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 introduces significant changes to the Hunter class, impacting pet management, specialization abilities, and overall gameplay. Key changes include:

• Pet Specialization Changes: Hunters can now alter their pet's specialization (Cunning, Ferocity, or Tenacity) at the stable, offering greater flexibility in companion customization. This applies to all hunter pets, including event-specific companions.

• Beast Mastery Revamp: Beast Mastery Hunters can now opt for a single, more powerful pet instead of the traditional two, increasing damage and size to compensate.

• Marksmanship Overhaul: Marksmanship Hunters undergo a significant rework, losing their pet entirely. Instead, they gain a Spotting Eagle that marks targets for increased damage from the Hunter's abilities. This change has sparked considerable debate among players.

• 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 system.

Undermine and the Liberation of Undermine Raid:

Patch 11.1 also introduces "Undermined," a new content update that takes players to the Goblin capital. The storyline continues from "The War Within," culminating in a raid against Chrome King Gallywix.

Hunter Class Specific Changes:

Numerous adjustments are made to Hunter abilities across all specializations. Notable changes include:

• Kindling Flare: Increased flare radius by 50%.
• Territorial Instincts: Reduced Intimidation cooldown by 10 seconds; removed pet summon functionality.
• Wilderness Medicine: Increased Natural Mending cooldown reduction effect.
• No Hard Feelings: Reduced Misdirection cooldown by 5 seconds.
• Roar of Sacrifice (Marksmanship Only): Pet protects a friendly target from critical strikes; Spotting Eagle is inactive while this is active.
• Intimidation (Marksmanship Only): No longer requires line of sight; uses the Spotting Eagle.
• Explosive Shot: Increased projectile speed.
• Eyes of the Beast & Eagle Eye: Specialization-specific learning restrictions implemented.
• Freezing Trap: Activation now based on a damage threshold.
• Talent Reworks: Extensive changes to numerous talents across all three Hunter specializations, including the removal of several and the addition of entirely new options. Significant changes are made to the Pack Leader, Sentinel, and other talents. The notes detail these changes extensively.

Player Feedback and PTR Testing:

These changes are currently on the Public Test Realm (PTR) for player testing and feedback before the full release, expected sometime in February. Blizzard encourages Hunters to provide feedback on these adjustments. The changes are not final and may be adjusted based on community input.