Marksmanship Hunter 10.0 Guide
Introduction
Welcome to our guide on the Marksmanship Specialization for the Hunter Class in WoW Dragonflight patch 10.0! This article covers everything regarding the Marksmanship spec, such as the leveling, gearing, and min-maxing your Hunter for the most challenging PvE content in World of Warcraft - Mythic Raiding and Mythic+ Dungeons.
First, we'll check out the specialization's particularities and see why the Marksmanship Hunter is one of the best specs in Dragonflight, Season 1. Then you'll learn how to gear your MM Hunter, what stats to prioritize, and the best leveling spec, talents, and rotation that will get you to max level in no time.
Finally, we'll go deep into min-maxing your character for the end-game content and teach you what gear to use for Mythic Raiding and Mythic Plus dungeons. By the end of the guide, you will become a master of Hunter's Marksmanship specialization! Sounds good, right? Let's get started!
Table of Contents
- Marksmanship Hunters: Strengths and Weaknesses
- How to gear a Marksmanship Hunter
- How to level a Marksmanship Hunter. Marksmanship Hunter leveling tips
- Best Marksmanship Hunter talents for end-game content
- Marksmanship Hunter in Dragonflight - FAQ
Marksmanship Hunters in Dragonflight: Strengths and Weaknesses
In World of Warcraft, the Hunter class comes with three DPS specializations: Survival, Marksmanship, and Beast Mastery. The hunter's spending resource is called Focus.
The Marksmanship Hunter represents one of the best DPS specs for Mythic Dungeons and Mythic Raiding in Dragonflight Season 1. The MM spec revolves around a ranged playstyle with slower, hard-hitting shots, and it's considered one of the most bursty specs in the ongoing meta.
In terms of weapons, the Marksmanship Hunter uses bows, crossbows, and guns. As for raid gear, the Hunter shares the Protector Tier Token with Monks, Shamans, and Warriors for legacy content. In the Dragonflight expansion, the Vault of the Incarnates raid, hunters share the Mystic Tier Token with Druids and Mages.
In the table below, we present the Marksmanship Hunter's strengths and weaknesses:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| + High burst damage | - Lack of survivability |
| + High mobility | - Lack of raid utility |
| + Doesn't rely on a pet to deal damage | - Target capped AoE |
How to gear a Marksmanship Hunter
In World of Warcraft, gearing is one of the most important aspects that enhances your character's overall performance by providing massive amounts of stats, armor, procs, and set bonuses. This guide will teach you how to properly gear up for the most challenging content in WoW Dragonflight, Mythic Raiding, and Mythic+ Dungeons.
We'll start with the basics and cover the Marksmanship Hunter's stats priority, check out the tier set bonuses, and finally, the best in slot gear you can get from mythic raids and dungeons.
Marksmanship Hunter stat priority
Regardless of the class and spec you roll into in World of Warcraft, the stats are a key component when gearing up and min-maxing your character for the end-game content. Marksmanship Hunters wear Mail gear with Agility as the main stat.
As a hunter, the Agility stat increases the attack power of your abilities, in other words - the damage you are dealing to the enemies. Also, please note that a higher and adequate item level will better impact your character's performance than a perfect stat distribution, so always keep an eye on the gear's item level!
The Marksmanship Hunter stats priority looks like this:
- 1. Agility
- 2. Critical Strike
- 3. Haste
- 4. Mastery
- 5. Versatility
So as a Marksmanship Hunter, you will primarily value item level for Agility as the primary stat, then Critical Strike, followed by Haste, Mastery, and Versatility as secondary stats.
In other words: Agility > Critical Strike > Haste > Mastery > Versatility. And here's why:
Agility: Increases your attack power and, therefore, all the damage you are dealing to your enemies
Critical Strike: Increases the chances of dealing double damage on attacks
Haste: Increases your attack speed and your focus regen rate
Mastery: Increases the damage of your attacks
Versatility: Increases damage dealt and reduces damage taken
Marksmanship Hunter Tier Set Bonus
To start with, what is a tier set in World of Warcraft?
