WoW, Hunters: Is it boring to play?

ndee

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
12,680
1
0
I'm getting WoW finally today and I'm wondering which class I should play.
 

TSDible

Golden Member
Nov 4, 1999
1,697
0
76
I play a hunter and I think it is kind of fun. They are an excellent PvE class. I haven't done too much PvP yet, so I can't comment on that.
 

Feneant2

Golden Member
May 26, 2004
1,418
30
91
I play a hunter as I solo more than I group. For groups in the high end though, expect to see 'LFM for Uldamar (or whatever the hell the instances are) - no hunters'.
 

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
38,416
4
0
Most fun for PvP: Rogue
Most fun for PvE: Warlock
Most fun for either when there is a high cliff near: Priest (mind control and force them to jump off the cliff, so much fun)
 

Cheetah8799

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2001
4,508
0
76
Hunters are not considered group friendly in the high end content. Their pets get beat down quickly, and no priest/healer wants to waste the mana on the pet when the main warrior tanks need it.

For solo play though, hunters and warlocks are considered to be very awesome classes.


Personally, I play a Shaman. I really like it. Excellent solo class, and also has good group capability if you are able to keep track of what the group is doing reasonably well, since Shamans need to play multiple roles at a time (healer, caster, melee/damage dealer, totems for buffs, etc.). Sometimes it gets hard trying to keep up with everything that is going on.
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
Hunters are not considered group friendly in the high end content. Their pets get beat down quickly, and no priest/healer wants to waste the mana on the pet when the main warrior tanks need it.

For solo play though, hunters and warlocks are considered to be very awesome classes.


Personally, I play a Shaman. I really like it. Excellent solo class, and also has good group capability if you are able to keep track of what the group is doing reasonably well, since Shamans need to play multiple roles at a time (healer, caster, melee/damage dealer, totems for buffs, etc.). Sometimes it gets hard trying to keep up with everything that is going on.

Being a hunter, my understanding of the above was similar. I have been told, however, that hunters are actually pretty good in high end content due to being out of AoE range from many enemies while still offering a reasonable DPS. See the "best class" thread to see what I'm referring to.

It's true, our pets are more and more worthless. They shouldn't ever be used as tanks. At most you should keep it at your side and use it for crowd control.

I'd say mage is the most fun. I haven't played warlock or shaman much, but mage is fun solo and never undesirable in groups. They are obviously not quite as popular as priests in groups, but they are still pretty uncommon and desired.
 

asm0deus

Golden Member
Aug 18, 2003
1,181
0
76
i love my hunter, im about to hit level 12. Its great in groups now (though by the sounds of it i'll get less and less popular) but i'm pretty much a tank anyways, I figure you can always buy into groups if they don't want you ;)
 

BigJimSlade

Member
Feb 6, 2004
37
0
0
I really enjoy my hunter. I play with some real life friends that are a paladin and warrior and the hunter compliments them very well. I play on a PvE server so I really can't comment on PvP too much, but we do really well PvE. Hunters can handle 2-3 mobs at a time pretty easily and between Feign Death and disengage+pet taunt+run we can ususally avoid death most of the time if things get hairy. Granted, I am only level 40 so I haven't run into the pet-that-can't-tank issue yet so my opinion may change as I get in the upper levels. I do find it hard to believe that hunters are so undesirable in high level groups. I would think that anyone that can play a hunter well would be desired since we are low maintenance and do decent dps. But then again, I can see how a poorly played hunter would be a burden on the group.
 

CVSiN

Diamond Member
Jul 19, 2004
9,289
1
0
Originally posted by: BigJimSlade
I really enjoy my hunter. I play with some real life friends that are a paladin and warrior and the hunter compliments them very well. I play on a PvE server so I really can't comment on PvP too much, but we do really well PvE. Hunters can handle 2-3 mobs at a time pretty easily and between Feign Death and disengage+pet taunt+run we can ususally avoid death most of the time if things get hairy. Granted, I am only level 40 so I haven't run into the pet-that-can't-tank issue yet so my opinion may change as I get in the upper levels. I do find it hard to believe that hunters are so undesirable in high level groups. I would think that anyone that can play a hunter well would be desired since we are low maintenance and do decent dps. But then again, I can see how a poorly played hunter would be a burden on the group.

Hunters are useful in the high end.. they have alot of DPS especially with Hurricane bows =)
we use them alot and they are considered needed for MC as several strategies that work for us require them.
havign said that.. hunters = the best PVE class in the game and one of the better pvp classes...
 

