How to Play a Marksmanship Hunter in Shadowlands Pre-patch

By Moofzy Last Updated: 2020/10/16 Changelog Patch: 10.2.7

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Rating: 4/5 (5 Votes)

How to Play Marksmanship Hunter in Shadowlands Pre-PatchAimed ShotPrecise ShotsRapid FireSteady ShotExplosive ShotVolleyBeginner's GuideRotation GuideHow Different Does Marksmanship Feel in the Shadowlands Pre-Patch?Aimed ShotArcane ShotMulti-ShotNew Abilities for Marksmanship in Shadowlands Pre-Patch

NEW Scare Beast - Scares a beast, causing it to run in fear for up to 20 sec. Damage caused may interrupt the effect. Only one beast can be feared at a time.

NEW Eyes of the Beast - Take direct control of your pet and see through its eyes for 1 min.

NEW Kill Shot - You attempt to finish off a wounded target. Only usable on enemies with less than 20% health.

NEW Tranquilizing Shot - Removes 1 Enrage and 1 Magic effect from an enemy target.

Scare BeastEyes of the BeastTranquilizing ShotKill Shot

Marksmanship's base Focus regen has been increased. 3 5 Focus per sec.

Arcane Shot - A quick shot that deals Arcane damage. 15 20 Focus.

Multi-Shot - Fires several missiles, hitting your current target and ~~all~~ up to 5 enemies within 10 yards. 15 20 Focus.

Aimed Shot - A powerful aimed shot that deals Physical damage. 30 35 Focus.

Rapid Fire - Shoot a stream of 10 7 shots at your target over 3 2 sec, dealing Physical damage. Usable while moving.

Binding Shot - Fire a magical projectile, tethering the enemy and any other enemies within 5 yards for 10 sec, rooting them in place for 8 sec if they move more than 5 yards from the arrow. Binding Shot is now baseline for Marksmanship Hunters.

Misdirection - Misdirect all threat you cause to the targeted party or raid member, ~~for the next 8 sec~~ beginning with your next attack within 30 sec and lasting for 8 sec.

Revive Pet - Revives your pet, returning it to life with 100% of its base health. ~~2 sec~~ 4 sec cast

Hunter's Mark - Apply Hunter's Mark to the target, ~~increasing all damage you deal to the marked target by 5%. The target can~~ causing the target to always be seen and tracked by the Hunter. Only one Hunter's Mark can be applied at a time. Cooldown none.

Trueshot - Reduces the cooldown of your Aimed Shot and Rapid Fire by 60% and causes Aimed Shot to cast 50% faster for 15 sec. Trueshot has been removed from the GCD.

Binding ShotMisdirectionHunter's MarkTrueshotRevive PetRapid FireMaster MarksmanTrueshotAimed ShotPrecise Shotstalent calculator

NEW Chimaera Shot - A two-headed shot that hits your primary target and another nearby target, dealing Nature damage to one and Frost damage to the other. Replaces Arcane Shot.

NEW Binding Shackles - Targets rooted by Binding Shot deal 20% less damage to you for 8 sec after the root effect ends.

NEW Deadeye - Kill Shot has 2 charges, and causes Aimed Shot to recharge 50% faster for 3 sec.

REMOVED Piercing Shot - ~~A powerful shot which deals (112.5% of Attack power)% Physical damage to the target and up to Physical damage to all enemies between you and the target. Piercing Shot ignores the target's armor.~~

Master Marksman - ~~Aimed Shot has a 100% chance to reduce the Focus cost of your next Arcane Shot or Multi-Shot by 100%.~~ Your ranged special attack critical strikes cause the target to bleed for an additional 15% of the damage dealt over 6 sec.

Serpent Sting - Fire a shot that poisons your target, causing them to take Nature damage instantly and additional Nature damage over 12 18 sec.

Careful Aim - Aimed Shot deals 50% bonus damage to targets who are above ~~80% or below 20%~~ 70% health.

Steady Focus - ~~Using Steady Shot reduces the cast time of Steady Shot by 20%, sticking up to 2 times. Using any other shot removes this effect.~~ Using Steady Shot twice in a row increases your Haste by 7% for 15 sec.

Streamline - ~~Rapid Fire now lasts 20% longer.~~ Rapid Fire's damage is increased by 15%, and Rapid Fire also causes your next Aimed Shot to cast 30% faster.

Lethal Shots - Chimaera Shot, Arcane Shot and Multi-Shot have a ~~20%~~ 30% chance to reduce the cooldown of Rapid Fire by 5 sec.

