Survival Hunter DPS Easy Mode

Table of Contents

• +Introduction
  • 1. Class Overview
  • 2. What Has Changed in 7.2.5?
    • 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 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
    • 4.1. Cooldowns
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Builds and Talents
  • 1. Talent Cheat Sheets
    • 1.1. For Raid Encounters
    • 1.2. For Mythic+ Use
  • 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. Traits versus Item Level
  • 4. Relic Choice
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities
  • 1. Single Target Rotation
    • 1.1. When Mongoose Fury is not active (Filler Phase)
    • 1.2. When Mongoose Fury is active (Bite Phase)
  • 2. Multiple Target Rotation
  • 3. Legendaries & Rotational Changes
  • 4. Cooldown Usage
  • 5. Opener Sequence
  • 6. Optional Read: Mastering Your Survival Hunter
    • 6.1. Trinket Usage
    • 6.2. Focus
    • 6.3. Detailed Cooldown Usage
      • 6.3.1. Aspect of the Eagle
      • 6.3.2. Fury of the Eagle
      • 6.3.3. Snake Hunter
      • 6.3.4. Tier 1 Talents
      • 6.3.5. Tier 2 Talents
      • 6.3.6. Tier 4 Talents
      • 6.3.7. Tier 6 Talents
      • 6.3.8. Tier 7 Talents
  • 7. 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 Survival 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 Survival Hunters
  • 3. ChangeLog
• +Gear, Legendaries, and Best in Slot
  • 1. Best in Slot List
  • 2. Trinket & Legendary DPS Rankings
  • 3. Legion Legendaries
    • 3.1. Survival Legendaries
      • 3.1.1. Survival Legendary Ranking
  • 4. Loot Competition
  • 5. ChangeLog
• +Simulations
  • 1. Disclaimer
  • 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

Survival is a versatile melee spec capable of quite powerful single-target and sometimes very powerful AoE. It is a complex, but rewarding spec.

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: Animal Instincts
• Level 30: A Murder of Crows
• Level 45: Posthaste
• Level 60: Guerrilla Tactics
• Level 75: Ranger's Net
• Level 90: Serpent Sting
• Level 100: Spitting Cobra

3. Stat Choice

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

1. Haste;
2. Mastery (until ~12%)
3. Critical Strike;
4. Versatility;
5. Mastery (past ~12%)

Haste, Critical Strike, and Versatility are all very close in value, so you should usually just pick the item with the highest item level when considering upgrades.

4. Basic Rotation

1. Cast A Murder of Crows on cooldown.
2. Cast Mongoose Bite when it is available with 2 charges or more.
3. Cast Flanking Strike on cooldown.
4. Cast Explosive Trap on cooldown.
5. Cast Lacerate just enough to keep the DoT up on the target.
6. Cast Butchery
7. Cast Mongoose Bite when it is available with less than 2 charges.
8. Cast Raptor Strike to refresh Serpent Sting, and when there is nothing else to do.

4.1. Cooldowns

Use Aspect of the Eagle when you are at 0-1 charges of Mongoose Bite. Try not to use it when Mongoose Fury is just about to expire.

Use Fury of the Eagle with 6 stacks of Mongoose Fury.

Use Carve instead of Raptor Strike when fighting multiple enemies.

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

• 13 Jun. 2017: Changed some talent recommendations.
• 07 Feb. 2017: Updated stat priority and rotation slightly.
• 12 Jan. 2017: Updated stat priority and talent recommendation to be even easier.
• 09 Jan. 2017: Checked and confirmed for Patch 7.1.5.
• 18 Dec. 2016: Added easy mode for Survival Hunters.