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Home/Level 19/Hunter/19 Hunter - Absolute BiS
Level 19 Hunter · one of 2 guides for this class

19 Hunter - Absolute BiS

This is the ceiling: for every slot, the item the level 19 community points to first, no matter how rare, how slow or how pricey. Expect a long hunt. A…

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itsme26 guides17/17 slotsgear list2 days agolast updated14 Oct 2026created0 commentsdiscussionClassicWritten for Phase 2Level 19Both factions
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Gear

17 of 17 slots filled · every item links to Wowhead
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Head
+15 Stamina · Equip: Increased Fishing +5.
Lesser Arcanum of Voracity
Use: Permanently adds 8 agility to a leg or head slot item
Reward for handing in a rare fish (Keefer's Angelfish) at the Stranglethorn fishing contest
fishing
1 alternative
Neck
+6 Agility · +2 Stamina
Warsong Gulch honor vendor, needs Honored with the Silverwing Sentinels (Alliance)
vendor
1 alternative
Shoulder
Might of the Scourge
Use: Permanently adds to a shoulder slot item increased Attack Power by…
Lady Anacondra, Wailing Caverns
NPC drop
1 alternative
Back
+4 Agility · +5 Stamina
Very rare world drop (Leech Widow in the Wetlands, Pridewing Patriarch in the Stonetalon Mountains)
BoE
1 alternative
Chest
+11 Agility · +5 Stamina
The Defias Brotherhood quest chain (Alliance)
quest reward
1 alternative
Wrist
Rare world drop (Gnawbone for the Alliance, Thunderstomp for the Horde)
BoE
Hands
Rare world drop (of the Monkey); the Auction House is usually quicker
BoE
1 alternative
Waist
+5 Agility · +6 Stamina · +3 Spirit
Leatherworking (Deviate Scale Belt)
crafted
Legs
+5 Strength · +9 Agility · +4 Stamina · Armor of the Fang
Lesser Arcanum of Voracity
Use: Permanently adds 8 agility to a leg or head slot item
Lord Cobrahn, Wailing Caverns
NPC drop
Feet
+3 Strength · +8 Agility
Enchant Boots - Minor Speed
a slight movement speed increase
Very rare drop from Gnawbone (Alliance) or Thunderstomp (Horde); Auction House
BoE
1 alternative
Ring 1
+3 Strength · +3 Agility · +4 Stamina · +4 Intellect · +3 Spirit
An Audience with the King quest chain (Alliance)
quest reward
1 alternative
Ring 2
+4 Strength · +4 Agility · +2 Stamina
Warsong Gulch honor vendor (Alliance)
vendor
1 alternative
Trinket 1
Use: Dispels all Immobilizing, Slowing and Stun effects. (5 Min Cooldown)
PvP rank vendor (Alliance)
vendor
1 alternative
Trinket 2
Equip: Increases your chance to dodge an attack by 1%. · Use: Absorbs 750 to 1250 damage. 'Lasts 20 sec. (30 Min Cooldown)
The Arena Grandmaster in the Gurubashi Arena
NPC drop
1 alternative
Main hand
30 - 57 Damage · Speed 2.80 · Equip: +12 Attack Power.
Edwin VanCleef, The Deadmines
NPC drop
2 alternatives
Off hand
+10 Stamina · Use: Restores 100 health every 1 sec for 10 sec. (20 Min Cooldown)
Gorn One Eye, needs Honored with Timbermaw Hold
NPC drop
1 alternative
Ranged
16 - 30 Damage · Speed 2.40 · Equip: Chance to strike your ranged target with a Venom Shot for 31 to 45 Nature damage.
Standard Scope
Use: Attaches a permanent scope to a bow or gun that increases its damag…
Lord Serpentis, Wailing Caverns
NPC drop
2 alternatives
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Enchantments

Per slot · the first thing a phase changes
HeadLesser Arcanum of VoracityLesser Arcanum of Voracity gives 8 Agility and is the head pick. The Constitution version is only for a player who wants health over damage.
ShoulderMight of the ScourgeMight of the Scourge adds attack power and critical strike chance. It was taken from the Sapphiron fight, so you need a character at level 60 to apply it, and it only goes on a white shoulder piece.
BackEnchant Cloak - Lesser AgilityLesser Agility is cheap. Fill this slot before any other.
ChestEnchant Chest - Greater StatsGreater Stats lifts every stat a little and is the strongest chest enchant at this level.
WristEnchant Bracer - Superior StaminaSuperior Stamina is the survivability pick.
HandsEnchant Gloves - Superior AgilitySuperior Agility is the enchant to have, and it is expensive.
LegsLesser Arcanum of VoracityThe same Arcanum of Voracity as the head: 8 Agility on the leggings.
FeetEnchant Boots - Minor SpeedMinor Speed lets you run away and take the flag. Lesser Agility is the damage alternative.
Main handEnchant Weapon - AgilityWeapon Agility adds 15 Agility and is the enchant for both the Barb and an Agility two-hander. It needs Timbermaw Hold reputation to learn, so ask an enchanter with access.
RangedStandard ScopeA Standard Scope adds 2 damage to the bow permanently and is cheap.
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Races

Racials that matter in this bracket
Horde
OrcTOP PICK

Blood Fury — Short cooldown, large burst window. The best Rogue racial here.

