Scattered Shots: So you want to be a hunter - Levels 71-80
by Eddie Carrington 
Nov 12th 2009 at 5:00PM
Hey gang! Welcome to the last installment of the "So you want to be a hunter" leveling series. It's been a long and windy path through grassy plains, sweltering tropics, and fractured planets to finally end up in the frozen wastes of Northrend as we prepare to face the Lich King and hope to get a flying horse when PTR Patch 3.3 is dropped.
As we do every week, we'll review the skills you'll learn. Suggest talent builds for both you and your pet. And help you with finding some solid gear choices by recommending some of the Northrend 5-man instances to run through. And what trek through new territory and levels would be complete without identifying rare tamable beasts along the way?
If you've missed a previous edition, I've outlined below what we have covered in the 7 previous installations of this leveling series.
- Part 1: We reviewed each race and how their racial bonuses and abilities could affect your how you might play your hunter.
- Part 2: We quickly talked about the first nine levels. Then we started a review of each talent tree: Beast Mastery, Marksmanship, and Survival.
- Part 3: We discussed what happened from levels 10 through 20. We also went over the quests to learn how to tame your first pet and mount.
- Part 4: We covered some of the covered attacks, buffs and spells. We also began looking at how to teach your pet new skills by applying pet talents.
- Part 5: We covered levels 21 through 40. We ended up with you getting your epic riding mount and you now can wear mail. From now on completing quests and gaining levels will be much faster.
- Part 6: Is where we started to see that we were learning more new ranks than new spells as we leveled from 41 to 60. We ended our time in Outlands with our first flying mount.
- Part 7: We started at level 61 in Outlands and ended in Northrend at level 70.
Level 71-72
When it comes to learning new spells, Levels 71 and 72 can be summed up in two little words, Kill Shot. Then again, there's a catch, there is always a catch. Kill Shot isn't always available. It's a special attach that depends on the target's level of health. Even with this one little snag, Kill Shot is one really cool ability and should be at the top of your shot priority.
Just remember, Kill Shot will only work on enemies with their health at 20% or lower. However, as soon as that happens? You can shell out some massive damage (200% weapon damage plus [RAP * 0.40 + 410]) damage. In other words, if you have a level 72 hunter equipped with the Siege Captain's Gun with a 223 weapon damage and about 1,500 RAP, Kill Shot alone could score out around 1,456 points of damage. Excited now?
We also learn some skill-ups: Explosive Trap (Rank 5), Raptor Strike (Rank 10), Steady Shot (Rank 3), and Counterattack (Rank 5), Immolation Trap (Rank 7).
New Hunter Skills Hunter Talent Allocations Pet Talent Allocations Dungeon Quest Chains to Consider
As you complete your final push to wrap up leveling, you need to keep in mind what you will need to be prepared to raid when you hit level 80.
For example, one thing that many hunters face is learning how to play in groups. Even though we've said before to treat your pet as the tank and make sure it has and maintains threat, many hunters seem to fail to ever learn this and end up embarrassing themselves during their first raid.
The best way to break many of these nasty habits you may have learned while leveling out side of Northrend, is to start running the 5-man instances in both normal and heroic modes as soon as possible.
This will give you a couple of things. One, it will help get you accustomed to running in larger parties than just you and your pet. Next, it will help you gear up for those infamous raids. So even if you end up having to pug or maybe using the soon to be released Looking For Group utility coming out in Patch 3.3, you'll find that it was time well spent.
- Have They No Shame?: Cured Mammoth Hide Mantle or Tundra Tracker's Shoulderguards.
- Postponing the Inevitable: Bindings of Sabotage.
- Prisoner of War: The Shroud of Fluid Strikes
- Quickening: The Treads of Torn Future
- Ingvar Must Die! (Horde) or Into Utgarde! (Alliance): Executioner's Band
- Disarmament: Razor-Blade Pendant (Alliance) or Hundred Tooth Necklace (Horde)
- No new pets
When we hit level 74 we'll learn Aspect of the Dragonhawk. With its ability to increase our ranged attack power by 230 and our dodge by 18% while active (dodge isn't really that important to PvE but the PvP-Arena or Battleground folks might appreciate it), Dragonhawk will become your de facto Aspect to keep active.
We also get some nice skill-ups starting at level 73. Starting with Arcane Shot (Rank 10) and Serpent Sting (Rank 11). Especially the Serpent Sting since we use it for those really important extra damage ticks.
At level 74 we learn Mend Pet (Rank 9), Multi-Shot (Rank 7), and Volley (Rank 5). All of these are staples that you will use pretty regularly.
