Hunter specialization

Marksmanship Hunter in WoW Forever

Ranged weapon expertise.

Your role: Ranged damage
Class guides to level 30
Class notes checked Nov 4, 2026

Your character

Character level

I’m playing

Solo & quests Dungeons Raids

Updating…

Level 30 · Combat priorities

How to play at level 30

Your combat loop

Mark and sting
Use Hunter’s Mark when worthwhile and Serpent Sting on durable targets. Keep your pet trained.
Ranged attacks
Use Arcane Shot and Aimed Shot, substituting Multi-Shot for safe cleave. Keep Auto Shot running.
Talent support
Maintain Trueshot Aura if talented. Do not assume Lone Wolf beats a pet.

General guidance, not a simulated optimal rotation. Use trained spells and talents you chose. Talent milestones assume ordinary points; Legacy can move them earlier. Weights are editable MaxDPS estimates, not measured DPS or HPS.

Core ability focus

Bow, gun or crossbow build; melee equipment is a stat source. Class proficiencies are assumed trained. Lower armor tiers remain available.

Default stat priorities

Weapon ranged DPS3.50
Agility1.20
Hit1.00
Critical strike0.80
Haste0.60
Expertise0.60

Points per stat point, used for the gear scores below. Starter weights balance the stats used by this build.

Adjust stat priorities Starter defaults

Each reported stat × its weight, added together. Weights are tuning choices, not game coefficients. Ratings stay in source units; no percentage conversion is assumed. Changes last for this page visit.

Strength Agility Stamina Attack power Melee attack power Critical strike Hit Haste Expertise Weapon melee DPS Ranged attack power Weapon ranged DPS Intellect

Choosing gear at this level

Keep a current ranged weapon. Agility and attack power support damage; Intellect supports mana and talented Careful Aim. Pet damage is not simulated.

Wowhead’s level-30 Marksmanship Hunter guide · Current class changes

Preliminary item rankings

Marksmanship Hunter gear rankings

Ranged damage and mana; Careful Aim is talent-dependent · Level 30 · Dungeons · Starter defaults

Items your class can use at this level, scored with the stat priorities above. Scores are weighted points, not DPS gains. They do not simulate the combat loop.

Head

79 items matching this build · Updating…

My current head

Reviewed recommendations are not ready for this build and activity yet. Compare imported items below; missing evidence does not mean your current gear cannot be improved.

