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Marksmanship Hunter

Mirrors the current rank-1 Sinister Single parse — every slot is what the best MM hunter actually wears.

179,854 1 target
223,374 2 targets · 24%
258,781 3 targets · 44%
329,801 5 targets · 83%

Simulated DPS on the best-in-slot profile below, five-minute patchwerk. Compare every spec →

The short version

Hero tree: Sentinel
Stat priority: Critical Strike > Mastery > Haste > Versatility
Content: Raid

How it plays

Measured on the reference parse below, not a description of the spec — so it changes when the tuning does.

Stat priority

Critical Strike > Mastery > Haste > Versatility

These are not weights pulled from a spreadsheet — they are the live ratings on the reference character this build is taken from, so the order reflects what the best-performing Marksmanship Hunter is actually stacking right now.

SECONDARIES Critical Strike
Critical Strike46%
Mastery38%
Haste12%
Versatility3%

Source: Jmehunt — the log. Best-logging MM Hunter on Sinister Single (Dummy Dome), avg ilvl 335.

Talent build

Laid out exactly as the in-game talent UI draws it, hero tree Sentinel. Lit nodes and gold lines are the path this build takes; everything dimmed was passed over. Hover any node for what it does.

Hunter · 34 points

Rejuvenating WindExhilaration now also heals you for an additional ${}.1% of your maximum health over .
Survival of the FittestReduces all damage you and your pet take by for .
PosthasteDisengage also frees you from all movement impairing effects and increases your movement speed by for .
2/2 Natural MendingExhilaration's cooldown is reduced by ${-/1000} sec.
Padded ArmorSurvival of the Fittest gains an additional charge.
Hunter's AvoidanceDamage taken from area of effect attacks reduced by .
Wilderness MedicineMend Pet heals for an additional ${*/}% of your pet's health over its duration, and has a chance to dispel a magic effect each time it heals your pet.
Not taken
Combat ExperienceYour Agility is increased by .
Improved Aspect of the CheetahThe cooldown of Aspect of the Cheetah is reduced by ${-/1000} sec.
Concussive ShotDazes the target, slowing movement speed by for .$?a137015[ Cobra Shot will increase the duration of Concussive Shot on the target by ${/10}.1 sec.]?a137016[ Steady Shot will increase the duration of Concussive Shot on the target by ${/10}.1 sec.][]
Not taken
Precision StrikesYour auto attack damage is increased by .
Counter ShotInterrupts spellcasting, preventing any spell in that school from being cast for .
2/2 Serrated TipsYou gain more critical strike from critical strike sources.
Tranquilizing ShotRemoves Enrage and Magic effect from an enemy target.
PathfindingMovement speed increased by .
Disruptive RoundsWhen Muzzle interrupts a cast, gain Focus.
2/2 Improved Feign DeathThe cooldown of Feign Death is reduced by ${-/1000} sec.
MisdirectionMisdirects all threat you cause to the targeted party or raid member, beginning with your next attack within and lasting for .
Kodo TranquilizerTranquilizing Shot removes additional Magic effect from up to nearby targets.
Choice node — not taken

Not taken
Kindling FlareFlare's radius is increased by .
Not taken
2/2 Trigger FingerHaste increased by .
Tar TrapHurls a tar trap to the target location that creates a yd radius pool of tar around itself for when the first enemy approaches. All enemies have % reduced movement speed while in the area of effect. Limit . Trap will exist for .
Choice node — not taken

