Marksmanship Hunter DPS Easy Mode — Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.2.5

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.

Marksmanship is a relatively slow ranged spec with only a few fundamental mechanics that make it work well.

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: Master Marksman
• Level 30: Careful Aim
• Level 45: Natural Mending or whatever suits your needs.
• Level 60: Hunter's Mark
• Level 75: Posthaste or whatever suits your needs.
• Level 90: Lethal Shots
• Level 100: Calling the Shots

The general single-target stat priority for a Marksmanship Hunter is:

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

All the stats are very close in value, and item level should be the deciding factor in most gearing decisions. Do not overthink your secondary stats too much, the different is nearly negligible.

1. Cast Rapid Fire on cooldown. Try to use it while below 75 Focus.
2. Use Arcane Shot after Aimed Shot to spend the Precise Shots stacks.
3. Cast Aimed Shot on cooldown.
4. Use Arcane Shot when you are high on Focus, to avoid reaching 100 Focus.
5. Use Steady Shot to generate Focus and when there is nothing else to do.

When you get a Lock and Load proc, simply use Aimed Shot as you normally would, and remember to cast those Arcane Shots after it.

Generally speaking, the best traits for Marksmanship Hunters are In The Rhythm, Unerring Vision and Focused Fire. The best Middle Ring traits are Overwhelming Power and Unstable Flames.

Azerite Traits play an important role for Marksmanship Hunter. This means you need to decide which Azerite items you should choose. The traits are very close to each other in power, though, so we recommend our Azerite trait page for more details.

We recommend using the Crucible of Flame as your Major essence. You unlock by starting the Patch 8.2 questline. It is upgraded by reaching higher Heart of Azeroth levels. Use the ability it gives you on cooldown.

In the Minor slots that you unlock later on, you can use Worldvein Resonance, which is unlocked by doing Island Expeditions, and The Unbound Force, which is unlocked by gaining reputation with your Nazjatar faction.

Please refer to our Marksmanship essence page, for more information.