Gurck

Banned
Mar 16, 2004
12,963
1
0
My baby hunter is 19 now, he's been a lot of fun to play. Been playing him with a friend who started an alt paladin, it's a good duo. I wouldn't pay any attention to people saying you can't get groups at high levels. While no class is in as high demand as priests, all have their benefits to groups and can get into them. I've never seen "LFM, no <class>s". Hunters do a lot of damage, can feign death (hunter friend who's an engineer has saved wipes by feigning death and rezzing the priest with engineered jumper cables), and have a pet which can tank very well if an offtank is needed. If it's not needed, they can turn their pets' taunt off so as to not get aggro & require healing. Even if they weren't wanted in groups (though they are), unless you're a hermit-type, by 60 you'll have made acquaintance with some other good players and likely will have joined a guild, all of which greatly aid in not only getting groups, but getting decent ones without, say, a priest who feels he should be tanking and isn't aware he can heal ;) Play what you like.
 

Quixfire

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2001
6,892
0
0
I play a dwarf hunter with my son and I enjoy playing him a lot, not as much as a warrior. It's true that Warlocks and Hunters are great solo classes but when played right they are also excellent in groups.

P.S. Just be sure to turn off your pets taunt ability when grouping with a warrior. ;)
 

Gurck

Banned
Mar 16, 2004
12,963
1
0
Originally posted by: Quixfire
P.S. Just be sure to turn off your pets taunt ability when grouping with a warrior. ;)
I dunno, duoing with a pally friend, we find it's quicker xp to let my pet tank, since when not fighting his health regenerates so fast. Depends on the situation.
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
The pet so far doesn't have much trouble tanking in solo play. Though it is getting slightly harder. The problem is in instance runs. The pet just can't tank a lot of the harder enemies. Some of these guys go through my pet in less than ten seconds. It can still tank the weakies in an instance, though still not as effectively as a "real" tank. That is why I said they are mostly for crowd control.

Of course any class can find a group. Hunters aren't "excluded". They just aren't necessary, and therefore groups are opportunistic or must be initiated by you. Even in a guild, having a proper group makeup is important, and in most of the higher instances I have been in, hunter is a low priority.

I have found that hunters are one of the classes that can take the fullest advantage of first aid. In PvE, you can bandage your pet when low on mana, or feign death / disengage and bandage yourself. In groups, you are picking off enemies from a distance usually, so you have plenty of ability to run around bandaging people. So all you hunters out there, make sure you skill up your first aid.
 

ndee

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
12,680
1
0
Originally posted by: Feneant2
I play a hunter as I solo more than I group. For groups in the high end though, expect to see 'LFM for Uldamar (or whatever the hell the instances are) - no hunters'.

why are there no hunters allowed?
 

Gurck

Banned
Mar 16, 2004
12,963
1
0
Originally posted by: ndee
Originally posted by: Feneant2
I play a hunter as I solo more than I group. For groups in the high end though, expect to see 'LFM for Uldamar (or whatever the hell the instances are) - no hunters'.
why are there no hunters allowed?
Like I said, this doesn't happen.
 

HumblePie

Lifer
Oct 30, 2000
14,665
440
126
First off, hunters rock PVE.

Solo all the way to 60 no problem. Get a good TANKING pet, which most people do not do for PVE.

DPS Pets:
Cats
Bats
Owls
Spiders
Wind Serpants
Raptors
Carrion Birds

TANK Pets:
Bears
Turtles
Crocs
Scorpids
Boars

Middle of the road (thus sucky pets):
Dogs
Hyenas
Striders
Snakes


The problem is, most hunters pick a DPS pet, usually a cat, and expect it to tank at higher levels. It's NOT going to happen. There is a reason we get to stable extra pets. Typically, you'll want to use a bear or turtle 90% of the time. DPS pets are AWSOME for pvp as you want them to dish out as much damage as possible before they are feared, sheeped, slept, rooted, or whatever. It's also very surprising how many hunters do NOT know the basics about pets and their class. Your pet will never be as good as a warrior in a high level raid instance for tanking. Don't expect it to tank like warrior or a pally. However, the right pet can be an awsome off-tank and a savior to healers and mages when they get in a pinch. Kept your pet in reserve on passive to avoid it drawing agro and use it to save lives when needed. It's an awsome form of crowd control that way.

Hunters make great PVE characters on high level raids because they can throw out almost as much dps as a rogue without getting nailed by AoEs and dying when that monster attacks the warrior. A well played hunter needs no attention by a healer unlike the mana sponges rogues are for healers.

Hunters make strong contenders in PVP as well,so long as you know your strengths and weaknesses. A well played hunter CAN take out anyone else but a well played shaman or mage with ease. This is because shamans and mages can exploit a hunters "dead zone" which is the area a hunter can not attack attack. By doing so a shaman or mage can annihilate a hunter and there is nothing a hunter can do to stop it. On the flip side, a well played hunter can just about kick the crap out of anyone else, BUT it takes lots of practice. Practice needed to keep your distance, learning the use and placement of traps, and doing "jump shots" while also using the terrain to your advantage.

