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11:09 am
Hello, expert hunter out there.
I'm leveling my first hunter (but 4th character) and what I read out there is BM is the best for leveling and I assume this is for soloing. The thing is I am leveling together with a frost mage friend and would like to know your thoughts about alternative builds and specs.
I'm using a raptor as a pet because I read somewhere ferocity pets could hold aggro better than tenacity as strange as that may sound. Indeed, I leveled a hunter without heirlooms up to lvl 17, starting with a boar and then changing to a raptor. The raptor could definintely hold better aggro. But now that I am leveling with heirlooms, it seems he can't hold aggro at all unless I reaaaly hold back… I've read somewhere a gorilla would be better suited… What do you think?
If the pet can't hold aggro even in BM if one is using heirlooms (I'm lvl 31 now: http://www.wowarmory.com/chara…..;cn=Atreju), I'd like to know if maybe other specs would be better suited to level with a buddy. MM? SV? If so, what should be the key talents you think I should take?
I liked the trap buffs at the start of the SV tree, I can send in the pet, gather many mobs, put them through my frost trap while the mage blizzards everything to death (and I volley in 9 lvls =) ). Not to mention Scatter Shots. Btw, did I understand that skill correctly? Is it kind of a blind with no minimum range? If so, yes plz!
I've got all heirlooms a hunter could use: chest, shoulder, both daggers, bow and both haste trinkets, so I've got pretty good gear, since I also read SV depends a lot on gear. What I didn't like is that it seems to rely heavily on procs, which are mostly wasted while leveling.
I couldn't quite get the feeling of MM just by looking at the tree as I did with SV… Some light here?
Since things die so quickly while leveling, specially leveling with a friend, the highest burst damage tree would be better suited I think and I've read that one is SV. Is this so?
Also, I'm on a PvP server, so it would be nice not to be caught with my pants down if I need to do some world PvP, although I really want to focus on a PvE leveling build, but regarding all the factors I mentioned here.
12:10 pm
Officer
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May 29, 2010
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BM Hunter with bear or crocolisk is best for soloing. They can hold aggro on mulitple mobs. BM spec gives you access to more talents that keep your pet alive and holding aggro.
If your looking for a different spec for leveling, the I would say go with SV. It looks like you like using traps and SV is the trap master of all the specs. Be aware though that both SV and MM are more likely to pull aggro from your pet if you go all out on it.
12:29 pm
Takaas said:
BM Hunter with bear or crocolisk is best for soloing. They can hold aggro on mulitple mobs. BM spec gives you access to more talents that keep your pet alive and holding aggro.
If your looking for a different spec for leveling, the I would say go with SV. It looks like you like using traps and SV is the trap master of all the specs. Be aware though that both SV and MM are more likely to pull aggro from your pet if you go all out on it.
Yes, well, as I said, I will NOT be soloing.
TLDR version of my previous post: I would like to know a good speccing strategy to level together with my mage friend. I would also like to know your opinions on pet choice for the same purpose.
If BM is still the best spec even if not for soling, please say so and explain why. Although I would assume one should take different talents on the BM tree if not soloing.
4:21 pm
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May 29, 2010
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If you want non-BM soloing then I would suggest going with a build somewhat like this:
http://www.wow-europe.com/en/i…..2135321001
It gives more “power” to your traps, although MM or SV won't solve your aggro problem. Both specs are bad for pulling aggro from all but tenacity pets. When I'm soloing if I use anything but my turtle, I pull aggro from them if I go “all out”. Tenacity pets get talents that help them hold aggro better. Such talents as “Guard Dog” which grants additional threat to your pet or “Thunderstomp” which does an aoe spell which causes nature damage to all enemies near the pet and genterates additional threat.
If you merely want a dps pet, Raptors are at the top top of the list, only being out done buy wolves. Again though, if you go this route, you will still have aggro issues. I pull aggro from my raptor if I have him out for soloing, if I go all out.
8:04 pm
Sorry, Takaas, but I don't think you've read my post carefully…
I will NOOOOOT BE SOLOING! I'm leveling together with a mage friend!! The title of the thread says that…
I also don't really care sticking to BM if that's also the best even if NOT SOLOING.
