WoW Forever Melee Hunter Build Guide 1–30

Melee Hunter becomes a genuine Survival build in the WoW Forever beta, but it does not begin with a complete melee rotation. Levels 1–24 still rely heavily on a pet and ranged openers. Predator’s Edge starts the real power spike at 25, and Strider Kick completes the level-30 build.

Blizzard’s official Hunter deep dive confirms the Survival redesign, combat traps, pet scaling, Aspect of the Beast melee Attack Power, and the new milestone talents. The October 1 beta notes confirm the level-30 cap and latest Hunter tuning. Trust the live client when a beta tooltip or trainer rank changes.

The short version

Keep a pet active. It remains the strongest leveling tool even when every talent point goes into Survival.
Open from range before closing. Hunter’s Mark, Serpent Sting, and Aimed Shot provide damage before the target enters melee range.
Use Raptor Strike on cooldown. Mongoose Bite is conditional until later talents make it easier to activate.
Do not force dual wield. At 25, Predator’s Edge improves the off hand, but a clearly stronger two-hander can still win. Compare total weapon damage and live tooltips.
Expect weak area damage. Multi-Shot is a ranged opener and traps add control, but low-level Survival is primarily a single-target build.

Leveling approach

Level range	How to play	What changes
1–9	Kite with Auto Shot, then finish with Raptor Strike.	There is no pet yet, so maximize ranged attacks before the enemy reaches you.
10–15	Send the pet first and remain at range when practical.	The pet reduces downtime while Improved Tracking adds steady damage.
16–24	Open at range, then use Raptor Strike and Mongoose Bite in melee.	The melee kit exists, but ranged damage still carries much of the kill.
25–29	Start testing a true melee setup.	Predator’s Edge improves melee crits and off-hand damage one point at a time.
30	Use Aspect of the Beast, Strider Kick, Raptor Strike, Mongoose Bite, and Lacerate.	The beta-cap build finally has a coherent melee priority.

Race choices

Race	Useful edge	Practical value
Human	Sword critical chance and a stun break.	A natural Alliance choice when strong one-handed swords are available.
Dwarf	Stoneform and bonus Beast damage.	Durable in melee and useful in Beast-heavy leveling zones.
Night Elf	Dodge and an offensive racial window.	Extra Dodge can create more Mongoose Bite opportunities while solo.
Orc	Axe support, Blood Fury, and pet value.	Strong for melee weapons while still improving the pet half of the build.
Tauren	Health, Hit, and War Stomp.	A forgiving melee option with a useful area stun.
Troll	Berserking and Beast damage.	A flexible damage choice for zones with many Beasts.

Trainer checklist from levels 1–30

Train Raptor Strike, pet care, traps, Mongoose Bite, and the level-30 melee tools first when silver is tight. Replace old action-bar ranks after every trainer visit.

Levels 1–5

Auto ShotStarting kit · Ranged opener
Raptor StrikeStarting kit · Core melee attack
Track BeastsStarting kit · Talent support
Aspect of the MonkeyLevel 4 · Solo defense
Serpent StingLevel 4 · Ranged opener

Levels 6–10

Arcane ShotLevel 6 · Ranged damage
Hunter's MarkLevel 6 · Priority
Concussive ShotLevel 8 · Control
Raptor Strike Rank 2Level 8 · Priority
Aspect of the HawkLevel 10 · Ranged leveling
Tame Beast and pet skillsLevel 10 · Class quest

Levels 11–15

Wing ClipLevel 12 · Melee control
Mend PetLevel 12 · Priority
Scare BeastLevel 14 · Situational control

Levels 16–20

Immolation TrapLevel 16 · Fire trap
Mongoose BiteLevel 16 · Core proc
Raptor Strike Rank 3Level 16 · Priority
Multi-ShotLevel 18 · Ranged cleave
Aimed ShotLevel 20 · Ranged opener
Aspect of the CheetahLevel 20 · Travel
DisengageLevel 20 · Threat control
Freezing TrapLevel 20 · Crowd control

Levels 21–25

Scorpid StingLevel 22 · Defense
Rapid FireLevel 26 soon · Ranged burst

Levels 26–30

Rapid FireLevel 26 · Ranged burst
Frost TrapLevel 28 · Pack control
Feign DeathLevel 30 · Emergency
Aspect of the BeastLevel 30 · Melee aspect
LacerateLevel 30 · Melee bleed

Survival talent route from levels 10–30

Spend one point each level. This 21-point route takes the level-30 Strider Kick milestone and the full Predator’s Edge package. Expose Prey is a valid level-30 alternative if you want more Mongoose Bite procs instead of the active kick.

