BM Hunter Overview & Changes - WoW Forever Guide

BM Hunter overview

BM suits a Hunter who wants to direct a pet through pulls and target swaps rather than trade it away for petless damage. Pet health, travel time and recovery affect how much you gain from the tree: Focused Fire ties damage from you and your pet to an active pet, while Bestial Wrath boosts that pet's burst damage.

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The biggest changes from Classic

Hawks compete with Arcane Shot: Summon Hawk deals an initial Physical hit, then attacks for 18 seconds. It shares a six-second cooldown with Arcane Shot and has a two-hawk limit.
Check which buffs apply to pets and hawks: Unleashed Fury and Ferocity both buff pets and hawks. Frenzy and Bestial Wrath apply to your main pet; their bonuses do not extend to hawks.
Manage mana as well as pet Focus: Bestial Discipline improves your pet's Focus regeneration and lets part of your mana regeneration continue while casting. Your own attacks and pet recovery still spend mana.

Beast Mastery Hunter

Pet-focused DPS

BM supports damage from your weapon, your pet and summoned hawks. The pet-focused talents work alongside Deadly Aspects, which has separate ranged and melee effects for the Hunter. Choose your attack style before spending points on its supporting talents.

Build your talents

Summon Hawk or Arcane Shot

Use Summon Hawk on an enemy that will stay attackable long enough for the hawk to run its full duration. The dive-bomb deals Physical damage immediately, followed by 18 seconds of attacks. Arcane Shot instead deals its Arcane damage immediately. On a nearly dead add, that immediate shot can be more valuable than summoning an attacker whose remaining duration will be wasted. The target's armor and resistance also affect the two damage schools differently.

The two share a cooldown, so casting one puts the other on cooldown. Keep them on separate bindings instead of firing Arcane Shot every time it is up. If a priority add that will live a while is about to appear, save the shared cooldown so you can summon a hawk onto it.

Only two hawks can be active at once. Count your active hawks before summoning again; the six-second cooldown does not give you a third. Improved Arcane Shot explicitly excludes abilities sharing Arcane Shot's cooldown, so those points do not shorten Summon Hawk's six seconds.

Pet damage talents and hawk coverage

Unleashed Fury increases damage from both your pets and hawks; at rank 1, the increase is 3%. Ferocity improves crit chance for both, by 2% at rank 1. These are the talents to compare when you want to improve both attackers rather than only the Hunter's weapon damage.

Frenzy requires Ferocity and gives your pet a chance to gain attack speed after it crits. The extra pet crit chance therefore supports both critical hits and chances to trigger the speed buff. Hawks get the crit chance but not the Frenzy effect; their crits do not trigger it.

Focused Fire improves damage you and your pet deal while your pet is active, by 1% at rank 1. A pet death costs its attacks and that shared bonus. Watch the main pet's own state, not the hawks', when deciding whether to revive it.

Position, recall and recover the main pet

Send the pet to the kill target the tank has secured, and recall it before dangerous ground effects or a route change leave it stranded. Keep attack and recall on their own bindings, not tied to briefly targeting another enemy for a mark or control spell. Bestial Swiftness increases pet movement speed by 30%, helping it reach the next target; it does not remove the danger of running through a pack you have not pulled.

Endurance Training adds pet health and armor. Take that support when physical damage or short bursts are killing the pet before you can respond. At rank 1, Improved Mend Pet cuts Mend Pet's mana cost by 10% and gives each heal a 15% chance to cleanse one Curse, Disease, Magic or Poison effect. Move the pet out of the damaging area first instead of healing through it.

Mend Pet is channeled. Start it from a position where you can remain still, and account for the time you spend healing instead of using your other casts. The cleanse is a roll on each heal, not a guaranteed dispel the moment you press the button.

If the pet dies, Improved Revive Pet reduces the cost of recovering it. Rank 2 cuts the cast time by six seconds, reduces mana cost by 40% and adds 30% to the health it returns with. Find a safe casting window, revive, then check health and position before sending it back. Spirit Bond can handle gradual recovery while the pet is active, but its small, steady ticks are too slow to answer a pet taking lethal damage now.

