Marksmanship Hunter guide

Ranged DPS. Marksmanship is the classic Auto Shot weaving spec. In Forever, Aimed Shot is a trainer ability that shares its 6 sec cooldown with Multi-Shot, Careful Aim turns Intellect into Attack Power and opens Mortal Shots, and Trueshot Aura is a tier 4 talent from level 25. Rapid Killing and Rapid Recuperation turn kills and Serpent Sting into damage and mana, and Sniper Shot, a 4 sec cast with a 15 sec cooldown, is the level 40 capstone.

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Stat priority

1. Hit (to cap)
2. Agility
3. Ranged Attack Power
4. Critical Strike
5. Haste
6. Intellect

Opener

1. Hunter's Mark: Before the pull
2. Trueshot Aura: Keep up for your group
3. Aimed Shot: Open with it before Auto Shot starts
4. Serpent Sting: Apply if the debuff slot is free

Single target

1. Aimed Shot: On cooldown right after an Auto Shot; shares cooldown with Multi-Shot
2. Sniper Shot: On cooldown when you can afford the 4 sec cast
3. Arcane Shot: Instant between Auto Shots, shorter with Improved Arcane Shot
4. Serpent Sting: Refresh when it falls off

Several targets

1. Multi-Shot: Use instead of Aimed Shot on packs, they share a cooldown
2. Volley: Channel on 4+ targets
3. Explosive Trap: Trap before engaging

Cooldowns

1. Rapid Fire: 40% ranged and melee attack speed for 15 sec
2. Scatter Shot: Peel or reset range
3. Feign Death: Drop threat

Key talents

• Sniper Shot
• Trueshot Aura
• Careful Aim
• Mortal Shots
• Rapid Killing
• Rapid Recuperation
• Lethal Attacks
• Efficiency
• Barrage
• Ranged Weapon Specialization
• Lone Wolf

What Forever changed

Aimed Shot is no longer a talent: the trainer teaches it at level 20 and it shares its cooldown with Multi-Shot. Trueshot Aura moved up to tier 4 (level 25) and teaches rank 1, with higher ranks from trainers, and Sniper Shot is the tier 7 capstone. Mortal Shots needs the new Careful Aim at 5/5, and Barrage adds 15% to Multi-Shot, Aimed Shot and Volley at 3/3. Lone Wolf gives 20% more damage while you have no pet out.

Tips

• Use a slow ranged weapon so casted shots fit between Auto Shots.
• On packs, press Multi-Shot instead of Aimed Shot since they share one cooldown.
• Keep Serpent Sting on your targets: with Rapid Killing a mob that dies with it on buffs your next Shot, and Rapid Recuperation turns each sting into mana regeneration while casting.

Other Hunter specs: Beast Mastery, Survival

Data from the WoW Forever client, build 1.60.1.70938, extracted 2026-11-13.