In WoW, a tier set is a unique class armor set with powerful 2-set and 4-set specific bonuses for each specialization of that particular class. Tier set bonuses change based on the character's active talent specialization, ensuring that the bonus is appropriate and useful to that spec.
So to recap, tier sets are unique pieces of armor that, when equipped simultaneously, provide you with a bonus, different for each spec of the chosen class. This bonus is based on the number of pieces from the set you have equipped, with most tier sets providing bonuses when equipping 2 or 4 pieces.
How to get the Marksmanship Hunter Tier Set in Dragonflight Patch 10.0
There are three ways you can get tier set items in WoW in the Dragonflight expansion:
- Vault of the Incarnates: You can get tier set items from specific bosses in the Vault of the Incarnates raid.
- Revival Catalyst: You can craft Tier armor from non-set pieces of the same item level using the Revival Catalyst crafting system.
- Great Vault: You can obtain tier set items from all activities that normally give Great Vault rewards, such as raiding, Mythic+ dungeons, and PvP.
The fastest way to obtain tier set items is to take advantage of these three sources that can reward you with the Marksmanship Hunter Tier Set items. The best advice is to complete the Vault of the Incarnates raid weekly - this is probably the fastest way to get your hands on the desired tier armor. In case you don't have a team to raid with, complete some Mythic+ Dungeons or some PvP matches.
Mythic dungeons and PvP are highly beneficial because even if you can't drop the set items while participating in these activities, you increase the chances of getting your set items at the Great Vault or the Revival Catalyst console in Thaldraszus. At the revival catalyst console, you can convert the non-set pieces obtained in dungeons or PvP into tier set items.
Let's have a closer look at the Great Vault feature:
And this is what the Revival Catalyst looks like:
Back to our Marksmanship Hunter Tier Set. Now that you learned how to obtain the tier set, let's see some set bonuses and particularities, shall we?
The Marksmanship Hunter Tier set is called Stormwing Harrier's Camouflage. It comes with the following bonuses for two pieces and four pieces equipped:
- 2-Set: - Arcane Shot and Multi-Shot critical hits cause your next Aimed Shot to cause the target to bleed for 40% of damage dealt over 6 sec.
- 4-Set: - Ranged auto-attacks have a 15% chance to increase the critical strike chance of your next Arcane Shot or Multi-Shot by 100%.
In the table below, we present you the sources for Marksmanship Hunter Tier Set items:
| Slot | Tier Piece | Source |
| Helm | Stormwing Harrier's Skullmask | Raszageth |
| Shoulders | Stormwing Harrier's Pinions | Broodkeeper Diurna |
| Chest | Stormwing Harrier's Cuirass | Kurog Grimtotem |
| Gloves | Stormwing Harrier's Handguards | Dathea, Ascended |
| Legs | Stormwing Harrier's Greaves | Sennarth |
The remaining tier set items (Cloak, Wrists, Waist, and Boots) can be obtained by using the Revival Catalyst in Thaldraszus.
As previously stated, you unlock the tier set bonuses for your Marksmanship Hunter when you equip any two or four pieces of the Stormwing Harrier's Camouflage set. Your four pieces of tier set as a Marksmanship Hunter will be the Helm, Shoulders, Chest, and Gloves for itemization and build optimization.
