Hunter specialization

Marksmanship Hunter in WoW Forever

Ranged weapon expertise.

  • Your role: Ranged damage
  • Advice for every level to 60
  • Class notes checked

Your character

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Choose the level you are playing now. The playbook and gear rankings update to match.

Level 40 · Damage in a group

How to play dungeons at level 40

Your combat loop

Press the first one that is ready.

Marksmanship’s own loop, from level 25. Before that every Hunter plays the same loop.

Own loop from: Survival level 10Marksmanship level 25Beast Mastery never

  1. Rapid Fire Cooldown · every 5 min

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 300 sec. It raises the rest.

  2. Aimed Shot Rank 3 Every 6 sec

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 6 sec.

    20% of your damage
  3. Arcane Shot Rank 5 Every 4.5 sec

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 4.5 sec.

    25% of your damage
  4. Serpent Sting Rank 5 Keep on target · 15 sec

    Keep it on the target; it lasts 15 sec.

    15% of your damage
  5. Sniper Shot Rank 1 Every 15 sec

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 15 sec.

    10% of your damage
  6. Auto Shot All the time

    Fires on its own between your shots.

    30% of your damage

The first 30 seconds

When to press each one from the pull. The blue line under a press is the global cooldown (1.5 sec) or cast it holds: nothing else on the global cooldown can go until it ends, so of two that are ready together the higher one goes first. Rapid Fire is off the global cooldown, so it has no line and goes alongside.

All the time
Auto Shot

How MaxDPS works this out

Talents at level 40

31 points at level 40: the first at level 10, then one every level.

The MaxDPS build at this level, in the game’s talent frame. Click a talent to learn it and right click to unlearn it, as in the game.

Talents
Unspent Talents
Point order: when each point goes in
  1. Lethal Attacks 5/5 · levels 10–14 +5.5% damage
  2. Careful Aim 5/5 · levels 15–19 +9.9% damage
  3. Lone Wolf 1/1 · level 20 +20% damage
  4. Improved Stings 3/3 · levels 21–23 +3.1% damage
  5. Improved Arcane Shot 5/5 · levels 24 and 26–29 +3.8% damage
  6. Trueshot Aura 1/1 · level 25 +3.4% damage
  7. Barrage 3/3 · levels 30–32 +2.4% damage
  8. Mortal Shots 2/5 · levels 33–34 +1.2% damage
  9. Ranged Weapon Specialization 5/5 · levels 35–39 +5% damage
  10. Sniper Shot 1/1 · level 40 +5.2% damage

Every Hunter talent

Preliminary item rankings · Dungeons

Marksmanship Hunter gear rankings

Ranged damage and mana; Careful Aim is talent-dependent · Level 40 · Calculated defaults

Hunt list
Show gear for

Head 201 items · Updating…

Where it comes from
Auction prices from

Materials: . Each reagent counts at the lower of a vendor’s price and its lowest buyout.

Key stats show the stats behind the three largest score contributions, as the game tooltip states them; open an item’s details for every value and source.

Head items with imported stats, weighted scores and acquisition sources.
Rank Item Score (pts) Where to get it Actions
1 in this filtered list
Guise of Battle Mail · iLvl 45 · Req. 40 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 17 Agility10 Intellect12 Stamina
29.63
Riding WolfNPC drop · 1.2%
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 17 × 0.9981 = 16.97 pts
  • Intellect: 10 × 1 = 10.00 pts
  • Stamina: 12 × 0.1697 = 2.04 pts
  • Armor: 222 × 0.0028 = 0.62 pts

Rare

2 sources

Riding WolfNPC drop · 1.2%
Twilight GruntNPC drop · 0.8%
2 in this filtered list
War Handler's Gaze Leather · iLvl 45 · Req. 40 · Other drop Key stats: 11 Agility10 Intellect17 Stamina
24.17
War Handler AshkaNPC drop · 31%

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 11 × 0.9981 = 10.98 pts
  • Intellect: 10 × 1 = 10.00 pts
  • Stamina: 17 × 0.1697 = 2.88 pts
  • Armor: 109 × 0.0028 = 0.31 pts

Rare

Source

War Handler AshkaNPC drop · 31%
3 in this filtered list
Corpseshroud Cloth · iLvl 40 · Req. 35 · Other drop Key stats: 19 Intellect5 Agility47 Armor
24.12
Razorfen DownsZone loot
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 19 × 1 = 19.00 pts
  • Agility: 5 × 0.9981 = 4.99 pts
  • Armor: 47 × 0.0028 = 0.13 pts

Rare

Source

Razorfen DownsZone loot
4 in this filtered list
Miner's Hat of the Deep Cloth · iLvl 44 · Req. 39 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 17 Intellect7 Stamina52 Armor
18.45
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 17 × 1 = 17.00 pts
  • Stamina: 7 × 0.1697 = 1.19 pts
  • Armor: 52 × 0.0028 = 0.15 pts
  • Bonus armor: 40 × 0.0028 = 0.11 pts

