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

Off hand 254 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.

Off hand items with imported stats, weighted scores and acquisition sources.
Rank Item Score (pts) Where to get it Actions
1 in this filtered list
Nordic Longshank Sword · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Dungeon drop · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 8 Agility5 Stamina
8.83
BaelogBoss drop · 8.8% · Uldaman

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 8 × 0.9981 = 7.98 pts
  • Stamina: 5 × 0.1697 = 0.85 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

Source

BaelogBoss drop · 8.8% · Uldaman
2 in this filtered list
Vanquisher's Sword Sword · iLvl 44 · Req. 39* · Quest · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 22 Attack power
8.82

Score breakdown

  • Attack power: 22 × 0.4011 = 8.82 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

2 sources

3 in this filtered list
Speedsteel Rapier Sword · iLvl 41 · Req. 36 · Other drop · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 8 Agility3 Stamina
8.49
Rabid Crag CoyoteNPC drop · 0.1% · Badlands · also from 33 other creatures
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 8 × 0.9981 = 7.98 pts
  • Stamina: 3 × 0.1697 = 0.51 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

36 sources

Rabid Crag CoyoteNPC drop · 0.1% · Badlands · also from 33 other creatures
Steel LockboxContainer loot · <0.1%
Tangled HorrorNPC drop · <0.1% · Swamp of Sorrows
Firemane ScoutNPC drop · <0.1% · Dustwallow Marsh
Hatecrest SirenNPC drop · <0.1% · Feralas
Solid ChestObject loot · <0.1%
All 36 sources
4 in this filtered list
Scout's Blade Dagger · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Vendor · Horde only Key stats: 8 Agility3 Stamina
8.49
Kelm HargunthVendor · 8g 67s 91c · The Barrens

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 8 × 0.9981 = 7.98 pts
  • Stamina: 3 × 0.1697 = 0.51 pts

Rare

Source

Kelm HargunthVendor · 8g 67s 91c · The Barrens
5 in this filtered list
Sentinel's Blade Dagger · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Vendor · Alliance only Key stats: 8 Agility3 Stamina
8.49
Illiyana MoonblazeVendor · 6g 55s 6c · Ashenvale

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 8 × 0.9981 = 7.98 pts
  • Stamina: 3 × 0.1697 = 0.51 pts

Rare

Source

Illiyana MoonblazeVendor · 6g 55s 6c · Ashenvale
6 in this filtered list
Blue Glittering Axe Axe · iLvl 44 · Req. 39 · Crafted · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 8 Agility
7.98
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 8 × 0.9981 = 7.98 pts

Uncommon · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

Source

7 in this filtered list
Jhordy's Misplaced Screwdriver Dagger · iLvl 45 · Req. 40 · Vendor · Reputation required Key stats: 9 Agility-1 Intellect
7.98
RettrickVendor · 9g 46s 14c · Tanaris

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 9 × 0.9981 = 8.98 pts
  • Intellect: -1 × 1 = -1.00 pts

Rare · Reputation required — check item requirements

Source

RettrickVendor · 9g 46s 14c · Tanaris
8 in this filtered list
Stonevault Shiv Dagger · iLvl 36 · Req. 31 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 7 Agility3 Stamina
7.50
Ancient TreasureObject loot · 0.2% · Uldaman
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 7 × 0.9981 = 6.99 pts
  • Stamina: 3 × 0.1697 = 0.51 pts

Rare

9 sources

Ancient TreasureObject loot · 0.2% · Uldaman
Stonevault RockchewerNPC drop · <0.1% · Uldaman
Shadowforge DiggerNPC drop · <0.1%
Shadowforge RuffianNPC drop · <0.1% · Badlands
Stonevault OracleNPC drop · <0.1% · Uldaman
Stonevault FlameweaverNPC drop · <0.1% · Uldaman
Shadowforge SurveyorNPC drop · <0.1% · Badlands
Stonevault BrawlerNPC drop · <0.1% · Uldaman
Venomlash ScorpidNPC drop · <0.1% · Uldaman
9 in this filtered list
Scout's Blade Dagger · iLvl 33 · Req. 28 · Vendor · Horde only Key stats: 7 Agility3 Stamina
7.50
Kelm HargunthVendor · 3g 27s 95c · The Barrens

