Level 19 hunter twinking guide

You decided to make a level 19 Hunter WSG twink? It won't be easy, or enjoyable, until your character is Battleground-ready. It will take a lot of well planned time and/or a big hand from one or more helpful higher levels, not to mention quite a few resources from your other characters or from an Auction House. The good news: at level 19 hunters are one of the most feared classes and with good reason as they are able to consistently outdps most if not all other classes, they have superior methods of slowing with wing clip and concussive shot and they have a travel aspect that increases speed beginning at level 18 (although it is balanced since hunters can be dazed while using that aspect). They are also able to track both humanoids AND beasts in their minimap, making them invaluable scouts as well as high dps nukes and with the right race and profession combinations they can even get self heals, making them much more difficult to kill. The bad news: Hunters have two fatal flaws - a deadzone in which they cannot fire and line of sight which limits how often they are able to attack. That being stated, a team composed entirely or almost entirely of twink hunters in the 19 battlegrounds will be difficult, if not impossible, to beat.

If you want to set your aim higher and attempt to play in Arathi Basin, you might want to check out the Hunter lvl 29 twinking guide.

Note: With the anticipated changes coming to hunters in Cataclysm, some of the gear listed below will be subject to change. All intellect, for example, will lose its primary value of providing mana and secondary value of providing attack power with the talent Careful Aim. Also, all heirloom gear will likely either a) be changed to reflect these values in Cataclysm or b) become outdated and replaced with new Cataclysm bind on account gear (assuming Blizzard makes new BtA gear in Cataclysm). As of now, however, this guide is largely complete.

Choosing your race
If you don't care much about the looks of your new character, you might want to consult the table below to maximize the potential of your twink. The main attribute is Agility although some players prefer a higher Stamina base stat. Intellect also plays a factor for Hunters as you'll burn through your mana constantly

Alliance Hunters choosing Agility end up with a Night Elf, while choosing for Stamina will lead to a Dwarf. It should be noted, however, that for alliance the Draenei are potentially the most survivable race due to their racial ability Gift of the Naaru which is a heal over time that is based on the attack power of the hunter. See table below for level 19 base stats:

Horde Hunters choosing Agility end up with a Troll or a Blood Elf, while choosing for Stamina will lead to a Tauren or Orc. The latter are of course the most interesting due to Blood Fury (yes this stacks with ranged DPS), Command, Axe Specialization, and Hardiness. See table below for level 19 base stats :

Professions
All professions have potentially useful items for hunters, but not necessarily at all levels. The three gathering professions (Mining, Herbalism and Skinning) will most likely provide the most useful buffs, however Engineering and Jewelcrafting have a few useful items as well. Don't forget First Aid because it will give you access to bandages - the best of which can heal you much more quickly than basic food.

At level 19, you can level your gathering skills to level 225. Each provides you with an extra ability that can prove invaluable.

The other professions: It may be useful to have a side-alt of low to moderate level (15+) simply to be able to train in order to be able to make potions and scrolls for all of your twink's needs.
 * Herbalism gives Lifeblood (herbalism ability) up to rank 3, providing a HOT (heal over time) that (self-only) heals for 720 damage over 5 seconds and can be used while visible or invisible, in or out of combat once every 2 minutes. This skill is considered critical for any hunter since it extends their survivability well beyond normal.
 * First Aid is a critical skill, though a secondary one, that will allow the twink to make Mageweave Bandage and use Heavy Runecloth Bandage. This means a heal for up to 2,000 points every two minutes. They are best used out of combat, however, as damage causes the bandaging & healing to stop.
 * Engineering provides the player with the ability to use explosives and either Green Tinted Goggles at skill level 150 or Shadow Goggles at skill level 140. At 150 the engineer is able to craft Explosive Sheep which are very useful for inflicting extra damage at close range, or other forms of dynamite such as Big Bronze Bomb which either inflict extra damage or stun opponents for a short time.
 * Jewelcrafting provides the ability to create Heavy Stone Statue which heals for roughly 400 damage over 20 seconds, even in combat, which can be useful in tight situations. When used in combination with Lifeblood (herbalism ability) from Herbalism (and Gift of the Naaru if the player is Draenai), the player will be able to take significant amounts of punishment.
 * Inscription allows the player to create their own scrolls, which can be useful for crafting Scroll of Agility II, but it doesn't provide any inherent ability until the player is higher level.
 * Alchemy allows the player to craft many useful potions that they need, but again doesn't provide any inherent usefulness to the player until they have reached skill level 400+
 * Blacksmithing allows a highly skilled player (400+) to place a socket in their gloves, but again twinks cannot benefit from this because they are too low.

