Scattered Shots: Picking the right hunter loot, part 2
by Eddie Carrington 
Dec 3rd 2009 at 5:00PM
Welcome back to the Scattered Shots, where real players are hunters and everyone else is just an avatar. I'm Eddie Carrington, aka Brigwyn from The Hunting Lodge and THL Podcast. Each week we discuss ways to help improve your hunter.
Welcome back to part 2 of our "Picking the right hunter loot" guide. Where each week we take a look at raid loot from WoTLK and help you understand what makes something hunter loot versus loot hunters can use. Here's what we talked about before:
Part 1 – We reviewed what item stats make up hunter gear. Also, we explained why every hunter needs to stack hit and strive for the hit cap. We also explained how agility, attack power, critical strike, and armor penetration work with each of the three hunter specs.
This week we're going to start exploring the hunter loot that drops in Trial of the Crusader and Trial of the Grand Crusader. I'm sure we'll have some spirited debate over the merits of each item. And, I'm pretty sure we'll see druids mangling their keyboards and rogues will throw in a cheap shot or two over our ability to equip almost anything.
In an effort keep the carnage at a minimum let's try to keep a few things in mind. We're only reviewing raid loot and how each item affects your hunter and favorite raiding pet's performance. Which means, we're not going to talk about where else to go and get geared. Nor are we going to debate what is and is not considered "Best in Slot" or not. And if you're looking for PvP alternatives? I promise, we'll tackle all of those later on in a different guide.
Now if you're wondering why we're not talking about what's over on the PTR for patch 3.3. We'll make sure and cover all of Icecrown when it's released. Then head on back to the other Northrend raids and finish up where we left off.
With that said, let's walk through the swirly portal and head into Trial of the Crusader and it's heroic sibling Trial of the Grand Crusader.
Introduced in patch 3.2, Trial of the Crusader (TOC) is the normal version, and Trial of the Grand Crusader (TOGC) it's heroic counterpart. Their purpose is to make sure that all of the heroes heading off to challenge Arthas and his minions in Icecrown are ready. Set with 5 different boss fights: the Beasts of Northrend, Lord Jaraxxus, the Faction Champions, Twin Val'kyr, and finally Anub'arak.
Today we'll visit the work our way through these feared bosses and look at the gear drops from both the 10 and 25-man Normal and Hard modes. We'll also look at what is hidden for us in the tribute chests, another feature introduced in TOGC. So let's get started and see what these guys have to offer. First up, Beasts of Northrend.
Normal 10-Man
Collar of Unending Torment (Horde) / Collar of Ceaseless Torment (Alliance)
Hunter Improvements
- +11.71 base DPS = (57 Agility + 97 Attack Power) / 14 Damage Per Second
- +82.98 CSR = (67 Agility * .552 Critical Strike Rating) + 46 CSR, +3.63% Critical Strike = (82.98 CSR/22.08 CSR)
- +42 Armor Penetration
- +25.65 Stam = 57 Stamina *35%
- +24.25 AP = 97 Attack Power * 22%
- +1.73 base DPS = 24.25 AP / 14 DPS
- +12.125 Spell Power = 97 AP *12.5%
Hunter Improvements
- +11.14 base DPS
- +13.64 base DPS (with 3/3 Careful Aim) = (67 Agi + 35 Intellect + 89 AP)/14 DPS
- +36.984 CSR, +1.622% Crit
- +45 Hit Rating, +1.37% Hit = 45 HR/ 32.79
- +35 Haste
- +203 Armor
- +11.25 Stam
- +22.25 AP
- +1.589 base DPS
- +11.125 SP
These are primarily rogue boots so they should have the loot priority. Even so, these can still offer some positive benefits for a hunter if you need an upgrade.
If you're Marksman or Survival skip the +4 Crit socket bonus and go with a Delicate Cardinal Ruby (+20 Agi). This will give you an added 2.85 base DPS and give you a +11 CSR (.5% Crit). On the other hand if you're raiding as Beast Master get the Bright Cardinal Ruby (+40 AP). Using this will end up giving you a 2.85 base DPS increase but also give your pet +10 AP or +.7 base DPS.
Hunter Improvements
- +14.5 base DPS
- +46.92 CSR
- +2.05% Crit
- +63 HR, +1.92% Hit
- +143.5 Armor
- +35.1 Stam
- +29.5 AP
- +2.1 base DPS
- +14.75 SP
- +1.92% Hit
Collar of Unending Torment (Horde) / Collar of Ceaseless Torment (Alliance)
Don't let the blue socket fool you, the +4 agi Socket bonus is tempting and if you really want it then use the Balanced Dreadstone. However you will probably see a bigger gain if you just forget the socket bonus and go with the Delicate Cardinal Ruby for the +20 agi instead. And if you want the AP bonus for your pet, socket it's counterpart Bright Cardinal Ruby for the +40 AP.
