Current spec relations?

[Iridar 80]

Hies, tentatively returned to raiding. 

 

I'd like to know how specs relate currently to each other. I.e., in 6.0 - 6.1, Survival was go-to spec for AoE and multidotting, BM was for [burst] cleaving multiple stacked targets and MM was for single target tunneling. 

 

Is this still the case? 

 

My raid group is currently progressing through HC Socretar, and I've been thinking about switching to focusing shot SV for that fight, since nor MM nor BM really offer the AOE needed to take down those spirit souls. 

 

As I understand, MM is the current flavor of the moment, and even the sticky guide only covers only the MM. Does this mean other specs aren't competitive at all?

Edited August 17, 2015 by Iridar

[Orthios 271]

Beast Mastery is only good if your raid group lacks on melee range AoE and doesn't lack on add control.  Pretty much, if you can't beast cleave a LOT then MM is better.  Marksman is very good at sniping adds and priority target damage, the latter of which is the central design of HFC - fights with priority targets that need to die faster rather than slower.  SV currently has no place in HFC due to the "fix" when patch 6.2 hit.  This "fix" is that before 6.2 Arcane and Multi Shot not only applied Serpent Sting, but also caused an instant tick to happen, and so did any multistrikes off of those abilities.  This lead to any MS buff being a "burst" window for SV by being able to get a large number of instant ticks of SS with few actual hits.  Patch 6.2 removed this instant tick entirely, which made it the least desirable spec in the game (and the worst).

[Iridar 80]

Beast Mastery is only good if your raid group lacks on melee range AoE and doesn't lack on add control.  Pretty much, if you can't beast cleave a LOT then MM is better.  Marksman is very good at sniping adds and priority target damage, the latter of which is the central design of HFC - fights with priority targets that need to die faster rather than slower.  SV currently has no place in HFC due to the "fix" when patch 6.2 hit.  This "fix" is that before 6.2 Arcane and Multi Shot not only applied Serpent Sting, but also caused an instant tick to happen, and so did any multistrikes off of those abilities.  This lead to any MS buff being a "burst" window for SV by being able to get a large number of instant ticks of SS with few actual hits.  Patch 6.2 removed this instant tick entirely, which made it the least desirable spec in the game (and the worst).

Huh. I knew about instant tick removal, but didn't quite figure it was such a big deal. Forgot about the fact that multistrikes caused instant ticks too.

 

About Socretar specifically - should I even bother with something like focusing shot MM (seeing as lonewolf doesn't buff multi shot damage), or should I just rather demand help from another ranged DDs and limit myself to casting Barrage in the direction of adds on cooldown?

[MelkorX 1]

If you have the option in the raid maybe a WL,Laserowl or sth like that would be better suited for masskilling slowed  but not imprisoned (90% dmg reduction) ghosts since mm doesn't have a continuous viable aoe there. Barrage through the boss in that direction if they get close is imho more of a help than a reliable add dps. Multi shot is basicly only a fly squatter and not really prefered over  AiS against at least 8 tightly grouped targets and even there you will run out of focus before doing serious dmg because bombardment thrill of the hunt MS cant re apply thrill of the hunt. Imho for HFC you might as well remove MS from the actionbars entirely.

 

Azorthians Guide goes into the different encounters in regard of focusing shot but the gyst is: stay a lone wolf, especially where CS can cleave. MM is awesome for priority target focus and some assist aoe but as orthios wrote right now hunter isnt really a "range aoe spec" I have never tried what would happen to a pet going into socrethars fire trying to cleave the ghosts, but even if its not dying, slowed to much they are probably spread out to much for beastcleave. If you have no other options to kill the ghosts Id try to go with SV which would only work at all if serpent sting could kill the ghosts pretty much alone with the fire laid by the construct  which i doubt.

[Orthios 271]

 

Beast Mastery is only good if your raid group lacks on melee range AoE and doesn't lack on add control.  Pretty much, if you can't beast cleave a LOT then MM is better.  Marksman is very good at sniping adds and priority target damage, the latter of which is the central design of HFC - fights with priority targets that need to die faster rather than slower.  SV currently has no place in HFC due to the "fix" when patch 6.2 hit.  This "fix" is that before 6.2 Arcane and Multi Shot not only applied Serpent Sting, but also caused an instant tick to happen, and so did any multistrikes off of those abilities.  This lead to any MS buff being a "burst" window for SV by being able to get a large number of instant ticks of SS with few actual hits.  Patch 6.2 removed this instant tick entirely, which made it the least desirable spec in the game (and the worst).

Huh. I knew about instant tick removal, but didn't quite figure it was such a big deal. Forgot about the fact that multistrikes caused instant ticks too.

 

About Socretar specifically - should I even bother with something like focusing shot MM (seeing as lonewolf doesn't buff multi shot damage), or should I just rather demand help from another ranged DDs and limit myself to casting Barrage in the direction of adds on cooldown?

 

For Socrethar you want Lone Wolf due to the Dominators being a high priority and buffing KS helps bring them down a lot faster.  After that, you have semi-frequent cleave on the shadowcallers for CS.  For the haunting souls, a destro lock is the best to nuke them down, after that would be a boomkin or ele shaman.  When you can, you should try to cast barrage on them, but you shouldn't need to concern yourself with it.

[Iridar 80]

Alright, thanks for your advice, guys. Our raid leader has come to rely on us hunters to deal with mechanics, but I guess I'll have to tell her this is the one thing we can't do alone. 

[Iridar 80]

Got the fight beaten by three hunters rotating Binding Shot and Ice Traps on adds. Also, I think the golem guy started throwing some balls in the direction of adds, as well as trapping them in stun near the end of the fight. 

[Azortharion 60]

Welcome back.

[Iridar 80]

Welcome back.

D'aaawww, that's just cute. Azor is all pleasant and polite now :D Thanks, it's good to be back.