Beast Mastery questing with an active pet
Updated October 22, 2026. Talent reference 1.60.1.70338.
Quick summary
- Specialization
- Beast Mastery
- Weapon
- Bow, crossbow or gun
- Talents at level 30
- 21 points in Beast Mastery (21/0/0)
- Key talents
- Summon Hawk (level 25) · Intimidation (level 30)
- Stats
- Agility > Stamina > Intellect
- Recommended race
- Alliance: Night Elf · Horde: Orc
From level 1 to 60
Your Hunter from 1 to 60: race, route, profession and loot
Races that can be a Hunter
Bar = share of all beta characters that picked that race with Hunter. Rarest: Dwarf (1.3%).
Night ElfCritical hits and mobility · leveling tier A2.7 %
HumanVersatility and control · leveling tier B2.5 %
Skyborne (Windshaper)Gliding and travel · leveling tier A2.1 %- Skyborne (High Order)Gliding and regeneration · leveling tier A2 %
OrcBurst and magic defense · leveling tier S1.9 %
TaurenHealth and movement · leveling tier A1.5 %
TrollSpeed and regeneration · leveling tier A1.5 %
DwarfPhysical defense and exploration · leveling tier B1.3 %
Census: ClassicPlus.io, 1,003,125 beta characters. Racials and conditions: race guide.
Route by level: zones, dungeons, gathering and loot
- 1–10Quest in
Your race’s starting zone, then the nearby capital.
Your race’s starting zone, then the nearby capital.
Gather at the same timeSkill 1–75 · Apprentice: train it at level 5
⛏ Copper
🌿 Peacebloom, Silverleaf, Earthroot
🔪 Skinning: up to 50 on the beasts of your zone - 10–20Quest in
Westfall · Loch Modan · Darkshore · Redridge
The Barrens · Silverpine Forest · Stonetalon
Gather at the same timeSkill 50–125 · Journeyman from level 10 (cap 150)
⛏ Copper → Tin from 65
🌿 Mageroyal, Briarthorn, Bruiseweed
🔪 Skinning: up to 100 on the beasts of your zoneHall of Thanes13–18New Ironforge: descend from the left corridor of the throne room into Old Ironforge.
Loot is listed but its stats are not in our data yet: check the dungeon page.
The Deadmines18–23 Westfall, through the mines at Moonbrook.
Blackened Defias ArmorChest · lvl 19 · Sta / Agi / StrEdwin VanCleef
Lavishly Jeweled RingRing · lvl 17 · Agi / IntGilnid
Thief's BladeOne-hand · lvl 17 · AgiMr. Smite
Impaling HarpoonTwo-hand · lvl 20 · AgiCaptain Greenskin
Ragefire Chasm13–18 Orgrimmar, Cleft of Shadow.
Chanting BladeOne-hand · lvl 13 · Agi / StaJergosh the Invoker
Subterranean CapeBack · lvl 13 · Agi / StrTaragaman the Hungerer
Wailing Caverns15–25 The Barrens, southwest of the Crossroads.
Leggings of the FangLegs · lvl 18 · Str / Sta / AgiLord Cobrahn
Glowing Lizardscale CloakBack · lvl 17 · Agi / SpiSkum
Belt of the FangWaist · lvl 16 · Sta / AgiLady Anacondra
Footpads of the FangFeet · lvl 18 · Sta / AgiLord Serpentis
Ruins of Lordaeron15–20New Undercity / Ruins of Lordaeron: entrance to the left as you enter the ruins.
Loot is listed but its stats are not in our data yet: check the dungeon page.
- 20–30Quest in
Wetlands · Duskwood · Redridge · Ashenvale
Southern Barrens · Stonetalon · Hillsbrad · Ashenvale · Thousand Needles
Gather at the same timeSkill 125–175 · Expert from level 20 (cap 225)
⛏ Tin, Silver, Iron from 125
🌿 Wild Steelbloom, Kingsblood, Grave Moss
🔪 Skinning: up to 150 on the beasts of your zoneThe Stockade22–30 Stormwind, Mage Quarter.
Kam's Walking StickTwo-hand · lvl 22 · Agi / IntKam Deepfury
Blackfathom Deeps24–32 Ashenvale, Zoram Strand.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Excavation Site: Wetlands26–31New Wetlands: follow the path starting south of Thelgen Rock cavern, according to Icy Veins.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Gnomeregan29–38 Dun Morogh, west of Ironforge.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Shadowfang Keep22–30 Silverpine Forest, above Pyrewood Village.
