BASIC THEORY

Using Aimed + Multi-Shot cycle
Multi-Shot is instant (close enough to the truth, very rarely delays Auto Shot with practice)
Disregarding mana, consumables negate mana issues
Disregarding haste buffs (Rapid Fire, Berserking, etc)
With 5/5 Improved Aspect of the Hawk, I add 4-5% damage, depending on weapon speed – Note: Working on better formula for iAotH

Every cycle consists roughly of:
1 Aimed Shot
1 Multi-Shot
x Auto Shot, depending on weapon speed and cycle lenght.

With most weapons, you’ll find something like the following happening:
Aimed Shot finishes cooldown. Auto Shot fired ~1 sec ago.
Should you clip your cycle (ignore the next Auto Shot and fire Aimed Shot immediately)? Or should you use a full cycle (wait for the Auto Shot before using Aimed Shot?
What would give the highest damage potential?

To answer this, you needed to compare both options, and see which one would yield the most damage.

THE AIMED SHOT CYCLE
Multi-Shot has the longest cooldown (10 sec), but since we stated Multi-Shot is an instant, the damage can be converted into any cycle lenght. For this reason, I’ll be using a default (clipped) cycle length of 9 seconds. While not being optimal for mana purposes, it is the one with the highest damage potential.
This is roughly what you’ll have to take into account:
If Multi-Shot does 1000 damage every 10 seconds, and the cycle is 5 seconds, the cycle damage for Multi-Shot becomes 500.
Likewise, if the cycle lenght is 20 seconds, the cycle damage would be 2000.

However, there are some things to keep in mind as well:
If the cycle is between 9 (minimum cycle length) and 10 seconds long, you have to include damage lost by conflicting cooldowns. For example, in a perfect 9 second cycle, you get to fire 6 Multi-Shots every 7 cycles. So, instead of using 9/10 of the Multi-Shot, I use 6/7 for this. As cycle lenght reaches 10, more of the Multi-Shot damage is included. So, don’t be alarmed if you’re not able to fire a Multi-Shot between each Aimed Shot.

The cooldown of Aimed Shot is 6 seconds, casting time is 3 seconds. During casting, Auto Shot cools down. This means that basically every weapon will get a free Auto Shot after Aimed Shot. The free Auto Shot comes after a delay of about 0.5 seconds after Aimed Shot is fired, regardless of weapon speed.
During the casting of Aimed Shot, no Auto Shots are fired.
Stats on weapons that affect damage (Agility, (Ranged) Attack Power, +crit%, +hit%) are taken into consideration for the rankings.

For the timestamps, I won’t include Multi-Shot. Every cycle basically has a “+ Multi-Shot”, which can be placed wherever it fits before Aimed Shot.

MISCONCEPTIONS
Cycles don’t exist
Arcane Shot and Aimed Shot have a linked cooldown. For raiding purposes, Aimed Shot is better than Arcane Shot in virtually every aspect. Although there are some exceptions, Aimed Shot is the best option for dealing ranged damage. Every time you use Aimed Shot, you’ve started a cycle. After Aimed Shot is completed, you have 6 seconds before Aimed Shot is ready again. Go clipped or full?

Cycles are impossible to use
They’re not. Performing them perfectly is practically impossible, and it’s harder with some weapons. However, getting as close as possible will be the most damaging thing you can do. Thus, the calculations I give you show the weapon with highest damage potential, and also how to deal the most damage with it. It’s up to you to maximize the potential. Practice, focus, and knowing the rhythm of your weapon helps a lot; you’re always able to improve. Additionally, a timer for your Auto Shots might help you a lot. Personally, I use ZHunterMod (http://curse-gaming….zhuntermod.html).
Clipped cycles are the easiest to use, since you can basically spam Aimed Shot and Multi-Shot, and the cooldowns will take care of the rest. Remember that latency might affect this a bit, making Aimed Shot ready just before Auto Shot fires (making you do a sub-optimal cycle). Spamming is rarely a good idea; paying attention is 😉

Lag and human reaction invalidate cycle calculations
Often you’ll hear people claiming cycles are useless because of reasons like lag, human reaction, etc. These settings vary from person to person; hunter A might have perfect conditions, performing at almost 100% of what he’s capable of, while hunter B might be experiencing lag, talking on the phone and feeding his parrot – of course he’ll perform worse. However, comparing the different weapons, using optimal conditions for everything is the fairest comparison. Although this has no influence on a weapon’s damage potential, if you know you suffer from lag or slow reaction times, take it into consideration when looking at what I write.

Look, Lactose, we’d rather you didn’t eradicate the whole human race.
– Sam & Max

Weapons and formulae

LIST OF WEAPONS
This is the current list of weapons I’ve compared:

Ancient Bone Bow
Ashjre’thul
Blastershot Launcher
Blessed Qiraji Musket
Bloodseeker
Bow of Taut Sinew
Bow of the Four Horsemen
Carapace Spine Crossbow
Core Marksman Rifle
Crossbow of Imminent Doom
Dragonbreath Hand Cannon
Fahrad’s Reloading Repeater
Flawless Arcanite Rifle
Grand Marshal’s Bullseye / High Warlord’s Recurve
Grand Marshal’s Hand Cannon / High Warlord’s Street Sweeper
Grand Marshal’s Repeater / High Warlord’s Crossbow
Gryphonwing Long Bow
Gurubashi Dwarf Destroyer
Heartstriker
Hoodoo Hunting Bow
Huhuran’s Stinger
Larvae of the Great Worm
Mandokir’s Sting
Nerubian Slavemaker
Rhok’delar
Silithid Husked Launcher
Stoneshatter
Striker’s Mark
Toxin Injector

Weapons will be listed sorted by damage potential; highest = first.
All values listed are vs bosses (level 63 mobs –> 8.6% missrate), and before armor mitigation.
This is how the information is going to be shown:

1 – The Milk Makerâ„¢, 2.0 speed
Best cycle DPS: 657, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 649, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 419 (1st)

Auto Shot DPS is included mostly for mana reasons. If two weapons seem very equal, but you know you run out of mana alot, you might want to choose the one with highest Auto Shot DPS, even though it could have a slightly lower best cycle. Auto Shot DPS is the DPS a weapon would have using only Auto Shot, not Aimed Shot or Multi-Shot. Auto Shot DPS might work as a tool for selecting a weapon for encounters where you feel you can’t use standard cycles.
(1st) indicates the ranking of Auto Shot DPS. If it’s the best Auto Shot DPS weapon, it’ll be (1st), second best would be(2nd), etc.

Note that using average cycle DPS is not a good idea for comparing weapons. For example, if you know the best cycle for The Milk Makerâ„¢ is clipped, you wouldn’t make half your cycles full; you would try to use the best cycle whenever possible.
A full cycle is, in most cases, slightly harder to perform than a clipped one, since you can’t just spam the button and let the cooldowns take care of the rest.

WEAPONS TO COME
Dwarven Hand Cannon
Polished Ironwood Crossbow

If you want any more weapons added, let me know, and I’ll see what I can do.

