
DING! Your hunter just reached level 85 and, now that the level bar is gone, you have no clue what to do next. So where should you go to get the pieces of gear missing to reach an average iLvl of 329 — and be able to queue for Heroics? Let me help you! Here I’ll list the best pieces of Pre-Heroic hunter gear you can obtain so to get you prepared to step into heroics.
This list will include items you can obtain by quests, crafting, reputation rewards, regular dungeons and Justice Points. The reason why I’m including Justice Points and iLvl 359 Reputation gear is because you can technically get those without spending time in heroic dungeons.
To be honest, I’ve always been a Survival Hunter. While I’ve leveled as BM, SV is the only spec I use for End-Game Content, but, from what I’ve read, stat priority is pretty much the same between the 3 specs. Oh, and just like in WotLK, Agility is still the best stat.
Agility >Haste [Soft Cap] > Hit [Until Capped] > Critical Strike > Haste > Mastery
If you feel like investigating a bit more about Stat Priority for your spec, take a look at:
Head:
iLvl 346:
- Willow Mask – 2200 Justice Points
- Windhome Helm / Snarling Helm – Revered with Wildhammer Clan / Dragonmaw Clan
iLvl 333:
- Wildhammer Riding Helm – Grim Batol: General Umbriss
Shoulders:
iLvl 346:
- Wrap of the Valley Glades – 1650 Justice Points
iLvl 333:
- Bloodpetal Mantel – Halls of Origination: Ammunae
- Mantle of Moss – Honored with The Earthen Ring
Neck:
iLvl 346:
- Amulet of Dull Dreaming – 1250 Justice Points
- Acorn of the Daughter – Revered with Guardians of Hyjal
- Brazen Elementium Medallion – Jewelcrafting
- Entwiner Elementium Choker – Jewelcrafting
Chest:
iLvl 359:
- Dragonkiller Tunic – Leatherworking
iLvl 346:
- Vest of the True Companion – 2200 Justice Points
iLvl 333:
- Razorshell Chest – Leatherworking
Back:
iLvl 346:
- Softwind Cape – Revered with The Earthen Ring
iLvl 333:
- Kaleki Cloak – Lost City of Tol’vir: General Husam
- Cloak of Beasts – Leatherworking
Hands:
iLvl 346:
- Gloves of the Passing Night – 1650 Justice Points
iLvl 333:
- Trasure Hunter’s Gloves – Quest: Doing it the Hard Way
- Coulton’s Crushers – Quest: Skullcrusher the Mountain [Jonathan Coulton anyone?]
Wrists:
iLvl 333:
Waist:
iLvl 359:
- Corded Viper Belt – Leatherworking
iLvl 346:
- Belt of the Dim Forest – 1650 Justice Points
iLvl 333:
- Belt of the Stargazer – Honored with Ramkahen
Legs:
iLvl 346:
- Hillside Striders – 2200 Justice Points
iLvl 333:
- Balkar’s Waders – Lost City of Tol’vir: High Prophet Barim
- Aerial Assault Legguards – Quest: Krazz Works!
- Gryphon-Grip Leggings – Quest: Doing it like a Dunwald
Feet:
iLvl 359:
- Treads of Malorne – Exalted with Guardians of Hyjal
iLvl 333:
- Red Scale Boots – Grim Batol: Drahga Shadowburner
- Treads of the Neferset – Quest: The Source of Their Power
Rings:
iLvl 359:
- Signet of the Elder Council – Exalted with The Earthen Ring
iLvl 346:
- Terrath’s Signet of Balance – Revered with Therazane
- Band of Blades – Jewelcrafting
- Elementium Destroyer’s Ring – Jewelcrafting
iLvl 333:
- Mirage Ring – Lost City of Tol’vir: Zone Drop
- Ring of Blinding Stars – Halls of Origination: Isiset
- Ring of Dun Algaz – Grim Batol: Forgemaster Throngus
Trinkets:
iLvl 333:
- Tia’s Grace – Lost City of Tol’Vir: Siamat
- Skardyn’s Grace – Grim Batol: General Umbriss
iLvl 316:
- Key to the Endless Chamber – The Stonecore: Corborus
Ranged:
iLvl 346:
- Overpowered Chicken Splitter – Engineering
- Kickback 5000 – Engineering
iLvl 333:
- Volatile Thunderstick – Engineering
- Finely-Tuned Throat Needler – Engineering
- Big Bendy Blasting Bow – Quest: The Crucible of Carnage: The Twilight Terror!
2-H Weapon:
iLvl 333:
- Seliza’s Spear – Lost City of Tol’vir: General Husam
- Staff of Draconic Pacification – Quest: Narkrall, The Drake-Tamer
- Torth-Slayer’s Staff – Quest: Fury Unbound
iLvl 316:
- Darkling Staff – The Stonecore: High Priestess Azil
If you’re already running heroics, then it’s time to start looking for gear that will help you maximize your DPS during raids. Check back soon for another post soon that will help you look for the best pieces.
Oh, and 2 more things. First, if you have any questions, ask them in the comments and I’ll try to reply as soon as possible. Second, if you know who Jonathan Coulton is and like his songs, you’re my new friend.
/hug
Crap! Linked the wrong song >:(
Quest: Skullcrusher the Mountain is a reference to Jonathan Coulton’s song “Skullcrusher Mountain”
WTB Edit Button :(
Here is the link for Skullcrusher Mountain in case anyone is interested in listening it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_ryNJVreiY
Fixed!
i have done ALOT of testing with the Hunters specs, so far i have seen that Survival is stil by far the best for single target dps, Marksman is best for larger mob pulls, and BM is right in the middle of MM and SURV. I prefer Surv. basically because the rotation algorythm hasnt changed since, well LK. with just all ilvl 333 gear im easily able to pull well over 11k dps. MM comes a close second with 10k, and BM is third with 9.5k.
Oh, I’ve been doing some testing on training dummies as well!
I did about 13.5k with MM and 12.5k with SV. I didn’t really try BM, but I was in a group with a friend of mine who is just as geared as me and he was pulling 12k-ish.
I’ve only raided BH with my hunter since Patch 4.0.6. I ran as MM and I managed to pull 17.3k on Argaloth including Heroism and cooldowns.
I’d say MM is now pulling more dps than SV if you follow the right rotation. SV is still my favorite though!
well since 4.0.6 Surv got s slight nurf, Im not a fan of MM, it doesnt seem cohesive to me. Unlike Surv where ive got the rotation down pact. Its all about proper timing and when to use what abilities.
Great article.
Have followed all the information provided.
Thought I would add something I have found also.
Chest iLvl 325:
Crashing Idol Chestguard – Quest: Do the honors – Uldum
(This is a good alternative to running for justice points or buying the expensive 359 piece. The razorshell chest piece does not seem to be in the game)
Neck iLvl 333:
Pendant of Victorious Fury – Quest: Battle of life and death – Twighlight Highlands
(A nice and easy 333 piece, good alternative, same reasons as chest piece above)
Myself with a 318 helm, 1 trinket and 1 ring, made the 330 ilvl required to run heroics. However I will be attaining the rest of the 333 gear in order for better stats and to not waste enchants.
Great read, hope to see the next one for the epic pieces :)