World of Warcraft Patch 11.1 is Going to Be a Big Update for Hunters

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 core abilities. These changes, while subject to Player Testing Realm (PTR) feedback before final implementation (likely February), promise a substantial gameplay shift.

Key Changes Summarized:

• Pet Specialization Changes: Hunters can now alter their pet's specialization (Cunning, Ferocity, or Tenacity) at the stable, offering greater flexibility.
• Beast Mastery Overhaul: Beast Mastery Hunters can now opt for a single, more powerful pet instead of two.
• Marksmanship Transformation: Marksmanship Hunters lose their pet entirely, gaining a Spotting Eagle companion that marks targets for increased damage. This has proven a controversial change.
• Undermine and the Liberation of Undermine Raid: Patch 11.1 introduces a new raid centered around the Goblin capital of Undermine, culminating in a confrontation with Chrome King Gallywix.

Detailed Hunter Class Changes:

The core changes affect all three Hunter specializations:

• Beast Mastery: Significant buffs to pet damage and size when using the "Solitary Companion" talent are introduced, allowing for a solo-pet playstyle. Several talents have been removed or redesigned to streamline the specialization. New talents like "Dire Cleave" and "Poisoned Barbs" add new strategic options.

• Marksmanship: The most radical changes are seen here. The removal of the pet and introduction of the Spotting Eagle have sparked considerable debate. New abilities like "Harrier's Cry" and "Manhunter" offer alternative support and damage mechanics. The talent tree is extensively reworked, focusing on precise shots and increased damage output without a pet.

• Survival: While not as dramatically altered, Survival Hunters see changes to their talent tree, making Flanking Strike and Butchery mutually exclusive choices. This aims to reduce rotational complexity. New talents like "Cull the Herd" and "Born to Kill" are added.

General Hunter Changes:

Several abilities across all specializations receive adjustments:

• Kindling Flare, Territorial Instincts, Wilderness Medicine, and No Hard Feelings are redesigned or updated.
• Roar of Sacrifice is updated, specifically for Marksmanship Hunters, to function with the Spotting Eagle.
• Explosive Shot projectile speed is increased.
• Eyes of the Beast and Eagle Eye are now specialization-specific.
• Freezing Trap's break condition is modified.

Pack Leader Hero Talent Rework:

The Pack Leader talent is completely overhauled, replacing several old talents with a new system involving summoning a Bear, Wyvern, and Boar for temporary support during combat. New talents offer various strategic choices regarding these summoned beasts.

PTR Feedback Crucial:

Blizzard emphasizes that these changes are subject to change based on player feedback during the PTR phase. Hunters are encouraged to test these changes and provide constructive criticism to help shape the final version of Patch 11.1. The PTR will be available early next year.