Marksmanship Hunter DPS Easy Mode

Table of Contents

• +Introduction
  • 1. Class Overview
  • 2. What Has Changed in 7.3?
    • 2.1. Tomb of Sargeras Set Bonus Simulation
  • 3. How Does it Work?
  • 4. Viability of Spec Choices in Patch 7.2.5
    • 4.1. Tier 20 - Tomb of Sargeras Mythic Gear - Single-Target Spec/Build Comparison
    • 4.2. Raiding — Single-Target Focus with AoE as a secondary objective.
    • 4.3. Mythic+ — AoE Focus with single-target as a secondary objective.
  • 5. Strengths
  • 6. Weaknesses
  • 7. Contents
  • 8. ChangeLog
• ×Easy Mode
  • 1. The Basics
  • 2. Talent Choice
  • 3. Stat Choice
  • 4. Basic Rotation
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Spell Summary
  • 1. Spell Summary
  • 2. Main Resource
  • 3. Basic Abilities
  • 4. Movement Tools
  • 5. Important Procs and Passives
  • 6. Offensive Cooldowns
  • 7. Additional Utility & Traps
  • 8. ChangeLog
• +Builds and Talents
  • 1. Talent Cheat Sheets
    • 1.1. For Raiding
    • 1.2. For Mythic+
  • 2. Tier 1 (Level 15) Talents
  • 3. Tier 2 (Level 30) Talents
  • 4. Tier 3 (Level 45) Talents
  • 5. Tier 4 (Level 60) Talents
  • 6. Tier 5 (Level 75) Talents
  • 7. Tier 6 (Level 90) Talents
  • 8. Tier 7 (Level 100) Talents
  • 9. Pet Talents
  • 10. ChangeLog
• +Artifact Traits and Relics
  • 1. Artifact Progression
    • 1.1. Early Progression
    • 1.2. Patch 7.2 Progression
  • 2. Artifact Ability
  • 3. Weapon Item Level Value of Traits
  • 4. Relic Choice
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Netherlight Crucible Relic Paths
  • 1. General Optimization
  • 2. Tier 2 — Weapon Item Level Values for Each Trait
  • 3. Tier 3 — Weapon Item Level Values for Each Trait
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities
  • 1. Rotation Priority List
    • 1.1. Rotational Cycles
  • 2. Speed-Guide to Sidewinders for Mythic Kil'jaeden
  • 3. Multiple Target Rotation
  • 4. Legendaries & Rotational Changes
  • 5. Cooldown Usage
  • 6. Opener Sequence
    • 6.1. Trick Shot — Pure Single-Target Focus
    • 6.2. Meme Build — Piercing Shot & Explosive Shot
  • 7. Rotation During Trueshot
  • 8. Optional Read: Mastering Your Marksmanship Hunter
    • 8.1. Set Bonuses
    • 8.2. Trinket Usage
    • 8.3. Focus
    • 8.4. Auto-shots and Special Shots
    • 8.5. Detailed Cooldown Usage
      • 8.5.1. Marking Targets & Hunter's Mark
      • 8.5.2. Trueshot
    • 8.6. Positioning when using Sidewinders
    • 8.7. Bullseye
      • 8.7.1. Tier 1 Talents
      • 8.7.2. Tier 2 Talents
      • 8.7.3. Tier 4 Talents
      • 8.7.4. Tier 6 Talents
      • 8.7.5. Tier 7 Talents
  • 9. ChangeLog
• +Boss by Boss Strategies
  • 1. Tomb of Sargeras
    • 1.1. Goroth
      • 1.1.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.2. The Demonic Inquisition
      • 1.2.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.3. Harjatan
      • 1.3.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.4. Sisters of the Moon
      • 1.4.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.5. Mistress Sassz'ine
      • 1.5.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
      • 1.5.2. Single-Target
      • 1.5.3. Cleave Focus
    • 1.6. The Desolate Host
      • 1.6.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.7. Maiden of Vigilance
      • 1.7.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.8. Fallen Avatar
      • 1.8.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 1.9. Kil'jaeden
      • 1.9.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
  • 2. ChangeLog
• +Stat Priority
  • 1. Basics
  • 2. Getting a Better Understanding
    • 2.1. Choosing Gear
    • 2.2. Stat Softcaps, Distributions & Other Clarifications
    • 2.3. Statistics Explanations
  • 3. ChangeLog
• +Gems, Enchants, and Consumables
  • 1. Gems
  • 2. Enchants
  • 3. Consumables
  • 4. ChangeLog
• +Macros and Addons
  • 1. Macros
    • 1.1. Generic Macros for Hunters
      • 1.1.1. Aspect of the Turtle Cancelaura Macro
      • 1.1.2. Misdirection Mouseover/Focus Macro for Marksmanship/Beast Mastery
      • 1.1.3. Trap Macros for Survival
      • 1.1.4. Petattack Macros
    • 1.2. Specific Macros for Marksmanship Hunters
  • 2. Addons
    • 2.1. Generic Addons for Hunters
      • 2.1.1. ElvUI
      • 2.1.2. Weak Auras
      • 2.1.3. Boss Mods: Deadly Boss Mods or Bigwigs
      • 2.1.4. GTFO
      • 2.1.5. JSHB 4
      • 2.1.6. Pawn
    • 2.2. Specific Addons for Marksmanship Hunters
  • 3. ChangeLog
• +Gear, Legendaries, and Best in Slot
  • 1. Best in Slot List
  • 2. Trinket DPS Rankings
  • 3. Legion Legendaries
    • 3.1. Marksmanship Legendaries
      • 3.1.1. Marksmanship Legendary Ranking
  • 4. Loot Competition
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Simulations
  • 1. Disclaimer Page
  • 2. Racial Bonus Simulation
  • 3. Legendary Simulation
  • 4. ChangeLog