Alternatively, you can use your own gear / setup, and compare weapons, etc directly by using my spreadsheet:http://forums.elitis…pic.php?id=7312

FORMULAE USED
Auto Shot damage: SlayingMod*(AmmoDPS*WeaponSpeed+RWSMod*(RAP/14*WeaponSpeed+Scope+AverageWeaponDamage))
Aimed Shot damage: SlayingMod*(AmmoDPS*WeaponSpeed+RWSMod*(RAP/14*2.8+Scope+AverageWeaponDamage+AimedShotBonus))
Multi-Shot damage: BarrageMod*GSMod*SlayingMod*MSCoEff* (AmmoDPS*WeaponSpeed+RWSMod*(RAP/14*2.8+Scope+AverageWeaponDamage+MultiShotBonus))

CritDamage (all shots): HitDamage*(2+MortalShotsMod)*SlayingMod

Factoring in crits (all shots): HitChance*HitDamage + CritChance*Critdamage

AimedShotBonus = 600
MultiShotBonus = 150
MortalShotsMod = 0.30
SlayingMod = 1.03 if Slaying Talent, 1 if not
RWSMod = 1.05 if MM spec, 1 if LR spec
BarrageMod = 1.15 if MM spec, 1 if LR spec
GSMod = 1.15 if 8/8 Giantstalker bonus, 1 if not
MSCoEff: Coefficient for Multi-Shot.
Since the cooldown of Multi-Shot is 10 seconds, it’s obvious that using cycles between 9 and 10 seconds will make you lose a Multi-Shot now and again. For example, using a 9 second cycle, due to the conflicting cooldowns of Multi-Shot and Aimed Shot, you’ll be able to fire about 6 Multi-Shots every 7 cycles. So, for 9 second cycles, I add 6/7 of the Multi-Shot damage listed.
As the cycle lenght reaches 10 seconds, more of the Multi-Shot damage is used.
MSCoEff = ROUNDDOWN(6/(10-CycleTime)) / ROUNDDOWN(1+6/(10-CycleTime))) for cycles not exceeding 10 seconds, 1 for cycles exceeding 10 seconds.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Talnivarr EU – Horde — Lactose or Label
If there’s anything you want to comment, ask, etc, feel free to log on and send me a whisper. Please respect if I’m busy though =)
I also check this forum frequently, so posting here or sending a PM should work as well 😉

Tier 2+ MM-hunter

The following is aimed at a hunter with good equipment, roughly equivalent to full tier 2 or better.

SETUP
1500 RAP
23.5% ranged crit
+8% hit
5/5 Improved Aspect of the Hawk
3/3 Barrage
5/5 Mortal Shots
5/5 Ranged Weapon Specialization
3/3 Slaying vs Target
+7 scope
15% quiver
Thorium ammo (17.5 DPS)
Link to example gear setup: http://ctprofiles.net/3044976

WEAPONS RANKING
All values listed are vs bosses (level 63 mobs –> 8.6% missrate), and before armor mitigation.

1 – Nerubian Slavemaker, 3.2 speed
Best cycle DPS: 599, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 503, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 304 (1st)

2 – Ashjre’thul, 3.4 speed
Best cycle DPS: 571, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 491, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 283 (9th)

3 – Larvae of the Great Worm, 3.0 speed
Best cycle DPS: 558, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 530, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 290 (3rd)

4 – Soulstring, 2.9 speed
Best cycle DPS: 551, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 534, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 293 (2nd)

5 – Crossbow of Imminent Doom, 3.1 speed
Best cycle DPS: 547, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 507, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 276 (13th)

6 – Grand Marshal’s Hand Cannon & Repeater / High Warlord’s Street Sweeper & Crossbow, 2.9 speed
Best cycle DPS: 538, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 521, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 285 (8th)

7 – Rhok’delar, 2.9 speed
Best cycle DPS: 534, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 517, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 282 (10th)

8 – Fahrad’s Reloading Repeater, 3.2 speed
Best cycle DPS: 530, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 447, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 261 (22nd)

9 – Bloodseeker, 3.3 speed
Best cycle DPS: 528, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 451, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 259 (23th)

10 – Huhuran’s Stinger, 2.7 speed
Best cycle DPS: 525, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 517, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 286 (6th)

11 – Blessed Qiraji Musket, 2.6 speed
Best cycle DPS: 525, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 506, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 286 (6th)

12 – Carapace Spine Crossbow, 3.3 speed
Best cycle DPS: 523, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 447, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 257 (26th)

13 – Dragonbreath Hand Cannon, 2.8 speed
Best cycle DPS: 521, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 516, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 281 (11th)

14 – Heartstriker, 2.6 speed
Best cycle DPS: 516, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 498, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 280 (12th)

15 – Flawless Arcanite Rifle, 3.0 speed
Best cycle DPS: 510, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 482, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 233 (28th)

16 – Striker’s Mark, 2.5 speed
Best cycle DPS: 509, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 480, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 274 (14th)

17 – Gurubashi Dwarf Destroyer, 2.8 speed
Best cycle DPS: 508, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 503, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 272 (16th)

18 – Blastershot Launcher, 2.6 speed
Best cycle DPS: 508, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 491, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 274 (14th)

19 – Toxin Injector, 2.0 speed
Best cycle DPS: 503, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 498, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 290 (3rd)

20 – Core Marksman Rifle, 2.5 speed
Best cycle DPS: 503, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 474, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 270 (18th)

21 – Mandokir’s Sting, 2.6 speed
Best cycle DPS: 502, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 484, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 270 (18th)

22 – Hoodoo Hunting Bow, 2.8 speed
Best cycle DPS: 499, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 493, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 265 (20th)

23 – Stoneshatter, 2.9 speed
Best cycle DPS: 499, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 482, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 258 (25th)

24 – Silithid Husked Launcher, 2.8 speed
Best cycle DPS: 496, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 490, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 263 (21st)

25 – Bow of Taut Sinew, 2.2 speed
Best cycle DPS: 496, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 445, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 272 (16th)

26 – Grand Marshal’s Bullseye / High Warlord’s Recurve, 1.8 speed
Best cycle DPS: 494, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 470, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 287 (5th)

27 – Ancient Bone Bow, 2.8 speed
Best cycle DPS: 490, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 484, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 259 (23rd)

28 – Gryphonwing Longbow, 2.7 speed
Best cycle DPS: 477, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 473, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 254 (27th)

Tier 2+ LR-hunter

The following is aimed at a hunter with good equipment, roughly equivalent to full tier 2 or better.

SETUP
1550 RAP
28% ranged crit
+9% hit
5/5 Mortal Shots
5/5 Lightning Reflexes
3/3 Slaying vs Target
+7 scope
15% quiver
Thorium ammo (17.5 DPS)
Link to example gear setup: http://ctprofiles.net/3045139

WEAPONS RANKING
All values listed are vs bosses (level 63 mobs –> 8.6% missrate), and before armor mitigation.