Not taken
2/2 Touch of GrassYour maximum health is increased by .
CamouflageYou and your pet blend into the surroundings and gain stealth for . While camouflaged, you will heal for of maximum health every sec.
Not taken
No Hard FeelingsWhen Misdirection targets your pet, it reduces the damage they take by % for . The cooldown of Misdirection is reduced by ${-/1000} sec.
Not taken
Improved Aspect of the TurtleThe cooldown of Aspect of the Turtle is reduced by ${-/1000} sec.
Specialized Arsenal$?a137017[Wildfire Bomb]?a137016[Aimed Shot][Kill Command] deals increased damage.
Scout's InstinctsYou cannot be slowed below % of your normal movement speed while Aspect of the Cheetah is active.
Not taken
Shell WallDamage taken during Aspect of the Turtle is reduced by an additional .
Not taken
IntimidationYour Spotting Eagle descends from the skies, stunning your target for . Targets stunned by Intimidation deal % less damage to you for after the effect ends. This ability does not require line of sight when used against players.
Improved SnaringWing Clip slows an additional ${-}%. Concussive Shot slows an additional ${-}%.
Not taken
Lone SurvivorThe duration of Survival of the Fittest is increased by ${/1000}.1 sec.
Catlike ReflexesAspect of the Cheetah's initial burst of speed is increased by ${/1000}.1 sec.
Not taken
Binding ShotFires a magical projectile, tethering the enemy and any other enemies within yds for , stunning them for if they move more than yds from the arrow. Targets stunned by Binding Shot deal % less damage to you for after the effect ends.
Not taken
TrailblazerYour movement speed is increased by anytime you have not attacked for ${/1000} sec.
Choice node — not taken

Not taken
Cold FeetWhen your Freezing Trap breaks, the victim's movement speed is reduced by % for .
Not taken
Guttural RoarIntimidation now also stuns nearby enemies for ${}.1 sec.
Choice node
2/2 Born To Be WildThe cooldown of Aspect of the Eagle, Aspect of the Cheetah, and Aspect of the Turtle are reduced by ${/-1000} sec.
2/2 Keen EyesightCritical strike chance increased by .
Tar-Coated BindingsBinding Shot's stun duration is increased by ${/1000} sec.
Choice node — not taken

Not taken
Improved TrapsThe cooldown of Tar Trap and Freezing Trap is reduced by ${/-1000}.1 sec.
Not taken
Emergency SalveFeign Death and Aspect of the Turtle removes poison and disease effects from you.
Guardian's HideYour pet protects you at all times, reducing the damage you take by . Your pet receives of the damage it mitigates.
Choice node
Unnatural CausesYour damage over time effects deal increased damage. This effect is increased by on targets below health.

Sentinel · 13 points

SentinelConsuming Tip of the Spear has a chance to summon the aid of a Sentinel Owl that descends from the skies and applies Sentinel's Mark to your target. $@spellicon1253601that ability $@spellaura1253601
Don't Look BackConsuming Sentinel's Mark grants you an absorb shield equal to ${}.1% of your maximum health.
Moon's BlessingConsuming Precise Shots has a increased chance to summon your Sentinel Owl. When your Sentinel Owl applies Sentinel's Mark, reduce the cooldown of Aimed Shot by ${/1000}.1 sec.
Sanctified ArmamentsAn additional of Rapid Fire's damage is dealt as Arcane damage over .
Moonlight ChakramFor after casting Trueshot, Trueshot is replaced with Moonlight Chakram. $@spellicon1264949 that ability $@spelldesc1264949
StargazerConsuming Precise Shots grants % increased critical strike damage for . Multiple applications may overlap.
Choice node
Can't Miss, Won't MissPrecise Shots damage bonus increased by . Trueshot duration increased by ${/1000} sec.
Invigorating PulseSteady Shot grants an additional Focus and its damage is increased by . Maximum Focus increased by .
Stalk and StrikeThrowing your Moonlight Chakram grants you Lock and Load.
Choice node
Arcane TalonsSentinel's Mark further increases the damage of Aimed Shot and Rapid Fire by
Lunar CallingFeathered Frenzy further increases your chance to summon your Sentinel Owl during Trueshot by .
ConditioningYour movement speed is increased by . Aspect of the Cheetah's cooldown is reduced by ${-/1000} sec.
Choice node
Radiant EdgeYour Moonlight Chakram deals % increased damage each time it bounces.
Lunar StormWhen Sentinel's Mark is consumed, it summons a barrage of lunar missiles, each dealing Arcane damage to enemies within yds.