Hawk, Beast and Monkey aspects

Aspect of the Hawk adds ranged AP. With Deadly Aspects, Auto Shot under Hawk can trigger increased ranged attack speed. Use it when you are shooting; casting Summon Hawk is a different action and is not the ranged attack that triggers the proc.

Aspect of the Beast now adds melee AP as well as making you untrackable. Rank 1 grants 50 melee AP, whereas original Classic's version only supplied untrackability. Under Beast, Deadly Aspects instead lets melee auto attacks trigger increased melee attack speed. This gives a pet-focused melee Hunter support near the top of BM, without treating ranged talents as melee bonuses.

Aspect of the Monkey is a defensive swap when you or your pet need to avoid physical attacks. Improved Aspect of the Monkey increases your dodge benefit and gives the pet half the aspect's effect. Only one aspect can be active, so choosing Monkey gives up Hawk's ranged AP or Beast's melee AP and their matching Deadly Aspects proc opportunity.

Mana for attacks and pet recovery

At rank 1, Bestial Discipline increases pet Focus regeneration by 10% and allows 25% of your mana regeneration to continue while casting. Those are two separate resources: the pet spends Focus, while you spend mana. The talent does not refill either bar instantly.

Reserve mana for Mend Pet or Revive Pet when the next pull threatens the pet. Spending your last mana on another attack can leave you unable to recover the attacker that supplies much of your BM damage. Between pulls, check both your mana and the pet's health before sending it into the next enemy.

If you take Efficiency in Marksmanship, it reduces costs for shots, stings and melee abilities. It does not cover Mend Pet or Revive Pet. Compare it with the BM recovery talents based on what is draining your mana: repeated attacks, repeated healing or repeated deaths need different fixes.

Hunter talent trees

Hover, focus or tap a talent to read its effects. Each badge shows the talent's maximum rank; this is the full tree, not a suggested build.

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Spend your 51 points, try different paths and share your build in the talent calculator.

Build your talents

Read all talent descriptions

Beast Mastery

Deadly Aspects Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
While Aspect of the Hawk is active, Auto Shot has a 2% chance of increasing ranged attack speed by 30% for 12 sec. While Aspect of the Beast is active, all melee auto attacks have a 2% chance of increasing melee attack speed by 30% for 12 sec.

Rank 2
While Aspect of the Hawk is active, Auto Shot has a 4% chance of increasing ranged attack speed by 30% for 12 sec. While Aspect of the Beast is active, all melee auto attacks have a 4% chance of increasing melee attack speed by 30% for 12 sec.

Rank 3
While Aspect of the Hawk is active, Auto Shot has a 6% chance of increasing ranged attack speed by 30% for 12 sec. While Aspect of the Beast is active, all melee auto attacks have a 6% chance of increasing melee attack speed by 30% for 12 sec.

Rank 4
While Aspect of the Hawk is active, Auto Shot has a 8% chance of increasing ranged attack speed by 30% for 12 sec. While Aspect of the Beast is active, all melee auto attacks have a 8% chance of increasing melee attack speed by 30% for 12 sec.

Rank 5
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.

Passive

Endurance Training Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Increases the Health and Armor of your pets by 3%.

Rank 2
Increases the Health and Armor of your pets by 6%.

Rank 3
Increases the Health and Armor of your pets by 9%.

Rank 4
Increases the Health and Armor of your pets by 12%.

Rank 5
Increases the Health and Armor of your pets by 15%.

Passive

Focused Fire Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Increases all damage you and your pet deal by 1% while your pet is active.

Rank 2
Increases all damage you and your pet deal by 2% while your pet is active.

Passive

Improved Aspect of the Monkey Maximum rank 3

Rank 1
Increases the Dodge bonus of your Aspect of the Monkey by 2%. Additionally, your pet gains 50% of the effect of your Aspect of the Monkey ability.

Rank 2
Increases the Dodge bonus of your Aspect of the Monkey by 4%. Additionally, your pet gains 50% of the effect of your Aspect of the Monkey ability.