Raid Best in Slot (BiS) Gear for Marksmanship Hunters
In the table below, you can find the best item to use in each slot from the raid as a Marksmanship Hunter:
| Slot | Item Name | Encounter |
| Helm | Stormwing Harrier's Skullmask | Raszageth |
| Neck | Eye of the Vengeful Hurricane | Dathea, Ascended |
| Shoulders | Stormwing Harrier's Pinions | Broodkeeper Diurna |
| Cloak | Acid-Proof Webbing | Sennarth |
| Chest | Stormwing Harrier's Cuirass | Kurog Grimtotem |
| Wrists | Surging-Song Conductors | Kurog Grimtotem |
| Gloves | Stormwing Harrier's Handguards | Raszageth and Revival Catalyst |
| Waist | Unnatural Dripstone Cinch | Sennarth |
| Legs | Tassets of the Tarasek Legion | Broodkeeper Diurna |
| Boots | Stormwing Harrier's Sabatons | Revival Catalyst |
| Ring #1 | Seal of Diurna's Chosen | Eranog |
| Ring #2 | Seal of Filial Duty | Broodkeeper Diurna |
| Trinket #1 | Manic Grieftorch | Kurog Grimtotem |
| Trinket #2 | Whispering Incarnate Icon | Kadros Icewrath |
| Main Hand | Neltharax, Enemy of the Sky | Raszageth |
Mythic+ Best in Slot (BiS) Gear for Marksmanship Hunters
In the table below, you can find the best item to use in each slot for the Mythic+ Dungeons as a Marksmanship Hunter:
| Slot | Item Name | Location |
| Helm | Waterburst Helm | Temple of the Jade Serpent |
| Neck | Ukhel Ancestry Beads | Teera |
| Shoulders | Scaled Commencement Spaulders | Algeth'ar Academy |
| Cloak | Cloak of Failing Will | Temple of the Jade Serpent |
| Chest | Thunderfused Val'kyr Hauberk | Halls of Valor |
| Wrists | Ley Dragoon's Wristbraces | Court of Stars |
| Gloves | Galerattle Gauntlets | Ruby Life Pools |
| Waist | Thundercaller's Chain | Halls of Valor |
| Legs | Tideskorn Leggings | Halls of Valor |
| Boots | Felstep Footguards | Halls of Valor |
| Ring #1 | Jeweled Signet of Melandrus | Court of Stars |
| Ring #2 | Woe-Bearer's Band | Halls of Valor |
| Trinket #1 | Windswept Pages | Temple of the Jade Serpent |
| Trinket #2 | Hunger of the Pack | Halls of Valor |
| Weapon | Firebelcher Hand Cannon | Temple of the Jade Serpent |
Best in Slot (BiS) Trinkets for Marksmanship Hunters
The best Marksmanship Hunter trinkets for end-game content are:
| Tier | Item Name | Drop Location |
| S | Manic Grieftorch | Broodkeeper Diurna |
| S | Whispering Incarnate Icon | Kadros Icewrath |
| A | Hunger of the Pack | Halls of Valor |
| A | Windswept Pages | Temple of the Jade Serpent |
| A | Algeth'ar Puzzle Box | Algeth'ar Academy |
| B | Storm-Eater's Boon | Dathea, Ascended |
| B | Controlled Current Technique | Kurog Grimtotem |
| B | Bottle of Spiraling Winds | The Nokhud Offensive |
| B | Eye of Skovald | Halls of Valor |
| C | Horn of Valor | Halls of Valor |
| C | Ruby Whelp Shell | Ruby Life Pools |
| D | Spiteful Storm | Raszageth |
This wraps up everything you should know about gearing your Marksmanship Hunter: the stats priority, how to obtain the tier set, and what items to use in the end-game activities. Moving on to the next section of our guide, we'll teach you how to level your Marksmanship Hunter in Dragonflight patch 10.0. Sounds good, right? Let's dive in!
How to level a Marksmanship Hunter. Marksmanship Hunters leveling tips
Before leveling your Marksmanship Hunter, you must first create and customize the character. That brings us to the first question: what race should you go for when creating the character? Let's find out, shall we?
Best Marksmanship Hunter Races
When it comes to racials, with so many options to choose from, you are probably wondering what would be the best race for your hunter. In World of Warcraft, each race has different racial abilities and spells, but no races offer an immediate advantage compared to others regarding the Marksmanship spec. I highly recommend choosing the race you like the most, aesthetically speaking.
However, in the table below, you can see the top 10 best races for Marksmanship Hunters based on performance gain:
| Race | Performance Gain |
| Troll | +1.90% |
| Gnome | +1.34% |
| Void Elf | +1.33% |
| Orc | +1.31% |
| Human | +1.29% |
| Mechagnome | +1.17% |
| Dark Iron Dwarf | +1.17% |
| Tauren | +1.01% |
| Dwarf | +0.98% |
| Goblin | +0.91% |
Now, if you want to make an idea of what race players generally choose for their Marksmanship Hunters:
- For Alliance: Night Elf, Human, Dwarf.
- For Horde: Blood Elf, Orc, Troll.
