Hunter: Talent: Animal Handler - Help

[Akasha]

So amazingly I actually logged into WoW today, woo hoo! I'm currently playing a Hunter as they are an easy class to play half distracted, and because they are equal favourites with Warlocks for me.

Looking over my talent build thinking about where to spend my next point, I noticed the Animal Handler talent:

Increases your speed while mounted by X% and your pet's chance to hit by X%. The mounted movement speed increase does not stack with other effects.

With the mounted movement speed not increasing with other effects - I assume they are talking about spurs, riding crops and enchants yes? So if I look at getting those later down the road, would I only be looking at this talent for the increase chance for my pet to hit?

AND, if I am only looking at it for that part of the talent - how much does it really help? Is this a worthwhile talent to take?

[Seraa]

Grats on being able to WoW it up as for the talent i doubt it helps in the grand scheme of things that much , but then again , i'm not a hunter expert either .

[Coud]

regarding the first part of the description. what you said is correct. I believe the riding crop will override the talent because 10% > 4%. my hunter has no crop so I can't tell you =p

the second part of the description is the real value of the talent. that said the talent is more a raiding talent since pets gain nothing from our hit ( this applies to both hunter and locks ). 4% hit is a substantial dps boost to our pet dps and it also stacks with a melee dranei aura if you're lucky to get one in raid.

in terms of leveling... well if you're constantly taking on mobs 1 to 3 lvls above you and your pet then it's prob worth it if there's nothing else to get. it's been a while since i leveled a hunter so I can't comment on how other talents might fare compare to it.

[Akasha]

At the moment, being only level 45, my time is spent leveling. I'm wanting to get The Beast Within, so just trying to figure out the best spot to spend the points to get there.

So far my talent build is: Talent Calculator - World of Warcraft

I need to spend 4 points still. I was looking at putting 2 into Improved Mend Pet as I remember the Outlands mobs hurting a bit more, so it would probably see more use. And the other 2 into Animal Handler for the extra chance to hit. Although, at the moment I'm only really fighting yellow con mobs while I casually play my way through zones.

The other one I was looking at was Ferocious Inspiration, but I just can't see 3% extra damage increase being worth the points.

I guess I could look at Spirit Bond too - extra health regen... although is it even worth it? 2% every 10 seconds?

[Mistrust]

The miss chance even for mobs 3 levels higher than you is only 8% so i wouldnt worry about that talent much at all - though it doesnt leave much other nice talents either.

I will ask the boyfriend to have a look when he gets home from drinking or in the morning to see if he has some ideas. I normally zoned out when he started asking/discussing me about talents...

[Anij]

3% extra damage increase on your pet from ferocious inspiration is actually quite good, especially when coupled with all your other BM talents, as thats realy what BM is all about, increasing your pets dps output. Personally I wouldn't be a big fan of Imp mend pet I don't think.

As far as animal handler, get it for the hit on your pet if you tend to grind mobs your level and higher. If not for the dps output but for the threat generation that dps translates into. It's extreamly frustrating having a growl resist, as this means you either stop shooting or tank the mob. Once at level 70 you can keep it for pve or drop it for pvp. The speed buff while mounted will be nice from whenever you get it to level 69 when you can get the crop. Then you have to decide which is better, gaining the 2 talent points back or sacrificing a trinket slot.

For the BM spec ferocious inspiration is considered a staple talent while Imp mend pet and animal handler are fillers based on preference. I wish I could give you better advice but unfortunately I've been Marks from the get go.

[Mossin]

I played a BM hunter for over a year before I made a lock , Id say go with 3/3 ferocious Inspiration and then max out your Serpent's swiftness this should allow you to get the beast within , may also want to pick up thick hide and beastial swiftness aswell at a later date.

[abar22]

Hunter Talents


This is what I did while leveling. Thick hide and 1/2 mend pet for keeping it up on elites and multiple mob pulls and to get rid of curses/diseases. FI isn't going to be noticable while leveling. It's really a raid talent. 4/5 frenzy is more than enough to keep it procced. 5/5 hardly adds anything to the uptime. Finally catlike reflexes for the 9% pet dodge to keep him ticking even longer.

[i_am_hyleon35]

i say go for spirit bond if you find urself needing hp (or pet), this also allows you to go for more Int-leaned gear, with my hunter im always going oom.

sorry for bad grammar, etc, portable devices a poop at typing :(

[Coud]

i actually like spirit bond because when you're running from quest to quest you not only get your normal regen + also spirit bond regen it's enough to keep you going. this applies to pet and your toon.

i'm surprised you haven't got any points in imp mend pet / revive pet. first is awsome for lvling since your pet will take on all manner of things, 2nd is a iffy depending on how great your pet management is. mine was horrible when i was learning so i guess that's why i used the spell often =p

FI is nice.... applies to both you, your pet and whoever you're grouped with. stacks with other BM hunters too...

I dunno everything is in tiny percentage, even for talents like thick hide the 20% increase in armor doesn't actually equate to <that> much mitigation for your pet.

according to my txt pad:

my lvling build => Talent Calculator - World of Warcraft