Consumables
Hunter Guide - Wrath of the Lich King Classic
DuringThe Burning Crusade Classic, Hunters were the undisputed kings of single-target DPS. The class would regularly top the damage meters and be a highly sought-after part of any raid composition. As we head intoWrath of the Lich King Classic, all that is about to change.
While they are still near the top of ourPVE DPS Tier, they’re no longer the runaway leader on the DPS meters. It’s not all doom and gloom, however. Thanks to some new abilities and skill reworks, some areas where Hunters were lacking have been greatly improved. Their utility is still beneficial in terms ofMisdirection,Frost Trap,Freezing Trap, andImproved Hunter’s Mark. When applicable,Trueshot Auracan be a beneficial party/raid buff as well. Plus, they still do excellent damage as well, and that will only scale as armor penetration becomes more widely available. So while we say goodbye to the age of Hunter domination inBurning Crusade, we say hello to their continued, albeit more balanced, success inWrath of the Lich King.
Our Hunter guide will go over the basics for the class. We have spec-specific guides available as well, which you can click into at the very top of this guide.
Horde
The following races can be Hunters for the Horde:
Between those four, your best options areTrollandOrc. Both races offer a racial cooldown ability (Berserking) and (Blood Fury) that can help maximize DPS. Orcs get an edge to the additionalCommandracial ability, buffing pet damage.
Alliance
The following races can be Hunters for the Alliance:
TheHeroic Presenceracial gives Draenei the edge as the best Alliance option for Hunters. Night Elves are a close second due to their base agility andShadowmeldutility.
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What are the best Hunter pets?
Hunters have the ability to tame pets in the wild. In addition to providing utility and extra DPS, they can also provide helpful buffs as well.
Generally, aWolfis the best bet due to theFurious Howbuff. Thanks to theBeast Masterytalent in the BM tree, aDevilsauris another option, albeit not as optimal.
What are the best professions for a Hunter?
Engineeringcontinues to be the best possible profession for Hunters. Thanks to new recipes inWrath of the Lich King Classic, there are helpful enhancements for your gear as a Hunter:
In addition, Engineers will be able to use explosives such as the newGlobal Thermal Sapper ChargeandSaronite Grenade, as well asSuper Sapper ChargeandGoblin Sapper Charge.
Jewelcrafting
For my money, Jewelcrafting is the second best profession for Hunters inWrath of the Lich King Classic. The combination of being able to use the profession-specific gems such asDelicate Dragon’s Eye, as well as crafting profession specific items likeTitanium Impact BandandTitanium Impact Choker, outweigh the benefits of other professions.
Blacksmithing
The only other viable option for optimal PVE performance is Blacksmithing. Blacksmiths gain two additional gem sockets viaSocket GlovesandSocket Bracer, resulting a net 40 extra Agility if you useDelicate Stormjewel. Technically, this is a 2 Agility loss compared to what you’ll gain through Jewelcrafting when solely accounting for gems. There are other benefits to Blacksmithing outside of personal performance, such as being able to craft sought-after items. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
What is the best PVE spec for Hunters?
Early on inWrath of the Lich King Classic, Survival will be the go-to spec for Hunters. Late into Ulduar and at the early stages of Trial of the Crusader, the obtainable armor penetration becomes high enough to justify the switch over the Marksmanship.
Beast Mastery is no longer the default PVE spec for Hunters, though it does have applications in speedrunning teams thanks to its impressive burst potential.
What consumes should I use as a Hunter?
For the most part, the consumes used by Hunters are uniform across all three specs, with few exceptions.
Final Thoughts
There is much to know and perfect within this Hunter Guide forWotLK, but there is still so much more to see!
