TBC Hunter Arena Mastery
Complete Guide from Beginner to Duelist (2200+)
Bow Hunter Identity
Hunters are the kings of control and kiting in TBC. Your job is to stay at range, keep enemies slowed, and set up devastating Scatter-Trap combos. Master deadzone management and your pet, and you'll dominate arena.
Ranged Dominance
You control the fight from 8-41 yards. Stay in your sweet spot!
Scatter-Trap Master
Scatter Shot + Freezing Trap = 14 seconds of CC on demand
Pet Power
Your pet is a second player. Stuns, damage, and CC immunity with BW!
Mana Destruction
Viper Sting drains healer mana - your slow win condition
Hidden Mechanics
The Deadzone (5-8 Yards)
You CANNOT shoot between 5-8 yards. Too close for ranged, too far for melee. Never be in the deadzone! Use Wing Clip or Disengage to escape.
Scatter-Trap Combo
Scatter Shot (4s disorient) -> drop Freezing Trap -> target walks into trap = 14 seconds total CC. This is your most important combo!
One Sting Per Target
Only ONE sting can be active per target. Viper on healer, Serpent on kill target. Applying a new sting removes the old one!
Auto Shot Weaving
Steady Shot should be timed between Auto Shots for maximum DPS. Don't clip your Auto Shot!
Trap Arm Time
Traps take 2 seconds to arm after placing. Scatter Shot gives you time to drop and arm the trap!
Feign Death + Trap
Feign Death drops combat and lets you drop a new trap mid-fight. Use for re-trapping or emergency CC.
Pro Tips & Tricks
Viper Sting First
Against healer teams, Viper Sting on the healer IMMEDIATELY. The mana drain wins long games.
Aimed Shot = Mortal Strike
Aimed Shot applies 50% healing reduction. Keep it on the kill target at ALL times!
Bestial Wrath Timing
BW makes your pet IMMUNE to CC. Use it when enemy wants to Poly/Fear your pet, not just for damage.
Flare vs Rogues
Drop Flare on yourself to reveal stealthed Rogues. It pulses detection every few seconds.
Wing Clip Escape
If melee gets on you: Wing Clip (melee slow) -> Jump + Disengage (TBC) or just run. Create distance!
Multi-Shot Reveals
Multi-Shot hits 3 targets and can break stealth, CC, and reveal invisible enemies. Spam it when searching.
Pet Knowledge
Ravager
BM Arena Meta- Gore: High burst damage
- Best DPS pet for BM
- Dash for gap closing
- Found in Hellfire Peninsula
Scorpid
Anti-Melee- Scorpid Poison: Stacking DoT
- Good vs Warriors/Rogues
- Tanky with Armor
- Poison can't be cleansed
Cat
All-Around- Prowl: Stealth opener
- Dash: Speed boost
- High DPS, fast attacks
- Good for BGs and Arena
Ability Priorities
Stings (Pick ONE per target)
Damage Priority
CC Chain Order
Common Mistakes
Standing in Deadzone
5-8 yards = death. You can't shoot, can't melee. Always be at range or IN melee for Wing Clip.
Breaking Your Own Trap
DoTs and pet attacks break Freezing Trap. Call pet back, stop DoTs before trapping!
Ignoring Pet Management
Your pet dies = you lose massive damage and Intimidation stun. Keep pet alive!
Forgetting Aimed Shot
Aimed Shot = 50% healing reduction. Without it, healers heal through everything.
Wrong Sting Usage
Viper on healers, Serpent on kill target. Applying wrong sting wastes DPS or pressure.
Panic Feign Death
Feign Death can be resisted. Don't rely on it as your only escape. Use for trapping.
Win Conditions
Drain Healer Mana
Viper Sting + pressure = healer OOM. Once they can't heal, the match is over.
Scatter-Trap Kill Window
14 seconds of CC on healer while you and partner burst the kill target. Time your cooldowns!
Bestial Wrath Burst
BW makes pet immune to CC. Stack with partner burst when enemy trinkets are down.
