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, specializations, and overall gameplay. Key updates include customizable pet specializations, optional single-pet configurations 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 February release), promise a revamped Hunter experience.

Undermine and the Liberation of Undermine Raid:

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

Hunter Pet and Specialization Changes:

A major feature is the ability to alter pet specializations (Cunning, Ferocity, or Tenacity) at the stables. This allows for flexible pairing of pets with desired combat styles. Beast Mastery Hunters can now opt for a single, more powerful pet, while Marksmanship Hunters will utilize a Spotting Eagle instead of a traditional pet, marking targets for increased damage. The Pack Leader talent is redesigned, summoning a bear, boar, and wyvern simultaneously.

Community Response and PTR Testing:

The reception to these changes is mixed. While the pet specialization and single-pet Beast Mastery options are generally well-received, the Marksmanship rework is controversial, with many players expressing concern over the loss of the pet element. The forced bear, boar, and wyvern combination in Pack Leader also faces criticism. Crucially, these changes are still subject to refinement based on player feedback during PTR testing.

Detailed Class Changes (Patch 11.1):

Hunter:

• Kindling Flare: Increased flare radius by 50%.
• Territorial Instincts: Reduced Intimidation cooldown by 10 seconds; removed pet summon.
• 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; disables Spotting Eagle marking.
• Intimidation (Marksmanship): Line-of-sight removed; uses Spotting Eagle.
• Explosive Shot: Projectile speed increased.
• Eyes of the Beast: Now only learned by Survival and Beast Mastery Hunters.
• Eagle Eye: Now only learned by Marksmanship Hunters.
• Freezing Trap: Breaks based on damage threshold, not any damage.
• Tooltip Updates: Marksmanship Hunter tooltips updated for relevance.

Hunter Hero Talents (Pack Leader Rework):

The Pack Leader talent is replaced with "Howl of the Pack Leader," summoning a bear, wyvern, or boar every 30 seconds (adjustable via other talents). Numerous new talents offer variations on this mechanic, including damage boosts, cooldown reductions, and unique effects for each summoned beast. Several previous talents have been removed.

Beast Mastery:

• Solitary Companion (Talent): Increases pet damage by 35% and size by 10%.
• Stomp: Deals separate damage instances to primary and secondary targets.
• Serpent Sting: Damage increased by 50%.
• Barrage: Damage increased by 100%; focus cost reduced to 40.
• Alpha Predator: Kill Command damage multiplier, not additive.
• Hunter's Prey: Additional Kill Shots target enemies regardless of health.
• Dire Command: Summon chance reduced to 20%.
• Dire Beast visual updates and leap on summon.
• Dire Frenzy replaces Basilisk Collar.
• Talent removals: Basilisk Collar, Venom's Bite.

Marksmanship:

• Pet Removal: Replaces pet with a Spotting Eagle.
• Harrier's Cry (Ability): Eagle summons; increases party/raid haste by 30% for 40 seconds.
• Manhunter (Passive): Aimed Shot applies Grievous Injury (25% healing reduction).
• Eyes in the Sky (Passive): Spotting Eagle marks targets for increased Aimed Shot damage.
• Numerous new talents: Adjustments to Aimed Shot, Rapid Fire, Arcane Shot, and Explosive Shot, along with new abilities and talent choices focused on the Spotting Eagle mechanic.
• Talent removals: Numerous talents removed, reflecting the specialization's shift.

Survival:

• Cull the Herd (Talent): Kill Shot increases bleed damage by 30% for 6 seconds.
• Born to Kill (Talent): Increased Deathblow chance; extended Cull the Herd duration and increased Kill Shot damage.
• Frenzy Strikes: Increased Flanking Strike damage and attack speed.
• Merciless Blow: Added heavy bleed effect to Flanking Strike.
• Alpha Predator: Kill Command damage multiplier, not additive.
• Tactical Advantage: Increases Butchery damage.
• Flanking Strike and Butchery on choice node.
• Exposed Flank removed.

Player vs. Player (PvP) Changes:

Significant PvP talent adjustments and removals across all Hunter specializations. New talents include Explosive Powder (Beast Mastery), Sniper's Advantage and Aspect of the Fox (Marksmanship).

This comprehensive overview details the substantial changes impacting Hunters in World of Warcraft Patch 11.1. Active player participation in PTR testing is encouraged to shape the final implementation.