Helpin out a hunter friend here...

Post by awarewolf

Hey guys and gals of the hunter world. A friend of mine plays a marksmanship hunter. She hit level 80, and we've helped her with gear, but something about her build/rotation is causing her to perform subpar in heroics. She is usually between 800 and 1200 DPS, so there should be some definite room for improvement.

I know nothing about hunters, and there is no other high level hunters in our guild. Any chance someone can check out her spec/gear and let me know what can be improved?

Tatalia

Also, any recommendations for the best spec for heroic/raid damage as of right now, and maybe one post 3.1?

Thanks in advance. I love this community.

-- Leo

Post by Ategra

Hi Leo,

For starters I would like to advise you to enchant every item you equip.
Enchants contribute ALOT to dps, also add an extra gem-spot to your belt (blacksmiths can make that).
Now, before talking about rotations, we should talk about 'hit'.
When i looked at the character sheet i was really shocked, since i've never seen anyone with 0 (yes, ZERO) hit rating.
Roughly estimated that means that you will have about 15% miss chance on mobs which are higher level then you. There you lose loads of dps...

Personally i prefer SV above MM, althoug MM wil be boosted alot in 3.1.
Since i'm not familiar with MM, i will not post my opinion about it, since i might say things where i'm not 100% sure of.
For SV the default rotation for me is:

mark your target (before going in combat)
explosive shot
serpent sting
aimed shot
steady x 3
repeat...

At least something like that.
With that, some decent gear with enchants, and some brains I get around 5k dps in a patchwerk fight. (Kinda depends how hard you are focused too ^^)

Regards and good luck!

Post by izuul

Well for starters she has 0 hit rating. I didn't even know it was possible to assemble a full set a gear without a single point of hit, but apparently it is.

Even with her 3/3 in Focused Aim she is still wayyy below the hit cap for heroics which is normally197, and even further below the raid hit cap of 263. With the 3 points in Focused Aim, she needs 99 hit for heroics and 164 for raids.

There is also the matter of Focused Aim not being a very good talent b/c it doesn't work for pets and doesn't allow you to crit on those hits that only land due to FA, but i think she should focus on some simpler things first before we get into that.

A couple items with hit that can be easily attained are the Eaglebane Bracers which are usually on the AH fairly cheap, and a pair of these Fang of Truth that only require honored rep with the Wyrmrest Accord.

For good spec advise check out the Endgame DPS/Mechanics Guide sticky at the top of the page. http://www.wowhead.com/?forums&topic=74057

I don't play MM, but i think the rotation should be something along the lines of:

Lead with Serpent Sting then fire Chimera Shot whenever it's ready. In between Chimeras use the instant cast Arcane Shot and Aimed Shot first and Steady Shot when none of those are up. Also Kill Shot whenever possible.

Replace Aimed Shot with Multi-Shot if there's more than 1 target, and just Volley if there are 3-4+.

MM hunters please give better/more detailed advise there.

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Post by Sonique

1 thing they've failed to mention perviously is glyphs, would suggest atleast serpent sting and steady shot glyphs ...

Post by LoqueNahak

Been playing MM since ages so I'll suggest this DPS build:

DPS + HIT build
http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=cxbRzZMeVcMAzMxog0Aox00b

As soon as your friend gets enough +hit, move the the 2/3 Focused Aim points somewhere else.

Rotation

open with Serpent Sting (1 use only)
chimera shot
steady shot or arcane shot until chimera is available
chimera shot
steady shot or arcane shot until chimera is available
=> repeat from step #2

Pet type

Dungeons/Heroics: Cat/Wolf. Wolves are great (high AP bonus) but useless in some situations (warrior/pala in group). In that case go with a Cat. After patch 3.1 go back to wolves for heroics/raids as they will be decently buffed
Daily jobs: Wolf.
Grinding: Gorilla.