Kite to Dampening
Keep enemies slowed, stay at range, and outlast them. Your sustained damage wins long games.
Rating Progression Roadmap
What to focus on at each rating bracket to keep climbing. Master each tier before moving on.
Positioning & Kiting
The Kiting Pattern
Never let melee stay on you. Kite in circles around pillars.
vs Melee
Kite in wide circles. Concussive + Wing Clip. Use pillars to LoS their gap closers.
vs Casters
Stay at max range. Use Silencing Shot on key casts. Scatter their long casts.
Pet Position
Pet should be on kill target. Call back before trapping to avoid breaking CC!
Trap Placement
Drop trap where Scattered target will walk. Practice the timing - it takes 2s to arm!
Cooldown Trading Framework
Arena is won by making better trades. Your cooldowns vs their cooldowns. Here's when to use what.
Defensive Cooldowns
Offensive Windows
Advanced Hunter Techniques
These techniques separate 1800 Hunters from 2200+ Hunters. Master them to climb.
🎯 Advanced Scatter-Trap Positioning
The Scatter-Trap combo is your bread and butter. Here's how to land it consistently:
Pre-Positioning
- Position BETWEEN target and their escape route
- Trap goes where they'll RUN, not where they are
- Account for 2 second arm time—Scatter gives you 4 seconds
- Practice: Scatter, run past, drop trap behind them
Trap Placement Patterns
- Healer on pillar: Trap the pillar exit
- Target running: Trap AHEAD of them
- Standing still: Trap at their feet
- Against walls: They can't go backwards—trap forward path
Scatter Timing
- Wait for enemy CC to end before Scatter (don't waste DR)
- Scatter THROUGH casts for interrupt + disorient
- Don't Scatter targets with trinket up unless killing
- Call "Scattering healer" so partner is ready
🐾 Advanced Pet Micromanagement
Your pet is 40% of your damage and provides crucial CC. Master pet control:
Essential Pet Macros
/petattack [@focus]
Send pet to focus (healer) for interrupts
/petpassive /petfollow
Emergency recall before trapping
/cast [@pettarget] Intimidation
Stun whatever pet is attacking
Pet Positioning Rules
- On kill target: Pet should be DPSing main target
- Before trap: ALWAYS recall pet or it breaks trap
- Interrupt duty: Send to healer during burst for Spell Lock
- BW timing: Use when pet is about to be CC'd, not for damage
- Pet health: Mend Pet during downtime—dead pet = lost game
Pet Threat Management
- Pet Growl OFF in arena (don't taunt players)
- Scorpid Poison stacks = constant damage ticks = can't drink
- Ravager Gore = huge burst windows
- Cat Prowl = stealth opener for surprise Intimidation
⚔️ BM vs Survival vs MM: When to Play Each
Each spec has situations where it shines:
Beast Mastery (Meta Pick)
Best when:
- Playing with healer partner (2v2/3v3)
- Need burst windows with BW
- Facing heavy CC comps (BW = immunity)
- Pet survivability matters
Key ability: Bestial Wrath (pet immune + 50% damage)
Weakness: Relies on pet being alive
Survival (CC Specialist)
Best when:
- Playing double DPS (need more CC)
- Against comps you need to control
- Long games where Readiness shines
- Need Wyvern Sting for extra CC
Key ability: Readiness (reset ALL cooldowns)
Weakness: Less burst, pet dies faster
Marksmanship (Sustained)
Best when:
- Playing 5v5 or BGs
- Sustained damage > burst
- Silencing Shot for interrupt
- Against teams you can turret
Key ability: Silencing Shot (interrupt + silence)
Weakness: Less CC, weaker pet
🔄 Readiness Chains (Survival)
If playing Survival, Readiness lets you chain abilities for devastating combos:
Double Scatter-Trap
CC both enemies simultaneously. Devastating in 2v2.
Burst Reset
Double burst window if first doesn't kill.
Defensive Reset
Double defensive OR turn defense into offense.
