Marksmanship Hunter leveling guide
Marksmanship puts the damage in your own shots. Master Marksman and Trueshot Aura add attack power, Careful Aim turns Intellect into more of it, and Silencing Shot interrupts casters in an instant. Steady Shot at level 62 becomes the heart of the rotation. It levels a little slower than Beast Mastery, because the pet has fewer talents, but it hits hard and brings Trueshot Aura to every group.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strong personal damage with Aimed Shot, Steady Shot and Arcane Shot.
- Silencing Shot and Scatter Shot give control against casters and runners.
- Trueshot Aura makes you welcome in every group.
- The pet holds enemies less well, so you take more damage than a Beast Mastery Hunter.
Talents by level
At level 60
- In Marksmanship: Lethal Shots 5/5, Efficiency 5/5, Go for the Throat 2/2, Aimed Shot, Rapid Killing 2/2 and Mortal Shots 5/5.
- Scatter Shot, Barrage 3/3, Concussive Barrage 1/3, Ranged Weapon Specialization 5/5, Combat Experience 1/2, Trueshot Aura, Careful Aim 3/3, Master Marksman 5/5 and Silencing Shot, for 41 points.
- In Beast Mastery: Improved Aspect of the Hawk 5/5 and Endurance Training 5/5.
Level 61 to 70
- Focused Fire 2/2 and Thick Hide 3/3.
- Unleashed Fury 5/5, for 20 points in Beast Mastery.
Rotation
One enemy
- Send the pet, cast Hunter’s Mark, then open with Aimed Shot.
- Steady Shot from level 62 after each auto shot, with Arcane Shot and Serpent Sting in between.
- Kill Command from level 66 after a critical strike, and Aspect of the Viper when your mana runs low.
Two enemies
- Freezing Trap on the second enemy, or Scatter Shot to disorient it for a few seconds.
- Silencing Shot on a caster, and Multi-Shot when both stand together.
Staying alive
- Concussive Shot and Frost Trap slow enemies that come toward you.
- Feign Death ends a fight that goes wrong, and Disengage lowers your threat.
- Snake Trap from level 68 and Misdirection from level 70 keep enemies on the pet.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 60-62 | Hellfire Peninsula (Honor Hold) | Hellfire Peninsula (Thrallmar) |
| 62-64 | Zangarmarsh (Telredor) | Zangarmarsh (Zabra’jin) |
| 64-65 | Terokkar Forest (Allerian Stronghold) | Terokkar Forest (Stonebreaker Hold) |
| 65-67 | Nagrand (Telaar) | Nagrand (Garadar) |
| 67-68 | Blade’s Edge Mountains (Sylvanaar) | Blade’s Edge Mountains (Thunderlord Stronghold) |
| 68-70 | Netherstorm (Area 52), Shadowmoon Valley (Wildhammer Stronghold) | Netherstorm (Area 52), Shadowmoon Valley (Shadowmoon Village) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Hellfire Ramparts and The Blood Furnace from level 60, The Slave Pens and The Underbog around 62, and Mana-Tombs and Auchenai Crypts from 64.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Agility first, then Hit, Crit and attack power. Intellect adds attack power through Careful Aim.
- The ranged weapon with the highest damage you can get.
- Enchants: a scope on the ranged weapon, Superior Agility on the gloves and Assault on the bracers.
- Tradeskills: Skinning with Leatherworking for mail armor and drums, or Mining with Engineering for scopes and ammunition.