Thank you for your effort though.
10:55 pm
Officer
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May 29, 2010
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“I'm using a raptor as a pet because I read somewhere ferocity pets
could hold aggro better than tenacity as strange as that may sound.
Indeed, I leveled a hunter without heirlooms up to lvl 17, starting
with a boar and then changing to a raptor. The raptor could definintely
hold better aggro. But now that I am leveling with heirlooms, it seems
he can't hold aggro at all unless I reaaaly hold back… I've read
somewhere a gorilla would be better suited… What do you think?”
Why ask about a pet holding aggro then?
If your talking pure dps spec, then you want a raiding spec, which is something like this:
http://www.wowhead.com/talent#…..hsu:iAfMzm
You can mess with the talent points and get Scatter Shot in there if you like using it and yes Scatter Shot is a bit like a Rogue “blind” ability.
For pets you can go with raptor or wolf, which is top dps. Cats are not to far behind raptors.
6:08 am
Because I thought maybe it could hold aggro for us both. If that is not a good strategy, please say so. As I said, I'm new to the hunter class.
Maybe I should follow some other strategy when leveling in pairs. And that is exactly the advice I'm looking for.
Not a pure dps spec, not a raiding spec, a NON-SOLO LEVELING spec. Sorry, I just don't think how I can make it clearer than that… When I talked about boar vs raptor, I was indeed soloing, which is NOT what I'm doing now.
Despite all that, I thank you for trying to help, don't take this as disregarding your effort, I'm probably not being able to express myself properly…
I've already tamed a wolf and a bear to try them out. Let's see how that goes. But from what I've felt, it's useless trying to make the pet hold aggro while the mage is frostbolting the hell out of the mob and I'm filling its butt with arrows. Holding back and waiting for the pet to build threat would take too long and slow the leveling process imo. Maybe a better strategy is to use our own CC when needed and use the pet just as a damage boost or sometimes a way to gather mobs.
Having said that, what I really wanted to know is if BM still is recommended for that purpose. And, if so, which talents to take and which not to.
BTW, shouldn't pets have a taunt-like ability like tank players do? Or would that be too OP?
6:23 am
Lodge Muse
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July 3, 2010
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I think the advice that Takaas is offering is still sound, soloing or running with a paper-thin mage. In essence, you have to look at the same awareness with that duo, that you would be soloing, since you kind of like not dying. Both you and your friend are ripe to be acting as mob-candy with high dps, and you are still low enough a hunter where volley and multi will be pulling off most tanks in most instance runs.
I would get a pure tanking pet, and yes, look at a gorilla; I use a bear, but you use what works for you. You want a pet that can grab the attention at multiple mobs at once, and keep them there even if you or your mage friend crits. Also, the spec Tak offers is good, when combined with a strong stompy “Pay Attention To Me” pet.
By the way, I also use a Spirit Beast for my “tank pet” in PVP. She can take down even paladins on her own and I can stand ranged and dps down from a safe distance. You use what works for you.
Yes, even though you are leveling with a friend, both of you will have strong DPS, and you SHOULD be looking at solo builds and certain pets, since you are in essence, creating a personal tank. Take a look at this page's advice for helping your pet, add a few Stam scrolls and when you are at the level for buff food for your pet, be sure to use that as well.
I hope that helps! 
7:57 am
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May 29, 2010
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kikovsk said:
Because I thought maybe it could hold aggro for us both. If that is not a good strategy, please say so. As I said, I'm new to the hunter class.
Maybe I should follow some other strategy when leveling in pairs. And that is exactly the advice I'm looking for.
Not a pure dps spec, not a raiding spec, a NON-SOLO LEVELING spec. Sorry, I just don't think how I can make it clearer than that… When I talked about boar vs raptor, I was indeed soloing, which is NOT what I'm doing now.
