Test Results MM vs SV

[Xianghua]

Okay. So I've got a level 79 hunter in mostly instance/quest blues/greens with a few crafted pieces thrown in.

I am dual specced as MM and SV.

On the level 80 training dummy as survival spec, I was pulling around 1400 dps with everything popped. (rapid fire, kill command, 1 AP trinket)

As marksmanship spec, I pulled almost 1700 dps with everything blown. I'm wondering if the large gap is do to lack of knowledge of rotation/shot priority for SV, or if MM really is better (been MM since day 1 as a hunter). For all I know it could be that I didn't spec properly into SV.

armory link: The World of Warcraft Armory

(It may take a little while for the armory to update as it still shows my BM off-spec.)

[Wilx]

MM and SV should be close enough in dps for you to play which ever one you like best. When you have all the best in slot gear MM should be slightly higher, but until then SV should be a little better.

My gear is pretty good, but I still find them even. In raids if they are close to even and my SV has replenishment it's the the better choice most of time. I tend to use MM as my AOE spec and glyphed for volley.

Wilx Armory

[Xianghua]

Yeah, until I really start pouring on the agility in gear and such I'm thinking my marksmanship spec will probably be better. Especially once I hit 80 and put the glyph of trueshot aura in.

Glyph of Trueshot Aura - Item - World of Warcraft

+10% increased crit chance with Aimed Shot.

[Cindy]

If you pop everything at once a Marskman is going to do more damage, they do burst damage, which is why it's the PvP spec of choice for many.

However, if you say go for damage over time, say, 5 minutes, you'll see the beastmaster does better.

Or atleast that's what I've read... never tested it myself.

[Wilx]

For raiding, Beast Master does 12-15% less DPS than MM or SV. However when you are soloing, especially as you are levelling up, your BM pet can take far more damage and does a lot more of your combined damage, so it's easier not to pull off them.

[Xianghua]

While we're on the subject, what is the best rotation for SV spec?

The way I did it (probably horrible, but bear with me) was:

open with Wyvern Sting, black arrow, serpent sting, explosive shot, scatter shot

rinse and repeat (minus Wyvern Sting), refreshing serpent sting when needed.

/begin "OMGWTFISTHAT?!" flaming.

[Cotar]

Originally Posted by Xianghua

While we're on the subject, what is the best rotation for SV spec?

The way I did it (probably horrible, but bear with me) was:

open with Wyvern Sting, black arrow, serpent sting, explosive shot, scatter shot

rinse and repeat (minus Wyvern Sting), refreshing serpent sting when needed.

Wyvern Sting and Scatter Shot are Crowd Control. I would use those situationally rather than in your shot priority.

I guess it depends on context. Are you talking about soloing or raiding. Soloing a typical mob doesn't take much more than Explosive Shot and Aimed/Multi. They hit so hard they'll kill your standard mob before they get in front of you. On raiding or instances, Survival's shot priority should be the following:

1) Kill Shot
2) Explosive Shot
3) Aimed (or Multi)
4) Black Arrow
5) Serpent Sting
6) Steady Shot

Basically, this is the "priority" (versus a rotation) you should give your shots. You should use the shots highest on the list whenever they are available. For example, you may fire Explosive Shot, then Aimed, then Black Arrow, and then Explosive Shot would be off cool down so you'd fire that again. Then you'd continue with Serpent Sting and Steady Shot. Again Explosive Shot comes off cooldown and you fire that again. You have to monitor your cooldowns and your DOTs to know when to time them right, but watch Explosive Shot the closest. It does SO much more damage than any other shot in our arsenal (cept maybe Kill Shot) that you never want to delay using it.

[Wilx]

Basically what Coltar said except I put Black Arrow above Aimed.

1) Kill Shot
2) Explosive Shot
3) Black Arrow
4) Aimed (or Multi)
5) Serpent Sting
6) Steady Shot

Also keep in mind when Lock and Load procs, the Global Cool Down on Explosive Shot is 1.5 sec, but the dot ticks for 2 sec. So if you are spamming the ES key you will be clipping the dot by .5 sec losing 25% of its damage. Better to wait half a second each time, or put another shot in between.

[Xianghua]

If you ask me, it seems WAY too complicated. Marksmanship shot rotation/shot priority is far simpler, though it does tend to rely heavily on steady shot as there is a talent for it.

Improved Steady Shot - Spell - World of Warcraft

my marksmanship shot rotation is as follows:

Serpent Sting, Aimed Shot, Arcane Shot, Chimera Shot, Steady Shot

rinse and repeat as necessary.

my (personal) shot priority:

Kill Shot > Aimed Shot > Chimera Shot > Arcane Shot > Steady Shot > Serpent Sting

Serpent Sting at the bottom because Chimera Shot refreshes it.

[Wilx]

Marksman Shot Rotation/Shot Priority:
1) Serpent Sting (only open with it, then CS refreshes)
2) Chimera Shot
3) Kill Shot
4) Aimed Shot
5) Arcane Shot
6) Silencing Shot (used as dps boost, not cc)
7) Steady Shot