Hunters are the strongest physical ranged DPS in classic WoW, and there is no one better at pulling enemies for the group. But what else can they do? And what are their weaknesses?
- Possible Races: Orcs, Tauren, Trolls, Skyborn, Humans, Dwarves, Night Elves
- Possible Roles: Ranged DPS, Mix of Melee and Ranged (Survival)
Official Description: Hunters know places in this world that cannot be found on any map. Due to their deep empathy towards all living things, they possess the extraordinary gift of befriending wild animals and taming them into companionable allies. Additionally, hunters can become masters of tracking thanks to their finely honed senses. No matter where they go: Hunters always fight against the devastating effects of disease, exploitation, and industrialization.
What are the strengths? In classic WoW, hunters have always been one of the most played classes. With their animal companion, the leveling phase is largely a breeze, and they can kite significantly stronger enemies through the wilderness with some practice without taking any damage. And if it becomes dangerous, they can use their Feign Death.
Hunters can also effectively use their ranged skills and companion to pull enemies precisely to the group without pulling other foes. No one else can do this as well over greater distances. Furthermore, their damage is notably high in the current Forever beta.
You have the choice between three play styles: focus on your companion (Beast Mastery), strong ranged attacks (Marksmanship), or a mix of ranged and melee (Survival).
What are the weaknesses? Hunters, like Warlocks, are heavily dependent on their companion. If the pet dies, it becomes dangerous, or the damage drops significantly. If an enemy reaches the hunter’s melee range, only the Survival specialist can hold their own. For all ranged attacks, the range is too short. Additionally, hunters must always pack enough ammunition. Their consumption is enormous.
There is also a question mark behind the hunter in endgame. In Vanilla and Classic, hunters were very strong in damage comparison at first and were later outperformed as other classes scaled better with the new gear. Moreover, they compete with many other classes for weapons and trinkets, which were often prioritized higher in the past. We are curious to see how this will develop in Forever.
The first part of the leveling phase can be exhausting as hunters only learn the taming ability at level 10. Without the animal companion or Feign Death and with just a few attacks in their arsenal, fights in this starting phase can quickly become dangerous.
The hunter is ideal for: Anyone who wants to roam around with a minion but prefers to deal physical damage in the form of claws, shots, and traps rather than spells. The hunter is a good class for solo players and a solid damage dealer in PvE as well as PvP. However, you will have to fight your way through the early levels. Looking at the endgame, there are still some question marks.
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