Hunter - a look into cataclysm
Posted: 03 Jul 2010, 20:00
OK so i don't actually play wow these days anymore, but i am coming back to play cataclysm for its release. So before i go into any detail about the changes confirmed i would just like to say that the hunter has always been class with the most buttons what annoys me, but with removal of some spells and additions it should balance around the same. (has always annoyed me)
So first lets look at the new spells
Aspect of the Fox
The hunter takes on the aspects of a fox, increasing your focus regeneration by 20% and allows you to Auto-shot while moving.
Instant, 1 sec cooldown
This is a great addition to the game, being able to move while auto shooting and regenerating focus is really a nice thing to have. However the downside to this is a loss on ranged AP, i just hope you can macro like Steady shot to use Aspect of the hawk and then switch to cobra while kiting.
Cobra Shot
Deals weapon damage plus [ 6% of RAP + 168 ] in the form of Nature damage and increases the duration of your Serpent Sting on the target by 3 sec. ( Aspect of the Hawk : Generates 12 Focus. )
5-35 yd range, 1.5 sec cast.
Ok so this spell is a alternative to steady shot for plate wearers blizzard say, how is this? Well the cobra shot does nature damage meaning it ignores armor? I'm not too sure yet. All i know is if your attacking a mage steady shot and a warrior cobra shot ;)
Trap Launcher
When used, your next Trap can be launched to a target location within 40 yards.
30 Focus, Instant
Not a fan of this just an extra button to hit, we will see could be a nice addition since freezing arrow was removed. Always been a fan of scatter trapping TBC style for some reason.
Camouflage
You camouflage, causing you and your Pet to blend into your surroundings. After 3 sec., you will enter a camouflaged state for 1 min, making you untargetable and providing stealth while stationary. While camouflaged, you and your pet's movement speed is reduced by 30%, but the damage done by your next attack is increased by 15%.
You can lay traps while under the effect, but any damage done by you or your pet will cancel the effect. Cannot be cast while in combat.
45 Focus, Instant, 1 min cooldown
This is an amazing move, i am looking forward to using this. Example: Your in an arena game vs a holy paladin and warrior. You start in cammo and you run in and load a aimed on your target followed by a focus scatter trap on the holy paladin. Will give you full momentum from the start.
Venoms
Ok so another new addition is the venoms. There are are 3 types of venoms
Widow venom
A venemous shot that reduces the effectiveness of any healing taken by 25% for 30 sec. Only one Venom per Hunter can be active on any one target.
30 Focus, 5-35 yd range, Instant
Viper Venom
Increases the casting time of all spells done by the enemy target by 30% for 30 sec. Only one Venom per Hunter can be active on any one target.
30 Focus, 5-35 yd range, Instant
Scorpid Venom
Reduces the targets armor by 4% for 30 sec. Subsequent Steady Shot or Cobra Shots increase the effect by 4%, stacking up to 3 times. Only one Venom per Hunter can be active on any one target.
30 Focus, 5-35 yd range, Instant
(Scorpid sting and viper sting removed)
Now venoms can be applied with serpent sting, this means you can have serpent sting applied all the time with a venom also applied. Would proberly be Widow vendom on your target with viper venom on the focus target (if it is a healer).
Now the new talent that is a "must have" is
Your Serpent Sting also does instant damage equal to [15%/30%] of its total periodic effect.
Thats every time you cast serpent sting so when you chimera shot its going to apply the serpent sting talent + the new venom effect. MM ftw?
New Chimera effects
You deal 125% weapon damage, refreshing your Serpent Sting and triggering an effect depending on the venom on the target:
Viper Venom - Instantly burns 5% of the targets total mana.
Scorpid Venom - Attempts to Disarm the target for 10 sec sec. This effect cannot occur more than once per 1 minute.
Widow Venom - Instantly heals you for 15% of your total health.
50 Focus, 5-35 yd range, Instant, 10 sec cooldown
So first lets look at the new spells
Aspect of the Fox
The hunter takes on the aspects of a fox, increasing your focus regeneration by 20% and allows you to Auto-shot while moving.
Instant, 1 sec cooldown
This is a great addition to the game, being able to move while auto shooting and regenerating focus is really a nice thing to have. However the downside to this is a loss on ranged AP, i just hope you can macro like Steady shot to use Aspect of the hawk and then switch to cobra while kiting.
Cobra Shot
Deals weapon damage plus [ 6% of RAP + 168 ] in the form of Nature damage and increases the duration of your Serpent Sting on the target by 3 sec. ( Aspect of the Hawk : Generates 12 Focus. )
5-35 yd range, 1.5 sec cast.
Ok so this spell is a alternative to steady shot for plate wearers blizzard say, how is this? Well the cobra shot does nature damage meaning it ignores armor? I'm not too sure yet. All i know is if your attacking a mage steady shot and a warrior cobra shot ;)
Trap Launcher
When used, your next Trap can be launched to a target location within 40 yards.
30 Focus, Instant
Not a fan of this just an extra button to hit, we will see could be a nice addition since freezing arrow was removed. Always been a fan of scatter trapping TBC style for some reason.
Camouflage
You camouflage, causing you and your Pet to blend into your surroundings. After 3 sec., you will enter a camouflaged state for 1 min, making you untargetable and providing stealth while stationary. While camouflaged, you and your pet's movement speed is reduced by 30%, but the damage done by your next attack is increased by 15%.
You can lay traps while under the effect, but any damage done by you or your pet will cancel the effect. Cannot be cast while in combat.
45 Focus, Instant, 1 min cooldown
This is an amazing move, i am looking forward to using this. Example: Your in an arena game vs a holy paladin and warrior. You start in cammo and you run in and load a aimed on your target followed by a focus scatter trap on the holy paladin. Will give you full momentum from the start.
Venoms
Ok so another new addition is the venoms. There are are 3 types of venoms
Widow venom
A venemous shot that reduces the effectiveness of any healing taken by 25% for 30 sec. Only one Venom per Hunter can be active on any one target.
30 Focus, 5-35 yd range, Instant
Viper Venom
Increases the casting time of all spells done by the enemy target by 30% for 30 sec. Only one Venom per Hunter can be active on any one target.
30 Focus, 5-35 yd range, Instant
Scorpid Venom
Reduces the targets armor by 4% for 30 sec. Subsequent Steady Shot or Cobra Shots increase the effect by 4%, stacking up to 3 times. Only one Venom per Hunter can be active on any one target.
30 Focus, 5-35 yd range, Instant
(Scorpid sting and viper sting removed)
Now venoms can be applied with serpent sting, this means you can have serpent sting applied all the time with a venom also applied. Would proberly be Widow vendom on your target with viper venom on the focus target (if it is a healer).
Now the new talent that is a "must have" is
Your Serpent Sting also does instant damage equal to [15%/30%] of its total periodic effect.
Thats every time you cast serpent sting so when you chimera shot its going to apply the serpent sting talent + the new venom effect. MM ftw?
New Chimera effects
You deal 125% weapon damage, refreshing your Serpent Sting and triggering an effect depending on the venom on the target:
Viper Venom - Instantly burns 5% of the targets total mana.
Scorpid Venom - Attempts to Disarm the target for 10 sec sec. This effect cannot occur more than once per 1 minute.
Widow Venom - Instantly heals you for 15% of your total health.
50 Focus, 5-35 yd range, Instant, 10 sec cooldown