1 – Nerubian Slavemaker, 3.2 speed
Best cycle DPS: 566, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 474, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 311 (1st)

2 – Ashjre’thul, 3.4 speed
Best cycle DPS: 539, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 463, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 291 (9th)

3 – Larvae of the Great Worm, 3.0 speed
Best cycle DPS: 528, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 501, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 298 (3rd)

4 – Soulstring, 2.9 speed
Best cycle DPS: 521, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 505, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 300 (2nd)

5 – Crossbow of Imminent Doom, 3.1 speed
Best cycle DPS: 516, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 478, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 283 (13th)

6 – Grand Marshal’s Hand Cannon & Repeater / High Warlord’s Street Sweeper & Crossbow, 2.9 speed
Best cycle DPS: 509, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 493, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 293 (8th)

7 – Rhok’delar, 2.9 speed
Best cycle DPS: 506, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 490, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 289 (10th)

8 – Bloodseeker, 3.3 speed
Best cycle DPS: 501, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 427, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 267 (23th)

9 – Huhuran’s Stinger, 2.7 speed
Best cycle DPS: 498, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 492, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 294 (6th)

10 – Blessed Qiraji Musket, 2.6 speed
Best cycle DPS: 497, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 480, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 294 (6th)

11 – Carapace Spine Crossbow, 3.3 speed
Best cycle DPS: 497, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 424, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 264 (26th)

12 – Fahrad’s Reloading Repeater, 3.2 speed
Best cycle DPS: 497, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 419, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 266 (22nd)

13 – Dragonbreath Hand Cannon, 2.8 speed
Best cycle DPS: 495, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 489, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 289 (11th)

14 – Heartstriker, 2.6 speed
Best cycle DPS: 489, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 472, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 288 (12th)

15 – Gurubashi Dwarf Destroyer, 2.8 speed
Best cycle DPS: 482, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 477, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 280 (16th)

16 – Blastershot Launcher, 2.6 speed
Best cycle DPS: 482, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 466, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 281 (14th)

17 – Striker’s Mark, 2.5 speed
Best cycle DPS: 481, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 454, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 280 (14th)

18 – Flawless Arcanite Rifle, 3.0 speed
Best cycle DPS: 480, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 453, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 264 (28th)

19 – Toxin Injector, 2.0 speed
Best cycle DPS: 478, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 473, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 298 (3rd)

20 – Mandokir’s Sting, 2.6 speed
Best cycle DPS: 476, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 461, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 278 (18th)

21 – Hoodoo Hunting Bow, 2.8 speed
Best cycle DPS: 474, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 468, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 273 (20th)

22 – Core Marksman Rifle, 2.5 speed
Best cycle DPS: 474, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 448, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 276 (18th)

23 – Stoneshatter, 2.9 speed
Best cycle DPS: 472, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 455, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 265 (25th)

24 – Silithid Husked Launcher, 2.8 speed
Best cycle DPS: 471, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 465, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 271 (21st)

25 – Bow of Taut Sinew, 2.2 speed
Best cycle DPS: 471, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 423, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 280 (16th)

26 – Grand Marshal’s Bullseye / High Warlord’s Recurve, 1.8 speed
Best cycle DPS: 469, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 448, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 294 (5th)

27 – Ancient Bone Bow, 2.8 speed
Best cycle DPS: 466, Clipped
Worst cycle DPS: 460, Full
Auto Shot DPS: 267 (23rd)

28 – Gryphonwing Longbow, 2.7 speed
Best cycle DPS: 454, Full
Worst cycle DPS: 450, Clipped
Auto Shot DPS: 262 (27th)

15% Cycle Timers

Speed: 1.5 (Reduced to 1.30 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 1.80 Auto 1.80 Auto 3.11 Auto 3.11 Auto 4.41 Auto 4.41 Auto 5.72 Auto 5.72 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 7.02 Auto 9.00 Aimed 7.02 Start Aimed 10.02 Aimed

Speed: 1.6 (Reduced to 1.39 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 1.89 Auto 1.89 Auto 3.28 Auto 3.28 Auto 4.67 Auto 4.67 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 6.07 Auto 9.00 Aimed 6.07 Start Aimed 9.07 Aimed

Speed: 1.7 (Reduced to 1.48 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 1.98 Auto 1.98 Auto 3.46 Auto 3.46 Auto 4.93 Auto 4.93 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 6.41 Auto 9.00 Aimed 6.41 Start Aimed 9.41 Aimed

Speed: 1.8 (Reduced to 1.57 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 2.07 Auto 2.07 Auto 3.63 Auto 3.63 Auto 5.20 Auto 5.20 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 6.76 Auto 9.00 Aimed 6.76 Start Aimed 9.76 Aimed

Speed: 1.9 (Reduced to 1.65 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 2.15 Auto 2.15 Auto 3.80 Auto 3.80 Auto 5.46 Auto 5.46 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 7.11 Auto 9.00 Aimed 7.11 Start Aimed 10.11 Aimed

Speed: 2.0 (Reduced to 1.74 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 2.24 Auto 2.24 Auto 3.98 Auto 3.98 Auto 5.72 Auto 5.72 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 7.46 Auto 9.00 Aimed 7.46 Start Aimed 10.46 Aimed

Speed: 2.1 (Reduced to 1.83 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 2.33 Auto 2.33 Auto 4.15 Auto 4.15 Auto 5.98 Auto 5.98 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 7.80 Auto 9.00 Aimed 7.80 Start Aimed 10.8 Aimed

Speed: 2.2 (Reduced to 1.91 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 2.41 Auto 2.41 Auto 4.33 Auto 4.33 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 6.24 Auto 9.00 Aimed 6.24 Start Aimed 9.24 Aimed

Speed: 2.3 (Reduced to 2.00 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 2.50 Auto 2.50 Auto 4.50 Auto 4.50 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 6.50 Auto 9.00 Aimed 6.50 Start Aimed 9.50 Aimed

Speed: 2.4 (Reduced to 2.09 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 2.59 Auto 2.59 Auto 4.67 Auto 4.67 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 6.76 Auto 9.00 Aimed 6.76 Start Aimed 9.76 Aimed

Speed: 2.5 (Reduced to 2.17 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 2.67 Auto 2.67 Auto 4.85 Auto 4.85 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 7.02 Auto 9.00 Aimed 7.02 Start Aimed 10.02 Aimed

Speed: 2.6 (Reduced to 2.26 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 2.76 Auto 2.76 Auto 5.02 Auto 5.02 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 7.28 Auto 9.00 Aimed 7.28 Start Aimed 10.28 Aimed

Speed: 2.7 (Reduced to 2.35 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 2.85 Auto 2.85 Auto 5.20 Auto 5.20 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 7.54 Auto 9.00 Aimed 7.54 Start Aimed 10.54 Aimed

Speed: 2.8 (Reduced to 2.43 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 2.93 Auto 2.93 Auto 5.37 Auto 5.37 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 7.80 Auto 9.00 Aimed 7.80 Start Aimed 10.8 Aimed

Speed: 2.9 (Reduced to 2.52 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 3.02 Auto 3.02 Auto 5.54 Auto 5.54 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 8.07 Auto 9.00 Aimed 8.07 Start Aimed 11.07 Aimed

Speed: 3.0 (Reduced to 2.61 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 3.11 Auto 3.11 Auto 5.72 Auto 5.72 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 8.33 Auto 9.00 Aimed 8.33 Start Aimed 11.33 Aimed

Speed: 3.1 (Reduced to 2.70 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 3.20 Auto 3.20 Auto 5.89 Auto 5.89 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 8.59 Auto 9.00 Aimed 8.59 Start Aimed 11.59 Aimed

Speed: 3.2 (Reduced to 2.78 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 3.28 Auto 3.28 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 6.07 Auto 9.00 Aimed 6.07 Start Aimed 9.07 Aimed

Speed: 3.3 (Reduced to 2.87 with quiver
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 3.37 Auto 3.37Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 6.24Auto 9.00 Aimed 6.24Start Aimed 9.24Aimed

Speed: 3.4 (Reduced to 2.96 with quiver)
Clipped Full 0.50 Free Auto 0.50 Free Auto 3.46 Auto 3.46 Auto 6.00 Start Aimed 6.41 Auto 9.00 Aimed 6.41 Start Aimed 9.41 Aimed

Normalization

HUH, NORMALIZATION?
Quote from the patch-notes, regarding the normalization of melee weapon attacks. Bold emphasis my own:

