Major Update for WoW: Hunters Prepare for Patch 11.1

World of Warcraft Patch 11.1: Hunter Class Overhaul

Patch 11.1 of World of Warcraft introduces significant changes to the Hunter class, impacting pet management, specializations, and overall gameplay. Key updates include customizable pet specializations, a solo-pet option for Beast Mastery, and a complete pet-less rework for Marksmanship. These changes, pending player feedback from the PTR, are expected to launch in February.

The patch, titled "Undermined," transports players to the Goblin capital where the "War Within" storyline continues, culminating in a raid against Chrome King Gallywix. Alongside this narrative expansion, Hunters will experience a substantial class overhaul.

Pet System Enhancements:

Hunters can now modify the specialization (Cunning, Ferocity, or Tenacity) of any pet at the stables, offering unprecedented flexibility in pairing pets with desired combat styles. This applies to all pets, including event rewards like the Dreaming Festive Reindeer.

Specialization Revamps:

• Beast Mastery: Players can choose to utilize a single, enhanced pet instead of two, resulting in increased pet damage and size. The Pack Leader hero talent is redesigned, summoning a bear, boar, and wyvern simultaneously during combat.

• Marksmanship: This specialization undergoes a significant transformation, eliminating the pet entirely. Instead, a Spotting Eagle marks targets, enhancing damage from the Hunter's attacks. This change is generating considerable discussion among players.

• Survival: While receiving adjustments, Survival maintains its core mechanics, but simplifies the rotation by making Butchery and Flanking Strike mutually exclusive talents.

Player Feedback and PTR Testing:

The community's response to these changes, particularly the Marksmanship rework, is mixed. While the pet specialization changes and Beast Mastery solo pet option are generally well-received, the removal of the Marksmanship pet is controversial. Players will have the opportunity to test these alterations on the PTR early next year and provide feedback to Blizzard.

Detailed Class Changes (Patch 11.1):

The following outlines specific changes to Hunter abilities and talents:

• General Hunter Changes: Numerous ability adjustments and tooltip updates for clarity. Significant changes to Kindling Flare, Territorial Instincts, Wilderness Medicine, and No Hard Feelings. Roar of Sacrifice is updated, especially for Marksmanship. Explosive Shot projectile speed is increased. Eyes of the Beast and Eagle Eye are specialization-specific. Freezing Trap now uses a damage threshold trigger.

• Hunter Hero Talents (Pack Leader): A complete overhaul, replacing many existing talents with new options centered around summoning a bear, wyvern, and boar. New talents include Howl of the Pack Leader, Better Together, Dire Summons, Pack Mentality, Ursine Fury, Envenomed Fangs, Fury of the Wyvern, Hogstrider, No Mercy, Shell Cover, Slicked Shoes, Horsehair Tether, and Lead From the Front. Several talents have been removed.

• Beast Mastery Specific Changes: New talents: Dire Cleave, Poisoned Barbs, and Solitary Companion. Stomp damage is adjusted. Serpent Sting and Barrage damage increased; Barrage cost reduced. Alpha Predator and Dire Command are modified. Visual effects updated for Dire Beasts. Several talents removed.

• Marksmanship Specific Changes: New abilities: Harrier’s Cry and Manhunter. New passive: Eyes in the Sky. Numerous new talents to support the Spotting Eagle mechanic, including Aspect of the Hydra, Improved Spotter’s Mark, Moving Target, Obsidian-Tipped Ammunition, Shrapnel Shot, Magnetic Gunpowder, Precise Detonation, On Target, Quickdraw, Target Acquisition, Eagle’s Accuracy, Headshot, Feathered Frenzy, Tensile Bowstring, Incendiary Ammunition, Bullet Hell, Improved Streamline, Windrunner Quiver, Cunning, Tenacious, Ohn’ahran Winds, Double Tap, Killer Mark, and Deadeye. Significant changes and removals of existing talents. Aimed Shot, Rapid Fire, Volley, Steady Shot, and Explosive Shot receive adjustments.

• Survival Specific Changes: New talents: Cull the Herd and Born to Kill. Updates to Frenzy Strikes and Merciless Blow. Flanking Strike and Butchery are now mutually exclusive. Tactical Advantage is updated. Exposed Flank is removed.

• Player vs. Player (PvP) Changes: New PvP talents for Hunters, Beast Mastery, and Marksmanship. Adjustments to existing PvP talents and removal of several.

These substantial alterations aim to refine the Hunter experience in World of Warcraft, offering both new strategic options and a renewed focus on core class fantasies. The PTR testing phase will be crucial in shaping the final implementation of these changes.