Marksmanship Hunter leveling guide
Marksmanship makes the Hunter’s own shots the star. 
Chimera Shot refreshes your 
Serpent Sting and hits hard, 
Aimed Shot and 
Kill Shot finish enemies before they reach you, and 
Readiness resets all your shots and traps at once. Your pet still helps, but most of the damage now comes from your bow or gun.
Strengths and weaknesses
- High burst: many enemies die before they get to you.
- Readiness gives you a second
Rapid Fire, Kill Shot and 
Deterrence. 
Trueshot Aura and Marked for Death make your shots hit even harder.- Needs more mana and a good ranged weapon, and your pet is weaker than with
Beast Mastery.
Talents by level
At level 70
- In Marksmanship:
Lethal Shots 5/5, 
Careful Aim 3/3, 
Mortal Shots 5/5, Go for the Throat 2/2, Aimed Shot, 
Rapid Killing 2/2, Improved Stings 3/3 and Efficiency 5/5. - Readiness,
Barrage 3/3, 
Ranged Weapon Specialization 3/3, Trueshot Aura, 
Piercing Shots 3/3, 
Master Marksman 5/5 and 
Improved Steady Shot 3/3. - Marked for Death 5/5 and Chimera Shot, for 51 points. In Beast Mastery: Improved Aspect of the Hawk 5/5 and
Endurance Training 5/5.
Level 71 to 80
Focused Fire 2/2, 
Aspect Mastery and 
Unleashed Fury 5/5.
Pathfinding 2/2, for 20 points in Beast Mastery.
Rotation
One enemy
- Send your pet in, then
Hunter’s Mark and Serpent Sting. - Chimera Shot and Aimed Shot on cooldown,
Steady Shot and Arcane Shot in between. - Kill Shot from level 71 below 20% health, and Rapid Fire for a strong enemy.
Groups of enemies
- Multi-Shot and
Volley on the group, and 
Explosive Trap where they gather. - Rapid Fire, then Readiness for a second one on a big pull.
Staying alive
- Concussive Shot and
Frost Trap to keep enemies away, and 
Disengage when they reach you. 
Feign Death to drop threat, and Deterrence as a last resort, twice with Readiness.- Aspect of the Viper when mana runs low, and Aspect of the Dragonhawk from level 74.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 70-72 | Borean Tundra (Valiance Keep), Howling Fjord (Valgarde) | Borean Tundra (Warsong Hold), Howling Fjord ( Vengeance Landing) |
| 72-74 | Dragonblight (Wintergarde Keep) | Dragonblight (Agmar’s Hammer) |
| 74-75 | Grizzly Hills (Amberpine Lodge) | Grizzly Hills (Conquest Hold) |
| 75-76 | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) |
| 76-78 | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) |
| 78-80 | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Utgarde Keep and The Nexus from level 70, Azjol-Nerub and Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom around 72, and Drak’Tharon Keep and The Violet Hold from 74.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Agility and Attack Power first, then Hit, Armor Penetration, Crit and Haste.
- The slowest bow, gun or crossbow with the highest damage, and a pet that holds enemies well, such as a wolf or a bear.
- Enchants:
Heartseeker Scope on the ranged weapon, Crusher on the gloves and Greater Assault on the bracers. - Tradeskills: Skinning with Leatherworking for mail gear and Fur Lining on the bracers.