control, is easy to solo level, and is not very reliant on gear to perform. You will also find yourself not using the final talent in your tree, meaning you are able to dip into Marksmanship one tier further to get Scatter Shot — which will provide you with even more crowd control and remove enemies from your dead zone.
Marksmanship comes in slightly under Survival, with a similar level of damage but just a little bit less, well, survivability. One of the key talents in the spec is Trueshot Aura, something that will make you very popular among other Attack Power users in your party. Thankfully, we can make up for some of the shortcomings of Marksmanship by dipping into the Survival tree, picking up some good utility spells to help the spec perform closer to the level of Survival.
Beast Mastery is subjectively the worst spec of the 3 for group content. If you plan on playing mostly solo content, however, then the Beast Mastery spec might be your calling. The ability to have your pet tank mobs for you, freeing you up to deal out huge damage, is ideal for farming and gold making — so if that's what you want to do in Classic, then this spec is ideal. It would also operate very well as an alt character, in order to funnel resources into your main class.
Best race for Hunter in Classic
|
Ranking |
Horde |
Racial Trait |
|---|---|---|
|
S |
Blood Fury |
|
|
A |
Regeneration |
|
|
C |
Brawn |
|
Ranking |
Alliance |
Racial Trait |
|---|---|---|
|
S |
Stoneform |
|
|
A+ |
Shadowmeld |
Hunter Abilities in Classic
Main Abilities
The hunter takes on the aspects of a cheetah, increasing movement speed by 30%. If the hunter takes damage, he will be dazed for 4 sec. Only one Aspect can be active at a time.
It would be hard to write any guide about the Hunter class without mentioning one of the most notorious spells in their kit. Aspect of the Cheetah is amazing for getting around the world, but be sure to turn it off in dungeons or feel the wrath of a very angry group.
Increases the attack power of party members within 45 yards by 50. Lasts 30 min.
The final talent in the Marksmanship tree, Trueshot Aura is one of the most useful utility spells on offer to the Marksmanship spec. It will make you a key asset to the melee group during raids.
A short-range shot that deals 50% weapon damage and disorients the target for 4 sec. Any damage caused will remove the effect. Turns off your attack when used.
Found at the mid-point of the Marksmanship spec (requiring other specs to not pick their end talent in order to acquire it) Scatter Shot is a great tool for allowing the Hunter to reposition during a fight. Damage will break this short crowd control ability, so it is best used in a 1v1 situation or if communicated to your group.
Feed your pet the selected item. Feeding your pet increases happiness. Using food close to the pet's level will have a better result.
While the spell is available to all Hunter specs, Beast Mastery Hunters are going to get the most use out of it. Used to feed and keep your pet happy, it is used alongside Beast Lore to provide your pets with the food they need.
A strike that becomes active after parrying an opponent's attack. This attack deals 40 damage and immobilizes the target for 5 sec. Counterattack cannot be blocked, dodged, or parried.
This is basically the Survival answer to Scatter Shot. Used after parrying an opponent's attack, it deals a small amount of damage but immobilises the target for 5 seconds. With the spell being unavoidable it can be great against attacks from pesky melee classes, such as Rogues and Warriors.
Best Professions for Hunter in Classic
Leatherworking + Skinning - It's nice to be able to make gear out of all the mobs you kill, so we think this is the safest option for Hunter, especially if you intend to do a lot of solo content.
Engineering + Mining - This is the ideal choice for those who either like to make cool toys and gadgets or like to get a little bit cheeky in PvP by throwing bombs at their foes.