New Hunter Skills Hunter Talent Allocations Pet Talent Allocations
- No new pet talents
- Death to the Traitor King: Husk Shard Sabatons
- Don't Forget the Eggs!: Wraps of Quelled Bane
- Search and Rescue: Kurzel's Rage
- No new pets
When you hit Level 75 you'll pick up Master's Call. Having this skill in your arsenal can make you the hero of the day if you use it right. Being able to cast Master's Call on a stuck healer and having you pet head over and release them could end up being the difference between a dead healer or a dead boss.
Don't worry, this isn't the only skill-up we'll get to see. We also get Aimed Shot (Rank 8), Black Arrow (Rank 5), Explosive Shot (Rank 3), Kill Shot (Rank 2), Wyvern Sting (Rank 5), Aspect of the Wild (Rank 4) and an upgrade to our Hunter's Mark (Rank 5).
New Hunter Skills Hunter Talent Allocations Pet Talent Allocations Dungeon Quest Chains to Consider
Instances to Consider Rare Pets Levels 77 – 78
We're almost to the end of the leveling road. We've reach level 77 and only have a few more to go.
Now is the time to buy Cold Weather Flying, unless you already have an 80 and decided to buy the Tome of Cold Weather Flight. If that's the case, you've probably been flying around everywhere for a while now.
Either way, make sure you have Cold Weather Flying before moving forward. If you don't have it, go get it straightaway. You can't do much very quickly without it going forward. (Well, you can still level, but most of the quests here on out will require you to fly.
As for new hunter skills, levels 77 and 78 seem to disappoint a bit. We don't get anything new and shiny, but we do get some interesting skill ups. First we see an increase to Steady Shot (Rank 4). Next we see that the Survival tree adds a new rank of Explosive Trap (Rank 6).
Now Steady Shot and Explosive Trap will be appreciated. However, Raptor Strike (Rank 11), Counter Attack (Rank 6), and Immolation Trap (Rank 8), might not be so much.
As I said earlier, nothing really new and shiny but a nice skill up to Steady Shot and Explosive Trap at least.
New Hunter Skills
- No new skills
- No new pet talents
- Containment: Labryinthine Legguards
- Discretion is Key: 2150xp
- For Posterity: Ring of Foul Mojo
- Gal'darah Must Pay: Rangers Belt of the Fallen Empire
- One of a Kind: Rhino Hide Kneeboots
- Halls of Stone: Shoulderpads of Abhorrence
- Gondria (Zul'Drak)
Levels 79-80
Here we are! The last two levels on our long and winding journey to level 80. We've finally reached that final plateau (well at least until Cataclysm is released and we have to level to 85.)
You might disagree with me, but the fact that a hunter can now carry all of their pets with them (well not carry the pets but have the ability to access them anywhere) with Call Stabled Pet.
Call Stabled Pet can add tremendous flexibility as well as be a huge help to a hunter. Not sure what I mean? Let's take for example, starting out with your wolf as your raiding pet and enjoy the added attack power from using furious howl. Next, you run up against a where maybe having a pet wasp would be helpful by providing an extra armor debuff. No problem, just use Call Stabled Pet and avoid the mana loss penalty associated with Dual Talent Specialization.
We also learn Freezing Arrow. Now, I have to say I really like this ability. Besides having a really cool effect, Freezing Arrow basically allows you to place a Freezing Trap with near pinpoint accuracy.
No more dropping a trap, followed by pulling your mob, only to have the trap fail and your face almost bitten off by an angry Frostworg. Now, you can fire off the trap pull the mob and freeze it at a safe distance. And if it fails, still have enough time to send in your pet to pick up threat before you have to start kiting practice.
In addition to Freezing Arrow and Call Stabled Pets, you also get some key skill-ups. You will also learn: Arcane Shot (Rank 11), Serpent Sting (Rank 12), Aspect of the Dragonhawk (Rank 2), Black Arrow (Rank 6), Kill Shot (Rank 3), Mend Pet (Rank 10), Multi-Shot (Rank 8), Volley (Rank 6) and Wyvern Sting (Rank 6). All of which will play a critical roll as you start to use Dual Talent Specialization and call stabled pets in future raids and instances.
New Hunter Skills Hunter Talent Allocations Pet Talent Allocations Dungeon Quest Chains to Consider
- A Royal Escort: Grips of Chronological Events
- A Wing and a Prayer: Bindings of Raelorasz
- Diametrically Opposed: Charred Leather Shoulderguards
- Whatever it Takes!: Lightningbringer's Haulberk
- Skoll (The Storm Peaks)
- Terror Spinner (Zul'Drak)
(Authors Note: A previous release of this post had draft notes left in that stated Kill Shot wasn't available to BM Hunters. This isn't true. Beast Master Hunters should pick this skill up and use it. I've even highlighted in a previous Scattered Shots post how when active it should be the first shot in your BM Shot Priority in . I'm sorry for any confusion this caused, and offer my thanks everyone that overwhelmingly notified me so I could correct this right away.)