The mechanics of most instant melee attacks have been modified to improve item balance. Previously, instant melee attacks did damage based on the damage range of the weapon, plus a bonus for the player’s attack power. This bonus was then multiplied by the speed of the weapon. As a result, slow weapons did more damage than was intended, and fast weapons were considered inferior by most players. We have changed the way the attack power bonus is calculated for instant attacks. This change does NOT affect attack power calculations for normal melee attacks. Instead of multiplying by the speed of the weapon, the attack power bonus is now multiplied by a fixed number pulled from the following table:
+ Two-handed weapons: 3.3
+ Daggers: 1.7
+ All other one-handed weapons: 2.4
As a direct result of this, many weapons have shifted position in their relative power. In particular, many Epic (purple) quality items are now more powerful than slower Superior (blue) weapons. This change was not made to reduce the power of instant attacks, but to correct the relative imbalance of weapon itemization. At a given level requirement, epic quality weapons should always be more powerful than superior quality weapons. Please also note that all normal weapon swings will be completely unaffected by this change. The following abilities are affected by the design change: Sinister Strike, Ambush, Backstab, Whirlwind, Mortal Strike, and Overpower.
For hunters, Multi-Shot and Aimed Shot now use 2.8 instead of weapon speed.

However, as we can see from the above posts, weapon speed is still too major an influence, with item quality and level being secondary; while it should be opposite. Bloodseeker (item level 63, rare quality) has a slightly higher damage potential than Huhuran’s Stinger (item level 78, epic quality).
Basically, I believe the normalization should have lead to [Epic with higher DPS] > [Rare with lower DPS], regardless of weapon speed. In addition, the following should also be true in most cases: [Epic with higher item level] > [Epic with lower item level]. However, I do think that weapon speed should have some influence, like it has for other classes.

I believe normalization in its current form failed.
With gear attainable at the moment, by varying weapon speed only, the total DPS output might change by almost 80 DPS. With a 50 DPS weapon, that’s about 1.6 times what the weapon’s raw DPS is. While this is with optimal cycle timing (meaning in real gameplay the difference most likely would be reduced slightly), the values are from a talent spec that isn’t the most optimal for raiding. It does not include 5/5 Improved Aspect of the Hawk; I’m not satisfied with my current formula for it.
Using the values from this post, Unahorn made a graph showing total DPS relative to weapon speed: http://media.wow-pra…ponSpeedDPS.jpg

To support my claim, I’ll use a fairly standard Marksman spec (let’s say 0/31/20), and show the damage potential a weapon would have, with DPS being constant, and weapon speed changing.
I use the stats of a tier 3 hunter, since this makes the problem. It’s important to remember the same principles also apply to lower tiered hunters. I am not considering Slaying talents, since they don’t work against all mobs, with very few mobs in Naxxramas (where the gear needed for this setup is collected) being valid targets.

While all this also due to some itemization flaws (adding fast weapons are, in a raid setting, mostly useless), I think that’s a seperate issue. Itemization was an issue before the normalization patch, the normalization should have taken current (and upcoming) weapons into account, allowing for future upgrades in better way than what we currently have. A big factor, I think, for implementing normalization, was a level 23 green weapon. Pre-normalization, it was, due to its 3.4 speed, better than most ranged weapons including Molten Core gear.
Post-normalization, this is no longer the case.
However, with better gear being added, and tier 2 becoming more accessible than ever before, we can yet again see the flaws of the ranged combat system.

Short summary of results:
Worst optimal cycle: 489.32 DPS (1.5 weapon, 1.30 quiver speed, full)
Best optimal cycle: 568.6 DPS (3.4 weapon, 2.96 quiver speed, full)
Difference: 79.28 DPS

THE ARROW AND YOU

Here is a few guidelines/tips/tricks you can use in order to improve yourself as a Hunter in vanilla.
If you feel the need to chime in and cover some ground, of which I’m sure that I’ve missed, feel free to do so! I’m open-minded to all questions and suggestions regarding the guide and I will gladly hear them out.

Table Of Contents
1. Main Attributes & Stat Values
1.1 Main Attributes
1.2 Stat Values
2. BIS Gear & Enchants
2.1 Horde BIS List – Current Patch
2.2 Alliance BIS List – Current Patch
3. Consumables & Buffs
3.1 World Buffs
3.2 Damage Increasing Consumables & Buffs
3.3 Damage Increasing Pet Consumables & Buffs
3.4 Sustainability Consumables & Buffs
3.5 Situational Consumables & Buffs
4. Races & Racial Abilities
4.1 Racial Stats
4.2 Racial Abilities
4.3 Race Of Choice
5. Talent Builds
5.1 Recommended Talent Builds
5.2 Experimental Talent Builds
6. Pets & Pet Abilities
6.1 Pet Of Choice
6.2 Pet Abilities
7. Rotations & Cooldowns
7.1 Simplified Rotation
7.2 Explanation Of The Hunter Rotations
7.3 “Cycles Are Impossible To Use”
7.4 Lag And Human Reaction Invalidate Cycle Calculations
7.5 Aimed Shot Will Be Catching Up To Your Multi-Shot
7.6 Cooldown Management
8. Addons
9. Macros
10. Links & Downloads

^_____ MAIN ATTRIBUTES & STAT VALUES ^______

1.1 – Main Attributes
Agility
Increases attack power with melee weapons by 1 and ranged weapons by 2
Increases your crit chance by 0.0189% (1% crit per 52.91 Agility)
Increases Armor by 2 and Dodge by 0,0377% (1% dodge per 26.5 Agility)

Strength
Increases attack power with melee weapons by 1.

Stamina
Increases health points by 10 per point.

Intellect
Increases mana points by 15 per point and the rate at which weapon skills improve.

Spirit
Increases health & mana regeneration rates.

1.2 – Stat Values
The stat values below will differentiate depending on your current stats, talents and target defensive stats so because of that I’ve made 4 examples that you can use.
The examples are all specced as 20/31/00 and are fully buffed except for world buffs and shaman/paladin buffs. The gear can be viewed in the spreadsheet linked in the BIS section. The target is a lvl 63 dragonkin mob type with 5 sunder armor debuffs.

Patch 1.5 BIS (T1)
10 AP = 1.38 DPS
1 Crit = 3.72 DPS
1 Crit = 26.95 AP
1 AP = 0,0371% Crit

Patch 1.9 BIS (T2)
10 AP = 1.44 DPS
1 Crit = 4.58 DPS
1 Crit = 31.80 AP
1 AP = 0,0349% Crit

Patch 1.9 BIS (R13)
10 AP = 1.44 DPS
1 Crit = 4.67 DPS
1 Crit = 32.43 AP
1 AP = 0,0308% Crit

Patch 1.12 BIS (T3 + R12 Gloves)
10 AP = 1.37 DPS
1 Crit = 4.8 DPS
1 Crit = 35,03 AP
1 AP = 0,0285% Crit

I’ve used the hunter simulator spreadsheet linked in the “Links & Downloads” section to get these results, using the exact same method as Surelynotdhorn did

^_________ BIS GEAR & ENCHANTS ^_________

This BIS list is based on Crestfall’s item progression which isn’t completely like retail vanilla, so because of that I’ve included some items to the earlier patches (Almost only pre 1.5) that other private servers tend to release before their original release date because most likely it’ll be the same for Crestfall (Not 100% confirmed yet, I will update whenever I know more).

