So you’ve got a hunter parked at level 70 who is an alt that you haven’t played in a while, and you want to get them to 80. Here are a couple quick tips to help answer the questions you may have… (warning: probably BM biased >.>)
Specs
So as you log in to your 70 hunter and are taking a look at your shiny new 0/0/0 spec with 61 talent points to spend, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. I am here to say that the spec doesn’t have to be perfect, you are just going to be leveling. I am also here to say that if you always wanted to try out some talent tree that you haven’t tried yet, then now is a perfect time to do so. All three specs are pretty viable now.
Let’s say you’re going into Beast Mastery whether because you like it or simply because you want to level with it. This is the spec I am currently leaning towards personally in terms of a goal of PvE endgame. No guarantees it’s perfect but it’s what I really like at the moment. It borrows a lot from pre-WotLK talents– for example, you still only need 4/5 in Frenzy– and then picks up new good talents like Aspect Mastery and Invigoration Longevity (WORST TYPO EVER). The number of deep BM hunters I see running around without Longevity is somewhat mystifying to me… it’s such a godly talent!
You are of course free to move talents around as you see fit. For pure leveling you may opt for 5/5 Endurance Training and 3/3 Thick Hide– really it’s a better choice for the level grind, I’m just stubborn =P Spirit Bond is a much more valid choice now than it was before and I don’t think many people would fault you for choosing that over Animal Handler. Invigoration and Cobra Strikes may wind up being worth it for you. You may want to pick up Aimed Shot in the Marks tree. Go for what you like and try it out!
Pets
There are now three types of pets: Ferocity (PvE/DPS), Cunning (PvP/utility), and Tenacity (Tanking). Note that the description I put in parenthesis for each one is very rough. But you sort of get the general idea. Each type of pet also has their own talent tree which you can spec along side yourself. For the most part, I think you can spec your pets how you think you need to and how you think you will be using that pet. Just as an example I’ve been going something like this (without the extra points) on my kitty, Locke. As you can see, I’ve picked up all the DPS-type talents and Cobra Reflexes (the faster your pet is attacking, the more he is proc’ing Ferocious Inspiration for you and your raid.) Pet respecs are cheap so it’s not a big deal if you screw up. =P Oh, and the 51-point Beast Mastery talent will get you four extra talent points for your pets to use.
I see a lot of people in Trade asking about which is “the best” pet but really it’s very flexible and situational. Each pet gets a special unique family “skill” now so you may want to look into those and see which ones you like. Also, just because a pet is a Tenacity pet doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be leveling with it– I’ve been alternating between a Cunning pet and a Ferocity pet myself!
Exotic Pets
The 51-point BM talent lets you tame “exotic” pets. Exotic pets are stuff like core hounds, devilsaurs, giant worms, chimaeras… stuff like that. Exotic pets typically tend to have a special ability that is above-average and at some point Blizzard said they were going to buff the damage of exotic pets in the future, by 10% or something. In the meantime, for most hunters, I don’t think an Exotic Pet is really a necessity. They’re fun to play with though =P
Glyphs
Myself, I’ve just been picking up glyphs as I go and experimenting with them and replacing them at will. The must-haves I have found at this point are Glyph of Steady Shot (this is the big reason why Serpent Sting is awesome now for BM hunters) and Glyph of Bestial Wrath (can you really say no to that?) I have also found Glyph of Freezing Trap to be pretty nice for chain trapping but I dunno if it would be something I keep around at 80– it remains to be seen if trapping will even be seen much in five-mans anymore now that tank AoE got so buffed!
Well, since the title pledged that this would be “A Quick Guide”, I’d best stop here. If you’ve still got questions leave a comment, and I will see about making a Part Two!
I still say that Glyph of Aspect of the Viper is the third Glyph in the Holy Triumvirate of BM Glyphs.
Unfortunately for us Marksmen, things aren’t nearly as clear (though I do know what I want).
Question: Why the two points in Revive Pet? I just don’t find my beasties die anywhere near enough for that to be useful outside of PvP.