This section is intended for players who are new to the game or class, have no intentions of raiding Mythic difficulty, or simply want a more straightforward way to play their specialization without being overwhelmed by the numerous priorities and active abilities that need to be taken into consideration for optimal play.

1. The Basics

Marksmanship is a very versatile specialization, though it generally only has one talent build that is considered best in nearly all situations. Its strengths are mostly centered around AoE damage, so it is a very powerful spec for dungeons.

2. Talent Choice

The talents listed below are selected either for ease of use, or for more a more simple to understand gameplay style. Whilst in a number of cases there are alternatives on the tree that will provide more if played well, they create much more room to play incorrectly and reduce your performance. Due to this, treat this as a starting point and a primer.

• Level 15: Lone Wolf
• Level 30: Lock and Load most of the time. True Aim if you almost never swap targets.
• Level 45: Posthaste
• Level 60: Patient Sniper single-target.
• Level 75: Binding Shot
• Level 90: Volley
• Level 100: Trick Shot

Volley should always be turned on, even on single-target!

3. Stat Choice

Currently, you will want to prioritize secondary stats as follows:

1. Mastery;
2. Critical Strike;
3. Haste;
4. Versatility.

4. Basic Rotation

1. Cast Windburst on cooldown.
2. Cast Marked Shot when it is available (after casting Arcane Shot when it is glowing). Try to cast it at 73 focus or above (delaying it is okay).
3. Cast Aimed Shot when Vulnerable is active on the target.
4. Cast Arcane Shot when it glows.
5. Spam Arcane Shot while waiting for procs, and to get Focus.
6. Cast Aimed Shot if you are about to focus cap.

If you always cast Marked Shot on 70 focus like we recommend, you can follow this up with one Arcane Shot, followed by 2 Aimed Shots, which is optimal. When using Windburst which also refreshes Vulnerable, do the same, but cast 2 Arcane Shots instead of just 1.

About Our Author

This guide has been written by Azortharion, the main theorycrafter of the spec. He is also an accomplished player who raids in Solaris. You can also watch his stream on Twitch.

5. ChangeLog

+ show all entries - show only 10 entries

• 26 Aug. 2017: Simplified the rotation even further.
• 25 Jul. 2017: Noted that Volley should always be turned on.
• 13 Jun. 2017: Updated to be with a single-target focus, Trick Shot build.
• 28 Jan. 2017: Revised stat section.
• 24 Jan. 2017: Updated to essentially be the so-called "meme-build".
• 11 Jan. 2017: Removed the Haste softcap.
• 09 Jan. 2017: Updated for Patch 7.1.5.
• 27 Nov. 2016: Added easy mode for Marksmanship Hunters.