Wolfmaster CapeBack · lvl 22 · Sta / AgiWolf Master Nandos
Robes of ArugalChest · lvl 24 · Spi / Int / Sta / AgiArchmage Arugal
Feline MantleShoulder · lvl 23 · Int / Spi / AgiWolf Master Nandos
Belt of ArugalWaist · lvl 24 · Int / Spi / AgiArchmage Arugal
Blackfathom Deeps24–32 Ashenvale, Zoram Strand.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
City of Dalaran28–33New Dalaran, Hillsbrad region. Exact entrance unverified.
No loot table yet for Forever.
- 30–40Quest in
Stranglethorn Vale · Arathi Highlands · Desolace · Riverglades
Stranglethorn Vale · Arathi Highlands · Desolace · Riverglades
Gather at the same timeSkill 175–225 · Artisan from level 35 (cap 300)
⛏ Iron, Gold, Mithril from 175
🌿 Liferoot, Fadeleaf, Goldthorn
🔪 Skinning: up to 200 on the beasts of your zoneGnomeregan29–38 Dun Morogh, west of Ironforge.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Razorfen Kraul30–40 Southern Barrens.
"Mage-Eye" BlunderbussRanged · lvl 26 · AgiOverlord Ramtusk
Ferine LeggingsLegs · lvl 29 · Str / AgiAgathelos the Raging
Scarlet Monastery: Graveyard28–38 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Graveyard portal.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Scarlet Monastery: Library29–39 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Library portal.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Scarlet Monastery: Graveyard28–38 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Graveyard portal.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Scarlet Monastery: Library29–39 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Library portal.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Razorfen Kraul30–40 Southern Barrens.
- "Mage-Eye" BlunderbussRanged · lvl 26 · AgiOverlord Ramtusk
- Ferine LeggingsLegs · lvl 29 · Str / AgiAgathelos the Raging
Scarlet Monastery: Armory32–42 Scarlet Monastery, northeastern Tirisfal Glades; Armory portal.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
- 40–50Quest in
Tanaris · Feralas · The Hinterlands · Searing Gorge
Tanaris · Feralas · The Hinterlands · Searing Gorge
Gather at the same timeSkill 225–265 · Artisan: keep gathering in your zone
⛏ Mithril, Truesilver
🌿 Khadgar’s Whisker, Sungrass, Purple Lotus
🔪 Skinning: up to 250 on the beasts of your zoneScarlet Monastery: Cathedral35–45 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Cathedral portal.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Uldaman42–52 Badlands, northern excavation.
Revelosh's SpauldersShoulder · lvl 36 · Agi / StaRevelosh
Stonevault ShivOne-hand · lvl 31 · Agi / StaObsidian Sentinel
Grimlok's ChargeTwo-hand · lvl 42 · Agi / Str / StaGrimlok
Oilskin LeggingsLegs · lvl 41 · Agi / SpiGrimlok
Razorfen Downs40–50 Southern Barrens.
Fleshhide ShouldersShoulder · lvl 37 · Str / Sta / AgiGlutton
Krol’dok Stronghold40–45New Riverglades; exact entrance unverified.
No loot table yet for Forever.
Scarlet Monastery: Cathedral35–45 Scarlet Monastery, Tirisfal Glades; Cathedral portal.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Razorfen Downs40–50 Southern Barrens.
- Fleshhide ShouldersShoulder · lvl 37 · Str / Sta / AgiGlutton
Uldaman42–52 Badlands, northern excavation.
- Revelosh's SpauldersShoulder · lvl 36 · Agi / StaRevelosh
- Stonevault ShivOne-hand · lvl 31 · Agi / StaObsidian Sentinel
- Grimlok's ChargeTwo-hand · lvl 42 · Agi / Str / StaGrimlok
- Oilskin LeggingsLegs · lvl 41 · Agi / SpiGrimlok
Krol’dok Stronghold40–45New Riverglades; exact entrance unverified.
No loot table yet for Forever.
- 50–60Quest in
Un’Goro Crater · Felwood · Winterspring · Plaguelands
Un’Goro Crater · Felwood · Winterspring · Plaguelands
Gather at the same timeSkill 265–300 · Artisan: reach 300 before 60
⛏ Thorium
🌿 Dreamfoil, Mountain Silversage, Plaguebloom
🔪 Skinning: up to 300 on the beasts of your zoneMaraudon: Earth Song Falls48–57 Desolace, Valley of Spears; inner Maraudon route.
Albino Crocscale BootsFeet · lvl 48 · Agi / StaRotgrip
Alcaz Prison48–53New Alcaz Island, northeast of Dustwallow Marsh.
No loot table yet for Forever.
Sunken Temple50–60 Swamp of Sorrows, Pool of Tears.
