Survival Hunter Best In Slot (BiS) Gear Guide - WotLK

Hey guys! Getting your Survival Hunter geared up properly in Wrath of the Lich King (WotLK) is crucial for maximizing your damage output. This guide will walk you through the best in slot (BiS) gear you should be aiming for, helping you dominate raids and dungeons. We'll break down each slot, explain why specific items are BiS, and provide alternatives if you're having trouble snagging the top-tier gear. So, let's dive in and turn your hunter into a true beast!

Head

For the head slot, your absolute best bet is the Helm of the Swift Flight. This helm drops from Sartharion with 3 Drakes in the Obsidian Sanctum raid. The reason this is the BiS choice boils down to its incredible stat distribution. It's loaded with agility, which directly boosts your attack power and crit chance, as well as critical strike rating, hit rating (super important for capping!), and a gem slot for further customization. The combination of these stats makes it incredibly potent for Survival Hunters, giving you a massive edge in terms of damage output. Aiming for this helm should be one of your top priorities when you start raiding. If you're having trouble downing Sartharion with 3 Drakes up, a very reasonable alternative is the Helm of the Faceless dropping from General Vezax in Ulduar 10 man. This helm offers a solid stat package including agility, hit rating, and a gem slot. It is a great stepping stone on your way to obtaining the Helm of the Swift Flight and will serve you well in the meantime. Remember that hitting the hit cap is paramount for maximizing your damage potential as a Survival Hunter. You want to ensure that as few of your attacks miss as possible! So before you even start thinking about maximizing your DPS, you must ensure you have enough hit rating from your gear.

Shoulders

Moving on to shoulders, the BiS choice is undoubtedly the Spaulders of the Black Arrow. These shoulders drop from Lord Marrowgar in Icecrown Citadel. The Spaulders of the Black Arrow offer a fantastic combination of agility, attack power, critical strike rating, and hit rating. Agility is king for Survival Hunters, boosting both attack power and critical strike chance, and the additional attack power further enhances your overall damage output. The critical strike rating helps you land those big, juicy crits, while the hit rating helps you ensure that you don't miss your shots! As a Survival Hunter, you'll want to ensure your hit rating is capped to maximize your potential. A solid alternative if you're not quite ready to tackle Icecrown Citadel is the Shoulderpads of Fleeting Joy, which drop from XT-002 Deconstructor in Ulduar (25-man). These shoulders provide a good mix of agility, critical strike rating, and haste rating. While they aren't quite as potent as the Spaulders of the Black Arrow, they serve as a great stepping stone and are much easier to obtain early on. Focus on obtaining a solid pair of shoulders to give your DPS a boost, as this will make your hunter much more effective in raids and dungeons.

Chest

Now, let's talk about chests. Your BiS chest piece is the Tunic of the Union. This chest drops from Festergut in Icecrown Citadel. What makes this chest the best? Well, the Tunic of the Union is packed with juicy stats that cater perfectly to the Survival Hunter playstyle. It offers a high amount of agility, which, as we know, translates to increased attack power and critical strike chance. Additionally, it comes with a generous amount of attack power, further amplifying your damage output. Finally, it includes critical strike rating, to further increase your crit chance. The combination of these stats makes the Tunic of the Union an exceptional choice for any serious Survival Hunter. If you're not raiding Icecrown Citadel yet, a very viable alternative is the Vest of the Dim Forest, which drops from Yogg-Saron in Ulduar (25-man). This chest offers a balanced set of stats, including agility, hit rating, and critical strike rating. It’s a solid piece that will hold you over until you can get your hands on the Tunic of the Union. Gem slots are also extremely important, as they allow you to customize your gear to fill any gaps in your stats, such as reaching the hit cap. Don't underestimate the power of well-placed gems!

Hands

For your hands, you're looking for the Grips of Unerring Accuracy. These drop from Lady Deathwhisper in Icecrown Citadel. The Grips of Unerring Accuracy are a Survival Hunter's dream, offering a potent blend of agility, attack power, hit rating, and a gem slot. The importance of agility and attack power has already been discussed, but the hit rating is absolutely critical for ensuring your attacks land. The gem slot provides further customization, allowing you to fine-tune your stats to achieve optimal performance. If you're just starting out and haven't made it to Icecrown Citadel yet, a good alternative is the Gloves of Dismal Fortune, which drop from various bosses in Trial of the Crusader (25-man). These gloves offer a decent amount of agility and attack power, making them a solid placeholder until you can acquire the Grips of Unerring Accuracy. Remember, even small upgrades can make a noticeable difference in your damage output, so don't underestimate the value of these interim pieces. Also, don't forget to check the auction house for crafted options!

Legs

When it comes to legs, the Leggings of the Lurking Threat are your BiS. These drop from Deathbringer Saurfang in Icecrown Citadel. The Leggings of the Lurking Threat provide a substantial boost to your key stats, offering a high amount of agility, attack power, and critical strike rating. This combination maximizes your damage potential, making them a top-tier choice for Survival Hunters. The agility increases your attack power and crit chance, while the attack power directly amplifies your damage output. The critical strike rating ensures you land those devastating critical hits. If you are still gearing up and haven't progressed far into Icecrown Citadel, a great alternative is the Leggings of Dubious Charms, which drop from Hodir in Ulduar (25-man). These leggings provide a balanced set of stats, including agility, hit rating, and critical strike rating. They will serve you well until you can obtain the Leggings of the Lurking Threat. Remember that obtaining the correct gear is only one piece of the puzzle, and you should also focus on mastering your rotation and understanding encounter mechanics.