These are the items which has been included for patches prior to their original release (The patches in parentheses are their original release date):

• Blackstone Ring (Patch 1.2)
• Carapace Spine Crossbow (Patch 1.4)
• Peacemaker (Patch 1.4)
• Brutality Blade (Patch 1.4)
• Quick Strike Ring (Patch 1.4)
• Core Hound Tooth (Patch 1.4)
• Biznicks 247×128 Accurascope (Patch 1.4)
• Rune of the Guard Captain (Patch 1.5)
• Devilsaur Eye (Patch 1.7)

Epic PvP gear will not be considered because it’s extremely time consuming to get and not everyone have the time needed to be able to grind it however the post-rework PvP set is BIS until Naxxramas.
Link to the pre-rework PvP set
Link to the post-rework PvP set

2.1 – Horde BIS List – Current Patch
Link to Horde BIS list spreadsheet (Patch 1.1 – 1.12)

2.2 – Alliance BIS List – Current Patch
Link to Alliance BIS list spreadsheet (Patch 1.1 – 1.12)

^_________ CONSUMABLES & BUFFS ^_________

Let’s face it, it’s not expensive to raid as a hunter since we have feign death to save our buffs if the raid wipes, so there’s no reason to go cheap on consumables.
Here’s all the consumables & buffs that are useful to hunters. (Class buffs not included)

3.1 – World Buffs

• Rallying Cry of the Dragonslayer +10% Spell Crit, +5% Melee/Ranged Crit, +140 AP – 120 min
• Songflower Serenade +15 all stats, +5% Spell/Melee/Ranged Crit – 60 min
• Resist Fire +83 Fire Resistance – 60 min
• Warchief’s Blessing +300 HP, +15% Melee Haste, +10 MP5 – 60 min (Horde only)
• DM North Buffs (DM Tribute) +15% Max HP, +200 AP (Does not give RAP… cuz vanilla being vanilla), +3% Spell Crit – 120 min (Patch 1.3)
• Sayge’s Fortunes (Darkmoon Faire) Choose between +10% Damage/+10% Agi, Int, Spirit, Stam or Str/+10% armor/+25 magic resist – 120 min (Patch 1.6)
• Spirit of Zandalar +10% Movement Speed, +15% Stats – 120 min (Patch 1.7 – Persists through death up until patch 1.11)
• Lordaeron’s Blessing +5% Max HP – 30 min (Patch 1.11)
• Traces of Silithyst +5% Damage 30 min (Patch 1.12)

3.2 – Damage Increasing Consumables & Buffs

• Elixir of the Mongoose +25 Agility, +2% Crit – 60 min (Does not stack with other agility elixirs/scrolls)
• Ground Scorpok Assay +25 Agility – 60 min
• Grilled Squid +10 Agility – 10 Min
• Oil of Immolation Inflicts fire damage to any enemies around the caster every 3 seconds – 15 sec (Scales with spell power up until patch 1.6)
• Crystal Charge / Stratholme Holy Water (Undeads only) Inflicts fire/raw damage to enemies that are hit – 3/10 radius

  Engineers only:

• Dense Dynamite / Thorium Grenade / The Big One / Dark Iron Bomb Inflicts fire damage to enemies that are hit – 5/3/10/5 radius, 0/3/5/4 stun duration
• Goblin Sapper Charge Explodes when triggered dealing Fire damage to all enemies nearby and damage to you as well – 10 radius

3.3 – Damage Increasing Pet Consumables & Buffs

• Juju Might +40 AP – 10 min (Does not give RAP… cuz vanilla being vanilla)
• Juju Power +30 Strength – 30 min
• Juju Flurry +3% Attack Speed on friendly target – 20 sec (Puts Rapid Fire on a 30 sec CD if used on yourself)
• Scroll of Agility IV +17 Agility – 30 min

3.4 – Sustainability Consumables & Buffs

• Demonic Rune / Dark Rune Restores 900 to 1501 mana at the cost of 600 to 1001 life – (Does not share CD with potions)
• Whipper Root Tuber Restores 700 to 901 health – (Does not share CD with potions)
• Night Dragon’s Breath Restores 394 to 457 mana and 394 to 457 health – (Does not share CD with potions)
• Major Mana Potion Restores 1350 to 2251 mana – (Does not share CD with runes/felwood consumables)
• Major Healing Potion Restores 1050 to 1751 health – (Does not share CD with runes/felwood consumables)
• Major Rejuvenation Potion Restores 1440 to 1761 mana and health – (Patch 1.4, Does not share CD with runes/felwood consumables)
• Mageblood Potion +12 mp5 – 60 min
• Nightfin Soup +10 mp5 – 10 min
• Crystal Force +30 Spirit – 30 min
• Lesser Mana Oil +5 mp5 – 30 min
• Brilliant Mana Oil +12 mp5, +25 Healing Power – 30 min (Patch 1.7)
• Spirit of Zanza +50 Stamina, +50 Spirit – 120 min (Patch 1.7, you can only have the effect of one Zanza potion at a time)
• Flask of the Titans +1200 Max HP – 120 min (Does not stack with other flasks, persists through death)
• Flask of Distilled Wisdom +2000 Max Mana – 120 min (Does not stack with other flasks, persists through death)
• Rumsey Rum Black Label +15 Stamina – 15 min
• Elixir of Fortitude +120 Max HP – 60 min
• Heavy Runecloth Bandage Heals 2000 damage over 8 sec

3.5 – Situational Consumables & Buffs

• Limited Invulnerability Potion Makes you immune to physical attacks – 6 sec
• Restorative Potion Removes 1 magic, curse, poison or disease effect on you every 5 sec – 30 sec
• Free Action Potion Makes you immune to Stun and Movement Impairing effects – 30 sec (Does not remove effects already on the imbiber)
• Living Action Potion Makes you immune to Stun and Movement Impairing effects – 5 sec (Does remove effects already on the imbiber)
• Elixir of Poison Resistance / Powerful Anti-Venom Cures level 60 poisons
• Juju Chill +15 Frost Resistance – 10 min
• Juju Ember +15 Fire Resistance – 10 min
• Swiftness of Zanza +20% Movement Speed – 120 min (Patch 1.7, you can only have the effect of one Zanza potion at a time, does not stack with Aspect of the Cheetah)
• Swiftness Potion +50% Movement Speed – 15 sec (Does not stack with Aspect of the Cheetah)
• Greater Arcane Protection Potion Absorbs 1950 to 3251 arcane damage – 60 min
• Greater Fire Protection Potion Absorbs 1950 to 3251 fire damage – 60 min
• Greater Frost Protection Potion Absorbs 1950 to 3251 frost damage – 60 min
• Greater Nature Protection Potion Absorbs 1950 to 3251 nature damage – 60 min
• Greater Shadow Protection Potion Absorbs 1950 to 3251 shadow damage – 60 min

^_________ RACES & RACIAL ABILITIES ^_________

This section will be covering all relevant information about the races that can be played as a Hunter.

4.1 – Racial Stats

4.2 – Racial Abilities
Dwarf:

• Stoneform: While active, grants immunity to Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects. In addition, Armor increased by 10%. Lasts 8 sec. 3 min cooldown.
• Gun Specialization: Guns skill increased by 5.
• Frost Resistance: Frost Resistance increased by 10.
• Find Treasure: Allows the dwarf to sense nearby treasure, making it appear on the minimap.