🪤 Advanced Trap Strategies
Feign Death Retrapping
Feign Death drops combat and lets you place a new trap mid-fight:
- First Freezing Trap about to break
- Feign Death (drops combat)
- Place new Freezing Trap
- Target walks into second trap
Warning: Feign can be resisted. Have a backup plan.
Frost Trap Kiting
Frost Trap creates a slow zone. Use it defensively:
- Drop at your feet when melee connects
- Kite in circles through the trap zone
- Melee is slowed, you're not
- Combine with Concussive Shot for perma-slow
Explosive Trap Pressure
Use Explosive Trap for AoE situations:
- Break stealth on multiple enemies
- Extra damage during burst windows
- Prevent drinks (DoT ticks)
- Area denial around pillars
Best 2v2 Comps (Casual Friendly) - Click for Guide
Win Condition
Outlast opponents with superior CC chains and Druid mana efficiency. Scatter-Trap + Cyclone = forever CC.
Opening Strategy
- Open with Aimed Shot + Serpent Sting on kill target
- Viper Sting on healer immediately
- Scatter-Trap healer when Druid ready to Cyclone
- Druid Cyclones after trap ends -> you burst
Kill Setup
- CC Chain: Scatter -> Trap -> Cyclone -> Cyclone (DR)
- During CC: BW + Rapid Fire + full damage
- Intimidation to secure kill when target is low
- Druid can HoT you while you kite
Tips & Tricks
- Druid can drink in Travel Form while you kite
- Coordinate: "Trap in 3..." so Druid is ready
- Your Viper Sting + Druid mana = they go OOM first
- Games can go long - that's fine, you win on mana
- If trained, Druid peels with roots/Cyclone
Win Condition
Drain enemy healer OOM with Viper Sting + Mana Burn. Fear + Scatter-Trap chains provide tons of CC.
Opening Strategy
- Priest SW:Pain on kill target
- You Viper Sting healer + Aimed Shot on DPS
- Priest Fears DPS -> You Scatter-Trap healer
- Priest Mana Burns during your CC
CC Chain
- Double CC: Fear one, Trap other
- Psychic Scream + Intimidation for emergency peel
- Silencing Shot when healer trinkets trap
- Pain Suppression keeps you alive through burst
Tips & Tricks
- Priest Mana Burn is your secret weapon
- Mass Dispel removes Paladin Bubble!
- Priest can dispel your Viper Sting getting dispelled
- Communicate Fear DRs - don't overlap!
- Long games favor you - mana drain wins
Win Condition
Overwhelming pressure with double pets and DoTs. Fear + Trap chains. Both classes are tanky with pets.
Opening Strategy
- Lock DoTs both targets immediately
- You Viper Sting healer + damage on DPS
- Lock Fears healer -> You follow with Scatter-Trap
- Both pets on kill target during CC
Kill Setup
- CC Chain: Fear -> Scatter -> Trap -> Death Coil
- Double pet damage is massive during CC
- BW + Lock burst = fast kills
- Intimidation + Spell Lock for interrupts
Tips & Tricks
- Two pets means double the annoyance
- Both can drain mana (Viper Sting + Drain Mana)
- Lock's Felhunter can eat your Viper Sting dispel
- You both have self-sustain - hard to kill
- Coordinate Fear and Trap DRs
Win Condition
Burst kills with coordinated openers. Rogue controls healer while you nuke. Fast games - win or lose quickly.
Opening Strategy
- Rogue Saps healer from stealth
- You pre-Aimed Shot on DPS during Sap
- Rogue opens healer: Cheap Shot -> Kidney Shot
- You Scatter-Trap healer after Kidney
- Rogue swaps to DPS for kill
Kill Setup
- Healer CC: Sap -> CS -> KS -> Scatter -> Trap
- BW + Rapid Fire + Rogue burst = dead DPS
- Intimidation to lock down kill target
- Blind as backup CC on healer
Tips & Tricks
- No healer = burst hard or you lose
- If opener fails, Rogue Vanishes to reset
- Flare can reveal other Rogues for partner
- Games are short - play aggressive
- Blind doesn't DR with your traps
Core Arena Abilities
Arena Points Calculator
Arena Checklist
- Pet summoned and full HP
- Correct Aspect (Hawk for damage)
- Traps off cooldown
- Mana at 100%
- Ammo in bags
- Viper Sting on healer
- Aimed Shot debuff on kill target
- Stay out of deadzone
- Call pet back before trapping
- Track Scatter-Trap DR
Quick Win Conditions
vs Double DPS
Scatter-Trap one -> Pet + burst on other -> Kite and repeat. You have more CC than they have damage.