Rank 3
Increases the Dodge bonus of your Aspect of the Monkey by 6%. Additionally, your pet gains 50% of the effect of your Aspect of the Monkey ability.

Passive

Pathfinding Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Increases the speed bonus of your Aspect of the Cheetah and Aspect of the Pack by 3%.

Rank 2
Increases the speed bonus of your Aspect of the Cheetah and Aspect of the Pack by 6%.

Passive

Improved Revive Pet Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Revive Pet's casting time is reduced by 3 sec, mana cost is reduced by 20%, and increases the health your pet returns with by an additional 15%.

Rank 2
Revive Pet's casting time is reduced by 6 sec, mana cost is reduced by 40%, and increases the health your pet returns with by an additional 30%.

Passive

Bestial Swiftness Maximum rank 1

Rank 1
Increases the movement speed of your pets by 30%.

Passive

Unleashed Fury Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Increases the damage done by your pets and hawks by 3%.

Rank 2
Increases the damage done by your pets and hawks by 6%.

Rank 3
Increases the damage done by your pets and hawks by 9%.

Rank 4
Increases the damage done by your pets and hawks by 12%.

Rank 5
Increases the damage done by your pets and hawks by 15%.

Passive

Improved Mend Pet Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Gives your Mend Pet spell a 15% chance of cleansing 1 Curse, Disease, Magic, or Poison effect from your pet each time it heals and reduces the Mana cost by 10%.

Rank 2
Gives your Mend Pet spell a 50% chance of cleansing 1 Curse, Disease, Magic, or Poison effect from your pet each time it heals and reduces the Mana cost by 20%.

Passive

Ferocity Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Increases the critical strike chance of your pets and hawks by 2%.

Rank 2
Increases the critical strike chance of your pets and hawks by 4%.

Rank 3
Increases the critical strike chance of your pets and hawks by 6%.

Rank 4
Increases the critical strike chance of your pets and hawks by 8%.

Rank 5
Increases the critical strike chance of your pets and hawks by 10%.

Passive

Summon Hawk Maximum rank 1

Rank 1
Command a hawk to dive-bomb your targeted enemy, dealing 32 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.

80 Mana | 35 yd range | Instant | 6 sec cooldown

Spirit Bond Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
While your pet is active, you and your pet will regenerate 1% of total health every 10 sec.

Rank 2
While your pet is active, you and your pet will regenerate 1% of total health every 5 sec.

Passive

Intimidation Maximum rank 1

Rank 1
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.

8% of base mana | 100 yd range | Instant | 1 min cooldown

Bestial Discipline Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Increases the Focus regeneration of your pets by 10% and allows 25% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting.

Rank 2
Increases the Focus regeneration of your pets by 20% and allows 50% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting.

Passive

Frenzy Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Gives your pet a 20% chance to gain a 30% attack speed increase for 8 sec after dealing a critical strike.

Rank 2
Gives your pet a 40% chance to gain a 30% attack speed increase for 8 sec after dealing a critical strike.

Rank 3
Gives your pet a 60% chance to gain a 30% attack speed increase for 8 sec after dealing a critical strike.

Rank 4
Gives your pet a 80% chance to gain a 30% attack speed increase for 8 sec after dealing a critical strike.

Rank 5
Gives your pet a 100% chance to gain a 30% attack speed increase for 8 sec after dealing a critical strike.

Passive

Bestial Wrath Maximum rank 1

Rank 1
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.

12% of base mana | 100 yd range | Instant | 2 min cooldown

Marksmanship

Hawk Eye Maximum rank 3

Rank 1
Increases the range of your ranged weapons by 2 yards.

Rank 2
Increases the range of your ranged weapons by 4 yards.

Rank 3
Increases the range of your ranged weapons by 6 yards.

Passive

Improved Concussive Shot Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Gives your Concussive Shot a 4% chance to stun the target for 3 sec.

Rank 2
Gives your Concussive Shot a 8% chance to stun the target for 3 sec.