Equipment
This is a summary of the most applicable items for a Hunter twink. Some options (such as Blood Elf Bandit Mask) were not included as they are clearly the last resort, they offer no statistics (or inferior statistics) and will generally lower the level of the twink overall. Please note that the order in which these items appear is important; the items are ranked from top to bottom, although in some cases personal preference may dictate that items toward the bottom are better. To make the choice somewhat easier, the drop percentages for certain items are included as provided by Wowhead. The best statistics have been included for those items that have a range of potential statistics (such as the Massive Battle Axe listed under weapons). Also note: heirloom items suffer no durability loss in either pvp or pve combat due to attacks or death.


 * Head
 * Lucky Fishing Hat This is the best head gear for this twink level and is still available for twink or other usage, however the fishing boots require level 35.
 * Green Tinted Goggles (BoE) Engineering (150)
 * Shadow Goggles (BoE) Engineering (140)


 * Neck
 * Sentinel's Medallion (level 18) [[Image:Alliance 15.gif‎]] - available in Ashenvale near the southern side or Scout's Medallion (level 18) [[Image:Horde 15.gif‎]] - available in the Barrens near the northern route to Ashenvale. Both are (BoP) and a reward for playing in Warsong Gulch.
 * Thick Bronze Necklace (BoE) Jewelcrafting (50) to make. This is a substitute until you can obtain the Warsong Gulch reward.
 * Malachite Pendant (BoE) Jewelcrafting (20) to make. This is also a substitute until you can obtain the Warsong Gulch reward.


 * Shoulder
 * Champion Herod's Shoulder +5 Agility, +5 stamina, +3 intellect, +10 attack power and +10% Experience at level 19 (Chain/Leather)
 * Prized Beastmaster's Mantle +4 Agility, +6 Stamina, +4 Resilience Rating, +8 Attack Power and +10% Experience at level 19 (Chain/Leather)
 * Stained Shadowcraft Spaulders +69 Armor, +4 Stamina, +14 Attack Power, +4 Hit Rating (1.89%) and +10% Experience at level 19 (Leather only)
 * Exceptional Stormshroud Shoulders +69 Armor, +6 Stamina, +3 Agility, +8 Attack Power, +4 Resilience Rating and +10% Experience at level 19 (Leather only)
 * Talbar Mantle Quest reward from In Nightmares (Horde) or In Nightmares (Alliance)
 * Serpent's Shoulders (BoP) Dropped by Lady Anacondra in the Wailing Caverns (63% chance)


 * Back
 * Tumultuous Cloak (BoP) ( of the bandit = +4 Agility +4 Stamina +8 Attack Power) Note: This item was introduced in patch 3.3 as random reward loot for queuing with other random players and finishing a dungeon.
 * Sentry Cloak (BoE) World Drop
 * Spidersilk Drape (BoE) Tailoring
 * Glowing Lizardscale Cloak (BoP) Dropped by Skum in the Wailing Caverns (44% chance)


 * Chest
 * Champion's Deathdealer Breastplate +6 Agility, +6 Stamina, +4 Intellect, +13 Attack Power, +10% Experience at level 19 (Chain/Leather)
 * Stained Shadowcraft Tunic +10 Stamina, +13 Attack Power, +6 Hit Rating, +10% Experience at level 19 (Leather only)
 * Tunic of Westfall (BoP) Quest reward from The Defias Brotherhood (quest) The quest is available starting at level 14.
 * Blackened Defias Armor (BoP) Dropped by Edwin VanCleef in The Deadmines (16% chance)
 * Tree Bark Jacket (BoE) Random rare drop from trash mobs in Blackfathom Deeps
 * Robe of Evocation (BoP) Dropped by Jergosh the Invoker in Ragefire Chasm (35% chance)
 * Toughened Leather Armor (BoE) created through Leatherworking


