Where to spec while levelingFollow

This is my first attempt at any sort of a guide, so please be gentle and constructive. Looking to build an order of talents to spec as leveling up.

We see "What spec?" questions constantly. Coming from a level 80 that is looking to get into end-game, the question is easier to answer as there are only a handful of optimal options. But, many of the "what spec?" questions come from hunters of all levels; this is where answers are harder, unless the general "BM for leveling" is used.

When I was leveling, I always had a tough time figuring out which talent to spend a point on each time I leveled. Some talents looked good at first, but then have to think about that talent in the next tier of a different spec that would be really nice to have asap.


This is what I think I would do if I started over on hunter.

Basically I would look to level as BM with a bear for pet until I can get a gorilla (I personally dont like pigs, but a Boar is good tanking pet also). My plan is to have the pet tank the mob(s), live through tanking, keep threat, and allow me to safely stand back and pew pew. Sure you could spec more MM or SV and level while trapping or kiting all the time, but I prefer safer, simpler questing/grinding as BM.

A lot of talents can be substituted based on your needs and play style. I'm suggesting a talent order based on a more solo, questing, grinding style play. A strong BM build can solo completion of many multi-player quests. As long as you can keep your pet alive and keep threat on that pet, you have a very good chance of killing tough mobs. Sure a level 80 SV hunter can 3 shot most normal mobs, but that hunter's pet also can be 3 shotted by a level 80 elite mob; where as an 80 BM hunter will spend more time killing any mob, their pet can tank that level 80 elite for a while while they whittle it down.

level 10 - Endurance Training 1/5
level 11 - Endurance Training 2/5
level 12 - Endurance Training 3/5
level 13 - Endurance Training 4/5
level 14 - Endurance Training 5/5
level 15 - Improved Revive Pet 1/2
level 16 - Thick Hide 1/3
level 17 - Thick Hide 2/3
level 18 - Thick Hide 3/3
level 19 - Improved Revive Pet 2/2
level 20 - Unleashed Fury 1/5
level 21 - Unleashed Fury 2/5
level 22 - Unleashed Fury 3/5
level 23 - Unleashed Fury 4/5
level 24 - Unleashed Fury 5/5
level 25 - Improved Mend Pet 1/2
level 26 - Improved Mend Pet 2/2
level 27 - Ferocity 1/5
level 28 - Ferocity 2/5
level 29 - Ferocity 3/5
level 30 - Spirit Bond 1/2
level 31 - Spirit Bond 2/2
level 32 - Intimidation 1/1
level 33 - Bestial Discipline 1/2
level 34 - Bestial Discipline 2/2
level 35 - Aspect Mastery 1/1
level 36 - Focused Fire 1/2
level 37 - Focused Fire 2/2
level 38 - Ferocity 4/5
level 39 - Ferocity 5/5
level 40 - Bestial Wrath 1/1
level 41 - Ferocious Inspiration 1/3
level 42 - Ferocious Inspiration 2/3
level 43 - Ferocious Inspiration 3/3
level 44 - Catlike Reflexes 1/3
level 45 - Catlike Reflexes 2/3
level 46 - Catlike Reflexes 3/3
level 47 - Serpent's Swiftness 1/5
level 48 - Serpent's Swiftness 2/5
level 49 - Serpent's Swiftness 3/5
level 50 - The Beast Within 1/1
level 51 - Longevity 1/3
level 52 - Longevity 2/3
level 53 - Longevity 3/3
level 54 - Serpent's Swiftness 4/5
level 55 - Kindred Spirits 1/5
level 56 - Kindred Spirits 2/5
level 57 - Kindred Spirits 3/5
level 58 - Kindred Spirits 4/5
level 59 - Kindred Spirits 5/5
level 60 - Beast Mastery 1/1
Time to start adding more damage from other trees.
level 61 - Lethal Shots 1/5
level 62 - Lethal Shots 2/5
level 63 - Lethal Shots 3/5
level 64 - Lethal Shots 4/5
level 65 - Lethal Shots 5/5
level 66 - Careful Aim 1/3
level 67 - Careful Aim 2/3
level 68 - Careful Aim 3/3
level 69 - Mortal Shots 1/5
level 70 - Mortal Shots 2/5
level 71 - Go for the Throat 1/2
level 72 - Mortal Shots 3/5
level 73 - Mortal Shots 4/5
level 74 - Mortal Shots 5/5
level 75 - Aimed Shot 1/1
level 76 - Improved Tracking 1/5
level 77 - Improved Tracking 2/5
level 78 - Improved Tracking 3/5
level 79 - Improved Tracking 4/5

Anywhere from mid 70's to 80 you might want to respec into one of the newest top dps specs. Respec in early 70's if you are doing alot of instance runs and want to up your dps. This order of talents is not for top dps, it is for safer controlled, leveling.









Edited, Feb 17th 2009 4:18pm by RobbyFaces

You don't really need to do that, just link them a spec and say "Build up the main tree until you reach your final tier talent, then into the sub trees." Its really not that hard to figure out, I'm sure that even most of the baddies that come here for "help" could figure it out.

I'll just link what I posted in the "confessions of a noobish hunter" thread as to my approach on leveling.

I just don't see a need for improved revive pet, IF he ever dies its no big deal to wait 6 secs to bring him back to life. It seems more important for raiding to me. Also, only 1/2 improved mend pet as I really just want the talent to cure disease, magic, and poison and a 25% chance/tick will nearly always do that.

Then the first talent I would get in tier 5 is intimidation with spirit bond being blah. I'd take the points from spirit bond and catlike reflexes and throw them into Frenzy, which you never acquired.

In the end, although I disagree with several of your choices, anything is going to easily work in leveling.