Hunter Class Overview and Guides - WoW Classic

By Anshlun Updated: 2024/11/18

Classic WoW Hunter Basics

Races: Dwarf, Night Elf, Orc, Tauren, Troll

Role: Ranged Damage Dealer, designated puller

Resources: Health & Mana

Armor: Cloth, Leather, Mail

Weapons: Bows, Crossbows, Guns, Swords (2H), Axes (2H), Swords (1H), Axes (1H), Fist Weapons, Spears, Daggers, Staves, Thrown

Stats: Agility, Attack Power, Hit and Crit.

Strengths: Strong solo capability, utilizing pet tanks, as well as kiting, crowd control, and combat resetting abilities.

Weaknesses: Micromanagement, pet management, ammunition, minimum ranges, and relatively weak in melee.

Talent trees: Marksmanship, Beast Mastery, Survival

Hunter SpecializationsBeast Mastery:

Beast Mastery/Marksmanship builds provide excellent top end damage by emphasizing both pet damage and the Hunter's own ranged attacks, though falls off if the pet is unable to attack. A similar hybrid build exists for PvP which rewards proper pet management in conjunction with kiting tools to keep the player out of harm's way.

Marksmanship:

Trueshot Aura builds are the heart of most Hunter builds in WoW Classic, as the tree provides a number of bonuses useful in all situations, including increased range, damage, reduced mana costs, and a group-wide buff.

Survival:

The Lightning Reflexes build is a solid PvP build, especially for higher geared players in later phases of the game, offering strong burst damage, crowd control, and survivability in melee.

Unique Classic Hunter FlavorBeast LorePet ManagementBeast LoreAmmunitionvarious qualities and effectivenessRough ArrowThorium Headed ArrowQuivers and Ammo PouchHarpy Hide QuiverAspects, Tracking, and other Crowd Control

Aspect of the Monkey - Increases chance to dodge

Aspect of the Cheetah - Increases your movement speed, but dazes you on hit

Aspect of the Pack - Increases movement speed of all nearby party members, but dazes on hit

Aspect of the Hawk - Increases ranged attack power

Aspect of the Beast - Makes the Hunter untrackable

Aspect of the Wild - Increases nature resistance of you and all group members

Track HumanoidsTrack HiddenTrack UndeadTrack BeastsTrack DragonkinTrack ElementalsTrack DemonsTrack GiantsFeign DeathTranquilizing ShotBest Hunter RacesAlliance

Dwarf has few offensive advantages unless specifically using Gun Specialization, though Stoneform is a very nice defensive benefit, particularly in PvP.

Horde

Orc is the overwhelming choice in PvP, due to the offensive value of Command and the defensive benefit of Hardiness.

Troll has the advantage in PvE, due to the plethora of competitive bows which benefit from Bow Specialization, and the burst damage benefit of Berserking. Beast Slaying is also very useful while leveling, though less frequently relevant in end-game content.

Best Professions for Hunters

Leatherworking can create very useful leveling and Best-in-Slot max level gear such as the Devilsaur Armor set. Leatherworking also pairs very well with Skinning.

Engineering provides useful bombs (Goblin Sapper Charge) and special toys (Ultrasafe Transporter: Gadgetzan) that no other profession can match. Additionally, there are a few craftable helmets and trinkets which provide both offensive and defensive benefits.