Hunter specialization

Survival Hunter in WoW Forever

Close-range attacks and traps.

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

Your character

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

Level 50 · Damage in a group

How to play dungeons at level 50

Your combat loop

Press the first one that is ready.

Survival’s own loop, from level 10. Before that every Hunter plays the same loop.

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

In this model, Marksmanship’s loop does 14% more with Survival’s talents at this level. This is Survival’s own loop, the one its talents are built for.

Keep up:

Half of each fight you shoot, as the enemy runs in and whenever it is out of melee range: Auto Shot with Aimed Shot, Arcane Shot and Serpent Sting. The shares below are of your melee damage.

  1. Rapid Fire Cooldown · every 5 min

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

  2. Raptor Strike Rank 7 Every 6 sec

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 6 sec.

    8% of your damage
  3. Strider Kick Every 8 sec

    Use it whenever it is ready, every 8 sec.

    12% of your damage
  4. Mongoose Bite Rank 3 When it lights up

    Use it when Expose Prey makes it ready.

    17% of your damage
  5. Auto attack All the time

    Your weapon swings on its own. Stay in melee range.

    64% 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 and Raptor Strike are off the global cooldown, so they have no line and go alongside.

In the gaps
Mongoose Bite
All the time
Auto attack

How MaxDPS works this out

Talents at level 50

41 points at level 50: 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. Improved Tracking 5/5 · levels 10–14 +3% damage
  2. Savage Strikes 2/2 · levels 15–16 +0.7% damage
  3. Survivalist 5/5 · levels 17–19 and 23–24 not counted here
  4. Surefooted 3/3 · levels 20–22 +3.4% damage
  5. Predator's Edge 5/5 · levels 25–29 +4% damage
  6. Strider Kick 1/1 · level 30 +5% damage
  7. Expose Prey 2/2 · levels 31–32 +6.1% damage
  8. Resourcefulness 2/2 · levels 33–34 +0.2% damage
  9. Lightning Reflexes 5/5 · levels 35–39 +4.7% damage
  10. Lacerating Strikes 1/1 · level 40 +1.6% damage
  11. Lethal Attacks 5/5 · levels 41–45 +5.9% damage
  12. Deadly Aspects 5/5 · levels 46–50 +6.3% damage

Every Hunter talent

Preliminary item rankings · Dungeons

Survival Hunter gear rankings

Melee and ranged weaving; two-hand or dual-wield · Level 50 · Calculated defaults

Hunt list
Show gear for

Off hand 303 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
Shadowblade Dagger · iLvl 53 · Req. 48 · Other drop Key stats: 38.89 Weapon melee DPS1.0% Hit5 Agility
61.23
Spirestone MysticNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackrock Spire
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 38.89 × 1.6968 = 34.43 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 70 × 0.1805 = 12.64 pts
  • Hit: 10 rating (1.0%) × 0.9165 = 9.17 pts
  • Agility: 5 × 1 = 5.00 pts

Epic

44 sources

Spirestone MysticNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackrock Spire
Thaurissan SpyNPC drop · <0.1% · Burning Steppes
Black DragonspawnNPC drop · <0.1% · Burning Steppes
Cobalt BroodlingNPC drop · <0.1% · Winterspring
Scarshield RaiderNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackrock Spire
Anvilrage OfficerNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackrock Depths
Shadowsworn AdeptNPC drop · <0.1% · Blasted Lands
Dredge WormNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackrock Depths
All 44 sources
2 in this filtered list
Thorium Cestus Fist weapon · iLvl 55 · Req. 50 · Crafted · Weapon training Key stats: 36.46 Weapon melee DPS16 Attack power9 Stamina
56.90
Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 36.46 × 1.6968 = 32.28 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 87.5 × 0.1805 = 15.79 pts
  • Attack power: 16 × 0.456 = 7.30 pts
  • Stamina: 9 × 0.1694 = 1.52 pts

Rare · Weapon training — check item requirements

Source

3 in this filtered list
Dawn's Edge Axe · iLvl 55 · Req. 50 · Crafted · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 36.43 Weapon melee DPS1.0% Critical strike
55.00
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house Materials about

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 36.43 × 1.6968 = 32.26 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 76.5 × 0.1805 = 13.81 pts
  • Critical strike: 14 rating (1.0%) × 0.6384 = 8.94 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

Source

4 in this filtered list
Scout's Blade Dagger · iLvl 53 · Req. 48 · Vendor · Horde only Key stats: 35 Weapon melee DPS11 Agility5 Stamina
53.58
Kelm HargunthVendor · 16g 46s 21c · The Barrens

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35 × 1.6968 = 30.99 pts
  • Agility: 11 × 1 = 11.00 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 59.5 × 0.1805 = 10.74 pts
  • Stamina: 5 × 0.1694 = 0.85 pts