Hunters are fun and powerful but they are also the hardest characters to play WELL. You have to deal with pet management, range management, trap management, and agro management. There are many times you must learn to turn your pet from passive to defensive and vice versa. Times to turn off pet taunt and turn it back on. Have to keep your pet fed at all times. Have to know when to run and shoot and when to stand and shoot. Have to learn how to place traps, and only freezing trap is really worth a dam most of the time with immolation being somewhat useful in rare circumstances. Also, learn to use which ranged attacks to use on which monster or player type. Hunters can be quite the challenge to play correctly. Because hunters can be a challenge to learn to play correctly in a group and in pvp, hunters have a "bad rap" in high level group play and are seen as weak in pvp. They are not, they are just high maintenance. However, if you are looking to play PVE solely and do it solo, no other character can come close to the ease of solo PVE play as a hunter.
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
Originally posted by: Gurck
Originally posted by: ndee
Originally posted by: Feneant2
I play a hunter as I solo more than I group. For groups in the high end though, expect to see 'LFM for Uldamar (or whatever the hell the instances are) - no hunters'.
why are there no hunters allowed?
Like I said, this doesn't happen.

I agree, never seen that. The closest thing I've seen is "LFM for Uldaman" and when I inquire, they say they need a healer or tank.

 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
Originally posted by: HumblePie
First off, hunters rock PVE.

Solo all the way to 60 no problem. Get a good TANKING pet, which most people do not do for PVE.

DPS Pets:
Cats
Bats
Owls
Spiders
Wind Serpants
Raptors
Carrion Birds

TANK Pets:
Bears
Turtles
Crocs
Scorpids
Boars

Middle of the road (thus sucky pets):
Dogs
Hyenas
Striders
Snakes


The problem is, most hunters pick a DPS pet, usually a cat, and expect it to tank at higher levels. It's NOT going to happen. There is a reason we get to stable extra pets. Typically, you'll want to use a bear or turtle 90% of the time. DPS pets are AWSOME for pvp as you want them to dish out as much damage as possible before they are feared, sheeped, slept, rooted, or whatever. It's also very surprising how many hunters do NOT know the basics about pets and their class. Your pet will never be as good as a warrior in a high level raid instance for tanking. Don't expect it to tank like warrior or a pally. However, the right pet can be an awsome off-tank and a savior to healers and mages when they get in a pinch. Kept your pet in reserve on passive to avoid it drawing agro and use it to save lives when needed. It's an awsome form of crowd control that way.

Hunters make great PVE characters on high level raids because they can throw out almost as much dps as a rogue without getting nailed by AoEs and dying when that monster attacks the warrior. A well played hunter needs no attention by a healer unlike the mana sponges rogues are for healers.

Hunters make strong contenders in PVP as well,so long as you know your strengths and weaknesses. A well played hunter CAN take out anyone else but a well played shaman or mage with ease. This is because shamans and mages can exploit a hunters "dead zone" which is the area a hunter can not attack attack. By doing so a shaman or mage can annihilate a hunter and there is nothing a hunter can do to stop it. On the flip side, a well played hunter can just about kick the crap out of anyone else, BUT it takes lots of practice. Practice needed to keep your distance, learning the use and placement of traps, and doing "jump shots" while also using the terrain to your advantage.

Hunters are fun and powerful but they are also the hardest characters to play WELL. You have to deal with pet management, range management, trap management, and agro management. There are many times you must learn to turn your pet from passive to defensive and vice versa. Times to turn off pet taunt and turn it back on. Have to keep your pet fed at all times. Have to know when to run and shoot and when to stand and shoot. Have to learn how to place traps, and only freezing trap is really worth a dam most of the time with immolation being somewhat useful in rare circumstances. Also, learn to use which ranged attacks to use on which monster or player type. Hunters can be quite the challenge to play correctly. Because hunters can be a challenge to learn to play correctly in a group and in pvp, hunters have a "bad rap" in high level group play and are seen as weak in pvp. They are not, they are just high maintenance. However, if you are looking to play PVE solely and do it solo, no other character can come close to the ease of solo PVE play as a hunter.

Don't think you are giving immolation traps enough credit. Serpent Sting + Immolation trap = 900 free damage for me currently. Since both are DOTs it generally doesn't cause much threat. Obviously in instances freeze traps will *generally* be more useful. Though I find that no matter how often I set a freeze trap and inform people of its use, inevitably they ignore me. I've been trying the freeze trap in front of a healer thing... slightly more success.