Rare

Source

5 in this filtered list
Papal Fez Cloth · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 17 Intellect9 Spirit51 Armor
18.36
Stonevault BrawlerNPC drop · <0.1% · Uldaman
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 17 × 1 = 17.00 pts
  • Spirit: 9 × 0.1348 = 1.21 pts
  • Armor: 51 × 0.0028 = 0.14 pts

Rare

3 sources

Stonevault BrawlerNPC drop · <0.1% · Uldaman
Stonevault GeomancerNPC drop · <0.1% · Uldaman
Stonevault MaulerNPC drop · <0.1% · Uldaman
6 in this filtered list
Warden's Wizard Hat Leather · iLvl 45 · Req. 40 · Other drop Key stats: 13 Agility3 Intellect11 Stamina
18.12
Wastewander ScofflawNPC drop · 0.2% · Tanaris · also from 68 other creatures
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 13 × 0.9981 = 12.98 pts
  • Intellect: 3 × 1 = 3.00 pts
  • Stamina: 11 × 0.1697 = 1.87 pts
  • Armor: 99 × 0.0028 = 0.28 pts

Uncommon

69 sources

Wastewander ScofflawNPC drop · 0.2% · Tanaris · also from 68 other creatures
Sergeant BlyNPC drop · 0.1% · Zul'Farrak
Creeping SludgeNPC drop · 0.1% · Maraudon
Sandfury Witch DoctorNPC drop · 0.1% · Zul'Farrak
Putridus SatyrNPC drop · <0.1% · Maraudon
Deeprot TanglerNPC drop · <0.1% · Maraudon
Sandfury Soul EaterNPC drop · <0.1% · Zul'Farrak
Barbed LasherNPC drop · <0.1% · Maraudon
Sandfury ShadowhunterNPC drop · <0.1% · Zul'Farrak
Sandfury Blood DrinkerNPC drop · <0.1% · Zul'Farrak
All 69 sources
7 in this filtered list
Enduring Cap Leather · iLvl 33 · Req. 28 · Other drop Key stats: 16 Intellect7 Spirit88 Armor
17.19
Splinter Fist EnslaverNPC drop · 0.2% · Duskwood · also from 42 other creatures
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 16 × 1 = 16.00 pts
  • Spirit: 7 × 0.1348 = 0.94 pts
  • Armor: 88 × 0.0028 = 0.25 pts

Rare

47 sources

Splinter Fist EnslaverNPC drop · 0.2% · Duskwood · also from 42 other creatures
Large Iron Bound ChestObject loot · 0.1%
Alliance ChestObject loot · 0.1%
Gelkis ScoutNPC drop · <0.1% · Desolace
Large Solid ChestObject loot · <0.1%
Razorfen BattleguardNPC drop · <0.1%
Iron LockboxContainer loot · <0.1%
Forsaken InfiltratorNPC drop · <0.1% · Ashenvale
Dabyrie LaborerNPC drop · <0.1% · Arathi Highlands
All 47 sources
8 in this filtered list
Blackwater Cap Cloth · iLvl 45 · Req. 40* · Quest Key stats: 17 Intellect48 Armor
17.13

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 17 × 1 = 17.00 pts
  • Armor: 48 × 0.0028 = 0.13 pts

Uncommon

9 in this filtered list
Thinking Cap Cloth · iLvl 42 · Req. 37 · Other drop Key stats: 17 Intellect45 Armor
17.13
Dustbelcher ShamanNPC drop · 0.9% · Badlands
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 17 × 1 = 17.00 pts
  • Armor: 45 × 0.0028 = 0.13 pts

Uncommon

Source

Dustbelcher ShamanNPC drop · 0.9% · Badlands
10 in this filtered list
Tribal Worg Helm Leather · iLvl 34 · Req. 29 · Other drop Key stats: 8 Agility7 Intellect7 Spirit
16.16
FenrosNPC drop · 32% · Duskwood
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 8 × 0.9981 = 7.98 pts
  • Intellect: 7 × 1 = 7.00 pts
  • Spirit: 7 × 0.1348 = 0.94 pts
  • Armor: 81 × 0.0028 = 0.23 pts

Uncommon

Source

FenrosNPC drop · 32% · Duskwood
11 in this filtered list
Discarded Circlet Cloth · iLvl 43 · Req. 38* · Quest · Alliance only Key stats: 11 Intellect16 Stamina10 Spirit
15.21

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 11 × 1 = 11.00 pts
  • Stamina: 16 × 0.1697 = 2.72 pts
  • Spirit: 10 × 0.1348 = 1.35 pts
  • Armor: 51 × 0.0028 = 0.14 pts

Rare

Source

12 in this filtered list
Craftsman's Monocle Cloth · iLvl 37 · Req. 32 · Crafted · Profession required Key stats: 15 Intellect40 Armor
15.11
EngineeringCrafted
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 15 × 1 = 15.00 pts
  • Armor: 40 × 0.0028 = 0.11 pts