Find an item Acquisition Dungeon or raid Sort by

Head items with imported stats, weighted scores and acquisition sources.
Rank	Item	Key stats	Score (pts)	Where to get it
1 in this filtered list	Brawler's Leather Helm Leather · iLvl 30 · Req. 25	10 Agility 13 Stamina	13.30	Brawler's Leather HelmCrafted
Score breakdown Agility: 10 × 1.2 = 12.00 pts Stamina: 13 × 0.1 = 1.30 pts Rare Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. 17 sources Brawler's Leather HelmCrafted RoogugNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul Lorgus JettNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackfathom Deeps GelihastNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackfathom Deeps Charlga RazorflankNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul IronspineNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery Azshir the SleeplessNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery Aggem ThorncurseNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul Aku'maiNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackfathom Deeps Dextren WardNPC drop · <0.1% · Stormwind Stockade All 17 sources
2 in this filtered list	Tribal Worg Helm Leather · iLvl 34 · Req. 29 · Provisional stats	8 Agility 7 Intellect	13.10	FenrosNPC drop · 50% · Duskwood
Score breakdown Agility: 8 × 1.2 = 9.60 pts Intellect: 7 × 0.5 = 3.50 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source FenrosNPC drop · 50% · Duskwood
3 in this filtered list	Solomon's Comfortable Hat Leather · iLvl 30 · Req. 25*	9 Agility	10.80	Source pending
Score breakdown Agility: 9 × 1.2 = 10.80 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Source pending.
4 in this filtered list	Brawler's Leather Hood Leather · iLvl 25 · Req. 20	8 Agility 10 Stamina	10.60	Brawler's Leather HoodCrafted
Score breakdown Agility: 8 × 1.2 = 9.60 pts Stamina: 10 × 0.1 = 1.00 pts Rare Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Brawler's Leather HoodCrafted
5 in this filtered list	Humbert's Helm Leather · iLvl 30 · Req. 25 · Provisional stats	7 Agility 8 Stamina	9.20	Dun Garok RiflemanNPC drop · 2.2% · Hillsbrad Foothills
Score breakdown Agility: 7 × 1.2 = 8.40 pts Stamina: 8 × 0.1 = 0.80 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Dun Garok RiflemanNPC drop · 2.2% · Hillsbrad Foothills
6 in this filtered list	Enduring Cap Leather · iLvl 33 · Req. 28 · Provisional stats	16 Intellect	8.00	Burning Blade ReaverNPC drop · 1.3% · Desolace
Score breakdown Intellect: 16 × 0.5 = 8.00 pts Rare Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. 59 sources Burning Blade ReaverNPC drop · 1.3% · Desolace Slitherblade MyrmidonNPC drop · 0.9% · Desolace Withered SpearhideNPC drop · 0.9% · Razorfen Downs Razorfen BattleguardNPC drop · 0.4% Scorpashi LasherNPC drop · 0.3% · Desolace Salt Flats ScavengerNPC drop · 0.3% · Thousand Needles Syndicate MercenaryNPC drop · 0.3% · Arathi Highlands Torn Fin CoastrunnerNPC drop · 0.2% · Hillsbrad Foothills Splinter Fist EnslaverNPC drop · 0.2% · Duskwood Cleft ScorpidNPC drop · 0.2% · Uldaman All 59 sources
7 in this filtered list	Resilient Cap Cloth · iLvl 33 · Req. 28 · Provisional stats	11 Intellect 2 Agility	7.90	Terrowulf Shadow WeaverNPC drop · 0.9% · Ashenvale
Score breakdown Intellect: 11 × 0.5 = 5.50 pts Agility: 2 × 1.2 = 2.40 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. 66 sources Terrowulf Shadow WeaverNPC drop · 0.9% · Ashenvale Enraged Reef CrawlerNPC drop · 0.3% · Desolace Galak Flame GuardNPC drop · 0.3% · Thousand Needles Death's Head CultistNPC drop · 0.3% Razorfen ThornweaverNPC drop · 0.2% Silithid InvaderNPC drop · 0.2% · Thousand Needles Razorfen BattleguardNPC drop · 0.2% Charlga RazorflankNPC drop · 0.1% · Razorfen Kraul Hatefury ShadowstalkerNPC drop · 0.1% · Desolace Withered WarriorNPC drop · 0.1% · Razorfen Downs All 66 sources
8 in this filtered list	Trapper's Leather Helm Leather · iLvl 30 · Req. 25	10 Intellect 13 Stamina	6.30	Trapper's Leather HelmCrafted
Score breakdown Intellect: 10 × 0.5 = 5.00 pts Stamina: 13 × 0.1 = 1.30 pts Rare Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. 11 sources Trapper's Leather HelmCrafted Lorgus JettNPC drop · 0.1% · Blackfathom Deeps HamhockNPC drop · <0.1% · Stormwind Stockade Twilight Lord KelrisNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackfathom Deeps Fallen ChampionNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery Agathelos the RagingNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul Overlord RamtuskNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul GelihastNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackfathom Deeps Kam DeepfuryNPC drop · <0.1% · Stormwind Stockade Interrogator VishasNPC drop · <0.1% · Scarlet Monastery All 11 sources
9 in this filtered list	Insignia Cap Leather · iLvl 35 · Req. 30 · Provisional stats	11 Intellect 7 Stamina	6.20	Murkgill WarriorNPC drop · 7.1% · Stranglethorn Vale
Score breakdown Intellect: 11 × 0.5 = 5.50 pts Stamina: 7 × 0.1 = 0.70 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. 113 sources Murkgill WarriorNPC drop · 7.1% · Stranglethorn Vale Large Iron Bound ChestObject loot · 0.6% Iron LockboxContainer loot · 0.5% Large Solid ChestObject loot · 0.2% Scarlet MonkNPC drop · 0.2% · Scarlet Monastery Forsaken BodyguardNPC drop · 0.1% Scarlet ChaplainNPC drop · 0.1% · Scarlet Monastery Scarlet DivinerNPC drop · 0.1% · Scarlet Monastery Scarlet SoldierNPC drop · 0.1% · Scarlet Monastery Scarlet ConjurorNPC drop · 0.1% · Scarlet Monastery All 113 sources
10 in this filtered list	Nightsky Cowl Cloth · iLvl 35 · Req. 30 · Provisional stats	12 Intellect	6.00	AlinaNPC drop · 8.3% · Alterac Mountains
Score breakdown Intellect: 12 × 0.5 = 6.00 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. 115 sources AlinaNPC drop · 8.3% · Alterac Mountains Large Solid ChestObject loot · 2% Large Iron Bound ChestObject loot · 1% Dabyrie MilitiaNPC drop · 1% · Arathi Highlands Forsaken BodyguardNPC drop · 0.8% Iron LockboxContainer loot · 0.6% Crowd Pummeler 9-60NPC drop · 0.3% · Gnomeregan Syndicate ConjurorNPC drop · 0.2% · Arathi Highlands Scarlet SoldierNPC drop · 0.2% · Scarlet Monastery Scarlet MonkNPC drop · 0.2% · Scarlet Monastery All 115 sources
11 in this filtered list	Shadow Hood Cloth · iLvl 34 · Req. 29	11 Intellect	5.50	Shadow HoodCrafted
Score breakdown Intellect: 11 × 0.5 = 5.50 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Shadow HoodCrafted
12 in this filtered list	Dokebi Hat Leather · iLvl 35 · Req. 30 · Provisional stats	11 Intellect	5.50	Big WillNPC drop · 8.7% · The Barrens
Score breakdown Intellect: 11 × 0.5 = 5.50 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. 60 sources Big WillNPC drop · 8.7% · The Barrens Ambassador MalcinNPC drop · 6.3% · The Barrens Whirlwind RipperNPC drop · 2% · Desolace Magram MarauderNPC drop · 0.7% · Desolace Withered SpearhideNPC drop · 0.3% · Razorfen Downs Gelkis WindchaserNPC drop · 0.2% · Desolace Death's Head GeomancerNPC drop · 0.2% · Razorfen Downs Withered WarriorNPC drop · 0.2% · Razorfen Downs Withered QuilguardNPC drop · 0.2% · Razorfen Downs Withered ReaverNPC drop · 0.2% · Razorfen Downs All 60 sources
13 in this filtered list	Cloudy Windraveled Cover Leather · iLvl 35 · Req. 30	9 Intellect 9 Stamina	5.40	Cloudy Windraveled CoverCrafted
Score breakdown Intellect: 9 × 0.5 = 4.50 pts Stamina: 9 × 0.1 = 0.90 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Cloudy Windraveled CoverCrafted
14 in this filtered list	Cloudy Stormsewn Cowl Cloth · iLvl 35 · Req. 30	9 Intellect 9 Stamina	5.40	Cloudy Stormsewn CowlCrafted
Score breakdown Intellect: 9 × 0.5 = 4.50 pts Stamina: 9 × 0.1 = 0.90 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Cloudy Stormsewn CowlCrafted
15 in this filtered list	Azure Windraveled Cover Leather · iLvl 35 · Req. 30	9 Intellect 9 Stamina	5.40	Azure Windraveled CoverCrafted
Score breakdown Intellect: 9 × 0.5 = 4.50 pts Stamina: 9 × 0.1 = 0.90 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Azure Windraveled CoverCrafted
16 in this filtered list	Azure Stormsewn Cowl Cloth · iLvl 35 · Req. 30	9 Intellect 9 Stamina	5.40	Azure Stormsewn CowlCrafted
Score breakdown Intellect: 9 × 0.5 = 4.50 pts Stamina: 9 × 0.1 = 0.90 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Azure Stormsewn CowlCrafted
17 in this filtered list	Enchanter's Cowl Cloth · iLvl 33 · Req. 28	10 Intellect	5.00	Enchanter's CowlCrafted
Score breakdown Intellect: 10 × 0.5 = 5.00 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Enchanter's CowlCrafted
18 in this filtered list	Trapper's Leather Hood Leather · iLvl 25 · Req. 20	8 Intellect 10 Stamina	5.00	Trapper's Leather HoodCrafted
Score breakdown Intellect: 8 × 0.5 = 4.00 pts Stamina: 10 × 0.1 = 1.00 pts Rare Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Trapper's Leather HoodCrafted
19 in this filtered list	Ruffled Chaplet Leather · iLvl 34 · Req. 29 · Provisional stats	8 Intellect 9 Stamina	4.90	Terrowulf PacklordNPC drop · Ashenvale
Score breakdown Intellect: 8 × 0.5 = 4.00 pts Stamina: 9 × 0.1 = 0.90 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Terrowulf PacklordNPC drop · Ashenvale
20 in this filtered list	Lakeshire Firefighter's Headband Cloth · iLvl 30 · Req. 25*	8 Intellect 6 Stamina	4.60	Source pending
Score breakdown Intellect: 8 × 0.5 = 4.00 pts Stamina: 6 × 0.1 = 0.60 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Source pending.