 * Wrists
 * Forest Leather Bracers (BoE) World Drop
 * Wrangler's Wristbands
 * ...of the Monkey (BoE) (+3 Agility, +3 Stamina) World Drop
 * ...of the Eagle (BoE) (+3 Intellect, +3 Stamina) World Drop
 * ...of the Falcon (BoE) (+3 Agility, +3 Intellect) World Drop
 * ...of Power (BoE) (+10 Attack Power) World Drop
 * ...of Agility (BoE) (+5 Agility) World Drop
 * ...of Intellect (BoE) (+5 Intellect) World Drop
 * ...of Stamina (BoE) (+5 Stamina) World Drop
 * Mindthrust Bracers (BoE) Rare drop from Shadowfang Keep


 * Hands
 * Scouting Gloves
 * ...of the Monkey (BoE) (+4 Agility, +4 Stamina) World Drop
 * ...of the Eagle (BoE) (+4 Intellect, +4 Stamina) World Drop
 * ...of the Falcon (BoE) (+4 Agility, +4 Intellect) World Drop
 * Foreman's Gloves (BoE) Drop from the Foreman Thistlenettle just outside the entrance to the Deadmines.
 * Magefist Gloves (BoE) World Drop
 * Gloves of the Fang (BoE) Dropped by Druid of the Fang in Wailing Caverns (1.2% chance) This seems low, but there are over 20 Druid of the Fang, increasing the drop rate significally and it's BOE so checking your AH may help.


 * Waist
 * Vigorous Belt (level 25) (BoP) Loot is a random reward for queuing with other random players and finishing a dungeon. (of the bandit =+5 agility +5 stamina +10 attack power) Note: Added in patch 3.3
 * Screecher Belt Bloodfury Bloodline
 * Girdle of the Blindwatcher (BoP) Dropped by Odo the Blindwatcher in Shadowfang Keep (55% chance)
 * Blackened Defias Belt (BoE) Dropped by Captain Greenskin in the Deadmines (Medium 25% - 50% chance)
 * Deviate Scale Belt (BoE) Leatherworking (115) Pattern is a quest reward from Deviate Eradication
 * Belt of the Fang (BoP) Dropped by Lady Anacondra in the Wailing Caverns (10% chance)


 * Legs
 * Leggings of the Fang (BoP) Dropped by Lord Cobrahn in Wailing Caverns (17% chance)
 * Darkweave Breeches (BoE) World Drop
 * Scouting Trousers or Rigid Leggings
 * …of Power (BoE) (+16 Attack Power) World Drop
 * …of the Monkey (BoE) (+5 Agility, +5 Stamina) World Drop
 * …of the Falcon (BoE) (+5 Agility, +5 Intellect) World Drop
 * Smelting Pants (BoP) Dropped by Gilnid in Deadmines (56% chance)


 * Feet
 * Footpads of the Fang (BoP) Dropped by Lord Serpentis in Wailing Caverns (21% chance)
 * Trailblazer Boots (BoP) Quest reward from Horde Presence
 * Scouting Boots (BoE) (of the Falcon = +4 Agility, +4 Intellect)
 * Feet of the Lynx (BoE) (+8 Agility, +3 Strength) World Drop


