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Hunter spec guide

Beast Mastery Hunter

Everything for Beast Mastery Hunter on one page: role, talent order by level, Beast Mastery abilities and recommended gear for each level range. Talent and gear picks are calculated from the tooltip values in official game data plus the assumptions Forever Tool states below.
All Hunter abilitiesOpen the level 60 build in the calculator
Gear focus
Ranged DPS
Talent calculation
Beast Mastery (with pet)
Level 60 build
33/18/0
Estimated DPS
+37.5%

Beast Mastery Hunter at a glance

Summarized from Blizzard's class deep-dive articles. They were published during the beta, so live numbers and talents may differ.

Hunter as the developers describe it

Hunters keep their identity as ranged fighters with a trusted companion, with more flexibility. Pets are more distinct, and talents support pet-focused play, ranged precision, and trap or melee builds.[1]

Damage is a Hunter's only role, but solo and in small groups the pet can tank. Hunters have the longest range of any class, but their ranged abilities don't work in the dead zone within 8 yards of an enemy.

Beast Mastery talents in Forever

  • Summon Hawk (16-point gold medal): deals instant damage and summons a Hawk that attacks your target for 18 seconds. You can have up to 2 Hawks at once.
  • Focused Fire (new talent): increases all damage you and your pet deal while your pet is active.
  • Deadly Aspects (formerly Improved Aspect of the Hawk): melee attacks can also increase your attack speed while Aspect of the Beast is active, supporting melee builds.
  • Thick Hide has been merged into Endurance Training, which now gives your pet both Health and Armor.

Beast Mastery talent build

One point per level from level 10, 51 points at level 60. The Beast Mastery tree is filled to 31 points first, and the remaining points go where they raise estimated DPS the most in the other trees.

The level 60 build uses the same method as the calculator's "Recommended build" (estimated DPS from tooltip values + judgment weights for talents the math can't capture, such as rage, energy and mana talents), with the extra rule "Beast Mastery tree to 31 points first". The order picks, one point at a time, the talent that raises the score the most on the way to that build. Estimated DPS is a rough "compared with no talents" figure and leaves out the damage of newly learned abilities. Talent point rules (starting at level 10) follow classic, since nothing has been announced officially.

Builds by level

LevelPointsTree splitEst. DPSCalculator
Level 2011 points11/0/0+6.5%Open
Level 3021 points21/0/0+13.8%Open
Level 4031 points31/0/0+23.1%Open
Level 5041 points33/8/0+32.3%Open
Level 6051 points33/18/0+37.5%Open

Talent order by level

Consecutive levels spent on the same talent are grouped on one line.

  1. Levels 10–14Deadly Aspects1→5/5
  2. Levels 15–16Focused Fire1→2/2
  3. Levels 17–19Endurance Training1→3/5
  4. Levels 20–24Unleashed Fury1→5/5
  5. Level 25Summon Hawk1/1
  6. Levels 26–29Ferocity1→4/5
  7. Levels 30–31Bestial Discipline1→2/2
  8. Level 32Ferocity5/5
  9. Levels 33–34Endurance Training4→5/5
  10. Levels 35–39Frenzy1→5/5
  11. Level 40Bestial Swiftness1/1
  12. Level 41Intimidation1/1
  13. Level 42Bestial Wrath1/1
  14. Levels 43–47Lethal AttacksMarksmanship1→5/5
  15. Levels 48–52Careful AimMarksmanship1→5/5
  16. Levels 53–57Improved Arcane ShotMarksmanship1→5/5
  17. Levels 58–60EfficiencyMarksmanship1→3/5

Key talents of the level 60 build

Talents with a large share of estimated DPS, plus talents that grant abilities or handle resources. Descriptions are the tooltip at the rank taken.

  • Deadly Aspects5/5 · Beast Mastery

    Est. DPS +2.6%

    While Aspect of the Hawk is active, Auto Shot has a 10% chance of increasing ranged attack speed by 30% for 12 sec. While Aspect of the Beast is active, all melee auto attacks have a 10% chance of increasing melee attack speed by 30% for 12 sec.

  • Unleashed Fury5/5 · Beast Mastery

    Est. DPS +6.3%

    Increases the damage done by your pets and hawks by 15%.

  • Ferocity5/5 · Beast Mastery

    Est. DPS +3.6%

    Increases the critical strike chance of your pets and hawks by 10%.

  • Summon Hawk1/1 · Beast Mastery

    Ability

    Command a hawk to dive-bomb your targeted enemy, dealing 57 Physical damage and continuing its assault for 18 sec. Only 2 hawks can be active at once. Summon Hawk shares its cooldown with Arcane Shot.

