Hunters Rejoice! WoW Patch 11.1 Delivers Massive Update

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, specializations, and core abilities. These alterations, subject to player feedback during the PTR testing phase early next year, are expected to launch in February.

Key Changes Summarized:

• Pet Specialization: Hunters can now change their pet's specialization (Cunning, Ferocity, or Tenacity) at the stables.
• Beast Mastery: Beast Mastery Hunters can opt for a single, more powerful pet instead of two.
• Marksmanship: Marksmanship Hunters lose their pet entirely, gaining a Spotting Eagle companion that marks targets for increased damage.

Undermine and the Liberation of Undermine Raid:

Patch 11.1 also introduces "Undermined," a content update focusing on the Goblin underground capital. The narrative continues from "The War Within," culminating in a raid against Chrome King Gallywix.

Detailed Hunter Class Changes:

The ability to swap pet specializations is a significant improvement to pet management. The Beast Mastery single-pet option offers a streamlined alternative. However, the Marksmanship rework, removing the pet and introducing the Spotting Eagle, has generated mixed reactions. While some appreciate the sharpshooter focus, others feel it deviates from the core Hunter fantasy.

The Pack Leader talent is also being overhauled, forcing the summon of a bear, boar, and wyvern, a change that has also received mixed feedback.

Specific Ability and Talent Adjustments:

Numerous ability and talent changes are detailed below. Note that these are subject to further adjustments based on PTR feedback:

• Kindling Flare: Increased flare radius by 50%.
• Territorial Instincts: Reduces Intimidation cooldown; no longer summons a pet if none is present.
• Wilderness Medicine: Increased Natural Mending cooldown reduction.
• No Hard Feelings: Reduced Misdirection cooldown.
• Roar of Sacrifice (Marksmanship only): Pet protects a friendly target from critical strikes; Spotting Eagle cannot apply Spotter’s Mark while active.
• Intimidation (Marksmanship): No longer requires line of sight; uses Spotting Eagle.
• Explosive Shot: Increased projectile speed.
• Eyes of the Beast: Learned only by Survival and Beast Mastery Hunters.
• Eagle Eye: Learned only by Marksmanship Hunters.
• Freezing Trap: Breaks based on a damage threshold.
• Marksmanship Rework: Detailed changes to talents and abilities, focusing on the Spotting Eagle mechanic.
• Beast Mastery Rework: New talents including "Solitary Companion" for single-pet gameplay.
• Survival Rework: Changes to talents and abilities, making Flanking Strike and Butchery mutually exclusive.

Player Feedback Encouraged:

Blizzard encourages players to test these changes on the PTR and provide feedback to help shape the final version of Patch 11.1. The success of these changes hinges on player input and iterative development.