Rare

Source

Kelm HargunthVendor · 16g 46s 21c · The Barrens
5 in this filtered list
Sentinel's Blade Dagger · iLvl 53 · Req. 48 · Vendor · Alliance only Key stats: 35 Weapon melee DPS11 Agility5 Stamina
53.58
Illiyana MoonblazeVendor · 13g 19s 85c · Ashenvale

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35 × 1.6968 = 30.99 pts
  • Agility: 11 × 1 = 11.00 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 59.5 × 0.1805 = 10.74 pts
  • Stamina: 5 × 0.1694 = 0.85 pts

Rare

Source

Illiyana MoonblazeVendor · 13g 19s 85c · Ashenvale
6 in this filtered list
Doomforged Straightedge Sword · iLvl 54 · Req. 49 · Dungeon drop · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 35.79 Weapon melee DPS14 Attack power10 Strength
52.86
Anvilrage CaptainNPC drop · <0.1% · Blackrock Depths
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35.79 × 1.6968 = 31.69 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 68 × 0.1805 = 12.27 pts
  • Attack power: 14 × 0.456 = 6.38 pts
  • Strength: 10 × 0.2515 = 2.52 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

7 in this filtered list
Legionnaire's Sword Sword · iLvl 53 · Req. 48 · Vendor · Horde only · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 35.19 Weapon melee DPS11 Strength5 Stamina
51.92
Kelm HargunthVendor · 15g 13s 24c · The Barrens

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35.19 × 1.6968 = 31.16 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 95 × 0.1805 = 17.15 pts
  • Strength: 11 × 0.2515 = 2.77 pts
  • Stamina: 5 × 0.1694 = 0.85 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

Source

Kelm HargunthVendor · 15g 13s 24c · The Barrens
8 in this filtered list
Protector's Sword Sword · iLvl 53 · Req. 48 · Vendor · Alliance only · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 35.19 Weapon melee DPS11 Strength5 Stamina
51.92
Illiyana MoonblazeVendor · 12g 86s 26c · Ashenvale

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35.19 × 1.6968 = 31.16 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 95 × 0.1805 = 17.15 pts
  • Strength: 11 × 0.2515 = 2.77 pts
  • Stamina: 5 × 0.1694 = 0.85 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

Source

Illiyana MoonblazeVendor · 12g 86s 26c · Ashenvale
9 in this filtered list
Dustwallow Dirk Dagger · iLvl 55 · Req. 50* · Quest Key stats: 36.47 Weapon melee DPS6 Agility10 Stamina
51.18

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 36.47 × 1.6968 = 32.29 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 62 × 0.1805 = 11.19 pts
  • Agility: 6 × 1 = 6.00 pts
  • Stamina: 10 × 0.1694 = 1.69 pts

Rare

2 sources

10 in this filtered list
Blitzcleaver Axe · iLvl 54 · Req. 49* · Quest · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 32.05 Weapon melee DPS20 Attack power
50.22

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 32.05 × 1.6968 = 28.38 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 70.5 × 0.1805 = 12.73 pts
  • Attack power: 20 × 0.456 = 9.12 pts

Uncommon · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

Source

11 in this filtered list
Axe of Rin'ji Axe · iLvl 53 · Req. 48 · Other drop · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 35 Weapon melee DPS5 Agility11 Stamina
49.86
Emerald Encrusted ChestContainer loot · 2.4%
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35 × 1.6968 = 30.99 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 66.5 × 0.1805 = 12.00 pts
  • Agility: 5 × 1 = 5.00 pts
  • Stamina: 11 × 0.1694 = 1.86 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

58 sources

Emerald Encrusted ChestContainer loot · 2.4%
Colossal Bag of LootContainer loot · 0.2%
Mithril LockboxContainer loot · <0.1%
Shadowsworn WarlockNPC drop · <0.1% · Blasted Lands
XavathrasNPC drop · <0.1% · Felwood
Black WyrmkinNPC drop · <0.1% · Burning Steppes
Cliff WalkerNPC drop · <0.1% · Azshara
Gordok Ogre-MageNPC drop · <0.1% · Feralas
Thaurissan SpyNPC drop · <0.1% · Burning Steppes
Solid ChestObject loot · <0.1%
All 58 sources
12 in this filtered list
Katerina's Shanker Dagger · iLvl 54 · Req. 49 · Dungeon drop Key stats: 35.59 Weapon melee DPS7 Agility
49.43

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35.59 × 1.6968 = 31.51 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 60.5 × 0.1805 = 10.92 pts
  • Agility: 7 × 1 = 7.00 pts

