Your Stat Priority for Survival Hunter DPS BiS in Cataclysm Classic should be like this (left to right).
Agility is the most crucial stat in Cataclysm, as it boosts both Ranged Attack Power and Critical Strike Rating. Always prioritize Agility when upgrading gear.
Hit Rating is the first important secondary stat until you reach the hit cap of 8% (961 hit rating). This ensures that your Auto Shot and other abilities do not miss the target. Since the talent Focused Aim no longer covers 3% of your Hit Rating, you’ll need to get more gear with hit rating or reforge gear to meet this requirement.
As a Survival Hunter, Haste Rating is your next priority to reach the soft cap of 757 haste rating. After achieving this, focus on Critical Strike Rating. Talents like Sic ‘Em!, Toxicology, and Go for the Throat benefit greatly from increased critical strike rating.
Additional Haste rating beyond the soft cap of 757 is less useful, as it only increases the number of Auto Shots you can cast.
Finally, Mastery is the new secondary stat in Cataclysm but is the lowest priority for Survival Hunters. It’s generally better to reforge mastery into hit rating if you’re below the hit cap or into critical strike rating.
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Based on 4 128 reviews Melee Weapon for Survival Hunter DPS
As a Survival Hunter in Cataclysm, you should always use a 2h weapon and ignore 1h options. The primary and secondary stats from a 2h weapon are always superior to those from two 1h weapons.
Malevolence is the best 2h option in Phase 1, and there are no other options worth mentioning or worrying about during this phase.
Best Enchant: Enchant 2H Weapon – Mighty Agility.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Best | Malevolence | Halfus Wyrmbreaker | The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic) |
| Alt | Malevolence | Halfus Wyrmbreaker | The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic) |
| Best Pre-Raid | Rockslicer | Admiral Ripsnarl | The Deadmines (Heroic) |
| Alt | Berto’s Staff | BoE World Drop | Auction House |
| Alt | Spear of Trailing Shadows | Baradin’s Wardens/Hellscream Reach (Exalted) | Tol Barad (Heroic) |
| Alt | Darkling Staff | High Priestess Azil | The Stonecore (Heroic) |
Ranged Weapon for Survival Hunter DPS
For the ranged weapon slot, you will want to pick up Themios the Darkbringer.
Dragonheart Piercer is a decent alternative, so if your raid has multiple hunters and this crossbow drops, don’t hesitate to roll on it. You can still be very competitive using the Dragonheart Piercer.
Best Enchant: Enchant 2H Weapon – Mighty Agility.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Best | Themios the Darkbringer | Atramedes | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
| Good Alt | Dragonheart Piercer | Valiona | The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic) |
| Best Pre-Raid | Themios the Darkbringer | Atramedes | Blackwing Descent |
| Alt | Amber Messenger | Ascendant Lord Obsidius | Blackrock Caverns (Heroic) |
| Alt | Lightningflash | Asaad | The Vortex Pinnacle (Heroic) |
| Alt | Kickback 5000 | BoE Crafted | Engineering |
| Alt | Overpowered Chicken Splitter | BoE Crafted | Engineering |
Shoulders for Survival Hunter DPS
You’ll want to use Lightning-Charged Spaulders as your second tier piece to reach your set bonus. These shoulders also provide a significant amount of hit rating, which will help you greatly in reaching the hit cap.
Best Enchant: Greater Inscription of Shattered Crystal.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Mantle of the Forlorn ProtectoLightning-Charged Spaulders | Shoulders of the Forlorn Protector + Lightning-Charged Spaulders Al’Akir Cho’gall | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
| Best Alt | Spaulders of the Scarred Lady | Nefarian | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
| Good Alt | Lightning-Charged Spaulders | Mantle of the Forlorn Protector Al’Akir Cho’gall | Blackwing Descent |
| Good Alt | Bloodpetal Mantle | Ammunae | Halls of Origination (Heroic) |
| Alt | Wrap of the Valley Glades | 1695 Valor Points | Stormwind City, Orgrimmar |
| Alt | Bloodpetal Mantle | Ammunae | Halls of Origination |
Chest for Survival Hunter DPS
The Lightning-Charged Tunic may not be the best option on its own, but when paired with other tier pieces, it becomes more valuable due to the set bonus.
Best Enchant: Enchant Chest – Peerless Stats.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Lightning-Charged Tunic | Chest of the Forlorn Protector + Lightning-Charged Tunic Halfus Wyrmbreaker | The Bastion of Twilight |
| Best Alt | Voltage Source Chestguard | Magmatron | Blackwing Descent |
| Good Alt | Lightning-Charged Tunic | 2200 Valor Points | Valor Quartermaster |
| Alt | Wentletrap Vest | Ozumat | Throne of the Tides |
| Alt | Vest of the True Companion | 2200 Valor Points | Stormwind City, Orgrimmar |
| Alt | Razorshell Chest | Pattern: Razorshell Chest | Leatherworking |
Back for Survival Hunter DPS
The best cloak in Phase 1 is the Mistral Drape. However, it can be challenging to acquire since it has a random stat roll and shares a drop with three other possible Mistral Drape types.
