Havoc Demon Hunter DPS Nerub-ar Palace Raid Guide — The War Within (Season 1)

Last updated on Sep 30, 2024 at 12:00 by Wordup 58 comments
General Information

On this page, you will find tips, tricks, and strategies tailored to your Havoc Demon Hunter for each boss of the following raid: Nerub-ar Palace. All our content is updated for World of Warcraft — The War Within (Season 1).

1.

Introduction

Below, you can find class and spec-specific advice for every fight in Nerub-ar Palace. If you are looking for a general overview of the Raid that is not spec-specific, check out our dedicated Nerub-ar Palace guides.

On this page, you will find information specific to Havoc Demon Hunter assuming you already understand the key mechanics of each encounter, which you can find in the link above. Use this as a quick reference guide for talent builds and quick tips on how to navigate the Season 1 raid. While Havoc has two Hero Talents that are close enough together that both can be played, a general recommendation for all encounters currently is Fel-Scarred due to its much more flexible damage profile, and ease of execution.

All recommendations are progression-based tips and will not necessarily be the best for an overall DPS ranking.

2.

Nerub'ar Palace Boss Guides for Havoc Demon Hunter

2.

Nerub'ar Palace Raid Builds, Tips, and Tricks for Havoc Demon Hunter

Ulgrax the Devourer The Bloodbound Horror Sikran Rasha'nan Broodtwister Ovi'nax Nexus-Princess Ky'veza The Silken Court Queen Ansurek
3.

Tips for Ulgrax the Devourer for Havoc Demon Hunter

Ulgrax is, at its core, a single-target encounter for Havoc, and thankfully many of the ideal builds already come with built-in Cleave options to deal with the intermission without having to sacrifice any. I would recommend boss damage builds here, and just using these tools to contribute to add killing in the intermission when the boss is untargetable.

2.1.

Defensive Tips

  • Use Blur Icon Blur whenever you are targeted by Digestive Acid Icon Digestive Acid while running out to clear webs.
2.2.

Cooldown Usage

  • Metamorphosis Icon Metamorphosis should always be used on the pull. The intermission will occur at 1m30s and take 45 seconds to complete, but hold your next use until Ready to Feed Icon Ready to Feed is complete, as the boss takes 99% reduced damage.
  • In higher difficulties, consider instead using this in the intermission to burst down add spawns using Demonsurge Icon Demonsurge procs to end the phase more safely before the healers get overwhelmed.
2.3.

Fight Specific Tips

  • Save some movement tools following the Juggernaut Charge Icon Juggernaut Charge intermissions so you can quickly deliver food to the boss and complete Ready to Feed Icon Ready to Feed as Havoc is very good at ferrying these across the platform.
2.4.

Best Talents

Use the Copy button below to generate an Import Code to use in-game!

Ulgrax - Fel-Scarred (Recommended)
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMzMzgZmZMzMhZGAAAAAAwsNMmZMGLzMz2sNLjZGmZBLbwysYGDzGTDmZGD2A
Ulgrax - Aldrachi Reaver
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMzMzYMzMjxMhZGAAAAAAwsZMbzMmZmtZmZjZZMzMjBW2mlZwwYbjJMMzMgF
3.

Tips for The Bloodbound Horror for Havoc Demon Hunter

Dealing with The Bloodbound Horror mostly depends on how your raid wants to set up each group that is sent downstairs. While dealing with these is the make-or-break of the encounter, Havoc has more than enough built-in cleave and AoE to deal with this without needing to invest fully. Instead, build to deal as much damage to the boss as possible while upstairs.

2.5.

Defensive Tips

  • Use Blur Icon Blur after Goresplatter Icon Goresplatter hits to reduce the follow-up DoT.
2.6.

Cooldown Usage

  • Metamorphosis Icon Metamorphosis should be used on the pull, and make sure to only use it when you are upstairs hitting the boss on subsequent casts.
2.7.

Fight Specific Tips

  • You can use Netherwalk Icon Netherwalk to cross the Spewing Hemorrhage Icon Spewing Hemorrhage beams if you are caught out.
  • Save a charge of Fel Rush Icon Fel Rush or Vengeful Retreat Icon Vengeful Retreat to get out of the Goresplatter Icon Goresplatter circle quickly.
  • Both Netherwalk Icon Netherwalk and Metamorphosis Icon Metamorphosis immunity windows can be used to stay in for the initial Goresplatter Icon Goresplatter hit if timed correctly.
  • Chaos Nova Icon Chaos Nova should be used to stun any Blood Horrors that are getting too close to the boss.
  • Be careful when targeted by Grasp From Beyond Icon Grasp From Beyond to not use too many instant movement tools to avoid trapping your teammates with tentacles.