Rank 3
Gives your Concussive Shot a 12% chance to stun the target for 3 sec.

Rank 4
Gives your Concussive Shot a 16% chance to stun the target for 3 sec.

Rank 5
Gives your Concussive Shot a 20% chance to stun the target for 3 sec.

Passive

Lethal Attacks Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Increases your critical strike chance with all attacks by 1%.

Rank 2
Increases your critical strike chance with all attacks by 2%.

Rank 3
Increases your critical strike chance with all attacks by 3%.

Rank 4
Increases your critical strike chance with all attacks by 4%.

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

Passive

Improved Stings Maximum rank 3

Rank 1
Increased the damage of your Serpent Sting ability by 6%, reduces the cooldown of your Viper Sting ability by 2 sec, and increases the duration of your Scorpid Sting ability by 15 sec.

Rank 2
Increased the damage of your Serpent Sting ability by 13%, reduces the cooldown of your Viper Sting ability by 4 sec, and increases the duration of your Scorpid Sting ability by 30 sec.

Rank 3
Increased the damage of your Serpent Sting ability by 20%, reduces the cooldown of your Viper Sting ability by 6 sec, and increases the duration of your Scorpid Sting ability by 45 sec.

Passive

Efficiency Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Reduces the Mana cost of your Shots, Stings, and melee abilities by 3%.

Rank 2
Reduces the Mana cost of your Shots, Stings, and melee abilities by 6%.

Rank 3
Reduces the Mana cost of your Shots, Stings, and melee abilities by 9%.

Rank 4
Reduces the Mana cost of your Shots, Stings, and melee abilities by 12%.

Rank 5
Reduces the Mana cost of your Shots, Stings, and melee abilities by 15%.

Passive

Careful Aim Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Increases your Attack Power by 20% of your Intellect.

Rank 2
Increases your Attack Power by 40% of your Intellect.

Rank 3
Increases your Attack Power by 60% of your Intellect.

Rank 4
Increases your Attack Power by 80% of your Intellect.

Rank 5
Increases your Attack Power by 100% of your Intellect.

Passive

Rapid Killing Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Reduces the cooldown on your Rapid Fire ability by 1 min. In addition, when you kill a non-trivial enemy or it dies while afflicted by your Serpent Sting, you gain Rapid Killing, increasing the damage of your next Shot ability within 20 sec by 10%.

Rank 2
Reduces the cooldown on your Rapid Fire ability by 2 min. In addition, when you kill a non-trivial enemy or it dies while afflicted by your Serpent Sting, you gain Rapid Killing, increasing the damage of your next Shot ability within 20 sec by 20%.

Passive

Improved Arcane Shot Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Reduces the cooldown of your Arcane Shot by 0.3 sec. Does not affect the cooldown of abilities which share a cooldown with Arcane Shot.

Rank 2
Reduces the cooldown of your Arcane Shot by 0.6 sec. Does not affect the cooldown of abilities which share a cooldown with Arcane Shot.

Rank 3
Reduces the cooldown of your Arcane Shot by 0.9 sec. Does not affect the cooldown of abilities which share a cooldown with Arcane Shot.

Rank 4
Reduces the cooldown of your Arcane Shot by 1.2 sec. Does not affect the cooldown of abilities which share a cooldown with Arcane Shot.

Rank 5
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.

Passive

Lone Wolf Maximum rank 1

Rank 1
You deal 20% increased damage with all attacks while you do not have an active pet.

Passive

Trueshot Aura Maximum rank 1

Rank 1
Increases the Ranged Attack Power of party members within 45 yards by 30. Lasts 30 min.

180 Mana | Instant

Mortal Shots Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Increases the critical strike damage bonus on all ranged abilities by 6%.

Rank 2
Increases the critical strike damage bonus on all ranged abilities by 12%.

Rank 3
Increases the critical strike damage bonus on all ranged abilities by 18%.

Rank 4
Increases the critical strike damage bonus on all ranged abilities by 24%.

Rank 5
Increases the critical strike damage bonus on all ranged abilities by 30%.