Pet management
Pets are the "core business" for beastmasters but they become "handy companions" for MM and SV specced hunters. Don't let your pet die for nothing but do not lose too much time thinking how to get his /\ss out of the fire in hard situations. A pet-less hunter is still a great hunter if MM/SV specced. Resurrect him when you can.

Stats
Agility is the chosen one. Stack as much as you can, always remembering you need HIT if you do heroics. AGI is very important as it gives damage, armor, %crit. AttackPower is fine if you do not find any better gem/enchant for a specific gear piece.

Enchants
Enchant every single gear piece that is at least blue. Don't go for the "best" enchant but remember that enchants help a LOT in terms of damage.

Gems
+agi at all costs, +12 or (better) +16 based on your bank account. Don't stack AP gems. Go for AGI or HIT.

Glyphs
Steady Shot + Serpent Sting are mandatory. Your DPS will suffer if you do not equip them. Buy the Mend Pet and Feign Death too, as they're minor, cheap and useful.

Tips

use Rapid Fire whenever you can
use Aspect of the Viper between fights
keep Trueshot Aura always on
in heroics use +HIT buffs (food/potion) until hit is high enough
enchant every single gear piece (read above)
use Misdirection whenever you can (on your pet when alone, on tank when grouped)
use Readiness to maximize DPS on bosses OR save your /\ass on a failed Feign Death

Post 3.1 suggestions
MM spec will be greatly buffed after 3.1. Chimera shot will cost less, mana management will be A LOT better, our overall DPS will be increased. If not on par with SV, we'll be pretty close. Patch 3.1 will be heavenly buffing Piercing Shots, Wild Quiver and the combo Rapid Killing+Rapid Recuperation and reducing some talent costs (Ranged spec from 5/5 to 3/3), That said, here is my actual PTR MM spec:

3.1 DPS/mana spec
http://talent.mmo-champion.com/?hunter=502012010000000000000000000053040302350102331051303515000002000000000000000000000&glyph=000000000000&version=9684

This build allows a very good DPS output as well as a very good mana management. Hit Rapid Fire when needed and you will see your mana bar refill in a breeze. Plus, considering you have Readiness, boss fights will be fun and not just a "mana pain" like before.

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Post by LoqueNahak

Gear suggestion (hands)

Get a pair of Rusted-Link Spiked Gauntlets directly from the Auction House. They're not super cheap but in my opinion they're worth every piece of gold.

Post by izuul

Gear suggestion (hands)

Get a pair of Rusted-Link Spiked Gauntlets directly from the Auction House. They're not super cheap but in my opinion they're worth every piece of gold.

I'm still using the Rusted-Link waiting on Gloves of Calculated Risk to drop again.

They are definitely a good investment and i saw them on the AH for 500g last night. I paid 4-5x that when i bought them a few months ago, and i don't regret it one bit.

Post by LoqueNahak

I'm still using the Rusted-Link waiting on Gloves of Calculated Risk to drop again. They are definitely a good investment and i saw them on the AH for 500g last night. I paid 4-5x that when i bought them a few months ago, and i don't regret it one bit.I've paid them 1.500G when WOTLK came out (something like a week later the launch day). They're better than those you get with Emblems and for what they give... they're pretty cheap. Mail gear has few options when it comes to spend Emblems, you're forced to run Naxx in any case or you will stick to blue for some pieces.

Post by LoqueNahak

How to find "easy" gear (blue/epic) for our class

WowHead + filters is the answer. Tell your friend to come here and search the MAIL GEAR database. Then add 2 filters:

BoE stuff

Has agility > 0
Bind on Equip > yes

Quest reward stuff

Has agility > 0
Rewarded by a quest > yes

This way you can find blue/epic stuff that is either crafted/BoE dropped OR quest rewarded. Crafted stuff is usually found on AH at good prices. BoE "free" epics are on AH too. Quest rewards just require to follow the appropriate chain until the end to claim the item.

Helpin out a hunter friend here...

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