Hardiness — Passive stun resistance — always on, nothing to forget.

TrollSITUATIONAL

Berserking — Attack speed when things are going badly.

Regeneration — Real survivability, better paired with a regen buff.

UndeadSITUATIONAL

Will of the Forsaken — One of the best PvP racials in the game for a CC target.

Shadow Resistance — Blunts Priests and Warlocks.

Cannibalize — A weak free bandage — usable in stealth.

Alliance
DwarfSTRONG

Stoneform — Counters bleeds from Rogue, Warrior and Hunter, and adds armour briefly.

Frost Resistance — Useful against Frost Mages, little else.

Find Treasure — Twinking is expensive; every edge helps.

GnomeSITUATIONAL

Escape Artist — Counters the CC of four other classes.

Engineering Specialization — Access to gadgets other races can't reach yet.

HumanSITUATIONAL

Perception — Spot other Rogues and Druids while they can't spot you.

Sword Specialization — Passive hit chance if you run swords.

Night ElfTOP PICK

Quickness — Flat dodge increase.

Shadowmeld — No cooldown share with Stealth — restealth instantly, and eat or drink safely.

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Professions

Ranked in prose · linked terms show Wowhead tooltips
Engineeringmandatory

A Hunter lives off its ranged weapon, and Engineering both builds guns and fills the head slot while you work toward a better one. It is the profession to take.

Enchantingbest second

Disenchanting green gear pays for the materials, and you can trade them to a higher level enchanter for the enchants you need. Best if you have gold to spare.

Alchemysituational

Mostly a way to cut the cost of potions and elixirs, if someone supplies you the herbs.

Leatherworkingsituational

It crafts the Deviate Scale Belt, so a belt is easy to get, provided you have a leather supplier.

Mining, Skinning, Herbalismif supplied

Only worth taking if they feed your Engineering or take pressure off the character that pays for the twink.

Secondary skills

First Aid — Bandages heal between fights. Mageweave bandages are craftable at this level; Heavy Runecloth ones need a friend to make them.

Cooking — Curiously Tasty Omelet is the Well Fed food to aim for; buy it or learn the recipe from a cooking vendor.

Fishing — The road to the Lucky Fishing Hat and Nat Pagle's boots, and the fish and dishes sell well.

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Spells and abilities

Everything you have at 19
Beast Mastery11 abilities
Aspect of the MonkeyOnly worth wearing when you are taking a lot of melee damage. Swap back to Hawk the moment you are clear.
Aspect of the HawkKeep it on at all times: no cooldown, no time limit, and your ranged damage is lower without it.
Call PetSummons your pet. Do it before a fight starts, never in the middle of one.
Dismiss PetSends the pet away. Useful if it is a liability, for example before a stealth crossing.
Feed PetKeeps the pet happy, which keeps its damage up. Feed it before the match, not while enemies are on you.
Revive PetBrings a dead pet back. It costs mana and a cast, so do it when no one is on you.
Tame BeastUnlocked by the level 10 class quest. It is how you collect the pets that make you strong at this level.
Mend PetHeals the pet over time. Keep it up on the pet when it is the one taking the hits, because it is half your damage.
Eagle EyeA free spyglass for scouting the other side's flag room or a chokepoint.
Eyes of the BeastLets you see through the pet. Use it to scout, and combine with Eagle Eye.
Scare BeastCrowd control for Druids in animal form, Shamans in Ghost Wolf, and other Hunters' pets. Nobody expects it.
Marksmanship7 abilities
Auto ShotYour constant damage. Stay at range and let it run between abilities.
Serpent StingYour most damaging ability. Put it on big, durable targets and keep it ticking while the pet does the close fighting.
Arcane ShotAn instant shot that doesn't clip Auto Shot. Modest damage, but better than waiting on the next auto.
Hunter's MarkMarks one target for extra ranged damage and reveals stealthed Rogues. Put it on the one you want dead.
Concussive ShotThe slow that keeps enemies off you. With the talent it can also stun: use it on the key target, not on everyone.
Distracting ShotPulls attention onto your pet or a tank for a moment. Mostly a PvE tool; rarely worth a button here.
Multi-ShotA shot that hits several enemies at once. You pick it up at 18 and it shines when you are facing a group.
Survival7 abilities
Raptor StrikeA melee hit for when someone is on top of you. Modest damage, but it is a free button in melee range.
Track BeastsShows animals on the minimap. Mostly for leveling and for spotting other Hunters' pets.
Track HumanoidsShows other players on the minimap, since most of them are humanoids. Keep it on in battlegrounds.
Wing ClipA slow in melee range. Keep it on the bar for when something is trying to escape, though Concussive Shot usually does the job.
Immolation TrapA trap that burns whoever walks into it. Drop it as an ambush, or at your feet when something is in melee range.
Mongoose BiteOnly usable right after you dodge, and only in melee. Keep it on the bar and expect to use it rarely.
Track UndeadShows undead on the minimap. Alliance players use it to find Forsaken; otherwise skip it.
General2 abilities
Great StaminaA passive that raises your Stamina and, with it, your health.
Natural ArmorA passive armor boost that works with everything else you wear.
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Talent builds

10 points at level 19 · point spread read from each build's calculator link
Beast Mastery0
Marksmanship10
Survival0
Concussive and LethalAUTHOR'S PICK

The standard offensive build. Improved Concussive Shot gives Concussive Shot a chance to stun, and Lethal Shots adds critical strike chance on every shot. It is the build for premade groups.