Also, minor point of order, when it comes to Exotic pets by giant worms you mean the kind in RFC, rather than the huge burrowing things in Outland, correct? Or do I need to go back to Hellfire and get a new pet? xD
Revive Pet is really not at all necessary for leveling. My leveling hunters rarely take it. It is, however, very very useful for raids where many boss fights are pet-unfriendly and you need to be able to rez your pet in a matter of seconds because it’s such a DPS loss. It is, in short, an end-game raiding talent and people who do not raid are excused from taking it =P
As for giant worms: http://petopia.brashendeavors.net/html/families/family_worm.html Yes, the ones in RFC =P
Aah yes, the old raiding thing. I did lose some DPS on what’s his name in Nexus when his crystals murdered my pet, but did not have the time or mana to revive xD So I see where you’re coming from there.
Also @ Rilgon – you make a compelling argument. *will look into Aspect of the Viper glyph*
Personally speaking, I skip Invigoration for leveling. I actually planned to spend 70-80 in pure “tank-mode.” I specced purely to strengthen my Gorilla’s tanking ability. I’m missing several crucial DPS hunter talents (0/5 in frenzy! and 3/3 in catlike reflexes). I’m a little slower, my Malcom doesn’t hit quite as fast or as hard, but never pull aggro. In fact, at 72, Malcom successfully tanked most of the trash in U.K, and the final boss as well. I soloed every 3 man quest I ran into, and hit 80 after about 10 days. Malcom was nigh unkillable, even without a T5 set. When using him to tank in an instance, it became an entirely new hunter experience that took some getting used to. But I’ve never ever had so much fun questing with my tanking spec. I was still near the top of the damage meters, thanks to volley, but for the most part, my focus was on getting all the stray mobs into my “Thunda-crate.”
So yeah, if you’re willing to sacrifice MQoSRDPS, a tanking specced Hunter is a solo-god.
I still haven’t respecced, since I’m still focused on questing. I’m hoping Blizz institutes the Dual-Spec feature by the time I get back into regular raiding.
Anyway, just wanted to share my thoughts on the Invigoration thing.
@ Lilt – While I personally would still include Invigoration for a tank-build (shortens the cooldown on Growl and the like), I can certainly see where you’re coming from. I have definitely thought about sitting down and hammering out a “hunter-tank-spec”, which would include Endurance Training, Thick Hide, Spirit Bond, and 3/3 Catlike Reflexes in lieu of Ferocious Inspiration. In the end, I have absolutely no problems with people spec’ing how they want so long as they have thought it out and have their own good justifications for it. So, props to you!
wait…. isn’t invigoration where you get mana back and Longevity where it shortens CD’s?
Still haven’t picked out all my glyphs (and i’m a scribe!), but as soon as i’m able to make it, I’m definitely picking up the Bestial Wrath one. Very good post, hope to see the second one soon!
@ Kantaro – d’oh… BIGGEST TYPO OF MINE EVER. Yes I have been talking about Longevity. I’m not a big Invigoration fan. Will fix…
Also @ Rilgon – you make a compelling argument.
I make uncompelling arguments? /boggle
Any advice for worthwhile *minor* glyphs? For any spec, really (although I am Marks, myself, and therefore have more interest there)? Perhaps I’m completely missing some glyphs out there, but most of what I’m seeing seems… not so useful. I have the Glyph of Feign Death, but nothing else so far 🙁
Glyph of Mend Pet, Glyph of Revive Pet, and Glyph of Feign Death are the only raid-worthy Minor Glyphs.
always late when wanting to ask something… on the glyphs, I have been using only 2 (only lvl 70). Glyph of Steady Shot and Glyph of Serpent Sting (I think I got the name right – I believe it’s the one where it extends out SS by 3 seconds). Wouldn’t those work better together? Haven’t really figured out anything on what they are or do especially the minor ones, because I am dependant on the Ah at thier way out of control prices.