  • Intimidation1/1 · Beast Mastery

    Ability

    Command your pet to Stun the target for 3 sec on its next successful attack, which also gains 100% increased critical strike chance. Generates high threat.

  • Bestial Discipline2/2 · Beast Mastery

    Resource / utility

    Increases the Focus regeneration of your pets by 20% and allows 50% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting.

  • Frenzy5/5 · Beast Mastery

    Est. DPS +7.5%

    Gives your pet a 100% chance to gain a 30% attack speed increase for 8 sec after dealing a critical strike.

  • Bestial Wrath1/1 · Beast Mastery

    Est. DPS +2.7%Ability

    Send your pet into a rage causing 50% additional damage for 18 sec. While enraged, the beast does not feel pity or remorse or fear and it cannot be stopped unless killed.

  • Lethal Attacks5/5 · Marksmanship

    Est. DPS +2.1%

    Increases your critical strike chance with all attacks by 5%.

  • Careful Aim5/5 · Marksmanship

    Est. DPS +3.0%

    Increases your Attack Power by 100% of your Intellect.

  • Improved Arcane Shot5/5 · Marksmanship

    Est. DPS +2.7%

    Reduces the cooldown of your Arcane Shot by 1.5 sec. Does not affect the cooldown of abilities which share a cooldown with Arcane Shot.

Beast Mastery abilities

Beast Mastery abilities in the order you first learn them. The numbers are the levels at which each rank is learned; the description is rank 1 without gear or stats.

Beast Mastery Hunter gear by level

The 3 highest-scoring items for each slot in every level range. Only items whose required level falls inside the range are compared.

How were these picked?
  • The score is the sum of the item's tooltip lines from official game data (Strength, Stamina, Spell Power, damage per second and so on) multiplied by the weights below. There is no official formula, so the weights are Forever Tool's rough estimates (assumptions). Compare scores only within the same slot.
  • Equip, use and chance-on-hit effects, set bonuses and resistances are not scored. Items without fixed stats (only armor in the tooltip) are left out.
  • Only Uncommon and Rare items, plus craftable Epic items, of item level 65 or lower are included (no raid loot). Items that require a profession to use and crafts that need raid materials are left out.
  • Items without a required level count as item level minus 5. Only armor types a Hunter wears are included, with mail and plate counted from level 40 (classic rules, since nothing has been announced).
  • Sources list only crafting (professions) and quest rewards. Dungeon drops are being collected from player reports; check the item page.

Beast Mastery weights (assumed)

StatScore per point
Ranged weapon damage per second10
Agility1
Hit0.8
Critical Strike0.6
Attack Power0.4
Ranged Attack Power0.4
Haste0.4
Stamina0.3
Mana Regeneration per 5 sec0.3
Intellect0.25
Bonus Armor0.02
Armor0.01

Levels 1–20

Hall of Thanes 13–18Ruins of Lordaeron 15–20Level 1–10 quest zonesLevel 11–20 quest zones

Ranged

  1. Restored BowScore 246.0

    Item level 1 · Damage per second 24.6

  2. Outrider's BowScore 119.9

    Req. 18 · Damage per second 11.7 · Agility +2 · Stamina +3

    Same stats: Outrunner's Bow

  3. Lovingly Crafted BoomstickScore 97.0

    Req. 19 · Damage per second 9.7

    Crafted: Engineering

Levels 21–40

Excavation Site 24–29City of Dalaran 28–33The Drowned City 35–40Krol'dok Stronghold 40–45Level 21–30 quest zonesLevel 31–40 quest zones

Waist

  1. Highlander's Chain GirdleScore 14.9

    Req. 40 · Critical Strike +14 · Attack Power +8 · Stamina +6

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Defiler's Chain Girdle

  2. Highlander's Leather GirdleScore 14.7

    Req. 38 · Attack Power +30 · Stamina +4 · Bonus Armor 40

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Defiler's Leather Girdle

  3. Stalker's Leather BeltScore 12.9

    Req. 30 · Agility +9 · Stamina +6 · Intellect +6

    Crafted: Leatherworking

Feet

  1. Stalker's Mail BootsScore 16.7

    Req. 40 · Agility +11 · Stamina +7 · Intellect +7

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  2. Highlander's Chain GreavesScore 15.6

    Req. 40 · Agility +10 · Stamina +10 · Intellect +3

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Highlander's Mail Greaves, Defiler's Chain Greaves, Defiler's Mail Greaves