Best Marksmanship Hunter Leveling Talents and Rotation in Dragonflight 10.0
The best talents to use while leveling to level 60 as a MM Hunter are:
What is the best leveling pet for Marksmanship Hunters? Generally, Marksmanship Hunters do not use pets. However, you can use a pet for extra survivability or for Bloodlust/Heroism ability. In that case, the best pet for Marksmanship Hunters would be any Ferocity type of pet.
Now let's check out how you should prioritize your abilities. Here is what most people consider to be the best rotations for a Marksmanship Hunter:
Marksmanship Hunter Single Target Rotation
- 1. Use Trueshot on big pulls and elite mobs to save time and make them easier.
- 2. Use Explosive Shot on cooldown.
- 3. Use Death Chakram on cooldown.
- 4. Use Double Tap before you enter combat to save a GCD.
- 5. Drop Volley on your target, and use spells like Explosive Shot and Death Chakram.
- 6. Use Aimed Shot to start off mobs to benefit from Careful Aim.
- 7. Use Rapid Fire on cooldown.
- 8. Spend your Precise Shots stacks on Arcane Shot or Multi-Shot.
- 9. If you run out of spells or Focus, cast Steady Shots.
Marksmanship Hunter AoE Rotation
- 1. Use Trueshot on big pulls and elite mobs to save time and make them easier.
- 2. Use Misdirection before engaging mobs, especially larger packs. Use Arcane Shot to gather mobs onto your pet.
- 3. Use Double Tap before you enter combat to save a GCD.
- 4. Drop Volley on mobs to be able to cleave them, and use spells like Explosive Shot and Death Chakram once they are stacked.
- 5. Use Aimed Shot to start off mobs to benefit from Careful Aim.
- 6. Use Rapid Fire on cooldown.
- 7. Spend your Precise Shots stacks on Multi-Shot.
- 8. If you run out of spells or Focus, cast Steady Shots.
Follow the rotations, and you'll get to max level in no time! Now that we've covered the leveling part, it's time to move on to the end-game.
In the next section of our Marksmanship Hunter Guide, we'll present the best talents to use for PvE end-game content, such as raiding and Mythic+ dungeons. In the end game, it's crucial to use the right talents and prioritize the skills you use depending on the activity. Choosing the best talents will significantly impact your performance as a DPS!
Best Marksmanship Hunter End-game Talents
From the PvE perspective, there are two main end-game activities we'll take into consideration: Mythic raiding and Mythic+ Dungeons, for single-target and multi-target encounters.
Best Talents for Mythic Raiding and Dungeons (Single Target)
Here are the best talents for single-target mythic raiding and dungeons as a Marksmanship Hunter:
Best Talents for Mythic Raiding and Dungeons (Multi Target)
In the picture below, you can see the best talents for multi-target mythic raiding and dungeons as a MM Hunter:
Marksmanship Hunters in Dragonflight - FAQ
1. Are Marksmanship Hunters good in Dragonflight 10.0?
Yes, Marksmanship Hunter represents one of the strongest specs in WoW Dragonflight in Season 1.
2. Is Marksmanship Hunter easy to play?
Yes. The Marksmanship Hunter specialization qualifies as one of the most accessible specs in WoW Dragonflight.
3. What is the stats priority for Marksmanship Hunters?
The stats priority for Hunter's Marksmanship specialization looks like this: Agility > Critical Strike > Haste > Mastery > Versatility.
4. Which hunter spec is best for leveling in 10.0?
Overall, the Beast Mastery Specialization is the best spec for hunter leveling.
5. What is the most popular race for Marksmanship Hunters in Dragonflight?
- Alliance's most popular Marksmanship Hunter races are Night Elf, Human, and Dwarf.
- For Horde, the most popular races for Marksmanship Hunters are Blood Elf, Orc, and Troll.
Final thoughts
This wraps up everything you should know regarding the Hunter's Marksmanship specialization in World of Warcraft Dragonflight for Season 1, patch 10.0. By reading this guide, you should now better understand the Marksmanship Hunters' spec and particularities and how they perform in certain circumstances and different end-game activities. It's one of the coolest specs in Dragonflight, so you should definitely try it!