Best Enchant: Enchant Cloak – Major Agility.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Mistral Drape of the Windflurry | Al’Akir | The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic) |
| Alt | Planetary Drape | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic) |
| Alt | Cloak of Biting Chill | Nefarian, Onyxia | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
| Alt | Mistral Drape of the Windflurry | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
| Pre-Raid Best | Cloak of Thredd | World Drop | – |
| Alt | Cape of the Brotherhood | 1250 Valor Points | – |
| Alt | Softwind Cape | Boss Drop | Blackwing Descent |
| Alt | Twitching Shadows | – | – |
Head for Survival Hunter DPS
For the helm slot, the main option to aim for is the Lightning-Charged Headguard. This helm is essential for reaching your 4-piece tier bonus.
Best Enchant: Arcanum of Ramkahen.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Lightning-Charged Headguard | Crown of the Forlorn Protector + Lightning-Charged Headguard Al’Akir Nefarian Onyxia | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
| Best Alt | Arion’s Crown | Elementium Monstrocity | The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic) |
| Best Alt | Lightning-Charged Headguard | Nefarian, Onyxia | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
| Engineer only Alt (Pre-Raid) | Deadly Bio-Optic Killshades | Crafted | – |
| Alt (Pre-Raid) | Windhome Helm Snarling Helm | Wildhammer Clan/Dragonmaw Clan (Revered) | Twilight Highland |
| Alt | Wildhammer Riding Helm | General Umbriss | Grim Batol |
| Alt | Renouncer’s Cowl | Corla, Herald of Twilight | Blackrock Caverns |
Waist for Survival Hunter DPS
For the belt, there are a few options available, but the Coil of Ten-Thousand Screams is perfectly itemized and easier to obtain. The Star Chaser Belt has multiple random enchantment possibilities, making it difficult to get the desired enchantment.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Coil of Ten-Thousand Screams | Cho’gall | The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic) |
| Best Overall | Star Chaser Belt of the Windflurry | Nezir | Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic) |
| Best Alt | Corded Viper Belt | Pattern: Corded Viper Belt | Leatherworking |
| Best Alt | Belt of the Dim Forest | 1650 Valor Points | Stormwind City Orgrimmar |
| Good Alt | Hail-Strung Belt | Altarius | The Vortex Pinnacle (Heroic) |
Legs for Survival Hunter DPS
For the leg slot, you will not want to use a tier piece. The Twilight Scale Leggings are the only item level 379 piece available this phase, and their stats, along with an additional socket, make them the best option.
Best Enchant: Dragonscale Leg Armor.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Twilight Scale Leggings | Sinestra | The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic) |
| Best Overall | Lightning-Charged Legguards | Leggings of the Forlorn Protector + Lightning-Charged Legguards Argaloth | Baradin Hold |
| Best Alt | Leggings of Lethal Force | Magmaw | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
| Best Alt | Balkar’s Waders | High Prophet Barim | Lost City of Tol’vir (Heroic) |
| Good Alt | Hillside Striders | 2200 Valor Points | Stormwind City/Orgrimmar |
| Good Alt | Balkar’s Waders | High Prophet Barim | Lost City of Tol’vir (Heroic) |
Feet for Survival Hunter DPS
For the boots, the best option is the Boots of Vertigo. They provide a good amount of hit rating, which will help you maintain the hit cap as you gear up.
Best Enchant: Enchant Boots – Assassin’s Step.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Boots of Vertigo | Atramedes | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
| Alt | Boots of Vertigo | Atramedes | Blackwing Descent |
| Best Alt Pre-raid | Treads of Malorne | Guardians of Hyjal (Exalted) | Mount Hyjal |
| Alt | Red Scale Boots | Drahga Shadowburner | Grim Batol |
| Alt | Boots of Crumbling Ruin | Anraphet | Halls of Origination |
| Alt | Haunting Footfalls | Commander Springvale | Shadowfang Keep |
Wrist for Survival Hunter DPS
For the wrist slot, the best option is the Chimaeron Armguards. If your guild is not raiding heroic right away, you can opt for the normal version of the Chimaeron Armguards.
Best Enchant: Enchant Bracer – Agility.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Chimaeron Armguards | Chimaeron | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
| Best Alt | Chimaeron Armguards | Chimaeron | Blackwing Descent |
| Good Alt | Bracers of Some Consequence | Vanessa VanCleef | The Deadmines (Heroic) |
| Good Alt | Elementium Scale Bracerse | Ozruk | The Stonecore (Heroic) |
| Alt | Eradicator’s Bracers | “Closing a Dark Chapter” Quest reward | Grim Batol |
Hands for Survival Hunter DPS
For the glove slot, you should use the Lightning-Charged Gloves to achieve your 4-piece bonus. These gloves are better than any alternative on their own, so prioritize obtaining them.