Despite all that, I thank you for trying to help, don't take this as disregarding your effort, I'm probably not being able to express myself properly…
I've already tamed a wolf and a bear to try them out. Let's see how that goes. But from what I've felt, it's useless trying to make the pet hold aggro while the mage is frostbolting the hell out of the mob and I'm filling its butt with arrows. Holding back and waiting for the pet to build threat would take too long and slow the leveling process imo. Maybe a better strategy is to use our own CC when needed and use the pet just as a damage boost or sometimes a way to gather mobs.
Having said that, what I really wanted to know is if BM still is recommended for that purpose. And, if so, which talents to take and which not to.
BTW, shouldn't pets have a taunt-like ability like tank players do? Or would that be too OP?
If you go into a tenacity pets talent tree, almost at the bottom is a taunt. Has a longer cool down, but its a taunt. Also, I only recommended a bear or crocolisk because of their multiple hit attacks that they get right off when you tame them. A gorilla has pummel when you tame him, so he wont have multiple hit ability till later when you can get thunderstomp.
I should also say that I'm kind of new to giving advice. This is actually the first forums where I was got brave enough to share my knowledge of the Hunter class, so if I'm not communicating a point properly its because I'm basically a newb at this and still learning.
9:40 am
No problem Takaas! As I said, I thank you for your effort.
Just to be clear, it's not that I've been having a hard time leveling with my current build or pet, I and my friend are basically facemelting mobs, hehe. I was just looking for some ideas that could make it even more interesting/effective/fun considering my somewhat “unique” situation. Unique only because there aren't many leveling guides or tips that do not consider pure solo leveling.
Maybe one more thing: glyphs. I'm lvl 32 and using Hunter's Mark and Freezing Trap: http://www.wowarmory.com/chara…..;cn=Atreju (don't bother if you don't se an off-hand or a ranged weapon, both might be with my rogue)
Hunter's Mark is ok considering my current level, but the second choice is bugging me. I've read “Glyph of Mending” would be a good choice, but my pet has been hanging in there just fine without it, it rarely dies and the current Mend Pet seems to be enough. That's why my talents don't focus on pet survivability either.
Noob question: Do all tenacity pets have the exact same talent tree?
Fun fact: My mage friend's main is a druid tank, so I named my bear pet after his character, hahahaha. He said I would't be allowed to use his portals after he learned them =P
What's weirdest though is that, if you click the pet, it says it has 6041 Gearscore, which is his druid's Gearscore, hahahahaha.
11:46 am
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May 29, 2010
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Glyph of Serpent Sting is good for any spec of Hunter. It extends how long serpent sting is on a target. Other then that your options are pretty much what you have right now till you get higher level.
Tenacity pets all have the same talent tree, however the different kinds of pets come with different abilities. Examples, bear comes with swipe, gorillas come with pummel.
12:51 pm
Well, my current Serpent Sting does not come anywhere near to lasting its full duration on mobs (I don't even cast it sometimes because of that) so I doubt that glyph will help me while leveling…
For now, I just go Hunter's Mark, Arcane Shot, Multi-Shot and, if I think the mob will live for it to tick at least once, Serpent Sting. That is for when my mage friend is targeting the same mob. When I'm alone on a mob, I cast Serpent Sting right after Hunter's Mark, but it still does not come close to reaching full duration.
11:53 pm
Proprietor
June 21, 2008
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Hi Kikovsk,
As others had said, I highly advise speccing BM while leveling, even though you're leveling with another DPS. Having a pocket tank is never a bad thing, and the more aggro the pet can hold, the quicker stuff will die.
Something like this is what I'd suggest at 32: http://www.wowhead.com/talent#…..bhzthk:bZz
Go with Glyph of Multi-Shot or Mending for your second major glyph, depending upon what your needs are.
The next points should go into Bestial Discipline, Ferocity, Spirit Bond and Frenzy. All those should be maxed with the exception of Frenzy – 4/5 is sufficient.
I wouldn't bother with Serpent Sting unless you're running instances. It'll just be a mana drain otherwise.
A bear or a croc will be your best options for pets due to the AE threat generating abilities.
Intimidation will be helpful for those times you worry about getting caught with your pants down.
There's really no better option than BM for leveling, even with a partner.