Calling the Shots - Casting Chimaera Shot, Arcane Shot, or Multi-Shot reduces the cooldown of Trueshot by 2.5 sec.

Lock and Load - Your ranged auto attacks have a 5% 8% chance to trigger Lock and Load, causing your next Aimed Shot to cost no Focus and be instant.

Volley - ~~Your auto-shots have a 25% chance to cause a volley of arrows to rain down around the target, dealing Physical damage to each enemy within 8 yards.~~ Rain a volley of arrows down over 6 sec, dealing Physical damage to any enemy in the area, and gain the effects of Trick Shots for as long as Volley is active. 45-sec cooldown.

Master MarksmanMaster MarksmanArcane ShotMulti-ShotTrueshotPrecise ShotsSteady FocusStreamlineChimaera ShotSteady FocusSteady ShotStreamlineRapid FireAimed ShotFocused FireIn The RhythmSurging ShotsChimaera ShotArcane ShotMaster MarksmanCareful AimHow Do AoE Target Caps Affect Marksmanship in Shadowlands Pre-PatchTrick ShotsAimed ShotRapid Fire

Multi-Shot - Multi-Shot has been capped at 5 targets.

Explosive Shot - Explosive Shot has been capped at 6 targets.

Barrage - Barrage has been capped at 8 targets.

How Do the GCD Changes Affect Marksmanship in Shadowlands Pre-PatchTrueshotAimed ShotArcane ShotVolleyHow Strong is Marksmanship Hunter in Shadowlands Pre-Patch?Chimaera ShotExplosive ShotVolleyDouble TapExplosive ShotVolleyMaster MarksmanTranquilizing ShotBinding ShotPosthasteBorn To Be WildWhat are the Big Gameplay Changes for Marksmanship Hunters? Master MarksmanArcane ShotMulti-ShotAimed ShotTrueshotPrecise ShotsPrecise ShotsTrueshotSteady ShotDouble TapVolleyCalling the ShotsVision of PerfectionTrueshotWorldvein ResonanceDouble TapUnerring VisionDouble TapExplosive ShotVolleyAimed ShotChimaera ShotSerpent StingHow does the Loss of Corruption Affect Marksmanship Hunter in the Shadowlands Pre-Patch?Infinite StarsExpedientMasterfulExpedientAimed ShotBest Talent Builds for Marksmanship Hunter in Pre-patch

Level 30: Careful Aim is only the better pick in pure single target, sustained situations. If fights start to get shorter or if any type of AoE is involved in the fight, you should swap to Explosive Shot.

Level 90: Double Tap and Lethal Shots are neck and neck in single target, so be sure to sim yourself. If any burst situations, priority mobs, or planned AoE occurs during the fight, Double Tap is generally the go-to.

Level 100: Lock and Load is typically the go-to for single target in this row. Calling the Shots synergizes well with Vision of Perfection Minor, Worldvein Resonance major, Double Tap and Unerring Vision. Due to these synergies, Calling the Shots can be comparable to Lock and Load, despite Trueshot's inherent weakness. Similar to the level 30 talent row, if any AoE is present, you should be taking Volley.

Level 60: As you might expect, Chimaera Shot starts to fall off the more targets we get. Streamline and Steady Focus take over in sustained AoE situations. Streamline is generally the go-to talent for AoE, especially if you have any Focused Fire or Surging Shots traits. Steady Focus is on par with Streamline depending on how many of these traits you have, so be sure to sim yourself.

Level 90: Since sustained AoE doesn't really exist, Double Tap is typically the go-to option in this Talent row. If mobs tend to live longer, or if you have multiple Surging Shots or Focused Fire traits, Lethal Shots may pull ahead. This row is extremely close so I recommend simming yourself to more accurately determine which setup you should run.

Best Rotation for Marksmanship Hunter in Pre-PatchSingle TargetKill Shot

Use Kill Shot if your target is below 20% health.

Use Rapid Fire on cooldown.

Use Arcane Shot or Chimaera Shot if you have charges of Precise Shots active.

Use Aimed Shot on cooldown. Try to avoid capping on Aimed Shot charges outside of Trueshot. Be sure to consume all of your Precise Shots procs prior to casting additional Aimed Shots.

Use Arcane Shot or Chimaera Shot to avoid capping on Focus.

Use Steady Shot to generate Focus.

