A quick refresher on how to play a hunter

I was going to write a post about itemization while using the new dungeon finder. But recently I’ve begin to notice a lot of different blogs and reports about hunters not knowing how to play their class in a group.

Being a member of the one class that is always an easy target as being the example of what’s wrong with World of Warcraft, I thought it might be good to give my view on the state of our class. I’ve owed this post for a while now to Khaled so it’s probably a good thing I get around to writing it.

I’ve stated this before. I think hunters are at a unique spot. We have our flaws and we’re broken in places. But honestly as a class we’re fine. All three specs can raid even the toughest content. Admittedly, we won’t be at the top, but bosses will be downed. Loot will be had.

What is troubling are a couple of things. There are still an amazing number of hunters out there that remain either ill informed or choose to just remain uninformed.  (Guess it gives me reason to keep Hunter 101 going for a while yet.)

Because of these players, we as a class are rapidly faling prey to the two camps that will make us the butt of many jokes, and having fun playing our class extremely difficult. There’s the “Hunter’s are lame! I saw one needing on Strength and Spirit gear.” and the “If you’re not min/maxing and achieving the highest possible DPS, then don’t roll a hunter!” crowds. I know, we’ve always had them. But for some reason they seem a lot more vocal in the community at large than before. Well, let’s see what we can do about that shall we?

Both can easily be dealt with. However, it will take some effort on both of our’s part. See, both are right to an extent. What is up with that hunter rolling need on +Str and +Sp gear? Really? Have I not taught you guys anything? I guess it’s time for a refresher.

Hunter’s Role

A hunter’s role in any group is to cause damage and to help control wayward mobs.

Too many of us have become complacent with just running in a group and spamming Volley. I’m not just waving my cane and fumbling for my false teeth here. I mean it. Many of us have forgotten that our job is to do more than just shell out damage. Damage is part of it, just not everything.

So remember, you’re job in every group is twofold:

• Deal out Damage
• Control the mobs

Hunter Tools

You have several tools and specs to help you do this, so learn how to use them. Don’t force the tank to ask you for a Misdirect. Don’t have the healer beg you to help get that pesky demon off their back. Instead, have them thank you for doing it.

Are you noticing that the tank is a little undergeared? Don’t you dare whine and drop group. No butts! Hush! ZIP IT!! Shush! Okay, now that I got it a bit quieter.

See, We have a ton of tools that can help the tank that might be a bit undergeared. Now we can’t make up for the tank not being Defenced Cap. All we can do there is try to kill the mobs faster and hope they don’t smacked by a massive Crit.

• Otherwise, got a Tank that can’t generate threat? Misdirect!
• Got a Tank that can’t maintain threat? Misdirect, Feign and pace your DPS.
• Got a Tank that’s can’t handle multiple mob pulls? Misdirect, Trap, Pet Tank.

See we can make that Tank look like a hero. Now they might not love you because they’re getting whacked upside the head so much. Meh! That’s their job! They’re the Tank they get whacked so our Healer doesn’t.

Also, don’t get so hung up on Misdirects and DPS Meters only to see that your having to drop into Viper all the time and your Healer is spamming /Raid or /Party with OOM after every pool. Seriously! Didn’t you know you could help with Replenishment? Yep, we can bring solid DPS, manage threat, control mobs, AND help our group regenerate mana. If we don’t have utility and can bring stuff to the party, then no one can.

So like I said, learn the tools of your class. It’s not just about the meters, but downing the bosses.

Spec Choices

Remember when I said all three specs are raid viable? Yeah, I know you nearly hyperventelated as you probably starting punching kitties and throwing your mouse at the screen. (By the way, nice left hook!)

Well, I’m here to tell you this. All specs are Viable but may not be Optimum. See the difference?

Okay, let me try and help clarify a bit.

By being viable I mean “capable of working, functioning, or developing adequately” (Websters Online).

Whereas Optimum is “greatest degree attained or attainable under implied or specified conditions” (Websters Online)

Now that we got that cleared up you and your guild or raid group need to determin how to proceed. Just understand, because you’ve decided to raid BM because it’s viable, doesn’t mean you’ll sail through without wipes or a few extra repair bills. If you want to play the game that way, then you really want to play Optimum-ly. Neither is correct and both will lend itself to being fun. It’s more about setting expectations.

Now the caveat. Your guild allowing you to raid as Beast Mastery does not give you a license to just throw talent points here or there not worrying about the consequence.

If you’re not going with the more acceptable specs, be prepared to defend your reasoning. You’ll be surprised at how many people might disagree with your choices but will respect the fact you understand why you made them.

Then again, some choices just don’t make sense. I guess I’ll put it this way. If you’re in my Battle Group and I happen to inspect you and I see your spec has PathFinding, Thick Hide or you’re running with at Hit Cap and still have 3 points in Focused Aim. I’m going to smack you with the biggest Red Snapper I can find all the way through the raid. I mean it!

