Marksmanship Hunter DPS Easy Mode

Table of Contents

• +Introduction
  • 1. Class Overview
  • 2. What Has Changed in 7.3.2?
    • 2.1. Set Bonus Simulation
  • 3. How Does it Work?
  • 4. Viability of Spec Choices in Antorus
    • 4.1. T19 915 Gear | T20 - 930 Gear | T21 - 960 Gear
    • 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+ (With )
    • 1.3. For Mythic+ (No )
  • 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 Relic Traits
  • 4. 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. Important Abilities, Procs and The General Rotation
    • 1.1. The Simple Version
    • 1.2. The "Proper" Version — Vulnerable Cycles
      • 1.2.1. Standard Rotation
    • 1.3. Set Bonuses, Rotational Pointers and More
      • 1.3.1. Vulnerable WeakAura
      • 1.3.2. Rotation Example Video
  • 2. Opener Sequence
  • 3. Multiple Target Rotation
  • 4. Short Guide to Sidewinders
    • 4.1. Trinket Usage
    • 4.2. Focus
    • 4.3. Auto-shots and Special Shots
    • 4.4. Positioning when using Sidewinders
  • 5. Talents and the Rotation
    • 5.1. Tier 1 Talents
    • 5.2. Tier 2 Talents
    • 5.3. Tier 4 Talents
    • 5.4. Tier 6 Talents
    • 5.5. Tier 7 Talents
  • 6. ChangeLog
• +Boss by Boss Strategies
  • 1. Antorus, the Burning Throne
    • 1.1. Garothi Worldbreaker
      • 1.1.1. Talents
    • 1.2. Felhounds of Sargeras
      • 1.2.1. Talents
    • 1.3. Antoran High Command
      • 1.3.1. Talents
    • 1.4. Portal Keeper Hasabel
      • 1.4.1. Talents
    • 1.5. Eonar the Life-Binder
      • 1.5.1. Talents
    • 1.6. Imonar the Soulhunter
      • 1.6.1. Talents
    • 1.7. Kin'garoth
      • 1.7.1. Talents
    • 1.8. Varimathras
      • 1.8.1. Talents
    • 1.9. The Coven of Shivarra
      • 1.9.1. Talents
    • 1.10. Aggramar
      • 1.10.1. Talents
    • 1.11. Argus the Unmaker
      • 1.11.1. Talents
  • 2. Tomb of Sargeras
    • 2.1. Goroth
      • 2.1.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 2.2. The Demonic Inquisition
      • 2.2.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 2.3. Harjatan
      • 2.3.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 2.4. Sisters of the Moon
      • 2.4.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 2.5. Mistress Sassz'ine
      • 2.5.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
      • 2.5.2. Single-Target
      • 2.5.3. Cleave Focus
    • 2.6. The Desolate Host
      • 2.6.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 2.7. Maiden of Vigilance
      • 2.7.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 2.8. Fallen Avatar
      • 2.8.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
    • 2.9. Kil'jaeden
      • 2.9.1. Talents, Trinkets, and Legendaries
      • 2.9.2. Mythic-only Sidewinders Build
      • 2.9.3. Other Difficulties
  • 3. 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. Pawn
    • 2.2. Specific Addons for Marksmanship Hunters
  • 3. ChangeLog
• +Gear, Legendaries, and Best in Slot
  • 1. Antorus Best in Slot List
  • 2. The Importance of "Simming Yourself"
  • 3. Stats
  • 4. Trinket DPS Rankings
  • 5. Set Bonuses and Their Worth
  • 6. Legion Legendaries
    • 6.1. Marksmanship Legendaries
      • 6.1.1. Marksmanship - Best in Slot
  • 7. Loot Competition
  • 8. ChangeLog
• +Simulations
  • 1. Disclaimer Page
  • 2. Racial Bonus Simulation
  • 3. 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

• 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.