  3. Highlander's Leather BootsScore 15.1

    Req. 38 · Agility +8 · Stamina +10 · Attack Power +6 · Bonus Armor 40

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Defiler's Leather Boots

Ranged

  1. Truthseeker's BowScore 244.9

    Req. 40 · Damage per second 23.7 · Agility +7 · Stamina +3

  2. Outrider's BowScore 231.8

    Req. 38 · Damage per second 22.7 · Agility +3 · Stamina +6

    Same stats: Outrunner's Bow

  3. Mithril Heavy-bore RifleScore 207.6

    Req. 39 · Damage per second 20.2 · Ranged Attack Power +14

    Crafted: Engineering

Levels 41–50

Krol'dok Stronghold 40–45Alcaz Prison 48–53Level 41–50 quest zones

Waist

  1. Stalker's Mail BeltScore 21.9

    Req. 50 · Agility +14 · Stamina +12 · Intellect +10

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  2. Substandard Belt ChainScore 21.9

    Req. 50 · Agility +15 · Attack Power +13

    Reputation required

  3. Highlander's Chain GirdleScore 20.6

    Req. 48 · Critical Strike +14 · Attack Power +20 · Stamina +8

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Defiler's Chain Girdle

Feet

  1. Highlander's Leather BootsScore 21.6

    Req. 48 · Agility +11 · Attack Power +12 · Stamina +13 · Bonus Armor 40

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Defiler's Leather Boots

  2. Stalker's Mail SabatonsScore 20.7

    Req. 47 · Agility +13 · Stamina +11 · Intellect +9

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  3. Highlander's Lizardhide BootsScore 20.3

    Req. 48 · Agility +8 · Attack Power +12 · Stamina +13 · Intellect +7 · Bonus Armor 40

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Defiler's Lizardhide Boots

Levels 51–60

Alcaz Prison 48–53Blackmaw Hold 55–60Shaper's Terrace 58–60Level 51–60 quest zones

Chest

  1. Dawn ArmorScore 55.3

    Req. 56 · Agility +37 · Critical Strike +14 · Hit +10

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  2. Knight-Captain's Chain HauberkScore 43.9

    Req. 58 · Agility +16 · Attack Power +26 · Critical Strike +14 · Stamina +18

    Same stats: Legionnaire's Chain Breastplate

  3. Primal Batskin JerkinScore 43.6

    Req. 60 · Agility +32 · Hit +10 · Stamina +6

    Crafted: Leatherworking

Hands

  1. Mourning HandguardsScore 32.5

    Req. 60 · Agility +21 · Stamina +18 · Intellect +14

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  2. Primal Batskin GlovesScore 29.8

    Req. 60 · Hit +20 · Agility +10 · Stamina +9

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  3. Bloodsoul GauntletsScore 25.9

    Req. 60 · Agility +10 · Critical Strike +14 · Stamina +17

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

Feet

  1. Mongoose BootsScore 26.9

    Req. 57 · Agility +23 · Stamina +9

    Crafted: Leatherworking

  2. Highlander's Leather BootsScore 25.6

    Req. 58 · Agility +12 · Attack Power +16 · Stamina +16 · Bonus Armor 60

    Reputation required

    Same stats: Defiler's Leather Boots

  3. Scalegut TreadersScore 25.6

    Req. 53 · Attack Power +38 · Agility +8

    Crafted: Leatherworking

Two-hand

  1. Legionite GlaiveScore 45.6

    Req. 58 · Damage per second 53.9 · Attack Power +54 · Agility +16 · Hit +10

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

  2. Bear Poking StickScore 37.5

    Req. 53 · Damage per second 49.7 · Agility +24 · Attack Power +27 · Stamina +9

  3. Arcanite ReaperScore 28.7

    Req. 58 · Damage per second 53.8 · Attack Power +62 · Stamina +13

    Crafted: Blacksmithing

More

Other Hunter specs

Marksmanship Hunter GuideSurvival Hunter Guide

Other class guides

WarriorPaladinRoguePriestShamanMageWarlockDruid

Sources

  1. [1]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — Hunter and DruidBlizzard Entertainment · Sep 30, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026
  2. [2]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — Priest and WarriorBlizzard Entertainment · Sep 30, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026
  3. [3]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — Mage and ShamanBlizzard Entertainment · Oct 7, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026
  4. [4]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — Rogue and WarlockBlizzard Entertainment · Oct 7, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026
  5. [5]World of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives — PaladinBlizzard Entertainment · Oct 15, 2026 · checked Nov 5, 2026