Rankings use item stats from the WoW Forever game files; drop, vendor and quest sources come from Wowhead. Availability, race, profession and training requirements need an in-game check. Scores do not establish best-in-slot gear or DPS. Ability names compared with the launch game files 2026-11-04; class proficiencies checked 2026-10-08 · forever-leveling-priorities-v3.

New in Forever

Ranged tools and melee options

Aimed Shot is baseline at level 20. Careful Aim adds attack power from your Intellect. Survival has dual-wield support through Predator’s Edge as well as two-hand weaving options. Check talent access before following a permanent-melee rotation.

Human Hunters join the roster. Skyborne Hunters are available to both factions.

Blizzard: Hunter and Druid changes · Blizzard’s Deep Dive · What’s Next

Read the current Hunter updates

Sources & review

Class roster checked September 19, 2026; leveling guides checked October 8, 2026. Blizzard’s class notes were read again and compared with the launch game files on November 4, 2026, and take precedence when an older guide conflicts. Level-30 guides do not validate optimal level-60 builds.

Wowhead: level-30 class guides Leveling, rotations and gear sources
Blizzard: development notes Tuning and class changes up to launch
Blizzard: Forever Deep Dive Official class announcements
Blizzard: Forever What’s Next Official Skyborne class options
Warcraft Tavern: Classes, Specializations & Roles Community roster and roles
Icy Veins: Choosing Your Class Community playstyle overview

Feral includes both Cat and Bear. Enhancement tank builds are reported, but are not a separate specialization or a reviewed MaxDPS recommendation.

Your character

Your combat loop

Core ability focus

Head

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Ranged tools and melee options