World of Warcraft Patch 11.1 is Going to Be a Big Update for Hunters

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 pet specialization switching, optional single-pet use in Beast Mastery, and the complete removal of pets for Marksmanship Hunters. These alterations, pending player feedback from the PTR, are anticipated to launch in February.

Undermine and the Liberation of Undermine Raid

Patch 11.1, titled "Undermined," takes players to the Goblin capital, continuing the narrative of "The War Within" and culminating in a raid against Chrome King Gallywix.

Hunter Class Changes: Pets and Specializations

The most notable change allows Hunters to alter their pet's specialization (Cunning, Ferocity, or Tenacity) at the stables. This flexibility extends to all pets, including event-exclusive companions.

Specialization-Specific Adjustments:

Marksmanship: This specialization undergoes a substantial rework, eliminating the pet entirely. Instead, a Spotting Eagle marks targets for increased damage.
Beast Mastery: Beast Mastery Hunters now have the option to utilize a single, more powerful pet.
Survival: The Pack Leader Hero Talent is revamped, summoning a bear, boar, and wyvern during combat. This change has sparked mixed reactions within the player community.

Player Feedback and PTR Testing

While the pet specialization changes and the single-pet Beast Mastery option have been well-received, the Marksmanship rework is proving controversial. The removal of the pet is a point of contention for many players. Similarly, the fixed summon composition for Pack Leader isn't universally popular.

Crucially, these changes are subject to revision based on player feedback during the Patch 11.1 PTR testing phase early next year.

Detailed Patch Notes: Hunter Class Changes

Here's a summary of the specific changes detailed in the patch notes:

Pet Specializations: Now changeable at the stable via a dropdown menu.

General Hunter Changes:

Kindling Flare, Territorial Instincts, Wilderness Medicine, and No Hard Feelings have been redesigned or updated.
Roar of Sacrifice is updated for Marksmanship Hunters.
Intimidation gains a unique Marksmanship variant.
Explosive Shot projectile speed is increased.
Eyes of the Beast and Eagle Eye are specialization-restricted.
Freezing Trap's break condition is modified.
Tooltips for Roar of Sacrifice, Wilderness Medicine, and No Hard Feelings are updated for clarity.

Hero Talents (Hunter):

Dark Ranger: Withering Fire is updated. A bug affecting Bleak Powder's area of effect is fixed.
Pack Leader: This talent is completely overhauled, introducing "Howl of the Pack Leader" and several new associated talents, replacing several older talents.
Sentinel: Lunar Storm receives significant buffs to damage, radius, duration, and functionality.

Beast Mastery Specific Changes:

New talents: Dire Cleave, Poisoned Barbs, and Solitary Companion are added.
Stomp, Serpent Sting, and Barrage are adjusted.
Alpha Predator's functionality is altered.
Dire Command and Dire Beast visual effects are updated.
Several talents are removed.

Marksmanship Specific Changes:

New abilities: Harrier’s Cry and Manhunter are introduced.
New passive: Eyes in the Sky replaces Call Pet and associated abilities.
Numerous new talents replace previous ones, significantly altering the specialization's gameplay. Precise Shot is renamed and updated. Streamline, Trueshot, and several other abilities are redesigned.

Survival Specific Changes:

New talents: Cull the Herd and Born to Kill are added.
Frenzy Strikes and Merciless Blow are updated.
Tactical Advantage is updated.
Flanking Strike and Butchery are now mutually exclusive choices.
Exposed Flank is removed.

Player vs. Player (PvP) Changes (Hunter):

New PvP talent: Explosive Powder (Hunter).
Beast Mastery: Dire Beast: Basilisk is redesigned.
Marksmanship: New PvP talents: Sniper’s Advantage and Aspect of the Fox. Several PvP talents are removed.

This comprehensive overview details the substantial changes coming to Hunters in World of Warcraft's Patch 11.1. The community's feedback will play a pivotal role in shaping the final iteration of these updates.