 * Finger
 * Ello's Band (BoP) Quest reward from The Embalmer's Revenge Gives 3 agility, 5 stamina and 3 hit rating.
 * Seal of Wrynn (BoP) Quest reward from An Audience with the King This quest is available starting from level 16, but will require the help of a higher level player in order to complete the chain since it requires the player to run through the deadmines and the stockades as well as defeat two level 30-31 mobs in order to finish.
 * Lavishly Jeweled Ring (BoP) Dropped by Gilnid in The Deadmines (37% chance)
 * Dread Pirate Ring (BtA) - won from the Kaluak Fishing Derby. At level 19 it provides 3 stamina 2 hit rating and 5 crit rating.
 * Protector's Band [[Image:Alliance 15.gif‎]] or Legionnaire's Band [[Image:Horde 15.gif‎]] (BoP) Reward in Warsong Gulch
 * Meadow Ring
 * ... of the Monkey (BoE) (+3 Agility, +3 Stamina) World Drop
 * ... of the Falcon (BoE) (+3 Agility, +3 Intellect) World Drop
 * Viridian Band
 * ... of the Eagle (BoE) (+3 Intellect, +3 Stamina) World Drop
 * Black Widow Band (BoE) Drops from Leech Widow, a level 24 rare mob spider found in the Wetlands.
 * Seal of Sylvanas (BoP) Quest reward from Arugal Must Die (quest)
 * Blood Ring (BoE) World Drop


 * Trinket
 * Arena Grand Master (BoP) Quest reward from Arena Grandmaster
 * Inherited Insignia of the Alliance [[Image:Alliance 15.gif‎]] or Inherited Insignia of the Horde [[Image:Horde 15.gif‎]] Gives +6 resilience at level 19.
 * Insignia of the Alliance [[Image:Alliance 15.gif‎]] or Insignia of the Horde (Hunter) [[Image:Horde 15.gif‎]] (BoP) Honor reward
 * Swift Hand of Justice Gives +6 haste rating at level 19.
 * Minor Recombobulator Engineering (140) required to use this item


 * Weapon
 * Dignified Headmaster's Charge At level 19 it provides +9 Stamina +7 Intellect and +6 Critical Strike
 * Twisted Chanter's Staff (BoE) World Drop
 * Crescent Staff Quest from Leaders of the Fang
 * Emberstone Staff (BoP) Drops from Captain Greenskin in the Deadmines.
 * Lorekeeper's Staff [[Image:Alliance 15.gif‎]] or Advisor's Gnarled Staff (level 18) [[Image:Horde 15.gif‎]] (BoP) Reward in Warsong Gulch
 * Cruel Barb (BoP) Drops from Edwin VanCleef in the Deadmines. This can be combined with Buccaneer's Orb (Falcon version +3 Agility +3 Intellect)
 * Prospector Axe (BoE)
 * Massive Battle Axe (BoE)
 * ... of Power = +16 Attack Power
 * ... of Agility = +8 Agility
 * ... of the Monkey = +5 Agility, +5 Stamina
 * ... of the Eagle = +5 Intellect, +5 Stamina
 * Buzzer Blade (BoP) From the Deadmines.
 * Boahn's Fang (BoE)
 * Ranged
 * There is no longer a need for ammunition comparison. Ammunition is no longer used.
 * Venomstrike (BoP) Dropped by Lord Serpentis in Wailing Caverns (17% chance)
 * Charmed Ancient Bone Bow
 * Statistics at level 19:
 * Binds to account
 * Ranged
 * Speed 2.80, 29 - 54 Damage
 * (15.0 damage per second)
 * Equip: Increases attack power by +5.
 * Equip: Improves critical strike rating by +1.
 * Equip: Improves hit rating by +1.
 * It's not a good bow when using it as your main weapon. It's slower and it does not match the DPS of Venomstrike.
 * Upgraded Dwarven Hand Cannon
 * Statistics at level 19:
 * Binds to account
 * Ranged
 * Speed 2.90
 * (15.0 damage per second), 30-56 damage
 * Equip: Increases attack power by +3.
 * Equip: Improves critical strike rating by +2.
 * Equip: Improves resilience by +1.
 * Some commenters believe that this does better damage than either Venomstrike or Charmed Ancient Bone Bow due to it's high-end damage and the player ability to use crafted engineering shot instead of normal arrows. Venomstrike has the chance for a proc, however, and while certain racials (dwarven, for example) favor the gun, others favor the bow.
 * Outrunner's Bow (level 18) [[Image:Alliance 15.gif‎]] or Outrider's Bow (level 23) [[Image:Horde 15.gif‎]] (BoP) Reward in Warsong Gulch
 * Lil Timmy's Peashooter (BoE) World Drop

Enhancements
Note that as of Patches 3.1 and 3.2 many enhancements were nerfed with a level requirement. This includes arcana head augments, many leatherworking armor kits, gun/bow scopes, etc. The listing below has been updated to 3.2.