vs Healer/DPS
Scatter-Trap healer -> Full burst on DPS -> Viper Sting healer -> Mana drain + pressure wins
vs Melee Train
Kite with Concussive -> Frost Trap at feet -> Wing Clip if caught -> Never stop moving
Matchup Knowledge
Understanding each class's win conditions and vulnerabilities is what separates Gladiators from the rest. Master these matchups and you'll know exactly what to do in every situation.
vs Warrior
FavorableWin Condition
Kite them forever. Concussive Shot, Wing Clip when they gap close, and never let them stay in melee. They can't catch you.
Danger Points
- Intercept: 3-second stun gap closer - Scatter when they're in range
- Spell Reflect: Reflects Arcane/Concussive - use Serpent Sting instead
- Hamstring: If they get on you, they won't let go easily
- Mortal Strike: 50% healing reduction - you have Aimed Shot too
Pro Tips
- Scatter Shot when they Intercept for distance
- Wing Clip in melee, then run - create distance
- Scorpid Sting for 5% miss chance vs their damage
- Pet can tank them while you kite
vs Rogue
HardWin Condition
Survive the opener. Use Flare to reveal stealth, Scatter their opener if you react fast, then kite when they're visible.
Danger Points
- Opener: Cheap Shot -> Kidney Shot can kill you from 100%
- Cloak of Shadows: Removes all stings - reapply after
- Blind: 10s CC that doesn't DR with trap
- Deadly/Wound Poison: DoT damage and healing reduction
Pro Tips
- Flare on yourself constantly to reveal stealth
- If you see them, Scatter immediately
- Deterrence during their burst window
- Wing Clip and run - create distance
- Multi-Shot spam to find them when stealthed
vs Mage
EvenWin Condition
Stay at max range, Viper Sting for mana drain, Silencing Shot their key casts. BW makes pet immune to Poly.
Danger Points
- Polymorph: Long CC on you AND pet - use BW for pet immunity
- Frost Nova: Roots you in place - pet can break it
- Counterspell: 10s lockout - don't get CSed on Arcane
- Ice Block: Full immunity reset - DoTs fall off
Pro Tips
- Scatter their Polymorph cast
- Bestial Wrath makes pet immune to Poly
- Silencing Shot > Scatter vs Mage (shorter CD)
- Viper Sting after Ice Block ends
- Stay spread from pet to avoid double Poly
vs Priest
FavorableWin Condition
Viper Sting = OOM priest. Your pet damage is hard to heal through. Scatter-Trap their heals. Shadow Priests die to burst.
Danger Points
- Psychic Scream: 8s Fear - stay at range
- Mana Burn: They can drain YOU - interrupt it
- Shadow Word: Death: Execute at low HP - burst them first
- Dispel Magic: Removes Viper Sting - reapply constantly
Pro Tips
- Viper Sting is your main win condition
- Shadow Priest: burst before they set up VT
- Disc: long game, mana drain always wins
- Scatter their Psychic Scream cast
- Silencing Shot their Mana Burn
vs Hunter (Mirror)
EvenWin Condition
Kill their pet if they're BM. Whoever lands Scatter-Trap first usually wins. Viper Sting wars.
Danger Points
- Their Scatter-Trap: Same tools as you - react faster
- Viper Sting: Mutual mana drain war
- Bestial Wrath: Their pet goes beast mode too
- Silencing Shot: They can interrupt you too
Pro Tips
- CC their pet during their BW window
- First Scatter usually wins the exchange
- Flare their trap placement
- Feign Death their Aimed Shot cast
- Kill pet if BM - they lose half their damage
vs Druid
EvenWin Condition
Keep Viper Sting up through shapeshifts. Scatter-Trap when they're in caster form to heal. Feral druids: pet can tank them.