Night Elf:

• Shadowmeld: Activate to slip into the shadows, reducing the chance for enemies to detect your presence. Lasts until cancelled or upon moving.
  Night Elf Rogues and Druids with Shadowmeld are more difficult to detect while stealthed or prowling.
• Quickness: Dodge chance increased by 1%.
• Wisp Spirit: Transform into a wisp upon death, increasing speed by 50%.
• Nature Resistance: Nature Resistance increased by 10.

Orc:

• Blood Fury: Increases base melee attack power by 25% for 15 sec and reduces healing effects on you by 50% for 25 sec. 2 min cooldown.
• Hardiness: Chance to resist Stun effects increased by an additional 25%.
• Command: Damage done by Hunter and Warlock pets increased by 5%.
• Axe Specialization: Skill with Axes and Two-Handed Axes increased by 5.

Tauren:

• War Stomp: Stuns up to 5 enemies within 8 yds for 2 sec. 2 min cooldown.
• Endurance: Total Health increased by 5%.
• Cultivation: Herbalism skill increased by 15.
• Nature Resistance: Nature Resistance increased by 10.

Troll:

• Berserking: Increases your casting and attack speed by 10% to 25% (30% after patch 1.9). At full health the speed increase is 10% with a greater effect up to 25% if you are badly hurt when you activate Berserking. Lasts 10 sec. 3 min cooldown.
• Regeneration: Health regeneration rate increased by 10%. 10% of total Health regeneration may continue during combat.
• Beast Slaying: Damage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.
• Throwing/Bow Specialization: Skill with Throwing/Bow Weapons increased by 5 (This will make you hit capped at 6 hit instead of 9 if you got a bow equipped)

4.3 – Race Of Choice
Horde PvE race ranking:

1. Troll – Berserking is a great DPS increase especially when synergized with activate trinkets and other CD’s, Bow Specialization makes hit capped with 6 hit instead of 9. Regeneration and Beast Slaying are also decent racial abilities however they will be little of a use once you hit level 60. Trolls has the most base agility on the Horde faction.
2. Orc – Command is a small DPS increase. Occasionally Hardiness will have it’s use in PvE as well. Orcs has the second most base agility on the Horde faction.
3. Tauren – There’s no racial abilities that will benefit you in PvE when playing a tauren other than Endurance. Taurens has the lowest base agility on the Horde faction.

Horde PvP race ranking:

1. Orc – Hardiness this talent alone makes orcs the best PvP race for Horde. Command is a small DPS increase. Orcs has the second most base agility on the Horde faction.
2. Troll & Tauren – These races are tied because nor trolls or taurens have any significant racial abilities for PvP however trolls favors the offensive playstyle more because of the better DPS racial abilities and taurens favors the more “all around” playstyle since they have more health and a 2 sec stun with 0.5 sec cast time. Trolls has the most base agility on the Horde faction. Taurens has the lowest base agility on the Horde faction.

Alliance PvE race ranking:

1. Night Elf – There isn’t really any of the racial abilities that night elves has which will benefit you in PvE, the only reason why night elves are better in PvE is because night elves has the most base agility on the Alliance faction.
2. Dwarf – There isn’t really any of the racial abilities that dwarfs has which will benefit you in PvE. Gun Specialization isn’t good because even when considering it then there won’t be any gun that can become best in slot, Stoneform isn’t good either because there’s barely any boss mechanics where it’s useful. Dwarfs has the lowest base agility on the Alliance faction.

Alliance PvP race ranking:

1. Dwarf – Stoneform is extremely good in PvP since it can be used to get rid of Blind, Crippling Poison, Viper Sting etc. as well as make you more tankier vs physical damage. Dwarfs has the lowest base agility on the Alliance faction.
2. Night Elf – Shadowmeld is a really nice racial ability for when you’re defending bases in BG’s so you’re able to secure the opener on a enemy player that gets in range of you etc. it has a lot of other great uses and it’s a lot of fun to figure out ways to utilize this ability. Night elves has the most base agility on the Alliance faction.

^_________ TALENT BUILDS ^_________

5.1 – Recommended Talent Builds
PvE:
1. http://db.vanillagaming.org/?talent#cZViohthtIbbV0h
Use this spec if you’re at 8 hit or below. You can swap talent points from Surefooted to Improved Aspect of the Hawk if you’re only missing 1-2% hit.

2. http://db.vanillagaming.org/?talent#ce0M0xxZViohtht
Use this spec if you’re at 9 hit or above

PvP:
For PvP it’s a bit of a personal preference, however these are the ones I can recommend
1. http://db.vanillagaming.org/?talent#cZgVohthtcbimoh

2. http://db.vanillagaming.org/?talent#cZtVohtZcbiik0ux
I highly recommend moving the points from Improved Wing Clip into Entrapment if you’re going to play premade BG’s as it will benefit you a lot more.

Leveling:
For leveling it’s bit of a personal preference, however this is the spec I can recommend
http://db.vanillagaming.org/?talent#ca0GztxRttVohx
I didn’t put points into Spirit Bond because this talent will give the hunter threat every time it heals so if your pet miss pulls a mob then the Hunter will get aggro whenever the talent heals.

5.2 – Experimental Talent Builds
PvE 00/21/30 vs 20/31/00 when above 500 agility:
On paper the 20/31/00 spec seems to be doing a lot better however in reality there will be some fights where you won’t be able to utilize your pets’ DPS properly as well as other situational stuff in which case the 00/21/30 spec could potentially be better even when considering the DPS Trueshot Aura provides for your group when using the 20/31/00 spec. I’m gonna have to test this once I get the gear requirements on Crestfall to be able to confirm anything.

Keep in mind that mentioning results from other servers will not prove anything since talent and ability formulas etc could’ve been completely different on the other server.

^_________ PETS & PET ABILITIES ^_________

6.1 – Pet Of Choice
Short answer: Lupos for PvE, Broken Tooth for PvP.

PVE:
Lupos is the best PvE pet because it does Shadow Damage instead of Physical Damage, thus ignoring armor and will benefit from +Shadow Damage debuffs such as Curse of Shadows, Improved Shadow Bolt and Shadow Weaving.
After patch 1.9 you should instead be using Deathmaw if you want a wolf or Broken Tooth if you want a cat because Lupos will no longer be doing Shadow Damage after that patch.

Something you often will hear people say about Lupos is that “it will lower your raids DPS because it consumes Warlock’s Improved Shadow Bolt debuffs” however that is completely nonsense even if Lupos truly should be consuming ISB (I haven’t seen a single proof of Lupos consuming ISB in retail vanilla so please share if you have proof) due to various reasons:

1. “Threat cap”
   Warlocks are able to do insane amounts of DPS however with insane amounts of DPS comes insane amounts of threat.
   This is something that Warlocks have no way of dealing with, instead they’re forced into stop DPS’ing so that the tanks can build a bigger threat lead. Hunters do not have this issue because we’re not able to do anywhere near as much DPS/threat as a Warlock and because we can Feign Death every 30 seconds to wipe our threat.
   Even if Warlocks didn’t utilize ISB at all they would still have threat issues if they go all in on DPS. So if they were to utilize ISB it would only make them “threat capped” faster, thus sharing ISB with Hunters will be far more effective for the raid.
   Not to mention that tanks occasionally will die/fail on boss mechanics or other situational events which will tighten the Warlocks threat cap even further.
   So in reality Warlocks wont be getting any additional DPS from ISB unless they’re fighting a boss where they can’t get aggro (Ragnaros, Ebonroc and Flamegore etc).
   This might only be legit for Horde Warlocks due to them not being able to benefit from Blessing of Salvation like Alliance Warlocks can. This is also the sole reason as to why Alliance Warlocks are doing so much more DPS on legacy-logs.com and realmplayers.com.
2. Debuff overlapping
   If Hunters aren’t using Lupos then Warlocks and Shadow Priest’s Mind Blast will be the only classes who are able to utilize ISB, thus being much more likely to overlap ISB stacks and make them go to waste.
3. ISB isn’t the only debuff which Lupos can utilize
   There’s 3 debuffs that Lupos can utilize; Improved Shadow Bolt, Curse of Shadow and Shadow Weaving so by using Lupos it will make all of these debuffs more effective. If Lupos is being fully buffed and it’s target has all of these debuffs then it is able to do 180-200 DPS on it’s own which is absolutely insane.

