World of Warcraft Patch 11.1: Hunter Class Overhaul
Patch 11.1 of World of Warcraft, titled "Undermined," introduces significant changes to the Hunter class, impacting pet management, specialization abilities, and overall gameplay. These changes, slated for a February release (pending PTR feedback), redefine the Hunter experience.
Key Changes Summarized:
- Pet Specialization: Hunters can now freely alter the specialization (Cunning, Ferocity, Tenacity) of any pet at the stable.
- Beast Mastery: Beast Mastery Hunters can now choose to utilize a single, more powerful pet instead of two.
- Marksmanship: Marksmanship Hunters are undergoing a complete overhaul, losing their pet companion and instead gaining a Spotting Eagle that marks targets for increased damage.
Undermined and the Liberation of Undermine Raid:
Patch 11.1 transports players to the Goblin capital, where the "War Within" storyline continues, culminating in a raid against Chrome King Gallywix.
Detailed Hunter Class Changes:
The ability to switch pet specializations offers players unparalleled flexibility. This applies to all pets, including event-exclusive companions like the Dreaming Festive Reindeer.
The Beast Mastery changes offer a strategic choice: a single, enhanced pet, or the traditional two-pet approach. Marksmanship's transformation is the most dramatic, replacing the pet with a Spotting Eagle that enhances the sharpshooter theme. This change, however, has sparked considerable debate among players.
Community Feedback and PTR Testing:
The proposed changes are not final. Blizzard is actively seeking player feedback through PTR testing early next year. This feedback will be crucial in shaping the final version of the Hunter class adjustments in Patch 11.1.
Specific Talent and Ability Adjustments:
The patch notes detail extensive changes to Hunter talents and abilities across all three specializations (Beast Mastery, Marksmanship, and Survival). These include reworks of existing abilities (Kindling Flare, Territorial Instincts, Wilderness Medicine, No Hard Feelings), the introduction of new talents (Howl of the Pack Leader for Pack Leader, Dire Cleave and Solitary Companion for Beast Mastery, Harrier’s Cry, Manhunter, and Eyes in the Sky for Marksmanship, Cull the Herd and Born to Kill for Survival), and the removal of others. Significant alterations to the Marksmanship specialization's talents, replacing pet-centric abilities with eagle-focused ones, are particularly noteworthy. Survival hunters will also see changes to their rotational abilities.
The changes aim to improve balance and gameplay flow, but Blizzard emphasizes that player feedback will be vital in fine-tuning these alterations before the official release.
