Equipment will be the main source of your character’s power, contributing the biggest bulk of your stats. It is therefore very important that you choose the correct equipment for each slot — commonly referred to as “best in slot” equipment – to maximize your power. This guide will cover the best items for each slot before you are able to start acquiring gear from raids in Cataclysm Classic.
Always keep in mind that with the addition of the Mail Specialization passive ability in Cataclysm, it’s always optimal to choose Mail gear as a Marksmanship Hunter, regardless of stats.
Pre-Raid Best-in-Slot Items
- Head:
- Deadly Bio-Optic Killshades – Engineering BoP
- Windhome Helm/Snarling Helm – Revered with Wildhammer Clan/Dragonmaw Clan
- Wildhammer Riding Helm – Heroic Grim Batol
- Headdress of Sharpened Vision – Heroic Zul’Aman
- Renouncer’s Cowl – Heroic Blackrock Caverns
- Neck:
- Don Rodrigo’s Fabulous Necklace – World Drop BoE
- Amulet of the Watcher – Heroic Zul’Gurub
- Pendant of the Lightless Grotto – Heroic The Stonecore
- Brazen Elementium Medallion – Jewelcrafting BoE
- Amulet of Dull Dreaming – Justice Points
- Shoulder:
- Tusked Shoulderpads – Heroic Zul’Aman
- Pauldrons of Nalorakk – Heroic Zul’Aman
- Bloodpetal Mantle – Heroic Halls of Origination
- Vicious Gladiator’s Chain Spaulders – 1650 Conquest Points
- Bloodthirsty Gladiator’s Chain Spaulders – 1650 Honor Points
- Wrap of the Valley Glades – 1650 Justice Points
- Back:
- Viewless Wings – 1250 Valor Points
- Dory’s Finery – World Drop BoE
- Twitching Shadows – Heroic Blackrock Caverns
- Softwind Cape – The Earthen Ring Exalted Reputation
- Cape of the Brotherhood – Heroic The Deadmines
- Chest:
- Lightning-Charged Tunic – 2200 Valor Points
- Dragonkiller Tunic – Leatherworking BoE
- Wentletrap Vest – Heroic Throne of the Tides
- Vest of the True Companion – 2200 Justice Points
- Wrist:
- Bracers of Some Consequence – Heroic The Deadmines
- Wristguards of the Predator – Heroic Zul’Aman
- Elementium Scale Bracers – Heroic The Stonecore
- Hands:
- Lightning-Charged Gloves – 1650 Valor Points
- Xariona’s Spectral Gauntlets – Xariona, a Rare Elite in Deepholm
- Vicious Gladiator’s Chain Gauntlets – 1650 Conquest Points
- Bloodthirsty Gladiator’s Chain Gauntlets – 1650 Honor Points
- Gloves of the Passing Night – Justice Points
- Traitor’s Grips – Heroic Shadowfang Keep
- Waist:
- Corded Viper Belt – Leatherworking BoE
- Waistband of Hexes – Heroic Zul’Aman
- Belt of the Dim Forest – 1650 Justice Points
- Hail-Strung Belt – Heroic The Vortex Pinnacle
- Legs:
- Lightning-Charged Legguards – 2200 Valor Points
- Arrowsinger Legguards – World Drop BoE
- Hillside Striders – 2200 Justice Points
- Balkar’s Waders – Heroic Lost City of the Tol’vir
- Feet:
- Moccasins of Verdurous Glooms – 1650 Valor Points
- Treads of Malorne – Exalted with Guardians of Hyjal
- Boots of Crumbling Ruin – Heroic Halls of Origination
- Haunting Footfalls – Heroic Shadowfang Keep
- Red Scale Boots – Heroic Grim Batol
- Finger:
- Signet of the Elder Council – Exalted with The Earthen Ring
- Gilnean Ring of Ruination – World Drop BoE
- Arlokk’s Signet – Heroic Zul’Gurub
- Elementium Destroyer’s Ring – Jewelcrafting BoE
- Band of Blades – Jewelcrafting BoE
- Ring of Dun Algaz – Heroic Grim Batol
- Nautilus Ring – Heroic Throne of the Tides
- Trinket:
- Unsolvable Riddle – Exalted with Hellscream’s Reach/Baradin’s Wardens
- Key to the Endless Chamber – Heroic The Stonecore
- Fluid Death – 1650 Valor Points
- Darkmoon Card: Hurricane – turn in Hurricane Deck at the Darkmoon Faire (Guide) – be sure to get the Agility version!
- Tia’s Grace – Heroic Lost City of the Tol’vir
- Melee Weapon:
- Jin’do’s Verdict – Heroic Zul’Gurub
- Rockslicer – Heroic The Deadmines
- Elementium Poleaxe – Blacksmithing BoE
- Berto’s Staff – World Drop BoE
- Darkling Staff – Heroic The Stonecore
- Ranged Weapon:
- Mandokir’s Tribute – Heroic Zul’Gurub
- Kickback 5000 – Engineering BoE
- Lightningflash – Heroic The Vortex Pinnacle
- Amber Messenger – Heroic Blackrock Caverns
About the Author
Furious
If I'm not working or spending time with the family I'm probably gaming. Some of my favorite recent games I've played are Far Cry 5, World of Warcraft Classic, and 7 Days to Die.