After a bit more testing, I’ve settled on this build and I’m enjoying it immensely for BGs.
My specialization is still Beast Mastery, of course, and I’m running with a Ferocity specced Spirit Beast…of course. Old habits die hard. 😉
OK, so I really need to try Narrow Escape, but I’m having a hard time letting go of Posthaste. The CC removal (root and snare, anyway) + run speed buff is so useful in so many different situations.
I’ve found that heals and caster DPS are just redonk since the patch, so I elected to drop the new Binding Shot for the tried and true Silencing Shot. This has helped me burn down casters a bit easier and keep those pesky healers under control, plus it’s free (costs zero focus).
Although I did find it fun to play around with, Binding Shot just doesn’t feel as useful to me as Silencing Shot – for what I’m doing. It has a fairly long cooldown (45 seconds, as opposed to 20), the 5yd radius seems exceptionally limited in-game, it costs 20 focus, and I don’t like that it uses a target circle – especially since its range is a bit short. Personally, I’d prefer if it were a standard shot with a 40 yard range, with the offset being that it only affects one target. I feel it’d be more reliable this way, plus it’d be easier to cast while kiting.
I still need to try Exhilaration and Aspect of the Iron Hawk, but Spirit Bond is right there with Posthaste, as one of the talents I’m pretty attached to.
I switched from Dire Beast to Thrill of the Hunt yesterday and haven’t looked back. I can pretty much remain in Aspect of the Hawk – spamming Arcane and Kill Command all day long. The proc rate is just stupid, so I very seldom find myself focus starved. I also like that it’s a passive ability, which means one less button to push. That’s always a plus!
Bestial Wrath + Blink Strike -and- Blink Strike + Intimidation are just too good. I am loving Blink Strike for PvP and doubt I’ll be removing it from my spell book.
Here’s a really good macro you may want to try if you’re a Beast Master with the Blink Strike talent. It pops your on-use DPS trinket, casts Big Red & Rabid, then sends your pet on its target to deliver the pain. This opener can drop a poorly geared level 85 to about 50% health. Follow this up with a Kill Command + Intimidation, Arcane, Arcane, Arcane, and that should put you on the winning end of things. 😉
Bestial Wrath + Blink Strike Macro
/petattack /use 14 /cast Bestial Wrath /cast Rabid /cast Blink Strike /script UIErrorsFrame:Clear()
Here’s a screenshot showing my pet dropping over 90K on a target dummy in less than a second.
Glyph Changes
I dropped the Camouflage glyph in favor of Mirrored Blades. I like being able to move around while in stealth, but I think it’s something that’s probably more useful for arena. Mirrored Blades is great – especially if you monitor your enemy’s spell casts. It’s nice for throwing a CC or huge damage spell right back in a caster’s face.
My other two major glyphs are still the same as before. Animal Bond for the small buff to healing -and- Master’s Call for double the freedom from roots and snares.
Alright, so if you’re a BM Hunter struggling to have PvP success post-patch, apply some of the info from this post and see if it helps. Your mileage may vary, but I’ve found this setup to be very effective for me.