These are interesting buffs. I like them more than the previous bonuses, but I’m still not totally impressed. I wonder what the refresh rate is for the pet AP buff? If it’s anything like an IAotH proc, then this could be pretty nice.

I’m also assuming that the new boss encounters must be pretty pet friendly, because otherwise the 4pc bonus is totally useless.

Hunter T9 Armor Set Bonus Revisions

• The damage done by your Serpent Sting ability can now be critical strikes.
• Each time you hit with a ranged attack, you have a chance to grant your pet 600 attack power for 15 sec.

I’m happy they’ve at least gotten away from the pet focus buff, although I’d rather see the AP buff go to the Hunter instead of the pet. Maybe drop it to 400RAP or something.

Right now these bonuses look pretty Marksman friendly. MM Hunters will have higher Serpent Sting ticks than the other specs, plus the pet’s AP boost will get a little bump from Trueshot Aura.

BM will see some nice gains from these bonuses as well, but I have a feeling that the Serpent Sting crits will occur at a much higher rate than the pet AP buff.

• (2) Set: Reduces the focus cost of your pet’s abilities by 50%.
• (4) Set: Increases the critical strike chance of your Steady Shot ability by 5%.

What do you think of the Tier 9 Hunter set bonuses? I think they’re interesting, but I’d still prefer to see something along the lines of a straight AP buff and pet damage boost. The reduced pet focus buff would almost be more aptly placed upon PvP gear and the Steady Shot buff looks a bit lackluster as far as Survival is concerned.

My initial thought was that the bonuses would be most beneficial to BM Hunters, which is ironic considering they are the least represented in raids. However, after thinking about it a bit more, I think MM and SV Hunters have more to gain from it. It could allow for MM and SV Hunters to drop the point in GftT and put it elsewhere. I don’t necessarily think that this buff is better than one point in GftT, but both would be overkill IMO.

The reduced pet focus cost would merit dropping Bestial Discipline, and allow for talent point placement elsewhere. But… the way the BM tree is structured right now, there is really no way to take advantage of that from a DPS improving standpoint. If this buff were to allow BM Hunters to reapportion points from Bestial Discipline into a DPS boosting talent, this buff would be money. Right now I feel it’s a little meh.

The T9 4 pc Steady Shot buff straight up rocks for BM Hunters. The synergy with 3/3 Cobra Strikes is indeed juicy. For Marksman Hunters it looks to be a decent bonus, but for SV Hunters who use this shot the least and who have fewer synergies with Steady Shot, it seems a little weak.

What do you guys think? You like these bonuses or do you think we’re getting hosed again compared to some of the other classes’ set buffs?

/discuss