Hunter Improvements
- +12.57 base DPS
- +90.64 CSR
- +3.975% Crit
- +40 ArPen
- +29.25 Stam
- +26.5 AP
- +1.89 base DPS
- +13.25 SP
Unlike it's normal mode cousin, this version has a red gem socket. So it's stick with the program and use the Delicate Cardinal Ruby (MM/SV) or Bright Cardinal Ruby (BM).
Hunter Improvements
- +11.35 base DPS, +14.213 base DPS with 3/3 Careful Aim
- +38.64 CSR
- +1.694% Crit
- +50 HR, +1.5% Hit
- +36 Haste
- +211.75 Armor
- +18 Stam
- +22.26 AP
- +1.589 base DPS
- +11.125 SP
- +1.52% Hit
These are still rogue boots so they still have loot priority.
The Acidemaw Treads or Boots are a solid upgrade over the normal version. Besides having improved stats, you'll notice they have 2 yellow sockets. If you want the added crit bonus go with an orange gem like Wicked Ametrine (+10 AP and +10 CSR) or go with the Deadly Ametrin (+10 Agi and +10 CSR).
Hunter Improvements
- +15.714 base DPS
- +51.336 CSR
- +2.251% Crit
- +79 HR, +2.409% Hit
- +149.8 Armor
- +38.25 Stam
- +31.75 AP
- +2.257 base DPS
- +15.875 SP
- +2.409% Hit
Cuirass of Cruel Intent (Horde) / Breastplate of Cruel Intent (Alliance)
We've already talked about what Red gems you should get (Delicate Cardinal Ruby or Bright Cardinal Ruby) when the Cuirass or Breastplate of Cruel Intent drops. And as we said for the Color of Unending or Ceaseless Torment go with the purple Balanced Dreadstone as your blue gem. This will give allow you to get the +14 AP socket bonus. The added bonus of this is your pet will see a direct benefit from both the added Attack Power and the Stamina.
Hunter Improvements
- +23.5 base DPS, +28.57 DPS with 3/3 Careful Aim
- +122.84 CSR
- +5.388% Crit
- +71 Haste
- +506.8 Armor
- +48.15 Stam
- +63.75 AP
- +4.55 base DPS
- +31.875 SP
Hunter Improvements
- +12.64 base DPS
- +91.952 CSR
- +4.032% Crit
- +50 Haste
- +74.7 Armor
- +34.2 Stam
- +25.25 AP
- +1.803 base DPS
- +12.625 SP
Since this is a leather drop the polite thing to do would be to let rogues and feral druids have priority on this. However, if they aren't around, don't let it go to waste. It's a solid item for any marks or survival hunter that might be below the hit cap.
Hunter Improvements
- +19.214 base DPS
- +66.24 CSR
- +2.905% Crit
- +74 HR, +2.25% Hit
- +245.25 Armor
- +61.2 Stam
- +37.25 AP
- +2.66 base DPS
- +18.625 SP
- +2.25% Hit
I know that running around as a hunter dual wielding daggers isn't the most popular thing, but there are some out there that kinda like it. And when you look at these stats I can see why they're tempting. However it is good to remember, this particular item is truly a feral druid item, so let them have it if you see it drop.
Hunter Improvements
- +10.5 base DPS
- +75.016 CSR
- +3.33% Crit
- +30 ArPen
- +25.1 Stam
- +22.25 AP
- +1.58 base DPS
- +11.125 SP
Cuirass of Cruel Intent (Horde) / Breastplate of Cruel Intent (Alliance)
When we reviewed the normal mode we talked about how you would want to gem the red socket with Delicate Cardinal Ruby or Bright Cardinal Ruby. Then in the blue socket we said go with a purple Balanced Dreadstone.
The heroic version adds a yellow socket. We'll stick with the Wicked Ametrine or go with the Deadly Ametrin.
Hunter Improvements
- +25.714 base DPS, +31.428 with 3/3 Careful Aim
- +133.472 CSR
- +5.854% Crit
- +80 Haste
- +506.8 Armor
- +54.45 Stam
- +68.5 AP
- +4.892 base DPS
- +34.25 SP
Make sure to socket it with a purple Balanced Dreadstone.