Rare

Source

13 in this filtered list
Mugg's Jabber Fist weapon · iLvl 47 · Req. 42 · Other drop · Weapon training Key stats: 31.54 Weapon melee DPS5 Agility6 Stamina
48.74
Overlord MuggNPC drop · 32%

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 31.54 × 1.6968 = 27.93 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 82 × 0.1805 = 14.80 pts
  • Agility: 5 × 1 = 5.00 pts
  • Stamina: 6 × 0.1694 = 1.02 pts

Rare · Weapon training — check item requirements

Source

Overlord MuggNPC drop · 32%
14 in this filtered list
Widowmaker Dagger · iLvl 47 · Req. 42 · Other drop Key stats: 31.58 Weapon melee DPS8 Agility7 Strength
48.55
Alliance: Horde: None on the auction house

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 31.58 × 1.6968 = 27.96 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 60 × 0.1805 = 10.83 pts
  • Agility: 8 × 1 = 8.00 pts
  • Strength: 7 × 0.2515 = 1.76 pts

Rare

57 sources

Emerald Encrusted ChestContainer loot · 0.8%
Reinforced Steel LockboxContainer loot · 0.1%
Ahn'Qiraj War Effort SuppliesContainer loot · <0.1%
Jade SludgeNPC drop · <0.1% · The Hinterlands
Cavern ShamblerNPC drop · <0.1% · Maraudon
Solid ChestObject loot · <0.1%
Sul'lithuz AbominationNPC drop · <0.1% · Zul'Farrak
Earthen StonebreakerNPC drop · <0.1% · Uldaman
All 57 sources
15 in this filtered list
Vanquisher's Sword Sword · iLvl 44 · Req. 39* · Quest · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 30 Weapon melee DPS22 Attack power
48.51

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 30 × 1.6968 = 26.56 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 66 × 0.1805 = 11.91 pts
  • Attack power: 22 × 0.456 = 10.03 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

2 sources

16 in this filtered list
Thrash Blade Sword · iLvl 53 · Req. 48* · Quest · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 35.19 Weapon melee DPS
48.30
Keeper MarandisVendor · 14g 78s 45c · Desolace

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35.19 × 1.6968 = 31.16 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 95 × 0.1805 = 17.15 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

4 sources

Keeper MarandisVendor · 14g 78s 45c · Desolace
SelendraVendor · 16g 42s 72c · Desolace
17 in this filtered list
Jhordy's Misplaced Screwdriver Dagger · iLvl 45 · Req. 40 · Vendor · Reputation required Key stats: 30.26 Weapon melee DPS9 Agility6 Strength
47.68
RettrickVendor · 9g 46s 14c · Tanaris

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 30.26 × 1.6968 = 26.79 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 57.5 × 0.1805 = 10.38 pts
  • Agility: 9 × 1 = 9.00 pts
  • Strength: 6 × 0.2515 = 1.51 pts

Rare · Reputation required — check item requirements

Source

RettrickVendor · 9g 46s 14c · Tanaris
18 in this filtered list
Nordic Longshank Sword · iLvl 43 · Req. 38 · Dungeon drop · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 29.32 Weapon melee DPS8 Agility5 Stamina
46.45
BaelogBoss drop · 8.8% · Uldaman

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 29.32 × 1.6968 = 25.96 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 64.5 × 0.1805 = 11.64 pts
  • Agility: 8 × 1 = 8.00 pts
  • Stamina: 5 × 0.1694 = 0.85 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

Source

BaelogBoss drop · 8.8% · Uldaman
19 in this filtered list
Firebreather Sword · iLvl 53 · Req. 48 · Dungeon drop · Weapon training for some races Key stats: 35.23 Weapon melee DPS
45.18
HazzasNPC drop · 14% · Sunken Temple

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 35.23 × 1.6968 = 31.19 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 77.5 × 0.1805 = 13.99 pts

Rare · Weapon training for some races — check item requirements

4 sources

HazzasNPC drop · 14% · Sunken Temple
DreamscytheNPC drop · 14% · Sunken Temple
WeaverNPC drop · 13% · Sunken Temple
MorphazNPC drop · 12% · Sunken Temple
20 in this filtered list
Assassin's Dagger Dagger · iLvl 52 · Req. 47* · Quest · Horde only Key stats: 31.11 Weapon melee DPS6 Agility6 Strength
45.16
Ley of the LandQuest choice · Azshara

Score breakdown

  • Weapon melee DPS: 31.11 × 1.6968 = 27.54 pts
  • Weapon damage per swing: 56 × 0.1805 = 10.11 pts
  • Agility: 6 × 1 = 6.00 pts
  • Strength: 6 × 0.2515 = 1.51 pts

Uncommon

Source

Ley of the LandQuest choice · Azshara

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 matched by size and still being confirmed in game.

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