Use the Copy button below to generate an Import Code to use in-game!

Bloodbound Horror - Fel-Scarred (Recommended)
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMzMzgZmZMzMhZGAAAAAAwsNMmZMGLzMz2sNLjZGmZBLbwysYGDzGTDmZGD2A
Bloodbound Horror - Aldrachi Reaver
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMmZGjZmZMmJMzAAAAAAAmtZMMjZmZbmZ2mtZZMzwMLYZbWmBDjtNmwwMzAWA
3.

Tips for Sikran for Havoc Demon Hunter

Sikran is a pure single-target boss burn encounter that also has a large amount of movement needed should you be targeted by Phase Blades Icon Phase Blades. Your main goal is to keep as much uptime on the boss as possible while handling the number of mechanics that force you out, so I would recommend a pure boss damage build.

2.8.

Defensive Tips

  • If targeted by Phase Blades Icon Phase Blades, use Blur Icon Blur or Netherwalk Icon Netherwalk in emergencies as it is about to hit to reduce both the up-front damage and the follow-up DoT.
2.9.

Cooldown Usage

  • Use cooldowns as they are ready; no special considerations here.
2.10.

Fight Specific Tips

  • Be careful with movement tools to not accidentally get hit by Phase Blades Icon Phase Blades targeting other players.
  • Try to save Vengeful Retreat Icon Vengeful Retreat or other movement tools to get to max range during Shattering Sweep Icon Shattering Sweep, then re-engage with Felblade Icon Felblade.
2.11.

Best Talents

Use the Copy button below to generate an Import Code to use in-game!

Sikran - Fel-Scarred (Recommended)
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMzMzgZmZMzMhZGAAAAAAwsNMmZMGLzMz2sNLjZGmZBLbwysYGDzGTDmZGD2A
Sikran - Aldrachi Reaver
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMzMzYMzMjxMhZGAAAAAAwsZMbzMmZmtZmZjZZMzMjBW2mlZwwYbjJMMzMgF
3.

Tips for Rasha'nan for Havoc Demon Hunter

The key part of Rasha'nan is single-target damage to burn the boss down, however, the add spawns are dangerous, so thankfully, Havoc can make use of its baseline AoE tools to deal with them. These adds should generally be killed before you should need to fully invest in an AoE talent setup, however.

2.12.

Defensive Tips

  • Try to use Blur Icon Blur for each Erosive Spray Icon Erosive Spray if the healers are struggling.
2.13.

Cooldown Usage

  • Use them on cooldown whenever you can guarantee full uptime on the boss. Watch out for the transition timer to avoid using it as the boss flies away.
  • If possible align Eye Beam Icon Eye Beam and other AoE burst with Infested Spawn timers, but do not hold it so much that you would otherwise lose uses.
2.14.

Fight Specific Tips

  • Talk with your healers to assign Darkness Icon Darkness to Erosive Spray Icon Erosive Spray casts that they may need help with.
  • Use Chaos Nova Icon Chaos Nova to stun any add spawns that are getting too close to fixate targets to stop Infested Bite Icon Infested Bite getting out of control.
2.15.

Best Talents

Use the Copy button below to generate an Import Code to use in-game!

Rasha'nan - Fel-Scarred (Recommended)
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMzMzgZmZMzMhZGAAAAAAwsNMmZMGLzMz2sNLjZGmZBLbwysYGDzGTDmZGD2A
Rasha'nan - Aldrachi Reaver
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMmZGjZmZMmJMzAAAAAAAmtZMMjZmZbmZ2mtZZMzwMLYZbWmBDjtNmwwMzAWA
3.

Tips for Broodtwister Ovi'nax for Havoc Demon Hunter

Broodtwister Ovi'nax is one of the more complex encounters within Nerub'ar Palace, as it requires your raid to carefully balance dealing with a large number of adds and the boss. Due to the volume of add spawns throughout the encounter and the fact that the entire raid generally needs to contribute to dealing with them, there is an option here to invest heavily into AoE. Due to Havoc having very strong built-in cleave, however, I would recommend simply sticking to that unless your raid is struggling.

2.16.

Defensive Tips

  • Use Blur Icon Blur as Experimental Dosage Icon Experimental Dosage is expiring if you are targeted.
2.17.

Cooldown Usage

  • Metamorphosis Icon Metamorphosis should generally be saved for situations where you have full uptime on the boss.
2.18.