Danger Points
- Cyclone: 6s CC, no DR with your traps - chains forever
- Travel Form: Fast kiting - hard to catch
- Feral Charge: Interrupt + 4s root in caster form
- Shapeshift: Removes snares and Viper Sting in forms
Pro Tips
- Viper Sting only drains mana in caster form
- Trap them when they shift to heal
- Scatter their Cyclone cast
- Pet can chase Feral Druid while you kite
- Long games - patience is key
vs Shaman
FavorableWin Condition
Kill totems (especially Grounding), Viper Sting for mana drain, interrupt key heals. Elemental shamans are squishy.
Danger Points
- Grounding Totem: Absorbs your shots - kill it first
- Earth Shock: Interrupt + 2s lockout - fake cast
- Windfury: Random burst can global you (Enhancement)
- Tremor Totem: Breaks fear effects from pets
Pro Tips
- Serpent Sting or Arcane Shot to kill Grounding
- Pet can kill totems while you damage Shaman
- Scatter their Earth Shock range
- Stay at range vs Enhancement - they hurt close
- BW pet ignores totem distractions
vs Paladin
FavorableWin Condition
Viper Sting to OOM. They have NO gap closer - kite forever. Wait out Bubble patiently.
Danger Points
- Divine Shield (Bubble): 12s full immunity - wait it out
- Blessing of Freedom: Removes slows - Concussive anyway
- Hammer of Justice: 6s stun - only 10 yard range
- Cleanse: Instant dispel removes Viper Sting
Pro Tips
- Viper Sting is your primary win condition
- Keep Concussive up even through Freedom
- Scatter their Bubble heal attempts
- Games go long - conserve your mana too
- They can never catch you - patience wins
vs Warlock
EvenWin Condition
Kill their pet to remove Soul Link. Viper Sting for mana drain. Scatter their Fear casts. BW pet can't be Feared.
Danger Points
- Fear: 1.5s cast chains - Scatter/Silencing Shot it
- Death Coil: Instant Horror CC + heal for them
- Soul Link: 20% damage reduction while pet alive
- DoT Pressure: Constant damage even when you kite
Pro Tips
- Kill Felhunter first vs SL/SL Lock
- Bestial Wrath pet can't be Feared or CCed
- Scatter their Fear cast - huge counter
- Feign Death can drop DoTs with good timing
- Viper Sting pressure on them too
Quick Matchup Reference
Arena Gear Priority
Stat Priority (BM)
Target: 250+ Resilience, 25%+ Crit, 5% Hit
Gearing Path
Quick Pre-70 Gear
Rep Gear Worth Getting
Quick Gem Guide
For arena: Balance Agility with some Resilience gems.
TBC Hunter Talent Builds
Click on a build to see the full talent breakdown and explanations
Beast Mastery (BM)
41/20/0 - The Pet Powerhouse
Why This Build?
BM is the most popular TBC arena spec for hunters. Bestial Wrath makes your pet immune to CC and deal 50% more damage. Combined with Intimidation (pet stun), you have incredible burst and control. Simple to play, deadly to face.
Beast Mastery
41 PointsMarksmanship
20 PointsSurvival
0 PointsNo points in Survival
BM focuses on pet powerKey Talent Explanations
Bestial Wrath
THE defining BM talent. Pet becomes CC immune and deals 50% more damage for 18s. This is your kill window - use it when healer is CCed!
Intimidation
Pet stuns target for 3 seconds. OFF-GCD! Use for burst setup, interrupt, or peel. One of the best CC abilities in the game.
Serpent's Swiftness
20% attack speed for you AND pet. More attacks = more damage = more Kill Command procs. Passive power increase.
Ferocious Inspiration
When pet crits, you and allies get 3% damage buff. Your pet crits a lot = constant damage boost for your team.
How to Play BM
Pet is Life
Your pet is 40%+ of your damage. If it dies, you lose. Keep it alive, call it back when low, manage its position.