You want to be a Hunter, eh? Well then you came to the right place. Scattered Shots is the one column dedicated to helping you learn everything it takes to be a Hunter. Each week Scattered Shots will cover topics to help you Fix Your DPS, Choosing the Right Spec, Gear Selection, Macros and Pet Selection, Pet Specs and Management.
Filed under: Hunter, Analysis / Opinion, Tips, Odds and ends, Leveling, Guides, Classes, (Hunter) Scattered Shots
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Gnosh Nov 12th 2009 5:11PM
What the hell do you mean, BM hunters can't use Kill Shot? They most certainly can. Where the hell did that come from?
Jeff Nov 12th 2009 5:15PM
BM hunters can't use kill shot? *sigh*
Gnosh Nov 12th 2009 5:20PM
I assure you they can. There's absolutely nothing preventing it.
Falcom Nov 12th 2009 6:02PM
The ONLY reason a BM hunter leveling *might* not be able to use this is when your pet takes mobs fro 20%- 0 faster then your GCD can reset. It happens. A lot. Not that that's a bad thing.
But yes, BM can't use kill shot? Wat?
Falcom Nov 12th 2009 6:06PM
The ONLY reason a BM hunter leveling *might* not be able to use this is when your pet takes mobs fro 20%- 0 faster then your GCD can reset. It happens. A lot. Not that that's a bad thing.
But yes, BM can't use kill shot? Wat?
brigthedwarf Nov 12th 2009 6:38PM
Wait? I said what? Are you sure? Of course BM have Kill Shot. I wouldn't ever say that come on! I must have been under some Mind Control spell or something.
Okay, okay.. I give up. Yes, I admit it. I had left a note about Kill Shot not applying to BM hunters. Not really sure where that train of thought came from, but it's been fixed now.
Thanks Gnosh and everyone else for pointing out the error.
And to just to make sure no one misunderstands or remains confused. All Hunters get Kill Shot. All Hunters should have it at the top of their shot priority. When it's active use it.
Thanks again!
Andrew R. Nov 12th 2009 5:12PM
You should NEVER pass on aspect mastery....EVER.
Boz Nov 13th 2009 8:46AM
1) Aspect Mastery is omitted from the "Tank" but included in the "Traditional" Beast Mastery build.
2) Points are being placed in Improved Tracking over Mortal Shots. This does not make sense, mathematically, to optimize DPS, especially when you've selected Cobra Strikes, which relies on crits to proc. In addition, many Hunters may be using a gathering skill while leveling to level their profession or make gold on the AH, foregoing to DPS benefit of Imp Tracking.
3) Due to the lower Critical Strike rating of the Hunter and limited shots to which it applies, Cobra Strikes rarely procs at levels below 80; the points are much better spent in Thick Hide to increase pet survivability, Aspect Mastery (Pet and Hunter DPS and Dodge, Mana Regen), Mortal Shots (Hunter DPS), Go for the Throat (Pet DPS).
4) Even Pathfinding makes a lot of sense while leveling due to the sheer amount of travel you do during the process. This can cut down on overall time between quest objectives and quest givers significantly.
The builds just do not make a lot of sense and I feel like we as readers are missing out on the most important part of the talent selection process: The logic and thought behind that selection. Eddie has never really given an explanation for any of the talent selections in the guide; I'm holding out that a talent guide may be forthcoming, because I do not understand the selections being made.
Anyone can go to Elitist Jerks or the forum stickies and cut and paste optimal talent builds, it's the rationale behind those selections that are important.
Boz Nov 13th 2009 9:57AM
"This does not make sense, mathematically, to optimize DPS, especially when you've selected Cobra Strikes, which relies on crits to proc."
I wanted to clarify; if you are taking Cobra Strikes, you should be stacking crit (even while leveling) to maximize procs. If you are stacking crit, you should be maximizing the damage you get from those procs to level efficiently. You also want Death Knight's Anguish as soon as possible, though I am still opposed to Cobra Strikes under its current mechanics (3.2.2) for leveling.
Also, GLYPHS: Where are they?
Andrew R. Nov 12th 2009 5:13PM
Can we please get a new scattered shots writer by the way? And an edit button.
Dreyja Nov 12th 2009 5:28PM
Ok, come on. That's a tad harsh. Have you put the work into something like this? Did you disagree with 100% of what was said? Justify the metaphorical coup.
Brig has leveled more hunters than you've dreamed of so take his advice as just that and move on. It's not a big deal.
Otome Nov 12th 2009 5:38PM
It IS a big deal. I know your apparently some kind of fanboy, but please settle down long enough to read this. And take off that hat, it's ridiculous.
