World of Warcraft Patch 11.1 is Going to Be a Big Update for Hunters

World of Warcraft Patch 11.1: Hunter Class Overhaul

Patch 11.1 of World of Warcraft, titled "Undermined," introduces significant changes to the Hunter class, impacting pet management, specializations, and overall gameplay. Key updates include:

• Pet Specialization Changes: Hunters can now alter their pet's specialization (Cunning, Ferocity, or Tenacity) at the stables, offering greater flexibility in pairing pets with desired combat styles. This applies to all pets, including event-exclusive companions.

• Beast Mastery Overhaul: Beast Mastery Hunters gain the option to utilize a single, more powerful pet, enhancing its damage and size.

• Marksmanship Transformation: Marksmanship Hunters undergo a complete rework, eliminating the traditional pet companion. Instead, they are aided by a Spotting Eagle, marking targets for increased damage from the Hunter's abilities. This change has sparked considerable player debate.

• Pack Leader Talent Restructure: The Pack Leader talent is redesigned, summoning a bear, boar, and wyvern simultaneously during combat. This fixed composition replaces the previous player choice option, another point of contention among players.

Undermine Raid and Story Progression: Patch 11.1 introduces the Undermine raid, continuing the narrative of "The War Within" and culminating in a confrontation with Chrome King Gallywix.

PTR Testing and Player Feedback: The Hunter class changes will be available for testing on the Public Test Realm (PTR) early next year, allowing players to provide feedback before the official patch release (likely February). Blizzard is actively seeking player input to refine these adjustments.

Detailed Class Changes (Hunter):

• General Hunter Changes: Several abilities are redesigned or updated, including Kindling Flare, Territorial Instincts, Wilderness Medicine, and No Hard Feelings. Roar of Sacrifice is modified for Marksmanship Hunters, and Intimidation gains a unique variant for this specialization. Changes also affect projectile speeds and ability availability across specializations.

• Hero Talents (Pack Leader): The Pack Leader talent tree is entirely revamped, introducing "Howl of the Pack Leader" and several new talents focusing on strategic pet combinations (Bear, Wyvern, Boar). Several previous talents are removed.

• Beast Mastery Specific Changes: New talents like Dire Cleave, Poisoned Barbs, and Solitary Companion are added, alongside adjustments to existing abilities such as Stomp, Serpent Sting, and Barrage.

• Marksmanship Specific Changes: The removal of the pet is central to this rework. New abilities like Harrier's Cry and Manhunter are introduced, along with a new Spotting Eagle mechanic. A substantial number of talents are added or modified, reflecting the shift in gameplay.

• Survival Specific Changes: Adjustments to existing talents and abilities aim to streamline the rotation, making choices between Flanking Strike and Butchery mutually exclusive.

Player Versus Player (PvP) Changes:

New and updated PvP talents are introduced for each Hunter specialization, further differentiating gameplay in PvP environments.

Blizzard emphasizes that these changes are subject to modification based on community feedback gathered during PTR testing. Hunters are encouraged to participate and share their experiences.