 * Back
 * Enchant Cloak - Lesser Agility +3 Agility


 * Chest
 * Enchant Chest - Greater Stats +4 All Stats
 * Enchant Chest - Major Health +100 Health (This is once more available with patch 3.2, the level restriction that was added in 3.1 having been removed.)


 * Wrists
 * Enchant Bracer - Superior Stamina +9 Stamina
 * Enchant Bracer - Greater Intellect +7 Intellect


 * Hands
 * Enchant Gloves - Superior Agility +15 Agility


 * Legs
 * Heavy Armor Kit +24 Armor (can only be used on BoE gear)
 * Medium Armor Kit +16 Armor


 * Feet
 * Enchant Boots - Minor Speed minor increase in speed (always recommended)
 * Enchant Boots - Greater Agility +7 Agility
 * Enchant Boots - Greater Stamina +7 Stamina
 * Enchant Boots - Lesser Accuracy +5 Hit rating


 * Weapon
 * Enchant 2H Weapon - Agility +25 Agility (only for two-handed weapons)
 * Enchant Weapon - Agility +15 Agility (only for one-handed weapons)
 * Enchant Weapon - Mighty Intellect +22 Intellect


 * Ranged
 * Standard Scope +2 Damage - Engineering (110)

Potions, Elixirs, Food and Other Useful Items

 * A list of useful potions:
 * A list of useful elixirs. Note: A player can only have one active Battle elixir and one active Guardian elixir on them at a time and elixirs can only be used in the battlegrounds, not in arenas.
 * A list of useful food:

Note: Unless otherwise noted, most food buffs only last 15 minutes. Items that do not provide buffs or provide less than the standard +6 Stamina, +6 Spirit have not been included. Seasonal only food items such as those available during Pilgrim's Bounty and Hallow's End are also not included.


 * Other useful items:

Glyphs
With the introduction of Inscription, Blizzard has given hunters the equivalent of an enchantment to their spells. Glyphs can improve a hunter's spells to a certain extent, sometimes at the cost of a negative effect towards the spell or ability.

Hunters, like all classes at level 19, may only choose 1 major glyph and 1 minor glyph. Hunters have the choice of the following Glyphs:
 * Major Glyphs
 * Glyph of Arcane Shot
 * Glyph of Hunter's Mark
 * Glyph of Immolation Trap
 * Glyph of Improved Aspect of the Hawk (recommended)
 * Glyph of Multi-Shot (recommended)
 * Glyph of Serpent Sting (recommended)
 * Minor Glyphs
 * Glyph of Mend Pet (recommended)
 * Glyph of Possessed Strength
 * Glyph of Revive Pet
 * Glyph of Scare Beast

Useful Buffs
Note: all buffs can now only go to rank 2 per level 19 requirements. It is no longer possible to attain level 70 or 80 buffs from high levels and retain them in battlegrounds. Also note: group (notably raid buffs) buffs are immediately debuffed upon leaving the group, so unless the twink has received an individual buff from a priest, druid, paladin, etc. then that buff will no longer be present upon entering Warsong Gulch.


 * Power Word: Fortitude gives a minimum Stamina increase of 3.
 * Mark of the Wild gives a minimum Armor increase of 25.
 * A player can now have only one scroll active at a time. Scroll of Agility II is probably the most useful but others can be used if agility scrolls are not available including Scroll of Stamina, Scroll of Intellect, and Scroll of Protection II.
 * The hunter can also use a Scroll of Agility II on their pet to increase pet crit from 5% to 5.7% if the pet has no other buffs that affect agility.