BW = Kill Window
Bestial Wrath is your kill button. Use it when healer is CCed (Scatter-Trap) for maximum pressure. Pet can't be stopped!
Intimidation Timing
Don't waste Intimidation randomly. Use it to interrupt heals, secure kills, or peel for yourself. It's OFF-GCD!
Kill Command Spam
Kill Command is OFF-GCD and 5s CD. Press it constantly when pet is attacking. Free damage boost!
Survival
0/20/41 - The CC Master
Why This Build?
Survival trades pet burst for more CC and utility. Wyvern Sting gives you another 12s sleep, and Readiness resets ALL cooldowns - meaning double Scatter-Trap, double everything. Higher skill cap but more control.
Beast Mastery
0 PointsNo points in Beast Mastery
Survival focuses on CC and utilityMarksmanship
20 PointsSurvival
41 PointsKey Survival Talents
Wyvern Sting
12 second sleep on target. Shares DR with traps but gives you another CC tool. DoT damage when it breaks.
Readiness
Resets ALL hunter ability cooldowns. Double Scatter-Trap! Double Rapid Fire! Massive burst potential in coordinated play.
Expose Weakness
Your crits apply debuff giving 25% of your Agi as AP to attackers. Great team buff for physical damage comps.
BM vs Survival Comparison
Marksmanship (MM)
0/41/20 - The Sharpshooter
Why This Build?
MM gives you Silencing Shot - a 3 second silence on 20s CD. Great interrupt for caster-heavy teams. Trueshot Aura buffs your whole team. Less common in TBC arena but viable in organized play.
Beast Mastery
0 PointsNo points in Beast Mastery
MM focuses on ranged damageMarksmanship
41 PointsSurvival
20 PointsKey MM Talents
Silencing Shot
3 second silence, 20s CD, OFF-GCD. Excellent interrupt vs casters. Can be used without losing DPS since it's off the GCD.
Trueshot Aura
+125 AP to your entire party. Great for physical damage teams. Passive group buff.
Improved Barrage
Increased crit chance on Multi-Shot and Volley. More AoE pressure in group fights.
MM Hunter Tips
Silencing Shot
Use off the GCD to interrupt casters without losing damage.
Trueshot Aura
Keep this up for 125 AP to your whole party.
Weaker Pet
Your pet is weaker than BM. Protect it less aggressively.
Sustained Damage
Focus on consistent damage over burst windows.
Essential Hunter Macros
Scatter Shot (Focus)
#showtooltip Scatter Shot
/cast [@focus,harm,nodead][] Scatter Shot
Scatter focus target without switching
Freezing Trap + Pet Passive
#showtooltip Freezing Trap
/petpassive
/cast Freezing Trap
Stops pet from breaking trap!
Steady Shot + Auto
#showtooltip Steady Shot
/cast !Auto Shot
/cast Steady Shot
Never clips Auto Shot
Silencing Shot (Focus)
#showtooltip Silencing Shot
/stopcasting
/cast [@focus,harm,nodead][] Silencing Shot
Interrupt focus without target swap
Intimidation (Target)
#showtooltip Intimidation
/cast Intimidation
Pet stuns your current target
Bestial Wrath + Rapid Fire
#showtooltip Bestial Wrath
/cast Bestial Wrath
/cast Rapid Fire
/cast Kill Command
All burst cooldowns at once!
Keybind Suggestions
Damage (1-5)
CC/Utility (Q,E,R,F)
Stings (C,V,B)
Focus (Shift+)
Must-Have Addons
Quick Tips Cheatsheet
Top Arena Videos
Learn from elite TBC Hunters. These videos showcase high-level arena gameplay, trap timing, kiting mastery, and BM burst windows.
Hästen 6 - TBC Classic Hunter PvP (BM Spec)
BM Hunter world PvP on Gehennas-EU. Bestial Wrath burst windows and insane pet damage showcased.
70 Hunter - WoW TBC Classic PvP
Hunter PvP gameplay at level 70. Watch trap timing, kiting techniques, and hunter/healer coordination in arena.