Fight Specific Tips

  • Save a charge of Fel Rush Icon Fel Rush to get to your assigned egg in case you are targeted by Experimental Dosage Icon Experimental Dosage. Netherwalk Icon Netherwalk is also helpful to get there quickly and negate the damage from expiration.
  • You can use Vengeful Retreat Icon Vengeful Retreat to self-dispel Sticky Web Icon Sticky Web. Be careful not to do this near other melee to avoid hitting them with the eruption.
  • Use either the boss or Colossal Spiders as your main target to cleave from, as these are the highest health priority targets.
2.19.

Best Talents

Use the Copy button below to generate an Import Code to use in-game!

Broodtwister Ovi'nax - Fel-Scarred (Recommended)
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMzMzgZmZMzMhZGAAAAAAwsNMmZMGLzMz2sNLjZGmZBLbwysYGDzGTDmZGD2A
Broodtwister Ovi'nax - Aldrachi Reaver
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMmZGjZmZMmJMzAAAAAAAmtZMMjZmZbmZ2mtZZMzwMLYZbWmBDjtNmwwMzAWA
3.

Tips for Nexus-Princess Ky'veza for Havoc Demon Hunter

Nexus-Princess Ky'veza is again a very single-target focused encounter with no additional targets, but a large amount of movement needed. I would recommend a pure boss damage build here.

2.20.

Defensive Tips

  • You need to watch your health here, and if you feel like you are not being topped use Blur Icon Blur to buy healers time to avoid Reaper Icon Reaper.
  • Netherwalk Icon Netherwalk is best saved for when you run out with Assassination Icon Assassination as this will often mean moving out of the raid away from healers.
2.21.

Cooldown Usage

  • Use cooldowns as soon as they are ready, so long as you can guarantee full uptime on the boss.
2.22.

Fight Specific Tips

  • Save a charge of Fel Rush Icon Fel Rush in case you are targeted by Assassination Icon Assassination, and use it to get to your spot quickly.
  • In Heroic and above, positioning is often quite tight when doing this. Do not, under any circumstances, run back into melee until your Queensbane Icon Queensbane debuff has expired. This is to avoid launching orbs through your team as they are extremely lethal.
  • Be careful using movement tools during the intermission to avoid hitting other players with Regicide Icon Regicide beams.
2.23.

Best Talents

Use the Copy button below to generate an Import Code to use in-game!

Nexus-Princess Ky'veza - Fel-Scarred (Recommended)
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMzMzgZmZMzMhZGAAAAAAwsNMmZMGLzMz2sNLjZGmZBLbwysYGDzGTDmZGD2A
Nexus-Princess Ky'veza - Aldrachi Reaver
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMzMzYMzMjxMhZGAAAAAAwsZMbzMmZmtZmZjZZMzMjBW2mlZwwYbjJMMzMgF
3.

Tips for The Silken Court for Havoc Demon Hunter

The Silken Court is a two-target encounter with an extremely large amount of movement. Depending on how effectively they are tanked, you should have a reasonable amount of uptime on both of them. Since most of the time is spent at just two targets, Havoc can use the built-in cleave of Fel-Scarred or a cleave setup for Aldrachi Reaver and be fine here.

2.24.

Defensive Tips

  • Use Blur Icon Blur on Venomous Rain Icon Venomous Rain.
2.25.

Cooldown Usage

  • Try to align Metamorphosis Icon Metamorphosis with the damage increase phase following Reckless Charge Icon Reckless Charge on Anub'arash, and the Stinging Swarm Icon Stinging Swarm expose on Skeinspinner Takazj. You should be able to get off one opening Sigil of Flame Icon Sigil of Flame / Eye Beam Icon Eye Beam combo on the pull, and then wait until the first charge to burst.
2.26.

Mechanical Tips

  • Save Fel Rush Icon Fel Rush charges to stick to the boss following Void Step Icon Void Step casts. Try to also have another ready, or alternatively use Vengeful Retreat Icon Vengeful Retreat to get out of the Entropic Desolation Icon Entropic Desolation circle.
  • Use Chaos Nova Icon Chaos Nova to stun groups of Shattershell Scarabs to try and keep them under control while they are AoEd down.
2.27.

Best Talents

Use the Copy button below to generate an Import Code to use in-game!

The Silken Court - Fel-Scarred (Recommended)
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMzMzgZmZMzMhZGAAAAAAwsNMmZMGLzMz2sNLjZGmZBLbwysYGDzGTDmZGD2A
The Silken Court - Aldrachi Reaver
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMmZGjZmZMmJMzAAAAAAAmtZMMjZmZbmZ2mtZZMzwMLYZbWmBDjtNmwwMzAWA
3.