Passive

Rapid Recuperation Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Hitting a target with your Serpent Sting ability grants you 25% and consuming Rapid Killing grants you 50% of your Mana regeneration while casting for the next 15 sec.

Rank 2
Hitting a target with your Serpent Sting ability grants you 50% and consuming Rapid Killing grants you 100% of your Mana regeneration while casting for the next 15 sec.

Passive

Barrage Maximum rank 3

Rank 1
Increases the damage done by your Multi-Shot, Aimed Shot, and Volley abilities by 3%.

Rank 2
Increases the damage done by your Multi-Shot, Aimed Shot, and Volley abilities by 7%.

Rank 3
Increases the damage done by your Multi-Shot, Aimed Shot, and Volley abilities by 10%.

Passive

Scatter Shot Maximum rank 1

Rank 1
A short-range shot that deals 50% weapon damage and disorients the target for 4 sec. Any damage caused will remove the effect. Turns off your attack when used.

8% of base mana | 15 yd range | Instant | 30 sec cooldown

Ranged Weapon Specialization Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Increases the damage you deal with ranged weapons by 1%.

Rank 2
Increases the damage you deal with ranged weapons by 2%.

Rank 3
Increases the damage you deal with ranged weapons by 3%.

Rank 4
Increases the damage you deal with ranged weapons by 4%.

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

Passive

Sniper Shot Maximum rank 1

Rank 1
A steady snipe that increases ranged damage by 160.

365 Mana | 8-35 yd range | 4 sec cast | 15 sec cooldown

Survival

Improved Tracking Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
While tracking Beasts, Demons, Dragonkin, Elementals, Giants, Humanoids, or Undead, all damage you deal to the tracked creature type is increased by 1%.

Rank 2
While tracking Beasts, Demons, Dragonkin, Elementals, Giants, Humanoids, or Undead, all damage you deal to the tracked creature type is increased by 2%.

Rank 3
While tracking Beasts, Demons, Dragonkin, Elementals, Giants, Humanoids, or Undead, all damage you deal to the tracked creature type is increased by 3%.

Rank 4
While tracking Beasts, Demons, Dragonkin, Elementals, Giants, Humanoids, or Undead, all damage you deal to the tracked creature type is increased by 4%.

Rank 5
While tracking Beasts, Demons, Dragonkin, Elementals, Giants, Humanoids, or Undead, all damage you deal to the tracked creature type is increased by 5%.

Passive

Deflection Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Increases your Parry chance by 2%.

Rank 2
Increases your Parry chance by 4%.

Rank 3
Increases your Parry chance by 6%.

Rank 4
Increases your Parry chance by 8%.

Rank 5
Increases your Parry chance by 10%.

Passive

Entrapment Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
When your traps are triggered, all affected targets are Entrapped, preventing them from moving for 1 sec.

Rank 2
When your traps are triggered, all affected targets are Entrapped, preventing them from moving for 2 sec.

Rank 3
When your traps are triggered, all affected targets are Entrapped, preventing them from moving for 3 sec.

Rank 4
When your traps are triggered, all affected targets are Entrapped, preventing them from moving for 4 sec.

Rank 5
When your traps are triggered, all affected targets are Entrapped, preventing them from moving for 5 sec.

Passive

Savage Strikes Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Increases the critical strike chance of all your melee abilities by 2%.

Rank 2
Increases the critical strike chance of all your melee abilities by 4%.

Passive

Survivalist Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Increases your total Health by 2%.

Rank 2
Increases your total Health by 4%.

Rank 3
Increases your total Health by 6%.

Rank 4
Increases your total Health by 8%.

Rank 5
Increases your total Health by 10%.

Passive

Improved Wing Clip Maximum rank 3

Rank 1
Gives your Wing Clip ability a 7% chance to immobilize the target for 5 sec.

Rank 2
Gives your Wing Clip ability a 13% chance to immobilize the target for 5 sec.

Rank 3
Gives your Wing Clip ability a 20% chance to immobilize the target for 5 sec.

Passive

Clever Traps Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Increases the duration of Freezing and Frost trap effects by 15% and the damage of Immolation and Explosive trap effects by 15%.

