Marksmanship Hunter leveling guide
Marksmanship puts the damage in your own shots instead of the pet. 
Aimed Shot at level 20 and 
Mortal Shots make critical strikes hit very hard, and 
Trueshot Aura at level 40 adds attack power for you and your group. It levels a little slower than 
Beast Mastery, but it is the stronger choice for dungeons and raids.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Aimed Shot and Mortal Shots deal large critical strikes.
- Efficiency lowers the mana cost of every shot and sting.
Scatter Shot and Trueshot Aura give control and value for the group.- The pet has fewer talents, so it holds enemies less well and you take more damage.
Talents by level
Level 10 to 30
- Efficiency 5/5 and
Lethal Shots 5/5. - Aimed Shot at level 20,
Hawk Eye 3/3 and 
Improved Arcane Shot 1/5. - Mortal Shots 5/5, then Scatter Shot at level 30.
Level 31 to 40
- Improved Arcane Shot 5/5.
Ranged Weapon Specialization 5/5, then Trueshot Aura at level 40.
Level 41 to 60
- In Beast Mastery: Improved Aspect of the Hawk 5/5 and
Endurance Training 5/5. 
Unleashed Fury 5/5 and 
Ferocity 5/5.
Rotation
One enemy
- Send the pet, cast
Hunter’s Mark, then open with Aimed Shot. 
Serpent Sting, Arcane Shot and 
Auto Shot while the pet holds the enemy. Aspect of the Hawk stays on.
Concussive Shot when the enemy turns to you, so it reaches you late.
Two enemies
- Lay a
Freezing Trap before the pull, or use 
Feign Death from level 30 to leave combat and lay one then. - Scatter Shot disorients the second enemy for a few seconds, so hit the first in the meantime.
Staying alive
Wing Clip and step back when an enemy stands next to you, then shoot again.
Mend Pet keeps the pet alive, and Feign Death ends the fight.- Aspect of the Monkey raises your dodge chance when you have to fight in melee.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 1-12 | Dun Morogh, Teldrassil | Durotar, Mulgore |
| 12-20 | Westfall, Loch Modan, Darkshore | The Barrens, Silverpine Forest |
| 20-30 | Redridge Mountains, Duskwood, Wetlands | The Barrens, Hillsbrad Foothills, Thousand Needles |
| 30-40 | Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace | Stranglethorn Vale, Arathi Highlands, Desolace |
| 40-50 | Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands | Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands |
| 50-60 | Un’Goro Crater, Felwood, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring | Un’Goro Crater, Felwood, Western Plaguelands, Winterspring |
Dungeons worth the detour: Scarlet Monastery from level 30 to 40, Zul’Farrak around 45 and Blackrock Depths from 52.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Agility first, then Hit and Crit. Intellect keeps mana for Aimed Shot and Multi-Shot.
- A slow bow, crossbow or gun, because Aimed Shot and Multi-Shot add to your weapon damage.
- Enchants: Agility on the gloves, and a scope on the ranged weapon.
- Tradeskills: Skinning with Leatherworking for leather and, from level 40, mail armor. Or Mining with Engineering for scopes and ammunition.