In the vast and ever-evolving world of World of Warcraft, every season brings about new discoveries, strategies, and challenges. The Season of Discovery Phase 2 has introduced a surprising twist, making the once overlooked melee Hunter specialization not only viable but also incredibly powerful and, perhaps most importantly, immensely fun to play. Let's delve into what makes melee Hunters shine in this phase and how you can harness their potential for yourself.

The Power of Runes:

The resurgence of melee Hunters stems from the introduction of two new runes, namely Melee Specialist. This rune significantly reduces the cooldown of Raptor Strike to a mere 3 seconds and grants a 30% chance for Raptor Strike to bypass cooldown altogether. This newfound agility allows melee Hunters to spam Raptor Strike with unprecedented frequency, transforming it into a potent damage-dealing tool.

Moreover, the rune converts Raptor Strike into an instant cast ability, removing the reliance on weapon swings. When combined with Dual Wield Specialization, which amplifies offhand damage by 50% and enables Raptor Strike to strike with both weapons, the damage potential becomes staggering. Add to this the 30% increased damage when wielding two weapons of the same type, and you have a recipe for devastating blows.

Specializations and Builds:

As a melee Hunter, there are several viable specializations to explore. Deep Beast Mastery offers a familiar playstyle, resembling a traditional Beast Mastery Hunter but with a focus on melee attacks. Alternatively, a hybrid build blending Beast Mastery and Survival talents can provide a balance between pet utility and melee damage output.

However, the pinnacle of melee Hunter builds lies within the Survival tree. By investing in talents such as Savage Strikes for increased Raptor Strike critical chance, Surefooted for enhanced hit chance, and Lightning Reflexes for agility boosts, you can maximize your DPS potential. Notably, the Lone Wolf and Carve combination offers unparalleled damage output, especially in PvE scenarios.

Pet Selection and Abilities:

Choosing the right pet is crucial for optimizing your melee Hunter's performance. Opting for a cat with a 2.0 attack speed ensures compatibility with abilities like Flanking Strike, which scales with the pet's attack speed. Additionally, acquiring essential abilities like Prowl, Dash, Claw, and Bite, preferably at rank six, further augments your pet's combat prowess.

Gearing Strategies:

When it comes to gearing, prioritizing fist weapons and mail armor is paramount. Aim to obtain pre-BiS items such as the Vanquisher Sword and PvP sword, along with Bloodlash Bow for off-hand damage. Acquiring gear with hit rating and agility modifiers can significantly enhance your damage output and overall effectiveness in combat.

Mastering the Rotation:

Mastering the rotation is essential for maximizing your melee Hunter's potential. Prioritize Flanking Strike to stack damage buffs, followed by Raptor Strike for devastating blows. Utilize Carve or Wing Clip as fillers, and strategically employ Feign Death to manage threat levels effectively.

In conclusion, the resurgence of melee Hunters in WoW's Season of Discovery Phase 2 offers an exciting opportunity for players to explore a dynamic and potent specialization. With the right talents, gear, and strategy, melee Hunters can unleash devastating damage while enjoying a refreshingly engaging playstyle. Use your WOW SOD gold to build the Hunter now. Whether you're delving into dungeons or tackling raid bosses, embracing the melee Hunter's potential promises an exhilarating journey through Azeroth's ever-changing landscapes. So, equip your weapons, summon your faithful companion, and embark on an adventure like never before!

MMOexp WoW Classic SoD Team