Bloodshot GreavesFeet · lvl 49 · Sta / Agi / StrAvatar of Hakkar- Windscale SarongLegs · lvl 49 · Spi / Sta / Int / AgiAvatar of Hakkar
Blackrock Depths52–60 Blackrock Mountain, through the central chain route to Blackrock Depths.
- Fleetfoot GreavesFeet · lvl 48 · Agi / Int / StaHoundmaster Grebmar
Searingscale LeggingsLegs · lvl 48 · Spi / Int / Sta / AgiPyromancer Loregrain
Royal Decorated ArmorChest · lvl 53 · Str / Sta / AgiGeneral Angerforge
Houndmaster's BowRanged · lvl 48 · AgiHoundmaster Grebmar
Lower Blackrock Spire55–60 Blackrock Mountain, inside Blackrock Spire; lower route.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Maraudon: Earth Song Falls48–57 Desolace, Valley of Spears; inner Maraudon route.
- Albino Crocscale BootsFeet · lvl 48 · Agi / StaRotgrip
Alcaz Prison48–53New Alcaz Island, northeast of Dustwallow Marsh.
No loot table yet for Forever.
Sunken Temple50–60 Swamp of Sorrows, Pool of Tears.
- Bloodshot GreavesFeet · lvl 49 · Sta / Agi / StrAvatar of Hakkar
- Windscale SarongLegs · lvl 49 · Spi / Sta / Int / AgiAvatar of Hakkar
Blackrock Depths52–60 Blackrock Mountain, through the central chain route to Blackrock Depths.
- Fleetfoot GreavesFeet · lvl 48 · Agi / Int / StaHoundmaster Grebmar
- Searingscale LeggingsLegs · lvl 48 · Spi / Int / Sta / AgiPyromancer Loregrain
- Royal Decorated ArmorChest · lvl 53 · Str / Sta / AgiGeneral Angerforge
- Houndmaster's BowRanged · lvl 48 · AgiHoundmaster Grebmar
Lower Blackrock Spire55–60 Blackrock Mountain, inside Blackrock Spire; lower route.
Nothing here for a Hunter at this level: the loot is for other armor types or stats.
Loot filtered for what a Hunter can equip (armor type, weapons, useful stats). Zones and gathering tiers follow the Classic route; skill caps by trainer rank are Classic rules pending confirmation in Forever. Trinkets: no Forever dungeon trinket list has been published yet.
What changes in Forever
The official preview makes Aimed Shot baseline at level 20 and allows traps in combat. Pet scaling and family abilities also change. Review the current ability book rather than spending points to unlock an old Classic version of Aimed Shot.
Read Blizzard’s announcementHunter specializations
Beast Mastery
Focus on an active pet’s durability, damage and control. This route trades some early personal damage investment for a clearer pet-centered questing plan.
Marksmanship
Compare ranged damage choices and shot cooldowns. Lone Wolf explicitly changes the pet assumption; it should not be mixed into a recommendation whose purpose is strengthening an active companion.
Survival
Review trap and melee interactions as a distinct playstyle. A trap becoming usable in combat does not remove the need to position it away from unwanted enemies.
Starter leveling build: levels 10 to 30
Beast Mastery questing with an active pet. An editorial questing proposal with 21 ordinary points. Its order satisfies ranks and prerequisites in our reference; it is not a measured optimal in-game build. It excludes early Legacy points and makes no level-60 performance claim.
- Level 10–14
Endurance Training +5Start with pet Health and Armor for ordinary quest pulls.
- Level 15–16
Focused Fire +2Support damage while the pet remains active.
- Level 17–18
Pathfinding +2Invest in travel utility through the listed Aspects; check their combat limitations.
- Level 19
Deadly Aspects +1Begin the Aspect interaction and complete ten earlier points.
- Level 20
Bestial Swiftness +1Improve pet movement and satisfy Intimidation’s prerequisite in this reference.
- Level 21–24
Unleashed Fury +4Support pet and hawk damage as described by the reference.
- Level 25
Summon Hawk +1Unlock the active ability; note its shared cooldown with Arcane Shot.
- Level 26–29
Ferocity +4Build toward the pet critical-hit setup while reaching twenty points.
- Level 30
Intimidation +1Add a pet control tool. Check the target and pet position before activating it.
Opening loads this proposal. Drafts for other classes remain separate. Talent names retain the reference’s original English.
Hunter leveling rotation
The order we use in a normal questing fight. In brackets, the level each ability is learned.
- Before level 10 you have no pet: shoot with Auto Shot and use Raptor Strike if the enemy reaches you. At 10, tame one with Tame Beast and summon it with Call Pet.
