World of Warcraft Patch 11.1: Hunter Class Overhaul
Patch 11.1 of World of Warcraft brings significant changes to the Hunter class, impacting pet management, specialization abilities, and overall gameplay. Key updates include customizable pet specializations, a single-pet option for Beast Mastery, and the complete removal of pets for Marksmanship Hunters. These alterations, unless significantly altered based on player feedback during the PTR testing phase early next year (likely February), will redefine the Hunter experience.
The patch, titled "Undermined," introduces a new raid, "Liberation of Undermine," set within the Goblin capital. This expansion of the "War Within" storyline culminates in a showdown against Chrome King Gallywix.
Hunter Pet and Specialization Changes:
Hunters will gain the ability to switch pet specializations (Cunning, Ferocity, or Tenacity) for any pet at the stables. This allows players to optimize their favorite companions for various combat scenarios. For example, the Dreaming Festive Reindeer from the Feast of Winter Veil can now be customized to any specialization.
Beast Mastery Hunters can opt for a single, more powerful pet, increasing its damage and size. Marksmanship Hunters undergo a significant rework, losing their traditional pet companion in favor of a Spotting Eagle that marks targets for increased damage. The Pack Leader talent is also revamped, summoning a bear, boar, and wyvern simultaneously during combat.
Community Response and PTR Testing:
The reception to these changes is mixed. While the pet specialization changes and the Beast Mastery solo-pet option are generally well-received, the Marksmanship rework has sparked debate. The removal of the pet is a significant change for many players, altering a core element of the Hunter class identity. Similarly, the mandatory bear, boar, and wyvern combination for the Pack Leader talent has drawn criticism.
Crucially, these changes are subject to modification. The PTR (Public Test Realm) will open early next year, providing an opportunity for players to test the alterations and provide feedback to Blizzard.
Detailed Class Changes (Hunter):
Here's a breakdown of specific adjustments to Hunter abilities and talents:
- Kindling Flare: Increased flare radius by 50%.
- Territorial Instincts: Reduced Intimidation cooldown by 10 seconds; removed pet summon functionality.
- 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 damage threshold, not any damage instance.
- Tooltip Updates: Tooltips for Roar of Sacrifice, Wilderness Medicine, and No Hard Feelings updated for Marksmanship clarity.
Hero Talents (Significant Changes):
The Pack Leader talent is completely redesigned, offering several new options focused on summoning a bear, boar, and wyvern for combat support. Many previous Pack Leader talents have been removed. Other talent trees also see significant changes and rebalancing. The complete list of changes is extensive and detailed in the original document.
PvP Changes (Hunter):
Several PvP talents have been added or modified, including the new "Explosive Powder" talent for Bursting Shot and changes to Beast Mastery's Dire Beast: Basilisk. Marksmanship receives new PvP talents, "Sniper's Advantage" and "Aspect of the Fox." Several PvP talents have been removed.
This comprehensive overview highlights the substantial changes awaiting Hunters in World of Warcraft Patch 11.1. Player feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the final version of these updates.