Hunter Improvements
- +12.5 base DPS
- +99.54 CSR
- +4.364% Crit
- +57 Haste
- +60.55 Armor
- +38.25 Stam
- +24.5 AP
- +1.75 base DPS
- +12.25 SP
Just like before, hunters should be polite and let the feral druids and rogues get priority on this.
Also, with this upgrade you now have the opportunity to use three different gems. The Balanced Dreadstone for the blue socket. Then use a Delicate Cardinal Ruby or Bright Cardinal Ruby for the red one. Finally, in the yellow socket use the orange Deadly Ametrin or Wicked Ametrine.
Hunter Improvements
- +22.071 base DPS
- +75.624 CSR
- +3.316% Crit
- +86 HR, +2.622% Hit
- +86 Haste
- +199.5 Armor
- +68.85 Stam
- +42 AP
- +3.071 base DPS
- +21.5 SP
- +2.622% Hit
Since we covered this in the normal 25-man I thought it was only right we go ahead and review the heroic model. The same loot rules apply though, this is still very much a feral druid dagger.
If you decide to roll on it and get this dagger make sure to use the Deadly Ametrin or Wicked Ametrine for the yellow socket.
Hunter Improvements
- +10.142 base DPS
- +82.016 CSR
- +3.597% Crit
- +33 ArPen
- +29.7 Stam
- +21 AP
- +1.5 base DPS
- +10.5 SP
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, Items, Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Instances, Raiding, Guides, Classes, (Hunter) Scattered Shots
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
jlr7e Dec 3rd 2009 5:23PM
I really like the premise of this article, and I look forward to reading more of them in the future.
One note, the tooltips you've linked for 25 man normal ToC are showing the gear from 25 man Heroic for me. Just a heads up!
Mummrah Dec 3rd 2009 10:24PM
Allow me to preface what I'm about to type with a few things:
This only applies to Survival hunters (it might be true for MM as well who aren't going the ArPen route, just not sure)
Since we're discussing ToC/ToGC gear then it is assumed you are geared for said raid instance, (meaning you are hit capped with what should already come on your gear since there's so freaking much of it)
This applies to the min/max thing, play how you like but if you want to squeeze as much dps out of gems as possible this is how it should go.
There are only 4 gems you should ever have in your gear in my opinion.
1) Your meta, relentless earthsiege diamond (21agil +3% crit dmg increase)
2) 1 Nightmare Tear (+10 all stats) put into whatever blue socket provides the best bonus (it is a prismatic and so will count as the color of whatever you socket it into and you need 1 blue for your meta requirement so stick it in one of those)
3) 1 deadly ametrine (+10agil/+10crit) strictly to meet your meta requirements
4) Everything else should be the delicate cardinal ruby (+20 agil)
There's nothing wrong using any of Brig's suggestions. As I said, play/gem how you want. If you went after every socket bonus you have you're dps wouldn't be that much lower than if you only used the ones I suggested above but it would be lower nonetheless.
Mallard Dec 4th 2009 2:34AM
Um..you know a Nightmare Tear covers ALL of your meta requirements. You don't need a yellow/orange gem. Nightmare is prismatic. Prismatic means it counts as every color, not that it meets whatever slot it is in.
You can do 1 Nightmare Tear and then all red gems and your meta will still work.
outdps Dec 4th 2009 10:29AM
@Mummrah The 10 agi 10 crit gems are best for any piece with a yellow socket if the socket bonus is a couple agility, usually.
Mummrah Dec 5th 2009 4:09AM
@Mallard Sorry guy, but your understanding of what a prismatic gem might be a little off. It's a prismatic b/c you can put it into any gem slot and still recieve the bonus but it does NOT simply count as a red, yellow, AND blue gem by socketing. It counts as whatever color of socket you put into. I just checked this on my charatcer thinking that Bliz may have changed this without me noticing somehow and my meta went bye-bye. Still was worth checking out even if I did just waste a a cpl epic gems in the process.
@outdps, you are correct sir, my post was longer than I intended to start and didn't feel like going into that and posting an even longer wall of text than I initially did.
Eyhk Dec 3rd 2009 5:27PM
Did I miss something while playing a druid for the past few years?
Did I miss a patch note?
How is the Steelbreaker (one-hand dagger) a feral druid weapon?
Didn't know Blizz ever made offhands viable for feral druids, or feral-druids dual-wielding, or one hand daggers being more powerful than two-hand feral weapons.
Please educate me.
t0xic Dec 3rd 2009 5:42PM
It looks like a nice off-hand for a rogue. You might want to go a little easier on the sarcasm.
shitflap Dec 3rd 2009 5:46PM
Yeah, any druids would pass on that, even if it were an upgrade, out of pride, right?