Tips for Queen Ansurek for Havoc Demon Hunter

Queen Ansurek is an encounter that demands a variety of different damage profiles from everyone in the raid, but fortunately Havoc as Fel-Scarred can effectively cover all of them without sacrificing any single-target throughput, so is a strong recommendation here.

2.28.

Defensive Tips

  • Phase 1 — can be used freely. Particularly useful if your other melee are not comfortably spreading for Silken Tomb Icon Silken Tomb.
  • Phase 2 — make sure to have Blur Icon Blur or Netherwalk Icon Netherwalk available for the Gloom Touch Icon Gloom Touch plus Wrest Icon Wrest overlap.
  • Phase 3 — keep one available in case you are targeted by Royal Condemnation Icon Royal Condemnation.
2.29.

Cooldown Usage

  • Metamorphosis Icon Metamorphosis is always used on the pull, but your second use can either be sent immediately for the burst and reset for the third Silken Tomb Icon Silken Tomb wave, or held for the intermission shield if your group is struggling. In the final phase aim to use it either to burst down the Gloom Hatchling wave, or when you can guarantee full uptime on the boss.
2.30.

Mechanical Tips

  • Try to position yourself well in the melee for Silken Tomb Icon Silken Tomb so you can AoE other melee who are rooted, but do not overlap each other.
  • You can use Glide to cancel out the pull from Wrest Icon Wrest, just give yourself a bit of space so you do not get pulled in too quickly from melee range.
  • Use Chaos Nova Icon Chaos Nova after Infest Icon Infest is cast to lock down the Gloom Hatchling wave and AoE them down quickly.
2.31.

Best Talents

Use the Copy button below to generate an Import Code to use in-game!

Queen Ansurek - Fel-Scarred (Recommended)
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMzMzgZmZMzMhZGAAAAAAwsNMmZMGLzMz2sNLjZGmZBLbwysYGDzGTDmZGD2A
Queen Ansurek - Aldrachi Reaver
CEkAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYGMmZGjZmZMmJMzAAAAAAAmtZMMjZmZbmZ2mtZZMzwMLYZbWmBDjtNmwwMzAWA
2.32.

General Defensive Usage

Havoc Demon Hunter has a handful of defensive tools with different cooldowns to tackle dangerous situations if you are proactive. Your active tools are:

  • Blur Icon Blur (1 minute cooldown)
  • Netherwalk Icon Netherwalk (3-minute cooldown)
  • Darkness Icon Darkness (5-minute cooldown, 3 with Pitch Black Icon Pitch Black)

Ideally, you should be using these to reduce the largest incoming hits in an encounter to give your healers more breathing room when things are hectic. Due to the low cooldown of Blur Icon Blur, you can generally use it quite liberally while Netherwalk Icon Netherwalk serves more as an emergency tool. You also have quite a lot of extra self-sustain during Metamorphosis Icon Metamorphosis thanks to Soul Rending Icon Soul Rending, and Aldrachi Reaver has the added benefit of healing from Soul Fragments very frequently.

2.33.

General Cooldown Usage

Havoc Demon Hunter only has a couple of important cooldowns to consider rotationally. Your general rule of thumb is to make sure you never miss out on a use of either of these:

  • Metamorphosis Icon Metamorphosis — Havoc's big 2-minute cooldown that increases your Haste and greatly empowers your rotational abilities. This lasts for quite a while, and you should always make sure to time this with periods where you can guarantee full boss uptime. Also resets the cooldown on Eye Beam Icon Eye Beam. Getting value out of this is especially important as Fel-Scarred.
  • Eye Beam Icon Eye Beam — This is more rotational for Havoc as it deals a lot of up-front AoE damage and also provides a way to enter Demon Form via Demonic Icon Demonic. This should be used as close to on cooldown as possible.

If you see an opportunity to get extra value out of any of these cooldowns in an encounter, always assess whether or not it will cost you a use before the encounter ends. If it will, decide whether or not it is absolutely necessary to do extra damage at that key moment in an encounter, and if not, do not hold them. We have more details on cooldown usage on our Rotation page:

You may also find it helpful to use a time-to-die weakaura, or, if you are using Method Raid Tools, this has a built-in option to display this. If you are aware of how long is left in an encounter, you can better estimate how much you are able to hold cooldowns for key moments, Bloodlust Icon Bloodlust, or your potion uses.

3.

Changelog

  • 30 Sep. 2024: Updated with appropriate builds and more recent tips for all bosses.
  • 09 Sep. 2024: Page added.
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