WotLK Hunter WOTLK Viability?

[Faustus]

Hi,

I'm considering rolling a hunter when Lorderon launches.

My end-game is PvE raiding content, with some PvP thrown in occasionally, but enjoy the journey of leveling up.

Are they a viable class in WOTLK? Are they needed in raids?

Thanks

[Evangelion]

Yes and yes. You won't do the dps they're doing on DW/Ragnaros right now, but they'll be pretty viable.
Hunters are needed because of MD and Aura.

[DarkenedHue]

If hunters are scripted on Lordaeron to a close to retail-like state, they're definitely going to be excellent. To answer your question, yes, hunters are definitely always needed. Misdirection alone makes Hunters a staple requirement of any raid. The rest of their considerable utility and great damage made them a solid asset to have in a raid in WotLK.

[taralej]

I don't consider MD that great of a tool in case Rogues have ToT, which does the same job but better. All tank classes have sufficient tools of starting aggro. The aura is also nothing special, considering BDKs and Enh Shamans have the same.

The real reasons for taking a Hunter in your raid are damage on Kinetic Bombs on BPC and on Ice Spheres on LK, and Tranq Shot on Shamblings on LK. There simply is no other class in the game that can do these better than a Hunter.

[DarkenedHue]

It being that TotT is a considerable DPS boost to its target, optimally you should have the rogue TotT a DPS. There's also the fact that MD's longer range usually makes it a better spell for handling add aggro.

No tank has the starting threat required to hold aggro off of an equally geared DPS doing his burst without the aid of threat transferring tools. The value of tools like MD is largely in how they trivialize the mechanic of aggro, and how that enables all other players in the raid to DPS without needing to hold back.

[Evangelion]

I don't consider MD that great of a tool in case Rogues have ToT, which does the same job but better. All tank classes have sufficient tools of starting aggro. The aura is also nothing special, considering BDKs and Enh Shamans have the same.

The real reasons for taking a Hunter in your raid are damage on Kinetic Bombs on BPC and on Ice Spheres on LK, and Tranq Shot on Shamblings on LK. There simply is no other class in the game that can do these better than a Hunter.

Blood DPS is rare atm, maybe it changes on Lordaeron, but we'll see.
Also, why would you take Enha for aura if you can take hunter that does two times more dps on same gear level?
So at this moment, it is their damage, aura and MD + good utility for LK as you did write. (Also considering that rogues aren't as populated as hunters are)

[jendah]

Blood DPS is rare atm, maybe it changes on Lordaeron, but we'll see.

Blood tanks work as well.

The real reasons for taking a Hunter in your raid are damage on Kinetic Bombs on BPC and on Ice Spheres on LK, and Tranq Shot on Shamblings on LK. There simply is no other class in the game that can do these better than a Hunter.

Other thing to note about lk fight is that MM can spec into "ranged" spec and push dps on lk during transitions -> makes 2nd and 3rd phase shorter. (less valks and defiles)

[SilentK]

Do remember that content gets released gradually so there is a lot going on till icc lich king fights.

But their damage is truly amazing and as for MD, sure it doesn't mean much in boss fights, most tanks hold aggro fine on their own, but with adds spawning and everything MD is a truly remarkable.

That said, I also imagine there will be quite a few hunters running around, especially at launch due to easier leveling as well, so... keep that in mind, while they're great its not gonna be a 25 hunter-man raid any time soon.