The Ultimate Hunter Guide for World of Warcraft

Are you a fan of ranged attacks, fierce animal companions, and an adventurous playstyle? Then the Hunter class in World of Warcraft (WoW) may just be the perfect fit for you. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about playing a Hunter in WoW. From choosing the right race and talent build to maximizing your skills and gear, this guide has got you covered. So, let’s delve into the world of the Hunter in WoW!

The Basics of Being a Hunter

The Hunter class falls under the ranged damage category, utilizing bows, crossbows, and guns to take down their enemies. They are also the only class that can tame and control various beasts to help them in battle. Hunters have a unique playstyle where they can move and shoot at the same time, making them suitable for both PvE and PvP encounters. But before we go any further, let’s go over some essential terms for Hunters.

Pet

As mentioned earlier, Hunters can tame and control various beasts to fight alongside them. These pets have unique abilities that can be utilized in different situations. As a Hunter, it is essential to choose a pet that complements your playstyle and skills.

Aspect

Aspects are like buffs that hunters can activate to enhance their abilities. They can also be changed during combat to adapt to different situations. Hunters have four aspects: Hawk, Cheetah, Monkey, and Pack. Each aspect provides different bonuses, such as increased damage, movement speed, and dodge chance.

Sting

Stings are a Hunter’s ranged debuff attack. They can be used to weaken enemies or slow them down, making it easier to kite (more on that later).

Choosing the Right Race for Your Hunter

In WoW, the race you choose can have a significant impact on your character’s gameplay. Each race has unique traits and abilities that can benefit a specific class more than others. For Hunters, the four races that stand out are Night Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, and Trolls.

Night Elf

Night Elves have a passive racial ability called Quickness, which increases their dodge chance by 1%. This bonus can be quite useful, especially for Hunters who need to avoid getting hit. Night Elves also have Shadowmeld, an ability that allows them to enter stealth mode, making it easier to ambush enemies or escape from dangerous situations.

Dwarf

Dwarves have a racial ability called Stoneform, which removes poisons, diseases, and bleed effects, making it easier to survive longer in battles. They also have increased gun skills, making them great for Hunter builds that utilize guns.

Orc

Orcs have a racial ability called Hardiness, which reduces the duration of stun effects by 15%. This can be useful in PvP situations where stunning opponents can give you the upper hand. Orcs also have Blood Fury, which increases their attack power for a short period, making it a great damage boost for Hunters.

Troll

Trolls have a passive racial ability called Berserking, which increases their attack and casting speed by 10% for a short period. This can be beneficial in situations where you need to deal more damage quickly. Trolls also have increased bow skills, making them an excellent choice for Hunter builds that focus on bows.

Talent Builds for Hunters

Talents are specializations that you can choose for your character as you level up in WoW. They provide bonuses and abilities that can enhance your playstyle. For Hunters, there are three talent trees: Beast Mastery, Marksmanship, and Survival.

Beast Mastery

The Beast Mastery talent tree focuses on the Hunter’s bond with their pet. It provides bonuses that improve their pet’s damage, speed, and abilities. This talent tree is great for players who enjoy controlling and utilizing their pets in combat.

Marksmanship

The Marksmanship talent tree focuses on ranged attacks and critical strikes. It provides bonuses that increase the Hunter’s accuracy, critical hit chance, and damage output. This talent tree is great for players who prefer to keep their distance from enemies and deal high damage.

Survival

The Survival talent tree focuses on traps and kiting. It provides bonuses that improve the Hunter’s trapping abilities, survivability, and movement speed. This talent tree is great for players who enjoy playing a more tactical and adaptive playstyle.

Leveling Your Hunter

Leveling your Hunter in WoW can be a fun experience, but it can also be challenging. As mentioned earlier, Hunters have a unique playstyle that allows them to move and shoot at the same time. This makes it easier to take down multiple enemies and kite them, especially in PvE encounters. Here are some tips to help you level up your Hunter efficiently:

Choose the Right Pet

As you level up, you will gain access to more pet options. It’s essential to choose a pet that complements your playstyle and is suitable for the type of enemies you will encounter. For example, a tank pet is great for taking on multiple enemies, while a DPS pet is great for dealing high damage to single targets.

Utilize Your Traps

Survival Hunters have access to various traps that can be used to immobilize enemies. These traps can make it easier to kite enemies or deal with multiple targets at once. Use them wisely to make your leveling journey smoother.

Kite Your Enemies

Kiting is an essential skill for Hunters, especially when dealing with multiple enemies. It involves attacking enemies from a distance and running away to avoid getting hit. Keep your Aspect of the Cheetah toggled on to increase your movement speed, making it easier to kite enemies.

Gearing Up Your Hunter

Gearing up your Hunter is crucial for maximizing your damage output and survivability. Here are some tips for getting the best gear for your Hunter:

Stats to Prioritize

The primary stats for Hunters are Agility and Stamina. Agility increases your attack power, critical strike chance, and armor, while Stamina increases your health pool. Aim for gear that provides a balance of these two stats.

Equip Ranged Weapons

As a Hunter, your primary weapons are your ranged weapons. Make sure to equip the best one you can find and upgrade them as you level up.

Upgrade Your Pet’s Gear

Your pet also benefits from gear upgrades, so make sure to equip them with the best gear you can find. This will improve their damage and survivability, making them even more useful in battles.

The Hunter in Endgame Content

At level 60, you can participate in endgame content in WoW, such as raids, dungeons, and PvP. As a Hunter, your role in these activities will depend on your talent build and gear. Here are some tips for excelling in endgame content as a Hunter:

Know Your Role in Raids and Dungeons

In raids and dungeons, Hunters are usually responsible for ranged damage, traps, and crowd control. Make sure to communicate with your team and utilize your abilities to support them.

Survive in PvP

In PvP, Hunters can be quite squishy. Make sure to utilize your Aspect of the Cheetah and traps to kite enemies and stay alive. Communication with your team is crucial, and working together can lead to victory.

Keep Upgrading Your Gear

Endgame content in WoW offers top-tier gear that can greatly enhance your abilities as a Hunter. Make sure to continue upgrading your gear to stay competitive and maximize your potential.

Conclusion

The Hunter class in WoW offers a unique and exciting gameplay experience. With their animal companions, versatile talents, and kiting abilities, they are a force to be reckoned with in both PvE and PvP encounters. By following this guide, we hope you can become an expert Hunter in the world of Azeroth. Happy hunting!