So if you’re raiding go get a sensible spec. Heck! Here’s a few suggestions.

Beast Mastery

• 53/11/7
• 53/12/5

Marksman

• **7/57/7 (**Rilgon’s Low Hit/High ArPen Spec) -
• 7/57/7 -
• 7/57/7 (High DPS)

Survival

• 0/14/57
• 6/14/51

Use one of these and they can’t pick on you really. They might still argue a point here or there, but they’re all solid specs to run with.

Pets

I’m not going to sit here and fight over the benefits of a Wolf with Furious Howl. Or why Spirit Beasts or any Exotic Pets should truly be a better raiding pet. Instead I’m just going to say this. Make sure you’re using a Ferocity pet. That’s it. These are DPS pets and should be used when you’re raiding.

Yes, I miss Fat Elvis he’s in his shell at the stables. But I bring along ElvisLives because I know it helps me be the best hunter I can be.

Gear Scores

OMG! WTF! We went away from managing everyone via spreadsheets to now gearscores seem to matter? I have two words for gears scores. BITE MY HAIR DWARVEN <BEEEEEEEEEEEP>

(We’re sorry for this interruption but it seems that Brigwyn has had a bit of a melt down. We’ll return to this post as soon as it’s safe to do so.)

And another thing. If I’m ever in another <BEEEEEEEEP>

(Nope, seems he’s not ready yet.)

So there you have it. Basically, Gear Scores don’t mean crap!

Gear Choice and Itemization

AH! Now you’re talking. We’ve mentioned this time and time again. You can take crappy gear as long as it meets some base requirements. We’ll review them here.

1. Hit Cap – Heroics 6%, 10/25 Man Raids 8%. If in doubt? It’s 8% or 263 Hit Rating. And yes, Focused Aim does transfer to your pet.
2. Beast Mastery – Focus your stats using:  Attack Power > Agility > Crit
3. Survival – Focus your stats on:  Agility > Attack Power > Crit
4. Marksmanship – Focus your stats on the same as Survival, Agility > Attack Power > Crit. If you insist on doing the Armor Penetration route, then you better be over 900 ArPen and climbing.
5. Never, EVER pick up that +Int +Spirit gear. If you do I swear I’ll hunt you down and revoke your Lodge Membership!
6. Curious about Enchants or Gems? Simple follow your specs priority.

DPS Targets

Simply put you want to target 1,500-2,000 DPS in Heroics. That seems to be the acceptable minimum DPS range. If you’re doing this and getting crap from the raid then send them my email address and have them explain to me why that’s not acceptable. Seriously! I want to know why!

Really though,if you’re geared, specced correctly you should easily be doing 1,500 DPS in Blues and maybe 1 or 2 Epics. Heck! You can do 1,500 DPS in Blues and Greens.

Now for raids? If you’re stepping into IceCrown 10/25 mans. You really should be pulling around 4,500-5,000 DPS minimum. If you’re not able to do this then there’s other issues at hand.

I know people that can pull double this without too much trouble. But don’t step inside Ice Crown Citadel with your newly crafted epics or freshly mix set of Tier 7, Tier 8 and Tier 9 and think just because you’re doing 6k DPS you should be worshiped. Most of these guys are tipping the meters closer to 9 or 10k and expect everyone in their group to do the same. So you have some catching up to do even then. Just play smart and be polite. You should be fine.

DPS Meters

WTH! You now want to start me on the <BEEEP!!> meters! What the <BEEEEEP!>

(We’re sorry for this. Seems we’ve hit another one of Brig’s hot buttons)

Besides, who the <BEEEP!>

(Nope he’s still ranting. Maybe we should give him a bit.)

So keep you meter scores to yourself. They’re not accurate to anyone but yourself and are more ment to be gauges than measurements of epeen.

Well I think that’s enough for now. I Think we basically covered the basics. We’ll go into each of these in more detail another time. But hopefully, this will be a good refresher and primer to keep the DPS Meter junkies at bay as well as those that are just chomping at the bit to discredit hunters.

If you’ve decided to just skim this and want a TLDR version? Here it is.

• Hunters are for DPS and Mob Control
• All Specs are Raid Viable but not all are Optimum
• If you Raid as Beast Master better use a sensible spec
• Select the gear for your Class and Spec
• Gear Scores can bite my <BEEEEP> (We apologize again folks.)
• Minimum DPS Targets 1,500 Heroics or 4,500-5,000 for Ulduar, TOC or later 10/25 Man Raids
• DPS Meters – Shut the <BEEEEPS!> (We’re truly sorry folks.) So just delete them if you can’t be polite.

I think that covers it. Let me know if you think I forgot something or as always, if you disagree or just feel you have something you want to say.