Rank 2
Increases the duration of Freezing and Frost trap effects by 30% and the damage of Immolation and Explosive trap effects by 30%.

Passive

Surefooted Maximum rank 3

Rank 1
Increases your hit chance by 1% and reduces the duration of movement impairing effects on you by 10%.

Rank 2
Increases your hit chance by 2% and reduces the duration of movement impairing effects on you by 20%.

Rank 3
Increases your hit chance by 3% and reduces the duration of movement impairing effects on you by 30%.

Passive

Deterrence Maximum rank 1

Rank 1
When activated, increases your Dodge and Parry chance by 25% for 10 sec.

Instant | 5 min cooldown

Survival Tactics Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Increases your chance to hit with your Trap and Feign Death abilities by 5%.

Rank 2
Increases your chance to hit with your Trap and Feign Death abilities by 10%.

Passive

Predator's Edge Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Increases your melee critical strike damage by 6% and your offhand weapon damage by 10%.

Rank 2
Increases your melee critical strike damage by 12% and your offhand weapon damage by 20%.

Rank 3
Increases your melee critical strike damage by 18% and your offhand weapon damage by 30%.

Rank 4
Increases your melee critical strike damage by 24% and your offhand weapon damage by 40%.

Rank 5
Increases your melee critical strike damage by 30% and your offhand weapon damage by 50%.

Passive

Counterattack Maximum rank 1

Rank 1
A strike that becomes active after parrying an opponent's attack. This attack deals 50% weapon damage plus 13 and immobilizes the target for 5 sec. Counterattack cannot be blocked, dodged, or parried.

30 Mana | Melee Range | Instant | 5 sec cooldown

Resourcefulness Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Reduces the mana cost of your Trap abilities and melee abilities by 30%. In addition, your critical strikes have a 50% chance to allow 50% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting for 30 sec.

Rank 2
Reduces the mana cost of your Trap abilities and melee abilities by 60%. In addition, your critical strikes have a 100% chance to allow 50% of your Mana regeneration to continue while casting for 30 sec.

Passive

Expose Prey Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Your attacks against targets with Hunter's Mark have a 5% chance to activate your Mongoose Bite for 5 sec.

Rank 2
Your attacks against targets with Hunter's Mark have a 10% chance to activate your Mongoose Bite for 5 sec.

Passive

Survivalist's Discipline Maximum rank 2

Rank 1
Reduces the cooldown of your Trap and Deterrence abilities by 20%.

Rank 2
Reduces the cooldown of your Trap and Deterrence abilities by 40%.

Passive

Strider Kick Maximum rank 1

Rank 1
A powerful kick that deals 100% melee weapon damage.

5.81% of base mana | Melee Range | Instant | 8 sec cooldown

Lightning Reflexes Maximum rank 5

Rank 1
Increases your Agility by 2%.

Rank 2
Increases your Agility by 4%.

Rank 3
Increases your Agility by 6%.

Rank 4
Increases your Agility by 8%.

Rank 5
Increases your Agility by 10%.

Passive

Lacerating Strikes Maximum rank 1

Rank 1
Your Mongoose Bite also causes the target to Bleed for damage over 21 sec equal to 40% of the damage done by Mongoose Bite.

Passive

Bestial Wrath and Intimidation timing

Bestial Wrath increases your pet's damage by 50% for 18 seconds, on a two-minute cooldown. This retains the original Classic damage bonus and duration. Activate it after the pet reaches a target it can keep attacking, rather than while it is crossing the room or just before you must recall it.

You can use your own offensive cooldowns in the same window when both you and the pet have uninterrupted access. If you have to move but the pet can stay on the boss, it can still put the damage buff to use. Do not hold every pet cooldown waiting for a perfect personal firing position, or count the pet's 50% damage bonus toward your shots. The enraged pet can still be killed.

