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Forever Tool

Hunter spec guide

Marksmanship Hunter

Everything for Marksmanship Hunter on one page: role, talent order by level, Marksmanship 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
Marksmanship (no pet)
Level 60 build
5/46/0
Estimated DPS
+59.8%

Marksmanship 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.

Marksmanship talents in Forever

  • Lone Wolf (11-point gold medal): 20% more damage with all attacks while you have no active pet.
  • Trueshot Aura moves up to the 21-point gold medal and gets new lower-level ranks.
  • Sniper Shot (31-point gold medal): a shot with a 4-second cast and 15-second cooldown that hits harder than Aimed Shot. It also increases the range of your next 3 Shots by 10 yards.
  • Careful Aim (new talent): increases melee and ranged Attack Power by up to 100% of your Intellect.

Marksmanship talent build

One point per level from level 10, 51 points at level 60. The Marksmanship 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 "Marksmanship 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 points0/11/0+29.8%Open
Level 3021 points0/21/0+37.2%Open
Level 4031 points0/31/0+47.1%Open
Level 5041 points5/36/0+57.8%Open
Level 6051 points5/46/0+59.8%Open

Talent order by level

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

  1. Levels 10–14Lethal Attacks1→5/5
  2. Levels 15–19Careful Aim1→5/5
  3. Level 20Lone Wolf1/1
  4. Levels 21–22Rapid Killing1→2/2
  5. Levels 23–24Improved Arcane Shot1→2/5
  6. Level 25Trueshot Aura1/1
  7. Levels 26–28Improved Arcane Shot3→5/5
  8. Level 29Efficiency1/5
  9. Levels 30–32Barrage1→3/3
  10. Levels 33–34Rapid Recuperation1→2/2
  11. Levels 35–39Ranged Weapon Specialization1→5/5
  12. Level 40Sniper Shot1/1
  13. Levels 41–45Deadly AspectsBeast Mastery1→5/5
  14. Levels 46–50Mortal Shots1→5/5
  15. Levels 51–54Efficiency2→5/5
  16. Levels 55–57Improved Stings1→3/3
  17. Levels 58–60Hawk Eye1→3/3

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 +3.8%

    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.

  • Lethal Attacks5/5 · Marksmanship

    Est. DPS +4.4%

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

  • Efficiency5/5 · Marksmanship

    Resource / utility

    Reduces the Mana cost of your Shots, Stings, and melee abilities by 15%.

  • Careful Aim5/5 · Marksmanship

    Est. DPS +4.2%

    Increases your Attack Power by 100% of your Intellect.

  • Improved Arcane Shot5/5 · Marksmanship

    Est. DPS +3.3%

    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.

  • Lone Wolf1/1 · Marksmanship

    Est. DPS +20.0%

    You deal 20% increased damage with all attacks while you do not have an active pet.

  • Trueshot Aura1/1 · Marksmanship

    Ability

    Increases the Ranged Attack Power of party or raid members within 45 yds by 20.

  • Mortal Shots5/5 · Marksmanship

    Est. DPS +3.2%

    Increases the critical strike damage bonus on all ranged abilities by 30%.

  • Barrage3/3 · Marksmanship

    Est. DPS +4.1%

    Increases the damage done by your Multi-Shot, Aimed Shot, and Volley abilities by 15%.

  • Ranged Weapon Specialization5/5 · Marksmanship

    Est. DPS +5.0%

    Increases the damage you deal with ranged weapons by 5%.

  • Sniper Shot1/1 · Marksmanship

    Ability

    A long-range shot that deals ranged damage plus 320 and increases the range of your next 3 Shots by 10 yards for 10 sec.

Marksmanship abilities

Marksmanship 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.

Marksmanship 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.

Marksmanship 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

Beast Mastery 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