Hunter Builds Explained (Level 70 Focus)

This guide explains the common Hunter talent builds, how to use them and what they are for. If you're looking for an EXTREMELY in depth Hunter Guide, CLICK HERE, it covers everything you'll ever want to know about your Hunter.

Okay, I will just dive right into it. There are obviously three different builds: Beast Mastery, Marksmanship, and Survival. Each of these builds have one key variable within their trees that make the Attack Power (AP), Critical Strike Chance Rating (CR), and Agility (Agi) ratio vary. As such, I will break this down into sections below.

BEAST MASTERY

The most common hunter talent tree choice and oh how I hate it. The cookie cutter 41 point Beast Mastery and 20 point Marksmanship build has long been hailed as the highest possible DPS build for hunters. Additionally, it grants the hunter 18 seconds of unstoppable power with “The Beast Within.” The reason it is the highest DPS available is simple because the amount of constant speed enhancement to range attacks coupled with the Marksmanship tree's “Mortal Strikes” and the chance for an additional speed increase with “Improved Aspect of the Hawk.” It is a devastating combo that can NOT easily be equaled. This is not to say there is not problems associated with the build. You give up the extended range of “Hawk Eye” from the Survival tree. You may find yourself inadvertently shooting targets you just trapped because you are shooting so rapidly (Easily solved by clicking off the target). Also, if you allow your pet to die, you lose roughly 5% in damage bonuses.

Point Breakdown with Explanation

5 AP = 1 CR
3 AGI = 1 CR
5 AP = 3 AGI

This is the most basic breakdown of the DPS numbers because Beast Mastery does not have a talent that raises your AGI or AP. All the DPS benefits of Beast Mastery are based on the bonuses to attack speed and damage percentage bonuses while your pet is active. I have based these numbers from working through a shot rotation of the common shots a hunter has. The variables I included were using the +12 AGI and +3% critical strike damage meta gem “Relentless Earthstone Diamond,” Arena Season 1 gear (which have 0 haste rating), 0% miss chance (since most people mitigate this), and no buffs. These numbers are a rough guideline. A more accurate breakdown would be 4.78 AP = 1 CR, 3.2 AGI = 1 CR, 4.78 AP = 3.2 AGI. However, when you figure in the bonuses AGI gives to dodge 3:1 is arguable more accurate. Additionally, the newest method by which Arcane Shots' damage is figured... 5 AP is more accurate for the sake of numbers. Fortunately, the upgrade you will receive along the way will typically either clearly be better or worse. On the next page, I have listed an example of an effective Beast Mastery build (Obviously, it can be modified to better suit the user).

Beast Mastery (41 points)

5/5 Improved Aspect of the Hawk
3/5 Endurance Training
2/2 Focused Fire
5/5 Unleashed Fury
5/5 Ferocity
2/2 Spirit Bond
1/1 Intimidation
2/2 Bestial Discipline
5/5 Frenzy
3/3 Ferocious Inspiration
1/1 Bestial Wrath
1/3 Catlike Reflexes
5/5 Serpent's Swiftness
1/1 The Beast Within

Marksmanship (20 points)

5/5 Lethal Shots
5/5 Improved Hunter's Mark
2/2 Go for the Throat
1/1 Aimed Shot
2/2 Rapid Killing
5/5 Mortal Shots

Survival (0 points)

None

MARKSMANSHIP

Marksmanship is the second most seen hunter build. Typically paired with the Survival tree, it is also often paired with both of the alternate trees. While a Marksmanship built hunter will not be able to match DPS with a Beast Mastery hunter, there are definite benefits that make this build superior in aspects. It CAN BE a more mana efficient build with a modest Crowd Control (CC) ability (“Scatter Shot” and “Silencing Shot”) and a party buff (“Trueshot Aura”). The party buff could most definitely be argued to “make up” for any damage loss between Marksmanship builds and Beast Mastery builds. What makes Marksmanship most effective is raw AP. The more you have the more your “Master Marksman” talents are going to help you. Additionally, you will likely have “Improved Arcane Shot” which will also benefit from the combination of raw AP and bonus AP (Faster high damage shots). Depending on how mana efficient your character is, your build will vary (Remember that 45% of Intelligence will go into your Ranged AP thanks to the “Careful Aim” talents).

