Hunters Prepare for Major Update in World of Warcraft Patch 11.1

World of Warcraft Patch 11.1: Hunter Class Overhaul

Patch 11.1 of World of Warcraft introduces significant changes to the Hunter class, impacting pet management, specializations, and overall gameplay. Key updates include customizable pet specializations, optional single-pet configurations for Beast Mastery, and the complete removal of pets for Marksmanship Hunters. These alterations, pending player feedback from the PTR testing phase early next year (likely launching in February), will reshape the Hunter experience.

The patch, titled "Undermined," plunges players into the Goblin underground capital, continuing the narrative of The War Within and culminating in a raid against Chrome King Gallywix.

Pet and Specialization Revamp:

Hunters gain the ability to alter their pets' specializations (Cunning, Ferocity, or Tenacity) via a stable interface. This allows for flexible pairing of pets with desired combat roles. Beast Mastery Hunters can opt for a single, more powerful pet, while Marksmanship Hunters will forgo pets entirely, instead utilizing a Spotting Eagle to mark targets for increased damage. The Pack Leader talent is also redesigned, summoning a bear, boar, and wyvern simultaneously.

Community Reaction and PTR Testing:

Community response to these changes is mixed. While the pet specialization system and the Beast Mastery single-pet option are generally well-received, the Marksmanship rework has sparked debate. The removal of the pet is a significant departure from the traditional Hunter fantasy, causing concern among some players. The forced triad of bear, boar, and wyvern for Pack Leader is another point of contention.

Crucially, these changes are subject to modification based on player feedback during the PTR testing period. Hunters are encouraged to actively participate and provide Blizzard with constructive criticism to shape the final implementation of these updates.

Detailed Hunter Class Changes in Patch 11.1:

Pet System:

• Hunter pet specializations are now changeable at the stable via a dropdown menu.

General Hunter Changes:

• Kindling Flare: Increased flare radius by 50%.
• Territorial Instincts: Reduced Intimidation cooldown by 10 seconds; removed pet summon.
• Wilderness Medicine: Increased Natural Mending cooldown reduction by 0.5 seconds.
• No Hard Feelings: Reduced Misdirection cooldown by 5 seconds.
• Roar of Sacrifice (Marksmanship only): Pet protects a friendly target from critical strikes for 12 seconds; disables Spotting Eagle’s mark during activation.
• Intimidation (Marksmanship): Line-of-sight requirement removed; uses Spotting Eagle.
• Explosive Shot: Increased projectile speed.
• Eyes of the Beast: Now only available to Survival and Beast Mastery Hunters.
• Eagle Eye: Now only available to Marksmanship Hunters.
• Freezing Trap: Breaks based on a damage threshold.
• Tooltip updates for Roar of Sacrifice, Wilderness Medicine, and No Hard Feelings to reflect Marksmanship specialization.

Hero Talents (Significant Changes):

• Dark Ranger: Withering Fire updated to trigger from Black Arrow casts during Trueshot/Bestial Wrath. Bleak Powder cone damage fixed.
• Pack Leader: Completely reworked with new talent, "Howl of the Pack Leader," summoning a bear, wyvern, and boar. Several new talents offer variations on this mechanic. Many previous talents removed.
• Sentinel: Lunar Storm significantly buffed, increasing damage, radius, duration, and adding initial damage burst.

Beast Mastery:

• New talents: Dire Cleave, Poisoned Barbs, Solitary Companion (single-pet option).
• Stomp damage adjusted.
• Serpent Sting and Barrage damage increased; Barrage focus cost reduced.
• Alpha Predator effect changed to multiplicative.
• Hunter's Prey changes.
• Dire Command chance reduced.
• Dire Beast visual and summoning effects updated.
• Dire Frenzy updated.
• Several talents removed.

Marksmanship:

• Completely reworked, removing the pet and introducing a Spotting Eagle.
• New abilities: Harrier's Cry, Manhunter, Eyes in the Sky.
• Numerous new talents focused on the Spotting Eagle mechanic and damage output.
• Significant changes to existing abilities like Aimed Shot, Rapid Fire, Trueshot, and Precise Shots.
• Many talents removed.

Survival:

• New talent: Cull the Herd.
• New talent: Born to Kill.
• Frenzy Strikes and Merciless Blow updated.
• Tactical Advantage updated.
• Flanking Strike and Butchery now on a choice node.
• Exposed Flank removed.

Player vs. Player (PvP):

• New PvP talent: Explosive Powder (Hunter).
• Beast Mastery Dire Beast: Basilisk redesigned.
• Marksmanship new PvP talents: Sniper's Advantage, Aspect of the Fox.
• Several PvP talents removed.

This detailed overview highlights the extensive changes impacting Hunters in World of Warcraft Patch 11.1. The PTR testing phase is critical for community involvement and shaping the future of the Hunter class.