Talent Builds
Build favored by many for obvious reasons. It offers +5% critical hit increase with Lethal Shots (old), increased attack power based on 100% of your total intellect with Careful Aim, and remaining points go into Mortal Shots providing your crits with +12% additional damage. The Glyph of Multi-Shot takes your Multi-Shot cooldown to 9 seconds, that will help take out groups of healers. 2/2 Improved Concussive Shot 3/5 Lethal Shots 3/3 Careful Aim 2/3 Hawk Eye Very similar to the DPS build, however this is geared more toward crowd control and long-range sniping. Lethal Shots (old), though not maxed out, increases your critical hit by 3%, Improved Concussive Shot increases the duration of Concussive Shot to 10 seconds, increased attack power based on 100% of your total intellect with Careful Aim, and Hawk Eye (hunter talent) will increase your ranged weapon's attack radius to 40 yards. Including the Glyph of Serpent Sting with this build ensures you'll be kiting with the best of them. Newer build for patch 3.1. This build focuses on Aspect of the Hawk for it's main source of enhancement. Again borrowing from the DPS build, +5% critical hit increase with Lethal Shots (old), increased attack power based on 100% of your total intellect with Careful Aim, however we pick up two points in Improved Aspect of the Hawk all ranged attacks have a 10% chances to increase ranged attack speed by 6% for 12 seconds. Combined with Glyph of Improved Aspect of the Hawk and it's 6% haste increase, you should be able to take down those other hunters one-on-one.
 * DPS Build - 0/10/0
 * Lethal Shots (old) 5/5
 * Careful Aim 3/3
 * Mortal Shots 2/5
 * WSG Standard - 0/8/2
 * Improved Concussive Shot 2/2
 * Lethal Shots (old) 3/5
 * Careful Aim 3/3
 * Hawk Eye (hunter talent) 2/2
 * Hawk Haste - 2/8/0
 * Improved Aspect of the Hawk 2/5
 * Lethal Shots (old) 5/5
 * Careful Aim 3/3

Pets
The main concern for your pet at this level in WSG is the slow your opponent down, especially the enemy flag carrier. Here are a few suggestions for pets:
 * Spider (Tenacity) - Web: stops movement for 4 seconds, 40 second cooldown, 20 yard range
 * Ravager (Cunning) - Ravage: 2 second stun, 1 minute cooldown, melee range
 * Crab (Tenacity) - Pin: pins the target in place for 4 seconds, 40 second cooldown, melee range
 * Hyena (Ferocity) - Tendon Rip: reduces movement speed by 50% for 6 sec, 20 second cooldown, melee range
 * Bat (Cunning) - Sonic Blast: 2 second stun, 1 minute cooldown, 20 yard range
 * Serpent - Poison Spit (pet):DoT every 2 seconds,30 yard range

Useful Macros
These Macros will be of some use to you in Battlegrounds or in World PvP.

Eagle Eye
/cast !Eagle Eye This simple Macro will allow you to chain cast Eagle Eye. This can be useful for; Note: This macro can't defy Eagle Eye's 50,000 yard range.
 * 1) show
 * 2) showtooltip
 * Seeing out of Line of Sight in Warsong Gulch.
 * Spying on towns and cities.
 * Having fun ;)

(more to come soon)

Tips & Hints
Useful information.

Notes and Remarks

 * It is possible to get to Furbolg Medicine Pouch. Either run north from Ashenvale to the Deadwood Village west of the Emerald Sanctuary, or have a Warlock summon you to Timbermaw Hold. Run into some mobs and die, then follow someone killing Deadwood Furbolgs in Felpaw Village until you reach honored. Unfortunately, the pouch is only available as an offhand item, the healing ability doesn't work at level 19 and the pouch cannot be used in combination with two-handed weapons.
 * Incidentally, the same method can be used with Sporeggar to get the Sporeggar Tabard and the Tiny Sporebat by killing Bog Lords. The Glowcap used to buy these items can be purchased from the Auction House.
 * Savory Deviate Delight Doesn't offer any buffs, but if the entire team eats one then they will change into either a ninja or a pirate, which can be confusing to the other team.

Quest Information

 * Deviate Eradication - This quest rewards 2500 raw experience, not including xp from mobs.
 * Arugal Must Die (quest) - This quest rewards 3300 raw experience, not including xp from mobs. Requires level 18.
 * Leaders of the Fang - Last part of a 7 part quest chain rewards 6070 raw experience, not including xp from mobs.