Point Breakdown with Explanation

4 AP = 1 CR
5 AGI = 2 CR
8 AP = 5 AGI

The numbers are noticeably different here. Dodge becomes less of a factor due to the main focus of keeping distance and your ability to do this through “Scatter Shot” and “Hawk Eye.” This alters the AGI value by a modest amount. Also, with the 10% Ranged AP bonus granted from “Master Marksman,” the values of CR have dropped all around. I have used the same variables as listed in Beast Mastery. Below I have attached two different builds for Marksmanship. The first is intended for those that find they are not wearing mana efficient gear, and the second is an alternate build commonly seen as well.

Beast Mastery (0 points)

None

Marksmanship (45 points)

5/5 Lethal Shots
5/5 Efficiency
5/5 Improved Arcane Shot
1/1 Aimed Shot
2/2 Rapid Killing
5/5 Mortal Shots
1/1 Scatter Shot
3/3 Barrage
5/5 Ranged Weapon Specialization
3/3 Careful Aim
1/1 Trueshot Aura
3/3 Improved Barrage
5/5 Master Marksman
1/1 Silencing Shot

Survival (16 points)

2/3 Humanoid Slaying
3/3 Hawk Eye
3/3 Entrapment
2/5 Deflection
2/2 Clever Traps
4/5 Survivalis

Beast Mastery (7 points)

5/5 Improved Aspect of the Hawk
2/2 Focused Fire

Marksmanship (45 points)

5/5 Improved Concussive Shot
5/5 Lethal Shots
5/5 Improved Arcane Shot
1/1 Aimed Shot
2/2 Rapid Killing
5/5 Mortal Shots
1/1 Scatter Shot
3/3 Barrage
5/5 Ranged Weapon Specialization
3/3 Careful Aim
1/1 Trueshot Aura
3/3 Improved Barrage
5/5 Master Marksman
1/1 Silencing Shot

Survival (9 points)

3/3 Humanoid Slaying
3/3 Hawk Eye
3/3 Entrapment

SURVIVAL

The least common build in hunters... MY BUILD! This is a CC and Critical Strike heavy talent tree. With talents like “Deterrence,” “Counterattack,” and “Deflection” it has been described as “Rogues in Mail.” While these talents do provide an added sense of security to your livelihood, do not attempt to stay in melee. You will find that you are most effective, as always, at range. The strong point of these builds are critical strike chances. As such, it is in every Survival hunter's best interests to invest the 20 talent points into Marksmanship to gain “Mortal Shots,” just as the Beast Mastery example had. You will be able to CC better than any other hunter build with talents like “Clever Traps” and “Wyvern Sting.” It is important to note that if you use “Wyvern Sting” you may be unable to freeze trap that target for 12 seconds after they awake (Unless they have mana, which allows you to use your Viper Sting so as to not “break” the trap). Also, remember to use “Readiness” as soon as you pop all your 5 minute cooldown abilities. This will allow you to maximize your potential damage.

Point Breakdown with Explanation

6 AP = 1 CR
3 AGI = 1 CR
2 AP = 1 AGI

With 15% bonus to AGI provided by “Lightning Reflexes,” AGI is going to be your favorite choice. It will improve your AP and Critical Chance, as well as your “Expose Weakness” talent which is extremely helpful in boss fights. With this large bonus to AGI, raw AP and CR become less valuable as you may have noticed. Below is my personal build.

Beast Mastery (0 points)

None

Marksmanship (20 points)

5/5 Lethal Shots
5/5 Efficiency
4/5 Improved Arcane Shot
1/1 Aimed Shot
5/5 Mortal Shots

Survival (41 points)

2/3 Humanoid Slaying
3/3 Hawk Eye
5/5 Deflection
1/2 Clever Traps
5/5 Survivalist
1/1 Deterrence
3/3 Surefooted
2/2 Survival Instincts
3/3 Killer Instinct
1/1 Counterattack
5/5 Lightning Reflexes
1/1 Wyvern Sting
3/3 Expose Weakness
5/5 Master Tactician
1/1 Readiness

Now that I have gone over the different builds, I will go over a few facts that are constant between all hunters.

Level 70 Hunter
1 Agility = 1 Attack Power
14 Ranged Attack Power = 1 DPS
1 Agility = 0.552 Critical Strike Rating
22.08 Critical Strike Rating = +1% Critical Hit
40 Agility = +1% Critical Hit
25 Agility = +1% Dodge Chance
18.92 Dodge Rating = +1% Dodge Chance
1 Agility = 2 Armor
1 Strength = 1 Melee Attack Power (Though I notice that with Str based food buffs, it never show it adding to Ranged AP)
1 Stamina = 10 Health
1 Intellect = 15 Mana
Hit Rating needed for +1% Hit = 15.77
Haste Rating needed for +1% Haste = 10.51
Parry Rating needed for +1% Parry = 31.54