Hunter Hero Talents — The War Within (11.1.0)

This page is specifically about Hero Talents in The War Within. If you want to learn more about the best regular talents for Beast Mastery Hunter, check out our Talents page:

Pack Leader has far superior damage in all scenarios to Dark Ranger and is essentially a lock-in pick.

Dark Ranger is significantly behind in all kinds of DPS. Its only strength is the Smoke Screen defensive node, which is far stronger than anything Pack Leader offers defensively.

Pack Leader has far superior damage in all scenarios to Dark Ranger and is essentially a lock-in pick.

Dark Ranger is significantly behind in all kinds of DPS. Its only strength is the Smoke Screen defensive node, which is far stronger than anything Pack Leader offers defensively.

2.

Best Hero Talent Builds for Beast Mastery Hunter

Pack Leader Build Dark Ranger Build

2.

Best Pack Leader Build for Beast Mastery Hunter

Pack Leader is very straightforward to build, with the same setup being optimal for nearly all scenarios. The only real flex pick here might be Horsehair Tether, which you can swap to Slicked Shoes when and as needed, but it is a pretty minor effect.

2.

Best Dark Ranger Build for Beast Mastery Hunter

Dark Ranger is straightforward to build, and nearly always uses the same nodes. If you do not find yourself taking active and deliberate use of the very powerful Smoke Screen defensive node, then swapping it out for Embrace the Shadows for a more passive defense is a viable choice.

Pack Leader has little to no appreciable impact on your rotational priorities, though it does impact its feel. You will occasionally notice Howl of the Pack Leader/ Pack Mentality procs that reset the cooldown of Barbed Shot. You will also get some passive Kill Command cooldown reduction via Ursine Fury, and Hogstrider may occasionally have you Cobra Shot deliberately on AoE to expend its proc.

Dark Ranger replaces Kill Shot with the much stronger Black Arrow. Casting Kill Command will regularly grant Black Arrow procs that should be used constantly. On AoE, it is essential that Black Arrow gets used when you have Beast Cleave active.