Survival Hunter leveling guide
Survival makes the Hunter tougher and better in close combat. 
Survivalist adds health, 
Deterrence and 
Counterattack help when an enemy reaches you, and 
Lightning Reflexes adds a lot of Agility. In Classic Era it levels slower than 
Beast Mastery, but it is forgiving, and 
Wyvern Sting at level 40 puts an enemy to sleep.
Strengths and weaknesses
- More health, Hit and Agility than the other specs.
- Deterrence and Counterattack save you when an enemy reaches you.
Monster Slaying and 
Humanoid Slaying add damage against most enemies you meet while leveling.- The pet gets no talents, so fights take longer than with Beast Mastery.
Talents by level
Level 10 to 30
- Monster Slaying 3/3, Humanoid Slaying 3/3 and
Deflection 4/5. - Deterrence at level 20, then Survivalist 5/5.
Surefooted 3/3, 
Savage Strikes 1/2 and 
Killer Instinct 1/3 at level 30.
Level 31 to 40
- Killer Instinct 3/3, Counterattack and Savage Strikes 2/2.
- Lightning Reflexes 5/5, then Wyvern Sting at level 40.
Level 41 to 60
- In Marksmanship: Efficiency 5/5,
Lethal Shots 5/5, 
Aimed Shot and 
Hawk Eye 3/3. 
Improved Arcane Shot 1/5 and 
Mortal Shots 5/5, for 20 points in Marksmanship.
Rotation
One enemy
- Send the pet, then
Hunter’s Mark, 
Serpent Sting and Arcane Shot, with Auto Shot in between. - When the enemy reaches you:
Raptor Strike, 
Mongoose Bite after a dodge, and 
Wing Clip to step back and shoot again. - Keep the pet fed: a happy pet deals full damage.
Two enemies
- Wyvern Sting from level 40 puts one enemy to sleep. Kill the other one first.
- Lay a
Freezing Trap before the pull, or use 
Feign Death from level 30 to leave combat and lay one then.
Staying alive
- Deterrence when an enemy hits you hard, and Counterattack after a parry.
Disengage from level 20 lowers your threat, so the pet takes the enemy back.
Mend Pet keeps the pet alive, and Feign Death ends the fight.
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, because Lightning Reflexes makes it bigger, then Hit and Crit. Stamina helps in melee.
- A slow ranged weapon, and a two-handed weapon with Agility for Raptor Strike and Mongoose Bite.
- 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.