Class builds
Hunter Builds
Two talent builds for the Hunter: one to level from 1 to 60 without wasted time, one to farm gold at 60. Each comes with the stat order, a rotation and the ForeverBot settings.
The hunter is the easiest class to level alone in vanilla WoW: the pet takes the hits, you shoot from range, and neither of you needs much rest. This hub holds the two hunter build guides. The hunter leveling build is the classic 31/20/0 Beast Mastery split, with Bestial Wrath at 40 and then Marksmanship for Lethal Shots and Aimed Shot. The hunter farming build turns it around to 21/30/0 Marksmanship: it keeps Intimidation for the pet and adds Barrage and Ranged Weapon Specialization, so you kill faster yourself.
Hunters earn most from beasts that can be skinned: thick leather in Feralas, Tanaris and the Hinterlands in the late forties, Rugged Leather from yetis and frost cats in Winterspring, and devilsaur leather in Un'Goro Crater for players at ease with traps. The weak points are the dependence on the pet, the upkeep of ammunition and pet food, and a weaker pet in the farming build against hard hitters.
With ForeverBot you record the beast loop once, add the mobs as Targets and press Start; the bot paths, loots, skins and sells, while the pet, traps and Feign Death stay with you. Other classes are in the builds hub.
Hunter · Leveling 1–60
Hunter Leveling Build 1–60: Beast Mastery Talents, Stats, Pets and Rotation for Vanilla WoW
A hunter leveling build for vanilla WoW: 31/20/0 Beast Mastery with Bestial Wrath at 40, talent order, stats, gear, pet choice, the shot loop and zones.
Hunter · Gold farming
Hunter Farming Build for Vanilla WoW: 21/30/0 Marksmanship Talents, Stats and Leather Farms
A hunter farming build for vanilla WoW: 21/30/0 Marksmanship with Intimidation and Barrage, plus stats, gear, pet choice, the pull loop and the farms that pay.
Routes that suit the Hunter
Skinning Routes
Thick Leather Farming Route: Feralas, the Hinterlands and Tanaris (Skinning 200–250)
A thick leather farming route for Skinning 200–250: beast-dense loops in Feralas, the Hinterlands, Tanaris and the Swamp of Sorrows, with honest gold per hour.
Leveling Routes
Leveling Route 50–60 for Both Factions: Un'Goro, Felwood, Winterspring and the Plaguelands
A leveling route 50-60 for both factions: Un'Goro, Felwood, Burning Steppes, Winterspring, the Plaguelands and Silithus, with where the big dungeons fit in.
Leveling Routes
Leveling Route 40–50 for Both Factions: Tanaris, Feralas, the Hinterlands and Searing Gorge
A leveling route 40-50 for both factions: Badlands, Swamp of Sorrows, Tanaris, Feralas, the Hinterlands and Searing Gorge, plus Uldaman and Zul'Farrak.
Gold Farming Routes
Feralas Farming Route for Levels 41–50: Gordunni Ogres, Yetis, Apes, Herbs and Ore
A feralas farming route for levels 41–50: Gordunni ogres for Mageweave, yetis and apes for leather, herbs and ore, from Feathermoon Stronghold or Camp Mojache.
Leveling Routes
Leveling Route 20–30 for Both Factions: Redridge, Duskwood, Wetlands, Stonetalon, Ashenvale and Hillsbrad
A leveling route 20-30 for both factions: Redridge, Duskwood and Wetlands or Stonetalon, Ashenvale and Hillsbrad, with grind spots, dungeon runs and honest hours.
Herbalism Routes
Winterspring Farming Route: Icecap, Mountain Silversage and Winterfall (55–60)
A winterspring farming route for levels 55–60: Icecap and Mountain Silversage by the frozen lake, Winterfall furbolgs, chimaera, yetis and Rich Thorium.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beast Mastery or Marksmanship better for a Hunter?
For leveling, Beast Mastery: the 31/20/0 build gives a tougher, harder hitting pet and Bestial Wrath at 40, so you take on elites and mobs a level or two above you. For farming at 60, the 21/30/0 Marksmanship build kills faster on its own and stays strong in dungeons, so you do not need to respec between farming and group play. If you only farm and never run dungeons, Beast Mastery is a fine alternative.
Which pet is best for leveling a Hunter?
A durable pet with a trained Growl. Boars and bears take hits well, and a boar's Charge pulls mobs to it quickly; cats deal more damage but go down faster against hard hitters. Keep the pet's level close to yours and feed it so it stays happy.
Do I need Skinning to farm gold as a Hunter?
It is not required, but it adds a great deal to most hunter farms, because the leather is often worth more than the coin and items. Without Skinning, pick camps with good vendor loot or cloth. With it, beast zones become some of the steadiest gold in the game, especially at 60 when Rugged Leather is in demand.