Feet

For your feet, the Boots of Blasphemy are the way to go. These boots drop from Professor Putricide in Icecrown Citadel. Boots of Blasphemy provide a significant boost to your agility, attack power, and critical strike rating. As we’ve established, agility is king for Survival Hunters, increasing both attack power and critical strike chance. Attack power directly amplifies your damage output, and critical strike rating helps you land those big, impactful hits. Together, these stats make the Boots of Blasphemy an exceptional choice for maximizing your damage potential. A good alternative if you aren't raiding Icecrown Citadel yet is the Footwraps of Teleportation, which drop from Mimiron in Ulduar (25-man). These boots provide a solid combination of agility, hit rating, and a bit of movement speed. While they may not be as powerful as the Boots of Blasphemy, they are a reliable option and will serve you well until you can upgrade. Don't underestimate the value of movement speed, especially in encounters that require quick repositioning!

Waist

The BiS belt for a Survival Hunter is the Belt of Rotting Path, which drops from Noth the Plaguebringer in Naxxramas. This belt offers a great blend of agility, attack power, and critical strike rating. As we've discussed, agility is paramount for Survival Hunters as it increases both attack power and critical strike chance. The additional attack power further amplifies your damage output. Critical strike rating helps you land those high-damage critical hits, making the Belt of Rotting Path a valuable asset. If you're not running Naxxramas, a viable alternative is the Girdle of Obscurity, which is a crafted item. This belt provides a good mix of agility, hit rating, and a gem slot. It's a solid option and can be customized with gems to help you reach your stat goals. Crafted items can be a great way to fill gear gaps early on, so don't overlook their potential!

Wrists

For wrists, you're looking for the Bracers of the Silent Massacre. These bracers drop from The Lich King in Icecrown Citadel. The Bracers of the Silent Massacre are highly coveted for their substantial agility and attack power. Agility is, once again, a primary stat for Survival Hunters, increasing both attack power and critical strike chance. The significant amount of attack power on these bracers directly boosts your damage output, making them a top-tier choice. If you are not progressing far in ICC yet, a viable alternative is the Bindings of the Decrepit, which drop from various bosses in Trial of the Crusader (25-man). These bracers offer a decent amount of agility and hit rating, making them a solid placeholder until you can obtain the Bracers of the Silent Massacre. Focus on upgrading your gear in a systematic way, prioritizing pieces that offer the largest stat increases.

Neck

The BiS neck piece is the Lana'thel's Chain of Flagellation, which drops from Lana'thel in Icecrown Citadel. This neck piece provides a significant boost to agility and critical strike rating. Agility, as always, is a key stat for Survival Hunters, increasing both attack power and critical strike chance. The critical strike rating further enhances your ability to land those high-damage critical hits. If you haven't made it to Icecrown Citadel yet, a good alternative is the Titanium Razerplate Necklace, which is a crafted item. This necklace offers a solid amount of agility, attack power, and a gem slot. Crafted items can be a great way to fill gear gaps and customize your stats to meet your specific needs.

Rings

For rings, your BiS options are the Ashen Band of Endless Vengeance (obtained through reputation with the Ashen Verdict) and the Frostbrood Sapphire Ring, which drops from heroic bosses in Icecrown Citadel. The Ashen Band of Endless Vengeance is a must-have due to its excellent stat distribution, providing agility, hit rating, and critical strike rating. The Frostbrood Sapphire Ring offers a fantastic combination of agility, attack power, and critical strike rating. Having both of these rings will significantly boost your damage output. Alternative rings include the Band of the Bone Colossus and the Keenstone Ring. Prioritize obtaining the Ashen Band of Endless Vengeance as soon as possible, as it requires reputation grinding rather than relying on random drops.

Trinkets

Trinkets are a crucial part of your gear setup. The BiS trinkets are Death's Choice and Death's Verdict, both of which drop from heroic bosses in Icecrown Citadel. These trinkets provide a massive boost to your agility and attack power. Agility increases your attack power and crit chance, while attack power directly amplifies your damage output. If you don't have access to these trinkets yet, good alternatives include the Greatness Card and the Needle-Encrusted Scorpion. The Greatness Card can be obtained from Darkmoon Faire decks, and the Needle-Encrusted Scorpion drops from heroic bosses in Trial of the Crusader. Experiment with different trinket combinations to find what works best for your playstyle and stat priorities.

Ranged Weapon

Finally, the BiS ranged weapon is the Fal'inrush, Defender of Quel'Thalas, which drops from The Lich King in Icecrown Citadel (25 Heroic). This bow offers a significant boost to your agility and attack power, making it a top-tier choice. A viable alternative if you are not yet in Icecrown Citadel is the Golden Bow of Quel'Thalas, which drops from Sylvanas Windrunner in Trial of the Crusader. Obtaining a good ranged weapon is essential for maximizing your damage output as a Survival Hunter.

Alright, guys! That wraps up the Survival Hunter BiS gear guide for WotLK. Remember that obtaining all of this gear takes time and effort, so don't get discouraged if you don't get everything right away. Focus on upgrading your gear in a systematic way, and don't forget to gem and enchant your gear properly. Good luck, and happy hunting!