WoW 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 customizable pet specializations, a single-pet option for Beast Mastery, and the complete removal of pets for Marksmanship Hunters. These changes, subject to player feedback during PTR testing early next year (likely launching in February), promise a revamped Hunter experience.
The patch, titled "Undermined," takes players to the Goblin capital where the "War Within" storyline continues, culminating in a raid against Chrome King Gallywix. Alongside narrative advancements, Hunters will experience a major class rework.
A significant improvement is the ability to change pet specializations (Cunning, Ferocity, or Tenacity) at the stables. This allows Hunters to tailor their favorite companions – including event pets like the Dreaming Festive Reindeer – to their preferred combat styles.
Hunter specializations receive substantial overhauls. Marksmanship undergoes a complete redesign, eliminating the pet and introducing a Spotting Eagle that marks targets for increased damage. Beast Mastery Hunters can now choose to utilize a single, more powerful pet. The Pack Leader talent is reworked, summoning a bear, boar, and wyvern during combat.
Community reaction to these changes is mixed. While the pet specialization changes and Beast Mastery's solo pet option are generally well-received, the Marksmanship rework has proven controversial. Many feel the removal of the pet diminishes the core Hunter fantasy. Similarly, the mandated bear, boar, and wyvern combination for Pack Leader has drawn criticism.
However, these changes remain subject to adjustment. PTR testing will allow players to provide feedback on these alterations before their implementation in the live game.
World of Warcraft Patch 11.1 Hunter Changes Summary:
- Stable-based pet specialization changes via dropdown menu.
Class Changes:
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HUNTER: Numerous ability and talent adjustments (see detailed list below). Significant changes include the redesign of Kindling Flare, Territorial Instincts, Wilderness Medicine, and No Hard Feelings. Marksmanship-specific changes to Roar of Sacrifice and Intimidation are also noteworthy. Eyes of the Beast and Eagle Eye are now specialization-specific. Freezing Trap's triggering mechanism is altered. Tooltips are updated for clarity.
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Hero Talents (Pack Leader): A complete overhaul replaces existing talents with a new system featuring Howl of the Pack Leader and various supporting abilities and choices. Several talents are removed.
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Beast Mastery: Additions include Dire Cleave, Poisoned Barbs, and Solitary Companion. Existing abilities like Stomp, Serpent Sting, and Barrage are adjusted. Several talents are removed.
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Marksmanship: A complete rework replaces the pet with a Spotting Eagle, introducing new abilities like Harrier’s Cry and Manhunter, and passive abilities like Eyes in the Sky. Numerous new talents are added, and existing ones are significantly altered or removed. The core gameplay loop is dramatically changed.
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Survival: Changes include new talents Cull the Herd and Born to Kill. Existing talents like Frenzy Strikes and Merciless Blow are adjusted. Flanking Strike and Butchery are now mutually exclusive choices. Exposed Flank is removed.
(Detailed list of individual ability and talent changes omitted for brevity, but available in the original text.)
Player vs. Player (PvP): Specific PvP talent changes and adjustments for each specialization are detailed in the original text.