Levels 10–15

Improved TrackingLevel 10 · Rank 1/5
Improved TrackingLevel 11 · Rank 2/5
Improved TrackingLevel 12 · Rank 3/5
Improved TrackingLevel 13 · Rank 4/5
Improved TrackingLevel 14 · Rank 5/5
Savage StrikesLevel 15 · Rank 1/2

Levels 16–20

Savage StrikesLevel 16 · Rank 2/2
SurvivalistLevel 17 · Rank 1/5
SurvivalistLevel 18 · Rank 2/5
SurvivalistLevel 19 · Rank 3/5
DeterrenceLevel 20 · Rank 1/1

Levels 21–25

SurefootedLevel 21 · Rank 1/3
SurefootedLevel 22 · Rank 2/3
SurefootedLevel 23 · Rank 3/3
SurvivalistLevel 24 · Rank 4/5
Predator's EdgeLevel 25 · Rank 1/5

Levels 26–30

Predator's EdgeLevel 26 · Rank 2/5
Predator's EdgeLevel 27 · Rank 3/5
Predator's EdgeLevel 28 · Rank 4/5
Predator's EdgeLevel 29 · Rank 5/5
Strider KickLevel 30 · Rank 1/1

Stat priority

Situation	Priority	Rule
Leveling	Weapon damage > Agility > Stamina > Attack Power > Strength > Intellect	A current weapon and enough health to stay in melee matter more than small secondary gains.
Dungeon damage	Hit > weapon damage > Agility > Critical Strike > Attack Power > Strength > Stamina	Surefooted supplies 3% Hit; add more only when the live character sheet and enemy level justify it.
Solo survival	Agility > Stamina > Parry or Dodge > damage stats	Agility improves damage and Dodge, while Dodge activates Mongoose Bite.

Keep a ranged weapon equipped even after committing to melee. It remains useful for pulls, enemies you cannot safely approach, and Multi-Shot on dungeon packs.

Gear progression and level-30 targets

This is a practical beta shortlist, not a permanent final BiS declaration. Hover or focus an item name for its item data. Forever itemization and newly opened level-30 dungeons can change the best answer quickly.

Slot	Source	Access
Head	Leatherworking	All
Neck	Warsong Gulch reputation	Alliance
Shoulder	World drop	All
Back	World drop	All
Chest	Leatherworking	All
Chest	Lord Pythas, Wailing Caverns	All
Legs	Lord Cobrahn, Wailing Caverns	All
Feet	Lord Serpentis, Wailing Caverns	All
Finger	Source not confirmed in beta	Beta report
One-Hand	Edwin VanCleef, The Deadmines	All
One-Hand	Razorclaw the Butcher, Shadowfang Keep	All
Two-Hand	Razorfen Kraul	All
Ranged	Lord Serpentis, Wailing Caverns	All

The Wailing Caverns Fang set is unusually useful because several pieces carry melee stats and the set bonuses support both resources and close-range play. Replace pieces when a clear weapon-damage, Hit, or Agility upgrade appears.

Weapon setup

Stage	Recommendation	Why
Levels 1–24	Use the highest-damage two-hander or best available melee setup.	Raptor Strike values a strong main-hand hit, and Predator’s Edge is not active yet.
Levels 25–30	Compare a dual-wield pair against the best two-hander.	Predator’s Edge can add up to 50% off-hand damage, but it cannot rescue two weak weapons.
Dual wield	Put the slower, harder-hitting weapon in the main hand.	Raptor Strike and Strider Kick use main-hand weapon damage.
Ranged slot	Keep the best bow or gun available.	Aimed Shot, Serpent Sting, and Multi-Shot remain part of pulls and dungeon utility.

Recommended professions

Profession	Recommendation	Why it fits
Skinning + Leatherworking	Best first-character pair.	Beasts supply materials while Leatherworking produces useful Agility gear and camp options.
Mining + Engineering	Best utility pair.	Bombs add ranged pulls and area control to a build with limited low-level cleave.
Herbalism + Alchemy	Best consumable pair.	Health, Agility, and defensive consumables reduce melee downtime.
First Aid	Strong secondary profession.	Bandages restore health between pulls without spending pet-healing Mana.
Cooking + Fishing	Level both when convenient.	Food supports the Hunter and pet, while camp buffs reduce downtime.

Pet recommendations

Pet type	Best use	Reason
Bear	General leveling and multiple enemies.	Swipe helps hold several enemies while you focus one in melee.
Turtle	Dangerous solo targets.	Shell Shield improves pet survival while you attack from the side or rear.
Cat or Raptor	Single-target damage.	Use when the pet can survive without a defensive family ability.
Boar	Fast target connection.	Charge helps the pet reach and hold a target before you close in.

Forever pets inherit stats from Hunter gear and each family has a unique ability. Keep Growl active while solo and disable it in dungeons unless the tank asks for help.