Marksmanship · 33 points

Aimed ShotA powerful aimed shot that deals Physical damage.
Rapid FireShoot a stream of shots at your target over , dealing a total of ${*w1} Physical damage. Usable while moving. Each shot generates Focus.
Precise ShotsAimed Shot causes your next Arcane Shot or Multi-Shot to deal % more damage and cost % less Focus. Precise Shots benefits Black Arrow's damage at effectiveness.
Quick DrawRapid Fire shoots additional shots. Aimed Shot grants % increased movement speed for , decaying rapidly over its duration.
Avian SpecializationThe damage bonus of Spotter's Mark is increased by . Additionally, your Eagle learns how to Fetch. $@spellicon466872 that ability Damaging an enemy with abilities empowered by Precise Shots has a % chance to apply Spotter's Mark to the primary target, causing your next Aimed Shot and Rapid Fire to deal % increased d…
Choice node
Lock and LoadYour ranged auto attacks have a chance to trigger Lock and Load, causing your next Aimed Shot to cost no Focus and be instant.
Surging ShotsRapid Fire deals additional damage, and Aimed Shot has a chance to reset the cooldown of Rapid Fire.
TenaciousYour Spotting Eagle gains the Tenacity specialization, granting you Endurance Training and Air Superiority. $@spellicon264662 that ability You gain increased maximum health. $@spellicon470937 that ability $@spelldesc470937
Choice node — not taken

Not taken
Penetrating ShotsGain critical strike damage equal to of your critical strike chance.
Trick ShotsWhen Multi-Shot hits or more targets, your next Aimed Shot or Rapid Fire will ricochet and hit up to additional targets for of normal damage.
Choice node — not taken

Not taken
Obsidian ArrowheadThe damage of your auto shot is increased by and its critical strike chance is increased by .
Choice node
No ScopeRapid Fire grants Precise Shots.
Explosive ShotFires an explosive shot at your target that lasts for . Every sec the target burns for Fire damage and explode, dealing of the damage to all enemies within yds. Any remaining damage from your previous Explosive Shot will be added into a new Explosive Shot. Deals reduced damage beyond targets.
Light AmmoTrick Shots now causes Aimed Shot and Rapid Fire to ricochet to additional :targets;. Aspect of the Hydra's damage bonus is increased by .
Not taken
Kill ShotYou attempt to finish off a wounded target, dealing Physical damage. Only usable on enemies with less than health.
TrueshotIncreases your critical strike chance by and critical strike damage by for . $@spellicon19434 that ability Cooldown recovers faster, cast time reduced by %, and Focus cost reduced %. $@spellicon257044 that ability Cooldown recovers faster.$?(a1253599&a470943)[ Applies Sentinel's Mark.]?(!a1253599&a470943)[ Applies S…
Unstable TriggerExplosive Shot can now be used a second time if cast within ${/1000}.1 sec. Explosive Shot will incorporate any remaining damage from previous Explosive Shots on your target.
Choice node
Precision DetonationExplosive Shot lasts ${/1000}.1 sec longer.
Critical PrecisionPrecise Shots now increases the critical strike chance of Arcane Shot and Multi-Shot by
Not taken
DeathblowAimed Shot has a $?c1[]?c2[][]% chance to cause your next Aimed Shot to grant Deathblow. $@spellicon378770 that ability The cooldown of Black Arrow is reset. $@spellaura378770
DeadeyeBlack Arrow now has ${+1} charges and has its cooldown reduced by ${/-1000}.1 sec.
Not taken
BullseyeWhen your abilities damage a target below health, you gain % increased critical strike chance for , stacking up to times.
Feathered FrenzyTrueshot sends your Sentinel Owl into a frenzy, instantly applying Sentinel's Mark to your target. During Trueshot, your chance to apply Sentinel's Mark is increased by .
Master MarksmanYour ranged ability critical strikes cause the target to bleed for an additional of the damage dealt over .
Eagle's AccuracyAimed Shot deals increased damage. Rapid Fire deals increased damage.
Not taken
1/2 Unmatched PrecisionThe damage bonus of Precise Shots is increased by an additional .
Unerring VisionTrueshot now increases your critical strike chance by an additional and increases your critical strike damage by an additional .
Choice node
2/2 Small Game HunterExplosive Shot deals increased damage and Volley deals increased damage.
Focused AimConsuming Precise Shots reduces the cooldown of Aimed Shot by ${/1000}.2 sec.
Not taken
BulletstormRapid Fire increases the damage of your next Aimed Shots by %.
Tensile BowstringTrueshot now also reduces the cast time of Aimed Shot by and reduces the Focus cost of Aimed Shot by .
VolleyRain a volley of arrows down over , dealing up to ${*12} Physical damage to any enemy in the area, and gain the effects of Trick Shots for as long as Volley is active.
Focus FireWhen Surging Shots resets the cooldown of Rapid Fire, the damage of your next Rapid Fire is increased by .
Windrunner QuiverRapid Fire damage increased by . Rapid Fire has a chance to grant the Lock and Load effect.
Not taken
Accuracy By VolumeBulletstorm now affects additional Aimed :Shots;.
Not taken
SalvoVolley now also applies Explosive Shot to up to :targets; hit. $@spellicon212431 that ability $@spelldesc212431
UnloadWhen Rapid Fire begins and finishes channeling, it releases an Arcane Shot at effectiveness. If your target is above 80% health or below 20% health, Rapid Fire instead releases Black Arrows.
4/4 Take AimRapid Fire damage increased by . Each shot fired from Rapid Fire reduces the cooldown of Aimed Shot by ${/1000}.2 sec.
Choice node
Paste into the in-game talent UI to load this build exactly.

