Summary
World of Warcraftis making big changes to the Hunter class in Patch 11.1, with pets being able to change specializations, Beast Mastery giving players the option to only use one pet, and Marksmanship losing their pet altogether. Assuming none of these adjustments are tweaked in response to fan feedback beforehand, Hunters inWorld of Warcraftwill see these changes in Patch 11.1, likely some time in February.
Recently,World of Warcraftrevealed Patch 11.1, Undermined. This content update brings players to the underground capital of the Goblins, where the story ofThe War Withinwill continue, culminating in a climactic battle against Chrome King Gallywix and his crooked cronies in the Liberation of Undermine raid.
Like any majorWorld of Warcraftupdate, Patch 11.1 is bringing tons of class changes, and this time, Hunters are getting some major adjustments. The most important of these changes is the ability for Hunters to swap between the three pet specializations for any of their companions at the stables. This means any Hunter pets, such as theDreaming Festive Reindeer fromWorld of Warcraft’s Feast of Winter Veilevent, can become Cunning, Ferocity, or Tenacity, giving fans the freedom to pair their favorite companions with whatever combat style they need.
There are also some major changes coming toHunter specializations inWorld of Warcraftas well. While all three options are receiving adjustments, Marksmanship Hunters are being completely reworked to heighten the sharpshooter fantasy. These Hunters no longer use a pet, instead calling upon a spotter eagle that marks targets to take bonus damage from its master. Beast Mastery can likewise choose to field a single pet instead of a pair, giving the companion increased damage and size to compensate. Lastly, the Pack Leader Hero Talent is being reworked to make the Hunter summon a bear, boar, and wyvern during combat.
Hunter players are currently torn about these adjustments. The pet specialization changes and Beast Mastery solo pet option have received unanimous applause, but the Marksmanship rework has been polarizing. While fans see where Blizzard is coming from with the spotter eagle, many feel removing the specialization’s pet takes away one of the key parts of theHunter fantasy inWorld of Warcraft. Likewise, many players don’t like that Pack Leaders are being forced to use a bear, boar, and wyvern, and would rather be able to choose what type of animals will come to their aid.
Regardless, these changes are not set in stone yet.World of Warcraftplayers will be able to test out these adjustments on the Patch 11.1 PTR early next year, so Hunters should be sure to give Blizzard plenty of feedback on what does and does not work with these new adjustments.
World of Warcraft: The War Within
WHERE TO PLAY
In this opening chapter of The Worldsoul Saga, you’ll journey through never-before-seen subterranean worlds filled with hidden wonders and lurking perils, down to the dark depths of the Nerubian empire, where the inscrutable Harbinger of the Void has gathered her arachnid forces to bring Azeroth to its knees.
