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.