PVP:
Broken Tooth is the best PvP pet, and potentially the best PvE pet after patch 1.9.
The reason why Broken Tooth is the best PvP pet is because it’s the only cat that is able to do 1 attack per sec, which is the fastest you can get.
The fast attack speed is very useful in PvP as it makes it nearly impossible for casters to get a spell off because of the cast time push back from Broken Tooth’s melee attacks.
There’s only 2 other pets in the game which has similar attack speed and that is the ZG bat’s, however since they’re bats they cannot learn Prowl and Claw which both are great abilities in PvP and bats also does 4% less damage from auto attacks.

When Lupos no longer does Shadow Damage (post patch 1.9), then Broken Tooth can potentially be the superior pet to use in PvE depending on how good you are at pet micro managing.
Broken Tooth (Cats) do not have Furious Howl like Wolfs do which means you can no longer benefit from having your pet by your side just to buff you with Furious Howl, so you’ll need to be great at micro managing your pet and make sure it doesn’t die as well as not fuck up your own rotation.
If you’re not capable of that, then Broken Tooth will not be a DPS boost.

Leveling:
Use any cat for leveling, it doesn’t matter which one because they’re all be normalized, i.e. all pets of the same pet family does similar DPS regardless of attack speed (unless they’re buffed, which in that case fast attack speed pets does more DPS). Also make sure to tame a new cat every now and then so you can get new pet ability ranks.
Use the hunter pet beastiary linked in the “Informative Hunter Links” section to figure out which pets you should tame to get new pet ability ranks.

6.2 – Pet Abilities
PVE:
1. Teach your pet max rank Bite and Claw/Furious Howl.
2. Teach your pet max rank Great Stamina.
3. Teach your pet rank 3 resistance. Choose the resistance that would benefit you for the content you’re currently raiding.
4. Teach your pet rank 1 Dash (You do not need higher rank for raiding)
5. If done correctly you should now have 5 points left, use them on any rank 1 resistance you want or whatever else you can spend it on.

PVP:
1. Teach your pet max rank Bite, Claw and Prowl.
2. Teach your pet rank 9 Great Stamina.
3. Teach your pet rank 3 Frost Resistance.
4. Teach your pet rank 3 Dash.
5. Teach your pet rank 1 Nature Resist.

Leveling:
Assuming you’re using a Cat for leveling which I highly recommend, then this is the priority of which you should be teaching your pet it’s abilities.
1. Growl
2. Dash (Only need rank 1)
3. Claw
4. Bite
5. Greater Stamina/Natural Armor

^_________ ROTATIONS & COOLDOWNS ^_________

7.1 – Simplified Rotation
Auto-shot->Aimed Shot->Auto-shot->Multi-Shot->Auto-shot->Repeat
See the pattern? Always use Aimed Shot immediately after you’ve fired an Auto-shot, weave Multi-Shot in between Auto-shots.

7.2 – Explanation Of The Hunter Rotations
There’s 2 rotations that you should know of. These are known as the “Clipped” and the “Full” rotation.

Every rotation cycle consists roughly of:
1 Aimed Shot
1 Multi-Shot
x Auto Shot

With most weapons, you’ll find that Aimed Shot finishes cooldown and Auto Shot fired ~1 sec ago. This makes you choose between:
A. (Clipped) Use Aimed Shot right when its cooldown is finished.
B. (Full) Delay Aimed Shot until after your next Auto Shot.

A. (Clipped) makes you lose an Auto Shot, but your cycle time is shorter than in B.
B. (Full) adds an Auto Shot, but extends your cycle time.

This is important because the cooldown of Aimed Shot is 6 seconds, casting time is 3 seconds. During casting, Auto Shot cools down.
This means that basically every weapon will get a free Auto Shot after Aimed Shot.
The free Auto Shot comes after a delay of about 0.5 seconds after Aimed Shot is fired, regardless of weapon speed.
During the casting of Aimed Shot, no Auto Shots can be fired.

This list will tell you what rotation you should use for all end game weapons, the list is also sorted from best to worst:
http://imgur.com/I1Mk8Xw

You can read a far more in depth explanation of clipped vs full rotation here and here

7.3 – “Cycles Are Impossible To Use”
They’re not. Performing them perfectly is practically impossible, and it’s harder with some weapons. However, getting as close as possible will be the most damaging thing you can do.
Thus, the calculations shows the weapon with highest damage potential, and also how to deal the most damage with it.
It’s up to you to maximize the potential. Practice, focus, and knowing the rhythm of your weapon helps a lot; you’re always able to improve.
Additionally, a timer for your Auto Shots will help you a lot. Personally, I use YAHT.

Clipped cycles are the easiest to use, since you can basically spam Aimed Shot and Multi-Shot, and the cooldowns will take care of the rest.
Remember that latency might affect this a bit, making Aimed Shot ready just before Auto Shot fires (making you do a sub-optimal cycle). Spamming is rarely a good idea; paying attention is.

7.4 – Lag And Human Reaction Invalidate Cycle Calculations
Often you’ll hear people claiming cycles are useless because of reasons like lag, human reaction, etc.
These settings vary from person to person; hunter A might have perfect conditions, performing at almost 100% of what he’s capable of, while hunter B might be experiencing lag, talking on the phone and feeding his parrot – of course he’ll perform worse. However, comparing the different weapons, using optimal conditions for everything is the fairest comparison.
Although this has no influence on a weapon’s damage potential, if you know you suffer from lag or slow reaction times, take it into consideration when looking at what I write.

7.5 – Aimed Shot Will Be Catching Up To Your Multi-Shot
Eventually your Aimed Shot will catch up to your Multi-Shot due to Aimed Shot having “9 sec CD” (6 CD + ~3 sec cast time) and Multi-Shot having a 10 sec CD.
When this happens then using Aimed Shot first will yield the most DPS, unless:
A. You’re able to consistently cleave on targets with Multi-Shot.
B. The targets you could’ve been cleaving on by casting Multi-Shot first would be dead by the time Multi-Shot is ready if you casted Aimed Shot first.

7.6 – Cooldown Management
Trinkets:
You should activate your swap trinket just as you start DPSing the boss and when the trinket effect wears off then you swap to your static trinket immediately.

Rapid Fire/Berserking:
Usually you want to use Rapid Fire/Berserking together with your trinket on your opener unless you need to save your cooldowns for a specific boss mechanic.
However using Rapid Fire/Berserking early has the added benefit of you being able to use them multiple times during an encounter depending on the fight duration.
Do not save Rapid Fire/Berserking for Aspect of the Hawk procs since there’s literally no reason in doing so when there’s only a 5% proc chance.
If you’re lucky to get a hawk proc while all your other cooldowns are active then make sure you watch your threat so you don’t over aggro.