Eyhk Dec 3rd 2009 5:58PM
Reply button didn't work, copy and pasted from my post down below.
Also, in reply to shitflap, if you were carried by a group (otherwise, it would never be an upgrade) and nobody needed it, you are definitely welcome to roll. My pointis that the Steelbreaker is not a dedicated feral druid weapon. Again, like the original post states, distinguish between what makes "something hunter(feral druid) loot versus loot hunters(feral druids) can use".
Eyhk Dec 3rd 2009 5:52PM
Yes, I guess I could have cut out the sarcasm and I apologize.
It's just that this was posted by a blog dedicated to the WoW universe, not a noob on the general forums. I'd like to think that my time and dedication to this blog wasn't in vain.
Brigwyn Dec 3rd 2009 6:00PM
Having plaid a hunter exclusively, I can see your point and apologize if the comment about feral druids is incorrect.
I saw the +2262 Feral attack power stat and thought this would apply to feral druids.
I'll go ahead and dock -100DKP for lack of Druid Knowledge.
Snuzzle Dec 4th 2009 5:08AM
@Brigwyn, just so you know, every weapon now shows +FAP in the amount of how much it would give a feral druid who equips it, even weapons which are clearly caster weapons. They removed the stat from being on weapons and now it's calculated off of a weapon's DPS.
Shade Dec 4th 2009 2:48PM
Not to mention you're gonna have to fight every mut rogue in your raid (and combat, if they're fist/dagger) for that thing. The regular version is a good offhand, the heroic version is BiS for a mut rogue currently.
jshtan77 Dec 3rd 2009 5:29PM
I'm not sure why you linked the 2 leather items when they are clearly inferior to the equivalent mail items. The boots have expertise which is a useless stat for a hunter and the legs have a ton of haste and hit. Haste isn't a good stat for marks and surv and I don't know any hunter who isn't trying hard to keep below the hit cap.
Sicadastra Dec 3rd 2009 5:54PM
If they show up and it's an upgrade... roll. I'm not going to pass because a mail piece might show up next time. Yes the superior mail pieces are the goal, but that doesn't mean leather isn't a temporary improvement.
^All this assuming that, as the article says, there are no feral druids or rogues rolling. I do agree rolling on leather over them for a minute DPS increase is kinda dickish.
Oh, and 5 over the hit cap is better than 5 under...
Chance S. Dec 3rd 2009 6:05PM
Keep below the hit cap, no hunters strive to be at the hit cap or only a little above it, pretty much anything between 263 (hitcap) and 300 is solid, anything above you may wanna see what you can do to better itemize (IE check enchants/gems on old gear, check gear to see what is an upgrade without hit etc)
Brigwyn Dec 3rd 2009 6:41PM
@Chance S.
Just to make sure no one gets confused.
The Hunter Hit Cap is 8% or 263 (rounded up) or 7% if they have a Draenei.
If a hunter is above that then they're sacrificing DPS.
But you are correct, the +Hit game is one hunters are constantly striving to balance. That's why I tried to make sure and include the +HR/+Hit on each piece of gear. That way you can know ahead of time how close to the cap you might be.
Then again, this was more of a informational piece and not a gear selection one.
Chance S. Dec 3rd 2009 8:33PM
Yes this was a very good piece I havent seen a guide like this before. I was just correcting jshtan77, because if any hunter strives to keep below the hit cap, than they are obviously misinformed.
Ignore any typo's you may see in my posting.
Undra Dec 4th 2009 5:17AM
Ferals don't use one-handers because there's no feral offhand for them. Two-handed maces, spears and staves will alway be the superior choice.
jshtan77 Dec 4th 2009 3:16PM
Okay, my comments were misunderstood.
If you strive to be below the hit cap when selecting gear, you can always gem to reach the cap. If you select gear with hit on it to stay over the hit cap, it's there and there's not much you can do... Basically what I'm saying is that you shouldn't select gear just to be over the hit cap because you can always gem for hit to get to the cap. More than likely you'll have a couple yellow sockets on your gear that has agility as the bonus, thus, if you are below, those extra couple hit gems may actually give you an overall boost.
Obviously when you're done gemming, you want to be at the hit cap and not below it, and preferably not too much over it too.
Rainshadow Dec 3rd 2009 5:31PM
Do we really care about leather gear? Its clearly not itemized for us, and seriously if you dont max out Careful Aim urdoinitrong. Also whats with telling MM hunters to gem for Agi?