Uncommon · Profession required — check item requirements

Source

EngineeringCrafted
13 in this filtered list
Guard's Chain Helm Mail · iLvl 30 · Req. 25 · Crafted Key stats: 12 Agility11 Stamina177 Armor
14.34
Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 12 × 0.9981 = 11.98 pts
  • Stamina: 11 × 0.1697 = 1.87 pts
  • Armor: 177 × 0.0028 = 0.50 pts

Rare

Source

14 in this filtered list
Big Voodoo Mask Leather · iLvl 44 · Req. 39 · Crafted Key stats: 14 Intellect97 Armor
14.27
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 14 × 1 = 14.00 pts
  • Armor: 97 × 0.0028 = 0.27 pts

Uncommon

Source

15 in this filtered list
Cowl of Necromancy Cloth · iLvl 36 · Req. 31 · Other drop Key stats: 15 Intellect39 Armor-5 Stamina
14.26
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 15 × 1 = 15.00 pts
  • Armor: 39 × 0.0028 = 0.11 pts
  • Stamina: -5 × 0.1697 = -0.85 pts

Uncommon

Source

16 in this filtered list
Nightscape Headband Leather · iLvl 41 · Req. 36 · Crafted Key stats: 12 Agility11 Stamina91 Armor
14.10
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 12 × 0.9981 = 11.98 pts
  • Stamina: 11 × 0.1697 = 1.87 pts
  • Armor: 91 × 0.0028 = 0.25 pts

Uncommon

Source

17 in this filtered list
Imperial Leather Helm Leather · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Other drop Key stats: 12 Intellect11 Spirit95 Armor
13.75
FoulbellyNPC drop · 3.4% · Arathi Highlands
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 12 × 1 = 12.00 pts
  • Spirit: 11 × 0.1348 = 1.48 pts
  • Armor: 95 × 0.0028 = 0.27 pts

Uncommon

84 sources

FoulbellyNPC drop · 3.4% · Arathi Highlands
Ancient TreasureObject loot · 3.1% · Uldaman
Large Mithril Bound ChestObject loot · 1.3%
Krol'dok BruteNPC drop · 1%
Steel LockboxContainer loot · 0.7%
Cuergo's Hidden TreasureContainer loot · 0.6%
Large Darkwood ChestObject loot · 0.5% · Uldaman
Captain's ChestObject loot · 0.4% · Tanaris
Shadowforge DarkcasterNPC drop · 0.2% · Uldaman
All 84 sources
18 in this filtered list
Resilient Cap Cloth · iLvl 33 · Req. 28 · Other drop Key stats: 11 Intellect2 Agility4 Spirit
13.64
Galak Flame GuardNPC drop · 0.3% · Thousand Needles · also from 60 other creatures
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 11 × 1 = 11.00 pts
  • Agility: 2 × 0.9981 = 2.00 pts
  • Spirit: 4 × 0.1348 = 0.54 pts
  • Armor: 37 × 0.0028 = 0.10 pts

Uncommon

61 sources

Galak Flame GuardNPC drop · 0.3% · Thousand Needles · also from 60 other creatures
Death's Head CultistNPC drop · 0.3%
Razorfen ThornweaverNPC drop · 0.2%
Razorfen BattleguardNPC drop · 0.2%
Gelkis EarthcallerNPC drop · <0.1% · Desolace
Quilguard ChampionNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Kolkar Battle LordNPC drop · <0.1% · Desolace
Gelkis WindchaserNPC drop · <0.1% · Desolace
All 61 sources
19 in this filtered list
Skullsplitter Helm Mail · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Other drop Key stats: 11 Agility12 Stamina196 Armor
13.56
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 11 × 0.9981 = 10.98 pts
  • Stamina: 12 × 0.1697 = 2.04 pts
  • Armor: 196 × 0.0028 = 0.55 pts

Uncommon

20 in this filtered list
Whitemane's Chapeau Cloth · iLvl 44 · Req. 39 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 10 Intellect12 Spirit9 Stamina
13.29

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 10 × 1 = 10.00 pts
  • Spirit: 12 × 0.1348 = 1.62 pts
  • Stamina: 9 × 0.1697 = 1.53 pts
  • Armor: 52 × 0.0028 = 0.15 pts

Rare

Source

Item stats from the WoW Forever game files; sources from data collected from the live game. Auction prices are the lowest buyout on the Americas · Normal auction houses, read from Blizzard every hour; pick another region or ruleset under Filters. Which house is which ruleset is not confirmed yet (why).

New in Forever

Ranged tools and melee options

Aimed Shot is baseline at level 20. Careful Aim adds attack power from your Intellect. Hunters dual-wield from level 20; Survival’s Predator’s Edge talent raises off-hand damage, or it can weave with a two-hander. Check your talents before following a melee-only rotation.

Set your level on this page: its abilities, talents and gear rankings follow these changes. Recheck your weapon and saved items. Scores are weighted points, not DPS.

Every Hunter ability by level
View list