I saw someone who had charmed the giant cobra type snakes from zul. Is that what you are referring to above as "snakes"? Or do you mean the borers in maraudon type snakes? Or are they the same and my memory sucks?
 

erikistired

Diamond Member
Sep 27, 2000
9,739
0
0
Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
Hunters are not considered group friendly in the high end content. Their pets get beat down quickly, and no priest/healer wants to waste the mana on the pet when the main warrior tanks need it.

For solo play though, hunters and warlocks are considered to be very awesome classes.


Personally, I play a Shaman. I really like it. Excellent solo class, and also has good group capability if you are able to keep track of what the group is doing reasonably well, since Shamans need to play multiple roles at a time (healer, caster, melee/damage dealer, totems for buffs, etc.). Sometimes it gets hard trying to keep up with everything that is going on.

that's hilarious because i group daily in high end instances. my pet doesn't get beat down quickly and with a little help from the healer he's tanked many a boss. what warrior wants a huge repair bill anyhow when a pet that can be easily brought back to life can take the brunt of it?

i can lay the smack down on a mob even when everyone else gets feared, and i can put my pet on a 2nd mob and let the group focus on one then the other instead of getting split and being less effective.

however, the pvp isn't as great.

the only time i've seen "no hunters" is when another hunter is putting together a group and wants to horde any beaststalker drops.
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
Originally posted by: fisher
that's hilarious because i group daily in high end instances. my pet doesn't get beat down quickly and with a little help from the healer he's tanked many a boss. what warrior wants a huge repair bill anyhow when a pet that can be easily brought back to life can take the brunt of it?

i can lay the smack down on a mob even when everyone else gets feared, and i can put my pet on a 2nd mob and let the group focus on one then the other instead of getting split and being less effective.

however, the pvp isn't as great.

the only time i've seen "no hunters" is when another hunter is putting together a group and wants to horde any beaststalker drops.

I'd love to hear what magic pet you have that can tank the dragons of sunken temple or the bosses in BRD as well as a warrior. That's either a fantastic secret pet or a crappy warrior. I'm also unsure how a hunter can be immune to fear effects when a mage or priest is not from the same range.
 

Quixfire

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2001
6,892
0
0
Originally posted by: Gurck
Originally posted by: Quixfire
P.S. Just be sure to turn off your pets taunt ability when grouping with a warrior. ;)
I dunno, duoing with a pally friend, we find it's quicker xp to let my pet tank, since when not fighting his health regenerates so fast. Depends on the situation.
First I said Warrior not Paladin, secondly warrior needs to retain arggo to build rage so having a pet taunting the mob reduces a warrior?s abilities by not gaining rage.
 

Concillian

Diamond Member
May 26, 2004
3,751
8
81
Originally posted by: ndee
I'm getting WoW finally today and I'm wondering which class I should play.

Lemme guess you're going to be alliance on a normal server too.

Seriously the PvE realms are SO lopsided with hunters it's crazy. Whatever floats your boat though. Solo PvE is pretty easy with any character. I prefer to pick classes that are less used and/or more in-demand for groups.

There is no best class, pick what you like. I haven't played a hunter, but I wouldn't imagine they are not boring. IMO paladins are kinda boring, but no other classes I've played have been boring.
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
Originally posted by: Concillian
Originally posted by: ndee
I'm getting WoW finally today and I'm wondering which class I should play.

Lemme guess you're going to be alliance on a normal server too.

Seriously the PvE realms are SO lopsided with hunters it's crazy. Whatever floats your boat though. Solo PvE is pretty easy with any character. I prefer to pick classes that are less used and/or more in-demand for groups.

There is no best class, pick what you like. I haven't played a hunter, but I wouldn't imagine they are not boring. IMO paladins are kinda boring, but no other classes I've played have been boring.

I haven't played warrior, but they seem like they would be boring to me. The rush skill (forgot its name) does make up for a lot of that, as it is always fun to watch, but overall they seem to be a little boring to me. Paladin is fun for a while, and then does slowly seem to be more and more boring as the inability to kill things quickly crops up.
 

Concillian

Diamond Member
May 26, 2004
3,751
8
81
Warriors are more interesting to play that pallys primarily because you do more things with your rage while fighting than a pally does with his mana. Plus pally DPS rivals my disc/holy priest, so killing is comparatively slow.

In a group, warriors and pallys are both some of the most intense and strategic play in the whole game, with the warrior having more options than a pally, and so a bit more interesting to me. Warrior playstyle changes completely when tanking vs. soloing, which makes it like playing two different characters:
solo = Kill before being killed DPS reigns supreme
group/instance = all that matters is you keeping aggro off the squishies, your DPS matters little, you enable more damage though causing additional threat than you do though using your damage dealing skills.

It's a total about face, which makes for pretty challenging and interesting play, its like two characters in one.