^_________ ADDONS ^_________

YAHT – Yet Another Hunter Timer
This addon gives you an auto shot timer which is crucial if you want to maximize your DPS. It also comes with a Tranquilizing Shot announcer which can be toggle on and off.

Highlights:
1. Aimed Shot & Multishot castbars for oCB, eCastingBar and default castbar that recognize all effects that modify castspeed
2. Tranquilizing Shot announcer
3. Highly customizable looks

Visual:

The white bar is the “cooldown” time of your auto shot
The red bar is the draw time of your auto shot

Configuration: /yaht

Download Link: https://github.com/Aviana/YaHT

——

TrinketMenu (Fixed Version)
This addon lets you queue trinkets to auto swap for whenever you get out of combat (Feign Death) and is a must have addon if you want to maximize your DPS.

How to use TrinketMenu:
Have an activate trinket equipped at the start of an encounter, use it on your opener and then queue a static trinket by hovering TrinketMenu and choose a static trinket – after the activate trinket’s buff expires you feign death and the addon will auto equip the static trinket that you selected.

Visual:

Configuration: /trinketmenu options

Download Link: https://github.com/satan666/TrinketMenu-Fix

——

SHunterTimers
This addon makes it easier for you to track your trinket duration, debuff durations, procs, personal CC duration and boss frenzy timer it also makes your cast bar track aimed shot. Every feature can be enabled/disabled through the in game settings.

Visual:

Configuration: /sht menu

Download Link: http://addons.us.to/addon/shuntertimers

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ClassicSnowFall
This addon accelerates key bindings so that they are activated by key press rather than key release. This allows you to activate your abilities faster than you could otherwise.

there’s no visual or in game configurations options for this addon.

Download Link: http://www.classicwow.com/forum/topic/13899-introducing-classic-snowfall/

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Modified Power Auras
This addon is the vanilla version of “WeakAuras” which makes it possible to track every aura/ability/trinket in the game.

Examples of what to track:
Aspect of the Hawk procs
Rapid Fire duration
Trinket(s) duration
Important boss debuffs such as Baron Geddon’s Living Bomb, Vaelastrasz’s Burning Adrenaline.

Visual:

Configuration: /mpowa

Download Link: https://github.com/Geigerkind/ModifiedPowerAuras

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SimpleFeignHealth
This addon makes it possible for you to see your health while you’re in feign death.

Configuration: /sfh

Download Link: http://addons.us.to/addon/simplefeignhealth

^_________ MACROS ^_________

Auto Shot
This macro makes it so your auto shot no longer can be accidentally toggled off.

it WILL NOT WORK properly if this line doesn’t correspond with your Auto Shot hotkey: IsAutoRepeatAction(3)
If your Auto Shot ability is placed on hotkey 3, that means it should be (3) in the macro.
To figure out what hotkey your Auto Shot is on, refer to this image http://i.imgur.com/VGArn.jpg and change it accordingly within the macro.

/run if not IsAutoRepeatAction(3) then CastSpellByName("Auto Shot") end

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Scatter Shot
This macro will prevent your pet from breaking Scatter Shot CC.
If you use the Scatter Shot macro on target A and your pet is attacking target B, your pet will continue to attack target B.
If you use the Scatter Shot macro on target A and your pet is attacking target A, your pet will go passive so it doesn’t break Scatter Shot CC.

/script if UnitExists("pettarget") and UnitIsUnit("target", "pettarget") then PetPassiveMode(); else end
/cast Scatter Shot

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Frost, Immolation and Explosive Trap
This macro will prevent you from using feign death if you’re already out of combat but if you’re in combat it will feign death first and then trap if pressed twice.
Simply change the first line of the macro to whatever trap you want it for.

/cast Immolation Trap
/script if UnitAffectingCombat("player") then CastSpellByName("Feign Death") end

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Freezing Trap
This macro will prevent you from using feign death if you’re already out of combat but if you’re in combat it will feign death first and then trap if pressed twice.

In addition to the other trap macro, this one will put your pet on passive to prevent breaking CC.

/cast Freezing Trap
/script if UnitAffectingCombat("player") then CastSpellByName("Feign Death") end
/script PetPassiveMode()

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Revive/Mend Pet
This macro will use Revive Pet if your pet is dead and Mend Pet if your pet is alive.

/script if not UnitExists(“pet”) then CastSpellByName(“Revive Pet”); else if UnitIsDead(“pet”) then CastSpellByName(“Revive Pet”);else CastSpellByName(“Mend Pet”);end;end

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Call/Dismiss Pet
This macro will use Call Pet if your pet is missing and Dismiss Pet if your pet is already called.

/script if PetCanBeAbandoned() then CastSpellByName(“Dismiss Pet”) else CastSpellByName(“Call Pet”);end

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Melee Attacks
This is just a basic macro to lump all of your offensive melee skills onto one bind.

/cast Raptor Strike
/cast Counterattack
/cast Mongoose Bite

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Wing Clip
This is a fall-through macro for Wing Clip. If you happen to be super low on mana for some reason and can’t use maximum rank Wing Clip, a lower rank will be used instead. Counterattack is a priority over all ranks of Wing Clip.

/run if 1==0 then CastSpellByName("Wing Clip");end
/cast Counterattack(Rank 1)
/cast Wing Clip
/cast Wing Clip(Rank 2)
/cast Wing Clip(Rank 1)

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Hunter Tracking
This macro will use Track Beasts if you hold down CTRL and press the hotkey you bound it to, Track Humanoids if you hold down SHIFT + press hotkey and Track Hidden if no modifiers are held down when pressing the hotkey.

These are the only important tracking abilities that you should have bound, the rest you can leave in your spell book. Track Beasts is useful to track down Druid flag carriers in BGs, Track Humanoids to track down players, and Track Hidden to increase your stealth detection.

/script c=CastSpellByName if IsControlKeyDown() then c("Track Beasts"); else if IsShiftKeyDown() then c("Track Humanoids"); else c("Track Hidden");end;end

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Nefarian Hunter Class Call
First of all, this macro will require you to have 2 ranged weapons, 1 equipped and 1 in bag slot 1.

All this macro does is to equip the ranged weapon which is in bag slot 1, this will be useful versus Nefarian because of the hunter class call mechanic that will break our current equipped weapon, however we have no way of knowing if its gonna be our class call or others.
So switching to a secondary ranged weapon before the class call timer hits will put us out of risk for our main weapon to break, meanwhile were still able to DPS.

/script SpellStopCasting()
/run local p,s="player",18 if GetInventoryItemLink(p,s)then PickupContainerItem(0,1)EquipCursorItem(s)end

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One button Viper/Scorpid Sting
This macro will use Viper Sting if the target is a mana class, if its not then it’ll use Scorpid Sting instead.

/script if UnitPowerType(“target”)==0 then CastSpellByName(“Viper Sting”) else CastSpellByName(“Scorpid Sting”); end

^_________ LINKS & DOWNLOADS ^_________

Horde BIS List Spreadsheet Patch 1.1 – 1.12 [LINK]

Alliance BIS List Spreadsheet Patch 1.1 – 1.12 [LINK]

Hunter Damage Cycles Breakdown 1.0 [LINK]

Hunter Damage Cycles Breakdown 2.0 [LINK]

TKA Something – A Hunter Site From Retail Vanilla [LINK]

Consumables List [LINK]

Hunter Pet Beastiary [LINK]

Hunter Simulator [DOWNLOAD]
You can upload the simulator to google sheets if you don’t have excel