Rotation

Focus is not the constraint — Aimed Shot charges are. Never sit at two charges, and never waste a Precise Shots stack by casting Aimed Shot through it.

Single target Three or more targets

Keep this up

  • Volley on cooldown. It feeds Trick Shots and, on Sentinel, keeps the whole rotation ticking.

Priority

  • Rapid Fire while Bulletstorm is below 18 stacks — that is what the Sentinel build is stacking.
  • Aimed Shot when a charge is about to be wasted, and never through Precise Shots.
  • Arcane Shot to consume Precise Shots.
  • Kill Shot on a Precise Shots stack in execute range.
  • Steady Shot only when nothing else is available.

Cooldowns

  • Trueshot on cooldown, unless Double Tap is already running.
  • Moonlight Chakram before Trueshot runs out, so it lands inside.
  • Casting Aimed Shot with Precise Shots up throws the proc away. It is the most common way this spec loses damage.

Openers

Single target

  1. Volley as the pull lands.
  2. Trueshot.
  3. Rapid Fire, then Aimed Shot.
  4. Arcane Shot on every Precise Shots, Steady Shot only when stuck.

Where the damage comes from

Measured on the reference log — a 299-second single-target parse. Worth comparing against the rotation above: the button you press most is rarely the one doing the most.

AbilityShare
Explosive Shot24.4%
Aimed Shot18.1%
Rapid Fire16.2%
Arcane Shot10.5%
Master Marksman7%
Kill Shot6%
Lunar Storm4.8%
Auto Shot4.5%
Moonlight Chakram3.3%
Volley2.4%
Steady Shot1.5%

Source: Sinister Single, 299s.

Best in slot

The finished loadout, built by Pathfinder — the strongest item available for every slot, with the item level to chase and where it drops. 334 average item level across 15 slots, gathered from 2 places.

Skulking Viper's Weeping Fangs 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Twin Fangs ✦ Empowered Hex of Leeching
Aqirbane Reliquary 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Ula'tek ◆ Powerful Eversong Diamond
Jaws of the Skulking Viper 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Lost Explorers ✦ Silvermoon's Mending
Adherent's Silken Shroud 331 · Spark Crafted +Myth Epic Profession Items — Tailoring
Awoken Dreadfang Cuirass 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Ula'tek ✦ Mark of the Worldsoul
Axe-Flingin' Bands 331 · Spark Crafted +Myth Epic Profession Items — Leatherworking
Caustic Repose Greatbow 334 · Myth 6/6 · Two-handed The Venomous Abyss — Ula'tek ✦ Acuity of the Ren'dorei
Marksmanship Hunter 334 average item level
Skulking Viper's Hidepiercers 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Entombed Sentinels ✦ Gloves Enchant (+3 Stamina)
Cursed Reliquary Cincture 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Nek'zali the Soulcoiler
Skulking Viper's Coiled Legwraps 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Sszorak ✦ Forest Hunter's Armor Kit
Ferocious Scaleboots 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Sszorak ✦ Lynx's Dexterity
Apex Brute's Claw Ring 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Sszorak ✦ Nature's Fury◆ Flawless Masterful Garnet
Vile Alchemist's Band 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Vashnik the Malignant ✦ Nature's Fury◆ Flawless Masterful Garnet
Voracious Heart of Ula'tek 344 · Myth 9/6 (Mythic end-boss drop) The Venomous Abyss — Ula'tek
Gebbo's Bottomless Bag 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Lost Explorers

Where to spend bonus rolls as Marksmanship Hunter

A Voidcore pays out an item every time — the question is only whether it is one you wanted. For this build, in order:

Roll Sszorak — 3 of its 3 drops are on your list

Every roll here lands something on the list — this boss cannot miss. In The Venomous Abyss, it owes you legs, feet and ring 1.