Intimidation stuns for three seconds on the pet's next successful attack. The command is instant, but the stun still waits for that attack. If a loose enemy is running toward the healer, direct the pet to it early enough to make contact. Its empowered attack also gains crit chance and generates high threat, so use it to hold an assigned add or secure a solo target rather than competing with the tank's initial pickup.

Save Intimidation when a needed stun is approaching. Spending it for damage just beforehand leaves you without that control for its one-minute cooldown.

Deep BM and supporting talent choices

Bestial Wrath requires 31 points in Beast Mastery and Intimidation, which in turn requires Bestial Swiftness. Summon Hawk is available earlier, at the 16-point tier. Decide whether you want the deep pet cooldown or a shallower BM investment before building around tools in another tree.

A Bestial Wrath build cannot also take Rapid Recuperation or Strider Kick: each needs at least 21 points in its own tree, and 31 plus 21 exceeds the 51-point budget. For deep BM mana sustain, Bestial Discipline remains available inside the tree. The MM guide covers the Serpent Sting route to regeneration, while the Survival guide covers sustained melee strikes.

For ranged support, early Hawk Eye provides more room to shoot and Careful Aim adds AP from Intellect. For a pet that repeatedly dies, Endurance Training and Improved Revive Pet can preserve more attacking time than extra personal offense. Those points still cost damage elsewhere, so let pet deaths, forced healing and time spent running between targets tell you which problem to solve.

The removed Classic talents include Thick Hide; pet armor now appears in Endurance Training. You do not need to search for a separate armor talent to support the pet.

Gear for your weapon damage and mana needs

For ranged BM, compare the ranged weapon's damage with its other offensive stats, then compare melee-slot weapons for the stats they provide while equipped. For melee BM, those melee weapons are dealing damage themselves, so trading weapon damage for a few extra secondary stats has a direct cost. Train the relevant weapon proficiency before switching weapon types.

Careful Aim grants AP equal to 20% of your Intellect at rank 1 if you take it. Intellect can then contribute offense as well as mana capacity, but a larger mana pool does not replace the damage lost from a weak weapon. Check whether the extra mana lets you keep attacking or recover the pet before choosing it over stronger offensive stats.

Shared hit and crit on gear can support your different attacks, and hit also helps trap reliability. Attacks and traps still have their own miss rules. Do not count a personal crit increase as an equal pet or hawk crit increase; Ferocity is where those attackers get their crit bonus. See the Hunter gearing overview for the class-wide changes.

The racial comparison covers personal cooldowns and weapon conditions. Keep them separate from pet bonuses. For trap assignments and the pet's role outside DPS, use the group and solo overview.

BM Hunter questions

Does Improved Arcane Shot let BM summon hawks faster?

No. Improved Arcane Shot excludes abilities that share Arcane Shot's cooldown. Summon Hawk keeps its six-second cooldown and two-active-hawk limit.

Does Bestial Wrath increase the Hunter's own damage?

It gives the pet 50% additional damage for 18 seconds. It does not give that bonus to the Hunter or summoned hawks. Your own pet-dependent damage talent is Focused Fire, which requires an active pet.

Does Beast Mastery need Marksmanship talents to learn Aimed Shot?

No. Aimed Shot is a baseline Hunter ability in Forever. Sniper Shot is the separate deep Marksmanship talent; learning Aimed Shot does not grant it.

Can Spirit Bond replace Mend Pet?

Spirit Bond provides gradual healing while your pet is active: at rank 2, you and the pet regenerate 1% of total health every five seconds. Use it for slow recovery. Recall and Mend Pet are still needed when damage is arriving faster than those ticks, and the passive healing cannot revive a dead pet.

BM Hunter overview

The biggest changes from Classic

Beast Mastery Hunter

Summon Hawk or Arcane Shot

Pet damage talents and hawk coverage

Position, recall and recover the main pet

Hawk, Beast and Monkey aspects

Mana for attacks and pet recovery

Hunter talent trees

Beast Mastery

Marksmanship

Survival

Bestial Wrath and Intimidation timing

Deep BM and supporting talent choices

Gear for your weapon damage and mana needs

BM Hunter questions

Hunter spec guides

Plan the rest of your character