Beast Mastery (BM) Hunter PvE Guide - Cataclysm Classic

These guides are based on simulation data, tools, and theorycrafting from original Cataclysm. We'll be sure to update them when modern sims are finished. Rotations are likely to get optimized via sims, but it should already give you a very strong starting point.

Introduction

    Beast Mastery Hunters bring a damage percentage increase to the entire raid with
    Ferocious Inspiration
    . They also have access to Exotic Pets that can bring important raid buffs that you might be missing. Core Hounds bring
    Ancient Hysteria
    which is the same as
    Bloodlust
    , and Shale Spiders bring
    Embrace of the Shale Spider
    which is the same as
    Mark of the Wild
    or
    Blessing of Kings
    . All Hunters also have access to normal pets that can bring other raid buffs such as 5% Crit and Agility/Strength buff.

Cataclysm Classic Beast Mastery (BM) Hunter Rotation

    Hunters now have Focus instead of Mana, which works similar to Energy but with a slower regen rate. This means you will need to do your best not to cap your Focus, as well as making sure you have enough Focus when you need to cast your high priority abilities. Beast Mastery Hunters need to maintain an important buff in
    Focus Fire
    and always make sure they have enough Focus when
    Kill Command
    comes off cooldown.

Single Target

  1. Use
    Aspect of the Hawk
    .
  2. Maintain
    Hunter's Mark
    if assigned.
  3. Use
    Bestial Wrath
    , ideally when at high Focus and your
    Serpent Sting
    recently refreshed. You want to use at least 2
    Kill Command
    s and as many
    Arcane Shot
    s in this window.
  4. Use
    Rapid Fire
    and
    Call of the Wild
    .
  5. Use
    Fervor
    as long as you and your pet won't cap on Focus.
  6. Maintain
    Serpent Sting
    .
    Cobra Shot
    will do this for you.
  7. Use
    Kill Command
    .
  8. Use
    Kill Shot
    on targets 20% health or below.
  9. Use
    Focus Fire
    at 5
    Frenzy
    stacks as long as
    Bestial Wrath
    isn't active.
  10. Use
    Arcane Shot
    as long as it doesn't delay any
    Kill Command
    casts.
  11. Use
    Cobra Shot
    to generate Focus.
  12. During movement, use
    Aspect of the Fox
    with
    Cobra Shot
    .

AoE

    2 targets:

  1. Maintain
    Serpent Sting
    on both targets.
  2. Follow single target rotation.
  3. 3 or more targets:

  4. Use
    Explosive Trap
    .
  5. Use
    Multi-Shot
    .
  6. Use
    Kill Shot
    on targets 20% health or below.
  7. Use
    Cobra Shot
    to generate Focus.

Cataclysm Classic Beast Mastery (BM) Hunter Talents

Standard Build

0
Beast Mastery
0
Marksmanship
0
Survival

Cataclysm Classic Beast Mastery (BM) Hunter Glyphs

  1. Prime:
    Kill CommandKill Command
    ,
    Arcane ShotArcane Shot
    ,
    Kill ShotKill Shot
  2. Major:
    Bestial WrathBestial Wrath
    ,
    Trap LauncherTrap Launcher
    ,
    DisengageDisengage
  3. Minor:
    Feign DeathFeign Death
    ,
    Revive PetRevive Pet
    ,
    Aspect of the PackAspect of the Pack

Cataclysm Classic Beast Mastery (BM) Hunter Best Consumables

Flasks and Elixirs

    Best:
  • Flask of the Winds

Food

    Best:
  • Seafood Magnifique Feast
    ,
  • Skewered Eel
    ,
  • Fortune Cookie
    Alternatives:
  • Broiled Dragon Feast
    ,
  • Tender Baked Turtle

Potions

    Best:
  • Potion of the Tol'vir

Cataclysm Classic Beast Mastery (BM) Hunter Best Races

Alliance

  1. Worgen:
    Viciousness
    and
    Darkflight
  2. Dwarf:
    Gun Specialization
  3. Draenei:
    Heroic Presence

Horde

  1. Orc:
    Command
    and
    Blood Fury
  2. Troll:
    Berserking
    and
    Bow Specialization
    .
  3. Goblin:
    Time is Money
    ,
    Rocket Barrage
    , and
    Rocket Jump
  4. Blood Elf:
    Arcane Torrent

Cataclysm Classic Beast Mastery (BM) Hunter Best Professions

  1. Engineering:
    Synapse Springs
    .
  2. Tailoring:
    Swordguard Embroidery
    .
  3. Blacksmithing:
    Socket Bracer
    and
    Socket Gloves
    . Becomes 2nd best in T13.
  4. The rest of the Crafting Professions provide nearly identical benefits.