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, specialization abilities, and overall gameplay. Key updates include:
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Pet Specialization Changes: Hunters can now alter their pet's specialization (Cunning, Ferocity, or Tenacity) at the stables, offering greater flexibility in companion customization. This applies to all pets, including event-exclusive ones like the Dreaming Festive Reindeer.
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Beast Mastery Adjustments: Beast Mastery Hunters gain the option to utilize a single, more powerful pet instead of two, enhancing damage and size.
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Marksmanship Revamp: Marksmanship Hunters undergo a substantial rework, losing their pet companion. Instead, they gain a Spotting Eagle that marks targets for increased damage. This change has proven controversial among players.
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Undermine and the Liberation of Undermine Raid: Patch 11.1 introduces the new zone, Undermine, and a raid against Chrome King Gallywix, furthering the storyline from The War Within.
Detailed Hunter Class Changes:
The patch introduces numerous adjustments to Hunter abilities and talents across all specializations:
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General Hunter Changes: Several abilities like Kindling Flare, Territorial Instincts, Wilderness Medicine, and No Hard Feelings receive reworks or updates. Eyes of the Beast and Eagle Eye are now specialization-specific. Freezing Trap's functionality is altered. Tooltip updates clarify information for Marksmanship Hunters.
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Hero Talents (Pack Leader): The Pack Leader talent is completely redesigned, replacing several existing talents. The new Howl of the Pack Leader summons a Bear, Wyvern, or Boar to assist in combat, offering strategic choices for players. Various new talents provide further options for pet synergy and combat enhancements.
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Beast Mastery: New talents like Dire Cleave, Poisoned Barbs, and Solitary Companion offer additional strategic depth. Several abilities receive damage and cost adjustments.
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Marksmanship: The removal of the pet is central to the Marksmanship overhaul. New abilities like Harrier's Cry and Eyes in the Sky introduce the Spotting Eagle mechanic. Numerous new talents focus on improving Aimed Shot, Rapid Fire, and other core abilities. The talent tree is significantly restructured.
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Survival: Survival Hunters see adjustments to Frenzy Strikes and Merciless Blow. The talents Flanking Strike and Butchery become mutually exclusive choices.
Player Versus Player (PvP) Changes:
PvP-specific talents and adjustments are also implemented for each Hunter specialization, including new talents like Explosive Powder (Beast Mastery) and Sniper's Advantage (Marksmanship).
Player Feedback and PTR Testing:
Blizzard emphasizes the importance of player feedback. The changes will be available for testing on the PTR (Public Test Realm) early next year, allowing players to provide input before the official patch release. This feedback will likely influence final adjustments before the patch's February launch.
