HuntsmansLodge.com

WoW Hunter Guides, News, Resources and Musings

PvP Trap Launcher Macros

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I’ve avoided Trap Launcher macros throughout Cataclysm mainly due to their inflexible and clunky nature. Most of the macros I’ve tried have suffered from one fatal flaw or another, and in the end, just wind up not being worth it. As such, I’ve gotten used to the act of manually using the ability for all of my traps.

However, recently I started working with a couple of macros that utilize Trap Launcher + Freezing Trap, and both are working famously for me, so I figured I’d share. 😀

First off, know that all Trap Launcher macros require two button presses no matter what. Trap Launcher initiates a Global Cooldown so there’s no way to macro it with a trap – using only one button press.
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Beta Build Buffs BM

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The latest hunter talent build for Cataclysm indicates a couple of buffs for Beast Masters.

Beast Mastery Talent Changes in the Latest Cataclysm Beta Build (12604)

  • Cobra Shot now increases the duration of Serpent Sting on the target by 6 sec. (Up from 3 sec)
  • Bestial Wrath no longer costs focus.

(Source)

As I’ve been saying, it’s still too early to draw any conclusions, but… Cataclysm appears to be a promising expansion for Beast Masters. Fervor and Focus Fire also look to give the BM priority a little shot in the arm. I’m liking what’s happening with Beast Mastery thus far.

BRK may be responsible for some of that me thinks. 🙂

Of course, being that I’m not in the beta… 🙁 I can’t really see first hand how things are panning out.

Now if somehow I were granted a key… 🙄

One thing I’ve been wondering… where’s Scatter Shot gone? If they’ve moved it to a baseline ability (where it should have been all along), then I’ll be beside myself. Anyone in the beta, or know someone who is, that can confirm this?

Inquiring minds want to know. 🙂

My Survival Guide to Surviving in PvP as a Survival Hunter: Part Two

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Welcome to part two of my Survival Hunter PvP guide. The purpose of this two part post is to offer up some basic tips and suggestions for those new to Survival Huntering, a quick-start-guide if you will. After a lengthy career as primarily a BM PvP Hunter, I’ve made the transition to Survival pretty easily, and I’m here to help you do so as well.

In part one I covered my talent build, pet choice & pet spec, glyphs, enchants and gear itemization. The purpose of that post was to offer a brief overview of the spec and to help better optimize your toon for success in BGs or arena.

In part two, my goal is to provide you with a few tips and pointers on getting the most out of your new build and play style. This post will not be an all encompassing guide on “How to Own as a Survival Hunter”, but more of a primer to get you up and running. In this part of the guide, I’ll give you an overview of the basic PvP shot selection, Survival Hunter mechanics, as well as show you some useful addons and macros. [Read more…]

SV Talents Overview: Tier 3

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SurvivalistSurvivalist

5 Point Talent

Description: Increases your Stamina by 2/4/6/8/10%.

Overview

Survivalist increases the Hunter’s stamina by up to 10%. It’s also a prerequisite for Hunter vs. Wild, which increases the attack power of the Hunter and pet by up to 30% of the Hunter’s stamina.

Why take it?

10% additional Stamina is pretty fantastic for everything outside of raiding, especially PvP. However, raiding SV Hunters will want this talent too, as it is a prerequisite for Hunter vs. Wild.

It’s a nice survivability boost for PvPing MM Hunters.

Why not take it?

Aside from SV, it’s not really that useful for any other PvE Hunter builds, and definitely not for raiding BM or MM.

Effective BM PvP Hunters won’t have the points to spare for this talent. Most successful BM PvP builds don’t put any points into Survival, and if they do, it’s usually only a handful. 1 or 2 points into Improved Tracking or Hawk Eye would be the max, so no Survivalist for PvPing BM Hunters.

Scatter ShotScatter Shot

1 Point Talent

Description: A short-range shot that deals 50% weapon damage and disorients the target for 4 sec. Any damage caused will remove the effect. Turns off your attack when used.

Overview

This is the Hunter’s sawed-off-shotgun-loaded-with-rock-salt ability. It’s a short range shot that can be delivered from under 5 yds. It doesn’t do a lot of damage, but it disorients the target and allows precious seconds for the Hunter to either further CC the target, or to get range.

Why take it?

It’s an awesome skill for allowing a Hunter to escape from melee range, or to setup a Freezing Trap. For Survival And Marksman Hunters this is a tremendous ability for PvP.

Why not take it?

The shot has low damage, a very short range and high mana cost, so it’s not practical for Hunters to use this in a raid setting.

BM Hunters could benefit from this talent, but there’s no way to effectively build a BM spec that’s able to pick up this talent, as well as Aimed Shot. Aimed Shot and the added DPS from the BM and MM trees are far more imprtant than Scatter Shot for Beast Mastery Hunters.

DeflectionDeflection

3 Point Talent

Description: Increases your chance to parry by 1/2/3%, and reduces the duration of all Disarm effects used against you by 16/25/50%. This does not stack with other Disarm duration reducing effects.

Overview

Deflection is a pre-requisite for Counterattack, which is an ability that procs off of a Hunter’s parry. In addition to that, It reduces the duration of Disarm effects used against you.

Why take it?

If you plan on going for Counterattack, then you’ll need to invest three points in here.

Why not take it?

Most serious PvP Hunters do not spend the necessary 4 talent points for Counterattack. The hardcores will instead dual wield and throw a Titanium Weapon Chain on one of the weps. Although a Titanium Weapon Chain lacks the +% to parry (whoop-dee-doo), it produces the same reduction to disarm effects, and gives you 28 hit rating. Hit rating isn’t included in much of the Gladiator Gear, so that makes the weapon chain an even better value.

Best of all, a Titanium weapon Chain doesn’t require any talent points to acquire. Plus, if you’re not in an arena match with a class or spec that can disarm you, then equip your hard-hitting 2H stat stick instead.

The 3% parry is only useful if you plan on going the extra point needed for Counterattack. Spend these 4 points on DPS or other offensive talents, which work against all classes, not just melee.

Survival TacticsSurvival Tactics

2 Point Talent

Description: Reduces the chance your Feign Death ability and all trap spells will be resisted by 2/4%, and reduces the cooldown of your Disengage ability by 2/4 sec.

Overview

Survival Tactics is a nice PvP talent, since it not only lessens your opponents’ resistance to traps, but also reduces the cooldown on Disengage. In addition to those things, it also reduces Feign Death resistance in PvE.

Why take it?

If only for the reduced cooldown on Disengage, it’s a nice talent to have for PvP. The 2/4% reduced resistance to traps is nice too. It’ a decent talent for both MM and SV PvP Hunters.

Why not take it?

It’s primarily a PvP talent, so unless you engage in player versus player combat, you could safely pass this one up.