Is there a time when BM overtakes survival or is it always better?

[Benibz 0]

Hi, 

 

Im just trying to figure out if there is an ilvl or certain crit percentage or whatever that you should change to BM? Or is BM always better at the moment?

 

Thanks

[Azortharion 60]

BM meets SV single-target @ ~556 iLvl (so a set of fully upgraded flex gear with the fancy trinkets and all), but beats SV much earlier in terms of cleave/AoE and stuff.

[Benibz 0]

So I'm pretty much freshly 90 and have ilvl 480 or so. I need to be BM then?

 

Basically Im gearing up and looking to get into SoO LFR in the next day or two. What am I going to put out less embarrassing numbers with?

 

Thanks

Edited June 28, 2014 by Benibz

[Azortharion 60]

I'd probably go Survival till you start clearing LFR/Flex.

[Benibz 0]

Ok thanks a lot. Much appreciated

[Felinin 0]

Although I'm a specialised and dedicated BM hunter, I wouldn't actually advise one spec over another.

 

I'm at iLvL 563 now, doing SoO 10N (and sometimes 25N) to gear up ready for my fairly relaxed and casual raid groups to start on Heroics. Playing BM all through LFR and Flex I have never been 'embarrassed' by my DPS. It's always been at least on a par with SV hunters of a similar iLvL, and on crowds often somewhat higher thanks to Beast Cleave. But that's not the point.

 

I would suggest: choose the spec you are more comfortable playing, and stick with it to improve (that spec) beyond whatever theoretical DPS advantages there may be with one over the other. Don't go changing around depending on what others say is the 'best' at any particular time. Familiarity with and skill in a particular spec is the most relevant factor in getting the most out of it.

 

And always remember, the true value of a raiding hunter (or any damage class) is not in DPS alone! Get a range of pets to fill in missing raid buffs (not so much for 25m, but certainly for Flex and 'casual' 10m), brush up on hunter utilities (e.g. crowd control, enrage removal, healing debuff, trap breaking) and the specific jobs we are often given (e.g. Siegecrafter assembly line, Garrosh engineers). Also use your high mobility and range to avoid damage and keep out of trouble. Doing all this like a natural is just as important as your DPS, and your tanks and healers really appreciate it, especially when you get beyond LFR.

 

Have fun!

Edited July 12, 2014 by Felinin

[Azortharion 60]

I think that the specs are similar enough for "play whatever you feel like" not to be true unless you strongly prefer one spec over the other, it's not like Arcane vs Fire.

 

@ The whole raiding hunter not being about DPS, both specs can do all of that - BM can actually do a few more of the former, so the main difference is output. ;p

[Myath 0]

Hi,

 

Until you become a pro hunter, I would recommend playing Survival over BM since it's much easier to deal with. Grab Thrill and Blink strike (passive talents) and just focus on that simple rotation you get. When you move into SoO, your priority should be to get both 2-set and 4-set bonus and an Assurance of Consequence trinket. Have your rapid fire on keybind because you are going to spam it :).

[Azortharion 60]

Hi,

 

Until you become a pro hunter, I would recommend playing Survival over BM since it's much easier to deal with. Grab Thrill and Blink strike (passive talents) and just focus on that simple rotation you get. When you move into SoO, your priority should be to get both 2-set and 4-set bonus and an Assurance of Consequence trinket. Have your rapid fire on keybind because you are going to spam it .

 

This not really good advice:

 

1) You don't have to be "pro" to play BM, it's harder, but not THAT hard.

2) Going Blink Strikes with Survival is just.. Silly. Going with AMOC and pressing the button once every 2 minutes isn't hard either.

 

To go with SV with Blink Strikes just because it's "much easier" is REALLY lazy, imo.

[Orthios 271]

The only fights I would use blink strikes on running SV (or MM) would be seigecrafter (belts), spoils, and galakras.  Maybe use it on immersius or Nazgrim.  Outside of those fights, AMoC is better.

[Myath 0]

What kind of dmg can you expect from a single murder of crow? (let's say at around 580 ilvl) Never tried that talent to be honest. I'm afraid of the 60 focus cost.

[Orthios 271]

What kind of dmg can you expect from a single murder of crow? (let's say at around 580 ilvl) Never tried that talent to be honest. I'm afraid of the 60 focus cost.

At ~550, a single AMoC deals ~800k, so I would guess around 1.5M at 580.

[Kattii 40]

586 ilvl in a 4 min fight casted twice it did 3.62m damage, hit 60 times, 88% of those where crits. It did 3.24% of my overall damage. 

 

It's good on single target fights.