Then The Lost Explorers — 2 of its 4 drops are on your list

50% of every roll here lands something on the list. In The Venomous Abyss, it owes you shoulder and trinket 2.

The general principles behind this — knockout protection, why finishing one boss beats spreading rolls, and the crests a roll quietly costs you — are in the bonus roll guide.

Week-by-week route

  1. Pre-season: the campaign, a world tour of Mythic 0s for a 292 loadout, and the weekly Spark quest. No Myth crests exist yet — bank the Spark.
  2. Week 1: farm +10 keys to a full Hero 3/6 (311) loadout and fill the vault. The first Myth crests arrive, so spend the banked Spark on Adherent's Silken Shroud. Every Hero crest goes into lifting pieces toward 6/6 (321).
  3. Week 2: first Voidcore — roll Sszorak, where 3 of 3 drops are on this list. Catalyse the set slots for the 4-set. Second Spark goes to Axe-Flingin' Bands.
  4. Weeks 3–6: one Voidcore a week down the order above — finish a boss before starting the next. Keep spending Hero crests; every slot should sit at 321 by about Week 6.
  5. Week 7 onward: two Voidcores a week (the vault and Orin Straylight). Roll Myth-track bases in the set slots, re-catalyse them, and take each to 6/6 for 80 Myth and 20 Hero crests.
  6. Late season: Voracious Heart of Ula'tek comes from the last two bosses at Myth 9 (344). Secure the base item early — that is the only place the extra three ranks exist.

The fast variant

Same stat priority, 2 slots moved. Pathfinder builds the list above for raw power and does not care how many bosses that takes; Slate prices the route as well, and takes an equal-strength item from a boss you are already farming over one that sends you somewhere new. It visits 2 places against the strongest list's 2, at the same average item level.

Skulking Viper's Weeping Fangs 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Twin Fangs ✦ Empowered Hex of Leeching
Amulet of the Twin Fangs 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Twin Fangs ◆ Powerful Eversong Diamond
Jaws of the Skulking Viper 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Lost Explorers ✦ Silvermoon's Mending
Adherent's Silken Shroud 331 · Spark Crafted +Myth Epic Profession Items — Tailoring
Ophidian Fangmail 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Twin Fangs ✦ Mark of the Worldsoul
Axe-Flingin' Bands 331 · Spark Crafted +Myth Epic Profession Items — Leatherworking
Caustic Repose Greatbow 334 · Myth 6/6 · Two-handed The Venomous Abyss — Ula'tek ✦ Acuity of the Ren'dorei
Marksmanship Hunter 334 average item level
Skulking Viper's Hidepiercers 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Entombed Sentinels ✦ Gloves Enchant (+3 Stamina)
Cursed Reliquary Cincture 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Nek'zali the Soulcoiler
Skulking Viper's Coiled Legwraps 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Sszorak ✦ Forest Hunter's Armor Kit
Ferocious Scaleboots 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Sszorak ✦ Lynx's Dexterity
Apex Brute's Claw Ring 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Sszorak ✦ Nature's Fury◆ Flawless Masterful Garnet
Vile Alchemist's Band 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — Vashnik the Malignant ✦ Nature's Fury◆ Flawless Masterful Garnet
Voracious Heart of Ula'tek 344 · Myth 9/6 (Mythic end-boss drop) The Venomous Abyss — Ula'tek
Gebbo's Bottomless Bag 334 · Myth 6/6 The Venomous Abyss — The Lost Explorers

Load this into a plan

GearPath can load this build straight into a full season plan — the BiS list, the talents, and the route — then price it against the crests, sparks and vault choices you will actually earn, and tell you when the plan is impossible. Free while in open beta.

Plan your Marksmanship Hunter →