I think there's been enough useful contributing in this thread to get you on the right track. 
If you have any further questions though, just holler. 
2:07 pm
TYVM Garwulf, it's all I wanted to hear.
The build you suggested has Glyph of the Hawk instead of Hunter's Mark, even though you put only one point in Imp Aspect of the Hawk. Is this correct?
Just out of curiosity: Why not Pathfinding? I wasn't planning on putting it also, but just because I'm leveling with a friend. It's no use leaving him behind. Otherwise, I wouldn't think twice since we run around so much while questing. Did you have that in mind or you wouldn't put it in a solo build regardless?
Noob question #2: How does Feign Death work? It failed on me twice now… I just feigned and the mobs kept attacking me, even though both my pet and my friend were alive and close. I didn't check Omen to see if the mobs that kept attacking had anyone else in their threat table (must there be for it to work?), but it is very likely since the mage was using Blizzard. Does it sometimes fail just like that? The tooltip says “Feign death which may trick enemies into ignoring you.”, so I would assume yes. If so, is the chance of success affected by the level difference between me and the mob? I remember the first time it happened the mob was red to me…
2:32 pm
Proprietor
June 21, 2008
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TYVM Garwulf, it's all I wanted to hear.
You're welcome. 
The build you suggested has Glyph of the Hawk instead of Hunter's Mark, even though you put only one point in Imp Aspect of the Hawk? Is this correct?
Yes, this is correct. With one point in IAotH + the Glyph, you get a 9% IAS. Glyph of Hunter's Mark is pretty worthless at this level, plus your Mage friend won't benefit form it anyway. IAotH is a great DPS boost however. Alternatively, you could go with 5/5 IAotH and 1/5 Edurance Training, this is if you don't have issues with you or your pet dying.
Just out of curiosity: Why not Pathfinding? I wasn't planning on putting it also, but just because I'm leveling with a friend. It's no use leaving him behind. Otherwise, I wouldn't think twice since we run around so much while questing. Did you have that in mind or you wouldn't put it in a solo build regardless?
Pathfinding would be fine, but as you said, you won't be alone. Unless your partner wants to throw on some mithril spurs or just accepts being slower, then I wouldn't worry about it. You'd also have to sacrifice some of your pet's threat/damage talents in order to get it. Up to you.
Noob question #2: How does Feign Death work? It failed on me twice now… I just feigned and the mobs kept attacking me, even though both my pet and my friend were alive and close. I didn't check Omen to see if the mobs that kept attacking had anyone else in their threat table (must there be for it to work?), but it is very likely since the mage was using Blizzard. Does it sometimes fail just like that? The tooltip says “Feign death which may trick enemies into ignoring you.”, so I would assume yes. If so, is the chance of success affected by the level difference between me and the mob? I remember the first time it happened the mob was red to me…
Feign Death can be resisted, with a much higher chance of it being ignored if you're fighting mobs above your level.
2:44 pm
Garwulf said:
Alternatively, you could go with 5/5 IAotH and 1/5 Edurance Training, this is if you don't have issues with you or your pet dying.
So, in terms of survivability Thick Hide > Edurance Training?
3:17 pm
Proprietor
June 21, 2008
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Good call.
The 3 points would be better spent in Endurance Training over Thick Hide. Also, Focused Fire is marginally beneficial at this level, so you could put those points elsewhere too – Pathfinding maybe.
I know you're still in your early 30's, but you may want to read this post: https://huntsmanslodge.com/626…..hunter.htm
Have a look at the BM build that's linked in the post. That is a very solid roadmap to follow for an effective mid-level BM soloing/handle-anything-that-comes-your-way build.
Honestly, unless you plan on twinking, there's no real point in poring over a BM leveling build in your 30s. You could purposely choose the wrong talents and as long as you can find your pet attack, auto-shot, and know the basics of kiting, you can get to northrend half asleep.
Read through that post though… maybe it'll give you and your mage buddy some good ideas for hardcore soloin…errr… partnering.
Maybe the two of you take on BRD at 50..? That'd be fun.
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