EC, or Brig as you call him, was brought on to write articles for Hunters, and so far the information from just about every article I've seen from him has been called into questions based on all the incorrect info he's prone to give. That alone should say there's something wrong with his information. Given this is a guide aimed mostly at new hunters, it will only make those new players look bad.
Telling people to take his advice regardless is not going to help Hunters overcome the name 'Huntard'. More often than not, people can get better info about their class by reading the comments that correct all his errors.
There's nothing wrong with people wanting information from someone who knows what they're talking about.
catharsis80 Nov 12th 2009 5:53PM
@Dreyja
"Metaphorical coup"? When did Andrew use a metaphor??
Dreyja Nov 12th 2009 6:04PM
No, actually you missed my point in a couple of ways. I'm just saying that the whole, "gar... burn heem!." thing is a bit silly.
I'm a girl, and you could call me a "fan," but when I said take his advice FOR what it is, I'm not saying you have to take it and do it his way. It is just advice. People give it all the time. /shrug. You can sift through it and take what you want and leave what you want but there's way too much of this 'Leetist junk where people jump down someone's throat for the placement of one or two talent point.
I'm the one that said calm down first. ;-p Neener ;)
My comment was given with good humour and intent as a counterpoint to the people who always want to throw someone out for disagreeing with them. It's just plain silly.
You'll also notice that I said that I use kill shot as a BM hunter. /shrug. How exactly fan-boy (implying blind devotion) came out of all that I'm not sure. Was it because I was, "nice," to the author? Well there you go. If that were true I wouldn’t be raiding with the spec I raid as since he advises against that.
I've read several of the other levelling guides and there are ALWAYS people who yell, "QQ get someone who knows what they are doing!" I find it hilarious. Are all of the class writers for this blog incompetent? Or are there people that will never be happy no matter what you do? Given that I've been around humans my whole life; I vote it's the latter.
As to better advice - I submit that the comment above was of the typical – “Blargh you are wrong - so there,” type that is NOT helpful or in any way corrective. That is why I commented on THAT one. :)
You got to other sites - you see the same thing. Evidently everyone is a huntard except the people who are criticising. Very telling
Dreyja Nov 12th 2009 6:09PM
@ Catharsis: Actually by calling it a coup, I made it the metaphor. I'm not going to assume that everything I said was %100 grammatically correct since, my point wasn't a grammatical one. :-D
I’m saying let’s all calm down and have a sense of ha-ha hear. /passes around a kitten
Gennifurfur Nov 12th 2009 5:14PM
You can't use Kill shot as Beast Master? I solo with that spec, and I'm pretty sure I've used it, but maybe I'm loopy.
Gnosh Nov 12th 2009 5:15PM
No, you can. I really have no idea what he means. I know I've used it while soloing ZG/MC bosses.
Dreyja Nov 12th 2009 5:24PM
LOL, poor Brig. I like this series even if my hunter has been 80 for a long time and I'm power levelling my baby-hunter (and she will also be BM primarily, I'm evil and stubborn like that). But really, the first couple things people have to say is: Blah- blah -WRONG la hell-blah blah! Whatevs.
:) Good work as always Brig. I gave you a big gold sticker through the interwebs for correctly pronouncing Silithid several times the other day! :D
I will say this, that as a BM I use kill shot all the time, maybe it's not giving me quite the hit that it would on another spec but I still use it. I'd have to see the math I guess and... I wouldn't want to. ;-p
As a side note: I DON'T want Invincible. Given the lore, I would find it VERY creepy to ride that undead horsie - wings or no. I also don't want to fight Saurfang so I likely won't even se the final fight and I'm ok w/ that.
Sorry that was really off topic. I'm procrastinating. Good work Brig. Save the SQUIRRLS!
P.S. I'll be sending this comment to the podcast but: What's wrong with, "Gotta Catch 'em all? Even if it's just the spirit beasts - or worms or SILITHIDS? Seriously? You guys say it like the stament makes it's wrongness self evident. *I hate pokemon*
brigthedwarf Nov 12th 2009 6:45PM
Heya Dreyja,
Thanks for pointing out my inability to say Silithid. But I'll take the gold star.
Yes, we all get Kill Shot. I had another train of thought that came up and must have written it in with this post. It's corrected now.
To answer your question about "Gotta catch them all." I'm in favor of it. Other than database or application performance issues, I honestly don't see why you can't tame every type of pet in the game.
As for the stable slots? (not sure if that's what you meant or not.) Why have them? Why not just make tamed pets behave like mounts and vanity pets. Make "Stables" just another tab and we can just continuously add pets there. But that's another story. ;)
I look forward to your email and thanks for reading and listening.
Dreyja Nov 12th 2009 7:09PM
I promise to stop bugging you about that AND procrastinating about getting that email off to you guys. I'm going to bawl you out about something too so, watchout, I`m SCARY! Grrr... rarr... fffttt