Best Enchant: Enchant Gloves – Major Agility.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Lightning-Charged Gloves | Gauntlets of the Forlorn Protector + Gauntlets of the Forlorn ProtectoLightning-Charged Gloves Argaloth | Baradin Hold (Heroic) |
| Alt | Proto-Handler’s Gauntlets | Halfus Wyrmbreaker | The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic) |
| Alt | Lightning-Charged Gloves | Argaloth | Baradin Hold |
| Best Pre-Raid | Gloves of the Passing Night | 1650 Valor Points | Stormwind City/Orgrimmar |
| Alt | Xariona’s Spectral Claws | Open World BoE | Auction House |
| Alt | Traitor’s Grips | Baron Ashbury | Shadowfang Keep (Heroic) |
| Alt | Wrasse Handwraps | Lady Naz’jar | Throne of the Tides (Heroic) |
Trinkets for Survival Hunter DPS
Essence of the Cyclone and Prestor’s Talisman of Machination are your two best trinkets slot picks for Phase 1. Both of these trinkets should be relatively easy to obtain with little competition from other classes.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Essence of the Cyclone | Halfus Wyrmbreaker | The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic) |
| Best Overall | Prestor’s Talisman of Machination | Nefarian | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
| Best Alt | Tia’s Grace | Siamat | Lost City of Tol’vir (Heroic) |
| Best Alt | Key to the Endless Chamber | Corborus | The Stonecore |
| Good Alt | Darkmoon Card: Hurricane | “Darkmoon Hurricane Deck” Quest Reward | Darkmoon Faire |
| Good Alt | Skardyn’s Grace | General Umbriss | Grim Batol (Heroic) |
Rings for Survival Hunter DPS
For rings, aim for the Lightning Conductor Band and the Mistral Circle of the Stormblast. The Lightning Conductor Band should be relatively easy to obtain. However, the Mistral Circle is another item with random enchantments, so you’ll need some luck to get the Stormblast suffix.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Mistral Circle of the Stormblast | Electron | Blackwing Descent (Heroic) |
| Best Overall | Mistral Circle of the Stormblast | Nezir | Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic) |
| Best Alt | Elementium Destroyer’s Ring | Design: Elementium Destroyer’s Ring | Jewelcrafting |
| Best Alt | Signet of the Elder Council | The Earthen Ring (Exalted) | Vashj’ir |
| Best Alt | Band of Blades | Design: Band of Blades | Jewelcrafting |
| Good Alt | Ring of Dun Algaz | Forgemaster Throngus | Grim Batol (Heroic) |
| Good Alt | Nautilus Ring | Ozumat | Throne of the Tides (Heroic) |
| Alt | Skullcracker Ring | Rom’ogg Bonecrusher | Blackrock Caverns (Heroic) |
Neck for Survival Hunter DPS
For the neck slot, aim for the Mistral Pendant of the Windflurry. Unfortunately, like other Mistral items, you’ll need to hope for a lucky random enchantment roll to get the desired version.
| Rank | Item | Source | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Mistral Pendant of the Windflurry | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds (Heroic) |
| Best Alt | Necklace of Strife | Valiona | The Bastion of Twilight (Heroic) |
| Best Alt | Mistral Pendant of the Windflurry | Al’Akir | Throne of the Four Winds |
| Good Alt | Brazen Elementium Medallion | Design: Brazen Elementium Medallion | Jewelcrafting |
| Good Alt | Amulet of Dull Dreaming | 1250 Valor Points | Stormwind City/Orgrimmar |
| Good Alt | Mouth of the Earth | Earthrager Ptah | Halls of Origination |
| Alt | Pendant of the Lightless Grotto | Ozruk | The Stonecore |
Got all that? Good! Now, even with this guide, outfitting your hunter might take weeks, if not months. If you don’t have the time to gear up, but don’t want to miss your chance to raid with other Cataclysm players, our Cataclysm boosting services can help.
What are the best Races for Survival Hunter?
Alliance – Worgen and Draenei, Horde – Trolls and Orcs.
Are Survival Hunters good?
Survival Hunters are undoubtedly the best specialization in Cataclysm Classic. They excel in both single-target DPS and AoE damage. From a raid buff perspective, they are valuable for providing a 10% attack speed buff to all raid members through Hunting Party.
What tier is Survival Hunter in?
He’s in S tier in Cataclysm Classic, along with Shadow Priest, Demonology Warlock, Affliction Warlock, Arms Warrior and Unholy Death Knight.
What are the best professions for Survival Hunter?
It’s Engineering, Blacksmithing and Jewelcrafting.
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