flere-imsaho":1j58rs7w said:
Well, finally downloaded the client and logged in for the first time since Wrath. Did some sightseeing and got back into Abs (thanks all!)
Quick hunter question: since Frostheim hasn't updated his guides on WHU yet, what's the current thinking for build, talents, glyphs and pet to go from 80 to 90?
Some other Hunters weighed in, but as I've been testing/driving all 3 specs into the ground as much as I can outside of regular raiding [only done LFR so far - still guild hunting on KJ 
] - Icy Veins and EJ so far have been great sources of info, as both are pretty much updated every few days.
BM is far and away the king - in both PvE and PvP. Survival is right behind it on PvE, but in PvP it's not even close. MM, my all time fave spec, is sadly in poor shape. It's in the lowest DPS tier out of all the classes for raiding and PvP wise has pretty much lost most of it's power with all it's key talents becoming available to all. Without built in armor penetration, you're basically tickling anything with plate and doing less DPS then Surv/BM to anything else. It's also a lot more aggravating to keep your ISS buff rolling in PvP. PvE it's just a matter of the damage of MM's signature abilities vs the other 2 specs. Aimed Shot hits like a truck, but that's about MM's only big claim to DPS. Wild Quiver procs enough that it helps, but Chimera and Steady are woefully underpowered compared to Kill Commands, Explosive Shots and Cobra Shots.
Talent wise, there's a lot of choice overall, but some key things do stand out. If I get a name wrong, working from memory here - can't access any WoW sites at work <.<
- Tier 1: Generally either Posthaste or Crouching Tiger, Hidden Chimera. I notice most PvE/PvP people seem to pick CT,HD but I prefer Posthaste. For one it clears all slows on me AND the movement buff is incredibly handy for repositioning in PvE and just getting back to kiting in PvP. The mid option, Narrow Escape is pretty pointless in PvE, but does have some PvP use.
- Tier 2: For me comes down to Silencing Shot vs Binding Arrow. I take Silencing almost always, but Binding for PvP has some great applications, especially if you glyph Explosive Trap with knockback <.<
- Tier 3: PvP wise I go for Exhiliration. That heal when being bursted or just needing to recoup has saved my butt so many times. For PvE though, Iron Hawk is just win. So much basic damage reduction. I do think Spirit Bond is great all around, especially for soloing tough mobs, rares, etc.
- Tier 4: Fervor vs Thrill vs Dire Beast. This is probably the closest tie, though depending on spec/focus needs, Dire Beast with some decent haste is I believe the current winner though I personally roll TotH everytime. Getting 3 free arcane shots to chain between rotations OR being able to hammer out that many more Multishots for AoE is above and beyond better for me then Dire Beast, though DB does have the passive damage output with an additional short-term pet. Fervor may break ahead in the future, but it's behind the other 2 - still a solid option.
- Tier 5: MoC vs Lynx Rush - MoC is currently the preferred PvE standard, though there's a lot of argument for Lynx. Lynx rules in PvP atm and is about to be subjected to a brutal nerf come next patch. Blink Strike is far behind both.
- Tier 6: Sadly, there's only one real strong option atm - Glaive Throw. Powershot for PvP seems like it could be useful but the CD just makes it feel like a short-gap solution when there are better ways to get range/deal some burst. Barrage is FUN but currently kills auto-shots during it's channel and is too gimmicky for PvP and in PvE can cause a lot of issues as it will indiscriminately target things that you think would be safe from being hit. Caused too many multi-mob aggros with this xD
Hope this helps you a bit - keep in mind BM is going to get hammered pretty hard in the next patch. Popping TBW will only remove existing stuns/CC effects but will not prevent any ones applied during it's duration, so a BM hunter won't be a wrecking ball that's unable to be controlled for 10 seconds anymore. Pretty big nerf for PvP but given how absurd BM is atm [solo BMs getting like 1800+ alone] it's probably needed. They are also removing Fox Aspect and making Barrage/Steady/Cobra all baseline useable on the move so no more stance dancing.
PS: Sorry for the TL;DR post >.>
