Playstyle
The Hunter fights with a bow, gun or spear and often has an animal companion at its side. Its resource is Focus, which refills on its own over time. Because it attacks from range, it rarely stands where the damage is.
With Feign Death, Disengage and Aspect of the Turtle, the Hunter has strong tools to escape trouble. That makes it one of the safest classes for leveling and solo content.
Background and lore
Hunters are trackers, marksmen and friends of beasts. The best known come from House Windrunner: Sylvanas was Ranger-General of Quel'Thalas before she became the Banshee Queen, and her sister Alleria is one of the Alliance's finest archers. On the Horde side, the half-ogre Rexxar and his bear Misha are the very picture of a beastmaster. Almost every race can be a hunter, and you tame companions all over the world.
Specializations
Beast Mastery
Beast Mastery is the pet specialization above all. Your pet deals a big part of your damage, and you can use almost every ability on the move. The fantasy is clear: you and your pack against everyone else. Almost every community list names Beast Mastery as the top pick for beginners.
Signature abilities: Bestial Wrath, Barbed Shot
Marksmanship
Marksmanship is the sharpshooter with bow or gun who fires heavy shots from long range. Some shots take a moment, so positioning matters. If you like waiting for the perfect moment for a big hit, this is your spec.
Signature abilities: Rapid Fire, Trueshot
Survival
Survival is the exception among hunters: a melee fighter with spear, traps and bombs who fights side by side with your pet. Wilderness instead of shooting range. A little unusual, but with a personality of its own.
Signature abilities: Raptor Strike, Wildfire Bomb, Harpoon
Who is the Hunter for?
A good fit if you …
- are new to WoW and want a class that works right away,
- enjoy having a pet and collecting animals,
- play a lot of solo content, since your pet can hold enemies.
Not ideal if you …
- want to tank or heal, because the Hunter is a pure damage class,
- are looking for a demanding rotation.
Strengths and weaknesses
Few classes are as accessible as the Hunter, and taming pets is a collection game of its own. The flip side: if you want to try all three roles, you will need a second class eventually.
Hunter or something else? Find out with the class quiz or let the random class generator decide.
Images: © Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Source: worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com