- Use Aspect of the Hawk (level 10) for damage. When you run low on mana, switch to Aspect of the Viper (level 1): you regain mana at the cost of 10% less damage.
- Mark the target with Hunter's Mark (level 6), send your pet in and wait two or three hits so it holds the enemy's attention.
- Apply Serpent Sting (level 4) on enemies that will live for a while.
- Summon Hawk (talent, level 25) shares its cooldown with Arcane Shot (level 6). Use the hawk in longer fights, since it benefits from Unleashed Fury and Ferocity, and Arcane Shot to finish.
- Aimed Shot (level 20, learned from the trainer) and Multi-Shot (level 18) share a cooldown: Aimed Shot on one target, Multi-Shot on packs.
- If an enemy comes for you, slow it with Concussive Shot (level 8) or Wing Clip (level 12) and back off. At 30, Intimidation makes your pet stun it.
- Between fights, heal your pet with Mend Pet (level 12). If you pull too many, freeze one with Freezing Trap (level 20) and, at 30, drop threat with Feign Death.
Stat priority
- AgilityMore ranged attack power and more crits.
- StaminaMore health in case your pet loses the enemy's attention.
- IntellectMore mana for shots and Mend Pet without switching to Aspect of the Viper as often.
Abilities and early decisions
Pet control comes first
Send the pet to the intended target and leave controlled enemies alone. Watch its health and recall it before moving past a pack. More pet damage is useful only while the companion is attacking the correct enemy.
Distance, traps and training
Keep a safe ranged position without backing into another pack. Agree on traps with the group and check shared shot cooldowns. Use the spellbook’s level filter for your current training options and prepare pet recovery before a long run.
Best race for your Hunter
Alliance
Night ElfPvE damage
Elune's Light gives +10% crit for 15 seconds and Shadowmeld helps you get out of a bad fight.
HumanPvP · new in Forever
The Human Hunter is new in WoW Forever. Will to Survive breaks stuns and Ruthless gives +1% crit to all your attacks with any weapon.
DwarfLeveling
Big Game Hunter gives +5% damage against Beasts and Stoneform removes bleeds and poisons.
Horde
OrcPvE and PvP
Blood Fury gives +10% attack power, Command +5% pet damage and Hardiness shortens stuns.
TrollLeveling
Beast Slaying gives +5% damage against Beasts and Berserking speeds up your shots.
TaurenSurvival
Endurance gives +5% health, and War Stomp stuns nearby enemies.
Our picks based on beta racials. Any available race works for leveling.
Compare availability and racialsTips to level faster
- Visit your trainer every even level and do not miss Aimed Shot at 20: in WoW Forever you learn it from the trainer, it is not a talent.
- Feed your pet with Feed Pet (level 10) to keep it happy.
- Travel with Aspect of the Cheetah (level 20); Pathfinding increases its speed bonus.
- Level Skinning and Leatherworking: most of what you kill while leveling are Beasts.
Common mistakes
- Shooting before your pet has the enemy's attention: it will end up coming for you.
- Staying in Aspect of the Hawk with no mana instead of switching to Aspect of the Viper for a moment.
- Using Multi-Shot near an enemy frozen by Freezing Trap: damage breaks the ice.
Professions for your route
Skinning and Leatherworking
Consider materials collected along a normal quest route and compare crafted gear with what you already wear. Avoid a large detour for a recipe that is not an upgrade.
Mining and Engineering
An alternative for players who want crafted utility. Check materials, item requirements and training costs before choosing it over a simpler gathering plan.
Frequently asked questions
At what level does the Hunter get a pet?
At level 10, with Tame Beast and Call Pet. You also learn Feed Pet, Revive Pet and Dismiss Pet.
Beast Mastery or Marksmanship for leveling?
We recommend Beast Mastery: your pet gets +15% health and armor from Endurance Training and holds enemies better while you shoot.
Can Humans be Hunters in WoW Forever?
Yes, it is a new WoW Forever combination. On the Alliance side, Dwarves, Night Elves and Skyborne can be Hunters too.
What is the best race for a Hunter?
For PvE, Night Elf for the Alliance and Orc or Troll for the Horde. For PvP, Human or Orc.
What to review after level 30
Before extending this route, review later talents, your equipment, your intended role and beta changes. The calculator supports exploring 51 ordinary points at level 60; a valid distribution alone does not establish the best setup for an activity.
Open the general leveling guideSources and editorial approach
Prepared by Road to 60 Forever. Announced changes are attributed to Blizzard; the point order and advice are our interpretation of the community dataset. We do not claim to have measured this build in game.