Ability priority at a glance

Set the slider to your current level. The boxes remove abilities you cannot have yet. Read each row left to right, but remember that the early build opens from range and only commits fully to melee after Predator’s Edge begins at level 25.

Character levelLevel 30

Open-world single target (left to right priority)

Hunter's MarkMark the target before combat.
Send PetLet the pet establish threat.
Serpent StingUse on targets that live long enough.
Aimed ShotUse as a safe ranged opener.
Raptor StrikeUse whenever ready in melee.
Strider KickUse on cooldown in melee.
Mongoose BiteUse whenever it activates.
LacerateKeep the bleed active.

Dungeon single target (left to right priority)

Hunter's MarkKeep it on the focus target.
Serpent StingMaintain on durable targets.
Aimed ShotCast before moving into melee.
Raptor StrikePrimary repeatable melee attack.
Strider KickFull weapon damage on cooldown.
Mongoose BitePress on every proc.
LacerateMaintain on bosses.

Dungeon packs (left to right priority)

Multi-ShotUse from range before entering melee.
Frost TrapSlow a dangerous pack.
Immolation TrapAdd damage to the priority target.
Raptor StrikeStay on the tank’s focus target.
Mongoose BiteUse when available.

Control and recovery (use when needed)

Freezing TrapRemove one enemy from the pull.
Wing ClipSlow a runner or escape.
DisengageReduce threat.
DeterrenceSurvive focused melee pressure.
Feign DeathDrop threat or escape.
Mend PetStabilize the pet early.

Dungeon rules

Rule	Why it matters
Attack the tank’s target from the side or rear.	You avoid frontal attacks and reduce parries while staying on the intended target.
Turn pet Growl off.	The pet should not fight the tank for threat during ordinary pulls.
Use Multi-Shot before entering melee.	It adds pack damage before the dead zone removes ranged shots.
Coordinate Freezing Trap.	Breaking the frozen target immediately wastes one of the class’s strongest control tools.
Do not use Aspect of the Cheetah while taking damage.	Any hit can daze you and make a dangerous situation worse.
Keep Feign Death available at 30.	It can prevent a wipe when threat or positioning collapses.

Consumables and campfire buffs

Carry	Use	Rule
Current food and water	Recover health and Mana between pulls.	Melee spends both resources; sit before either becomes a full stop.
Pet food	Maintain pet happiness and loyalty.	Carry food the chosen family will actually eat.
Healing potion	Survive a bad pull.	Use before the next enemy hit makes the decision for you.
Agility or Attack Power elixir	Increase damage for dungeons.	Use only when the content justifies the cost.
Bandages	Recover without spending Mana.	Do not bandage while damage is still incoming.
Camp Chair or Fish Bowl	Add a useful camp buff.	Use the strongest available non-overlapping effect rather than stacking equivalent buffs.

Useful Melee Hunter macros

Test every macro on a training target before relying on it. Hunter pet states and beta macro behavior can change between builds.

Mark and send pet

#showtooltip Hunter's Mark /petattack /cast Hunter's Mark

Raptor Strike and start melee

#showtooltip Raptor Strike /startattack /cast Raptor Strike

Mongoose Bite and start melee

#showtooltip Mongoose Bite /startattack /cast Mongoose Bite

Pet control toggle

#showtooltip /petpassive [mod:shift] /petattack [nomod]

Emergency Feign Death

#showtooltip Feign Death /stopattack /petpassive /cast Feign Death

Mouseover Mend Pet fallback

#showtooltip Mend Pet /cast [@pet,exists,nodead] Mend Pet

UI setup checklist

Track	Setup	Reason
Main-hand swing	Use a visible swing timer.	Raptor Strike queues the next melee swing, so timing mistakes create dead space.
Mongoose Bite	Show the activation near the character.	The proc is brief and should be used immediately.
Pet health and Growl	Keep both visible.	Pet survival drives leveling speed, and Growl should be off in dungeons.
Hunter’s Mark	Track the debuff on the current target.	Later Expose Prey builds depend on the mark staying active.
Trap cooldowns	Track Fire and Frost traps separately.	Forever separates their cooldowns and allows combat placement.
Aspect	Make the current aspect obvious.	Entering melee with Cheetah active can cause a punishing daze.

Current beta limits

This guide stops at level 30. The deeper Resourcefulness, Expose Prey, Survivalist’s Discipline, Lightning Reflexes, and Lacerating Strikes package belongs to later levels. Low-level Survival is also weak at sustained area damage and still has no true stun or interrupt in the Hunter class kit.

Blizzard’s Hunter and Druid deep dive documents the new Survival talents, pet changes, combat traps, and melee support. The current development notes document the level cap and latest Strider Kick and Hunter fixes. Blizzard’s Hunter overview supports the class identity. The point order, priorities, gear shortlist, professions, macros, and dungeon rules are Game Pelt recommendations.