Show the treeCopy import string
Beast Mastery0
Marksmanship0
Survival10
Wing Clip defence

A defensive build for premade defence. Improved Wing Clip is spammed in melee for a chance to root, Humanoid Slaying hits players harder and Deflection gives you parry.

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Beast Mastery10
Marksmanship0
Survival0
Stance swapper

Improved Aspect of the Hawk and Improved Aspect of the Monkey for the Hunter who changes aspects in the middle of a fight, for example when a Warrior charges or a Rogue opens on you.

Show the treeCopy import string
Beast Mastery5
Marksmanship5
Survival0
Glass cannon

A riskier offensive build that relies on luck: Improved Aspect of the Hawk for attack speed and Improved Concussive Shot for the stun. It can be devastating when the procs come.

Show the treeCopy import string
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Buffs and consumables

Grouped by when you use them · gold dot means always carry
Stacking rulesRead them on the TBC ladder
Elixirs2 core · 2 listed

One battle and one guardian elixir at a time. They vanish when you die.

Agility for attack power, armor and dodge.NoteDrink it before the queue pops; it covers a couple of matches.
+150 armor.NotePair it with the agility elixir. It matters most against melee that hit through your armor.
Potions and scrolls2 core · 6 listed

One potion per fight; they share a cooldown.

A quick refill of health.NoteOne per fight is all you get. Drink it when your pet can no longer hold the target off you.
Health and mana at once.NoteRestores health and mana together, handy when a fight drags on and you are in melee.
A little resistance to every school of magic.NoteA small shield against casters; pop it when a Mage or Warlock starts on you or your pet.
A burst of speed to break away.NoteAn escape button. Use it to break away and leave the pet to cover you, not as an opener.
Extra Agility.NoteThe cheap top-up when you can't afford the elixir.
Extra Stamina.NoteExtra health for very little gold.
Food and other1 core · 3 listed
Well Fed bonus.NoteEat it between matches so the Well Fed bonus is up when the gates open.
A good Stamina boost, with a drunk's aim.NoteA good Stamina boost, but being drunk spoils your aim, so keep it for fights at close range.
+4 weapon damage for a melee weapon.NoteOnly matters if you actually swing a melee weapon; it is cheap.
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Overview

The perfect Hunter

This is the ceiling: for every slot, the item the level 19 community points to first, no matter how rare, how slow or how pricey. Expect a long hunt. A Hunter at this level wins by staying far away, slowing whoever approaches, and letting a fast pet do the biting, and this list squeezes every point of Agility and Stamina out of that plan.

How to use it

Almost nothing here comes quickly. Some pieces are world drops with a fraction-of-a-percent chance, or rewards from a fishing contest. Treat each slot as a goal and fill the gaps with the alternatives under it, or open the realistic guide for something you can finish in a few weeks.

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Macros

Mark and send the petCopy
#showtooltip Hunter's Mark
/cast Hunter's Mark
/petattack
Marks the target and sends your pet in one press. It assumes you are already facing the enemy you want dead.
Free yourself, then slowCopy
#showtooltip Concussive Shot
/use 13
/cast Concussive Shot
Uses the trinket in your first slot, which should be the Insignia, to clear a stun or slow, then Concussive Shots the target. It only works if the Insignia is in slot 13.
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What to do by target

TargetOpen withThen
RogueHunter's Mark, which reveals themConcussive Shot, then keep the pet on them
Warrior or PaladinSerpent Sting from rangeConcussive Shot, kite them and let the pet bite
Mage, Priest or WarlockArcane Shot on the castConcussive Shot to keep them from running, Multi-Shot if they are grouped
Druid or ShamanScare Beast if they shiftSerpent Sting once they are back in form
Another HunterHunter's MarkScare Beast on their pet, then burn them down
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Playing it

Stay at range

Your damage comes from the bow or gun and from the pet. Keep your distance, let the pet take the melee, and turn the fight around with Concussive Shot rather than standing in the middle of it.

Switch targets often

Use Hunter's Mark and Concussive Shot on the key player, then change targets when someone else becomes the danger. Serpent Sting is for the big, tough ones, and Multi-Shot for a group.

If someone gets close

Raptor Strike and Wing Clip work, and an Immolation Trap at your feet will hurt whatever stays. But the real answer is to get away: use the Insignia to clear a slow or stun and try to leave the melee.

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