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 7 × 0.9981 = 6.99 pts
  • Stamina: 3 × 0.1697 = 0.51 pts

Rare

Source

Kelm HargunthVendor · 3g 27s 95c · The Barrens
10 in this filtered list
Sentinel's Blade Dagger · iLvl 33 · Req. 28 · Vendor · Alliance only Key stats: 7 Agility3 Stamina
7.50
Illiyana MoonblazeVendor · 2g 82s 98c · Ashenvale

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 7 × 0.9981 = 6.99 pts
  • Stamina: 3 × 0.1697 = 0.51 pts

Rare

Source

Illiyana MoonblazeVendor · 2g 82s 98c · Ashenvale
11 in this filtered list
Alliance Outrunner's Sword Sword · iLvl 27 · Req. 22 · Other drop · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 5 Agility6 Attack power
7.40
Thora FeathermoonNPC drop · 5.9% · The Barrens

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 5 × 0.9981 = 4.99 pts
  • Attack power: 6 × 0.4011 = 2.41 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

Source

Thora FeathermoonNPC drop · 5.9% · The Barrens
12 in this filtered list
Subdued Dragon's Fang Dagger · iLvl 32 · Req. 27* · Quest · Alliance only Key stats: 7 Agility2 Stamina
7.33

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 7 × 0.9981 = 6.99 pts
  • Stamina: 2 × 0.1697 = 0.34 pts

Rare

Source

13 in this filtered list
Searing Golden Blade Dagger · iLvl 39 · Req. 34 · Crafted Key stats: 7 Intellect
7.00
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 7 × 1 = 7.00 pts

Uncommon

Source

14 in this filtered list
Resurged Axe Axe · iLvl 40 · Req. 35 · Dungeon drop · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 7 Intellect
7.00
Brinescale SorceressNPC drop · 0.4%
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Intellect: 7 × 1 = 7.00 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

2 sources

Brinescale SorceressNPC drop · 0.4%
15 in this filtered list
Vendetta Dagger · iLvl 31 · Req. 26 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 7 Agility
6.99
Death's Head SeerNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 7 × 0.9981 = 6.99 pts

Rare

9 sources

Death's Head SeerNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Razorfen TotemicNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Charlga RazorflankNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Quilguard ChampionNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Greater Kraul BatNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Kraul BatNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Overlord RamtuskNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
Razorfen DefenderNPC drop · <0.1% · Razorfen Kraul
16 in this filtered list
Silent Hunter Dagger · iLvl 41 · Req. 36* · Quest · Horde only Key stats: 7 Agility
6.99

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 7 × 0.9981 = 6.99 pts

Uncommon

Source

17 in this filtered list
Kroog's Backscratcher Dagger · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Other drop Key stats: 14 Attack power7 Spirit
6.56
KroogNPC drop · 33%

Score breakdown

  • Attack power: 14 × 0.4011 = 5.62 pts
  • Spirit: 7 × 0.1348 = 0.94 pts

Rare

Source

KroogNPC drop · 33%
18 in this filtered list
Tok'kar's Murloc Shanker Dagger · iLvl 43 · Req. 38* · Quest · Horde only Key stats: 6 Agility3 Stamina
6.50

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 6 × 0.9981 = 5.99 pts
  • Stamina: 3 × 0.1697 = 0.51 pts

Uncommon

Source

19 in this filtered list
Ceremonial Elven Blade Dagger · iLvl 45 · Req. 40* · Quest · Alliance only Key stats: 6 Agility3 Stamina
6.50
A Hero's WelcomeQuest choice · Feralas

Score breakdown

  • Agility: 6 × 0.9981 = 5.99 pts
  • Stamina: 3 × 0.1697 = 0.51 pts

Uncommon

Source

A Hero's WelcomeQuest choice · Feralas
20 in this filtered list
Outlaw Sabre Sword · iLvl 32 · Req. 27* · Quest · Horde only · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 16 Attack power
6.42
Baron AquanisQuest choice · Ashenvale

Score breakdown

  • Attack power: 16 × 0.4011 = 6.42 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

2 sources

Baron AquanisQuest choice · Ashenvale
Baron AquanisQuest choice · Ashenvale

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