Trueshot RotationTrueshotMaster MarksmanArcane ShotAimed ShotPrecise ShotsCareful AimTrueshot

During Careful Aim (>70%): During Careful Aim, we completely ignore our Precise Shots. You prioritize Aimed Shots and use Rapid Fire and Steady Shot to generate Focus when needed. During Careful Aim, Aimed Shot does more DPS per Focus compared to Precise Shots.

Outside of Careful Aim: Do NOT waste Precise Shots, even during Trueshot. Without the bonus Aimed Shot damage that Careful Aim provides, Precise Shots does more DPS per Focus. You will cap on Aimed Shot charges and it will feel bad.

Multiple TargetsExplosive ShotVolley

Use Explosive Shot on cooldown.

Use Volley on cooldown. Be sure to have at least one Aimed Shot and Rapid Fire available prior to casting it.

Use Multi-Shot to gain Trick Shots when 3 or more targets are present.

Use either Aimed Shot or Rapid Fire to consume Trick Shots. Prioritize Rapid Fire if Focus is needed.

Use Steady Shot to generate Focus or during downtime.

Using Volley:VolleyTrick ShotsAimed ShotRapid FireMulti-ShotPrecise ShotsBest Stats for Marksmanship Hunter in Pre-PatchMaster MarksmanWeapon DPS >>> Agility >> Critical Strike > Versatility >= Mastery > HasteWeapon DPS >>> Agility >> Critical Strike > Versatility > Mastery > HasteWeapon DPS >>> Agility >> Mastery > Critical Strike >= Versatility > HasteBest Azerite Traits for Marksmanship Hunter in Pre-Patch

Tier 1 and 2 traits haven't really changed much. You'll still be wanting to go for In The Rhythm, Unerring Vision, and Heart of Darkness primarily. Focused Fire and Surging Shots are also good to go after. Other notable one-off traits such as Clockwork Heart and Swirling Sands are also solid choices.

Tier 3 traits are all fairly close due to the shift in our desired stats. Elemental Whirl, Blood Siphon, Overwhelming Power, and Unstable Flames are all solid options.

Nothing has changed for our defensive tier. We still want traits such as Duck and Cover, Impassive Visage, and Resounding Protection.

Best Essences for Marksmanship Hunter in Pre-PatchSingle TargetMajor:Condensed Life-ForceWorldvein ResonanceMinors:The Crucible of FlameConflict and StrifeBreath of the DyingVision of PerfectionMultiple TargetsMajor:Essence of the Focusing IrisBlood of the EnemyMinors:Memory of Lucid DreamsConflict and StrifeThe Crucible of FlameBreath of the DyingAll Shadowlands Marksmanship Hunter Changes

Comments

Comment by Louisvanauge

I agree! Thx for that guide. Especially the part with Trueshot flooding us with aimed shots. Felt really awkward on the beta to press it and realize i cant do my rotation right anymore. I like the changes to our AOE, although i feel like a lot of our legendaries are centered around AOE-damage. Id like to have somehting for ST fights aswell

Comment by Fyakyll

I hope they won't leave our main cooldown in this sad state. Something's wrong when your cooldown press do not bring more dps, right? How about cutting focus cost by 50% during trueshot? That would make it feel relevant and on par with BfA's version of master marksman.

Comment by DCypher

Maybe a fix to Precise shots could be giving it a rank 2 that adds BfA's Master Markman talent to it, making next arcane/multi shot after Aimed Shot free. Could make space if they are going for for 1 new skill/rank upgrade every other level by making the Trap rank 2, which is unlocked at 56 and reduces Tar and Freezing Traps Cooldown by 5s, baseline and replacing it it with the aforementioned Rank 2 precise shots, next arcane/ multi shot after Aimed Shot is free. It means we do have to wait for Shadowlands to get that but its an idea to bring old mastermarksman back. this also means they could give Survival and BM a Spec specific upgrade instead of all 3 hunter specs getting the same 4 upgrades of Mend pet, Tranq shot, Traps and Kill Shot rank 2

Comment by thomasaugustto

Yea, Trueshot needs to be reworked or buffed, in its current iteration it's the worst cd in the game.
Also i really thought Deadeye would be more competitive, but i guess this is only for prepatch stuff - Flayed Shot will make it delicious.

Comment by Rahxe

I'm sooo looking forward to Marksmanship getting some love. To me the spec felt great in Legion and WoD, but BfA really killed it.

Thanks for the hard work putting this guide together!

How to Play a Marksmanship Hunter in Shadowlands Pre-patch

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