Hunter Hero Talents — The War Within (11.0.5)

This page is specifically about Hero Talents in The War Within. If you want to learn more about the best regular talents for Beast Mastery Hunter, check out our Talents page:

Dark Ranger has identical single-target to Pack Leader, but offers excellent AoE for the fights that require it, and a better defensive profile. We use Dark Ranger for cleave/AoE fights, and Pack Leader for pure single-target ones.

Pack Leader has identical single-target to Dark Ranger, but significantly less AoE and tankiness, while being easier to play.

Dark Ranger is ideal for its high AoE damage and excellent defensive profile with Smoke Screen. It is only slightly behind for single-target and priority-target damage, which is a worthwhile tradeoff.

Pack Leader is excellent for single-target and priority-target damage, but the AoE DPS loss is significant and I do not recommend most people play Pack Leader in keys.

2.

Best Hero Talent Builds for Beast Mastery Hunter

Pack Leader Build Dark Ranger Build

2.

Best Pack Leader Build for Beast Mastery Hunter

Pack Leader is very straightforward to build, with the same setup being optimal for all scenarios.

2.

Best Dark Ranger Pure Single-Target Build for Beast Mastery Hunter

Dark Ranger is straightforward to build, and always uses the same nodes.

Pack Leader has no appreciable impact on your rotational priorities, though it does impact its feel. You will occasionally notice Frenzied Tear procs that reset the cooldown of Kill Command seemingly randomly, and Kill Command will also regularly reset the cooldown of Barbed Shot thanks to Furious Assault. On AoE, your Kill Command will extend your Beast Cleave by 1 second, thanks to Covering Fire. In terms of your actual priorities, however, nothing changes.

Dark Ranger has to cast Black Arrow on cooldown. Casting Kill Command will regularly grant Black Arrow procs that should be used constantly. On AoE, it is essential that Black Arrow gets used when you have Beast Cleave active.