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Scattered Shots: Picking the right hunter loot, part 2

eddie carrington
Updated



Welcome back to the Scattered Shots, where real players are hunters and everyone else is just an avatar. I'm Eddie Carrington, aka Brigwyn from The Hunting Lodge and THL Podcast. Each week we discuss ways to help improve your hunter.


Welcome back to part 2 of our "Picking the right hunter loot" guide. Where each week we take a look at raid loot from WoTLK and help you understand what makes something hunter loot versus loot hunters can use. Here's what we talked about before:


Part 1 – We reviewed what item stats make up hunter gear. Also, we explained why every hunter needs to stack hit and strive for the hit cap. We also explained how agility, attack power, critical strike, and armor penetration work with each of the three hunter specs.

This week we're going to start exploring the hunter loot that drops in Trial of the Crusader and Trial of the Grand Crusader. I'm sure we'll have some spirited debate over the merits of each item. And, I'm pretty sure we'll see druids mangling their keyboards and rogues will throw in a cheap shot or two over our ability to equip almost anything.

In an effort keep the carnage at a minimum let's try to keep a few things in mind. We're only reviewing raid loot and how each item affects your hunter and favorite raiding pet's performance. Which means, we're not going to talk about where else to go and get geared. Nor are we going to debate what is and is not considered "Best in Slot" or not. And if you're looking for PvP alternatives? I promise, we'll tackle all of those later on in a different guide.

Now if you're wondering why we're not talking about what's over on the PTR for patch 3.3. We'll make sure and cover all of Icecrown when it's released. Then head on back to the other Northrend raids and finish up where we left off.

With that said, let's walk through the swirly portal and head into Trial of the Crusader and it's heroic sibling Trial of the Grand Crusader.


Introduced in patch 3.2, Trial of the Crusader (TOC) is the normal version, and Trial of the Grand Crusader (TOGC) it's heroic counterpart. Their purpose is to make sure that all of the heroes heading off to challenge Arthas and his minions in Icecrown are ready. Set with 5 different boss fights: the Beasts of Northrend, Lord Jaraxxus, the Faction Champions, Twin Val'kyr, and finally Anub'arak.

Today we'll visit the work our way through these feared bosses and look at the gear drops from both the 10 and 25-man Normal and Hard modes. We'll also look at what is hidden for us in the tribute chests, another feature introduced in TOGC. So let's get started and see what these guys have to offer. First up, Beasts of Northrend.

Normal 10-Man

Collar of Unending Torment (Horde) / Collar of Ceaseless Torment (Alliance)

Hunter Improvements

  • +11.71 base DPS = (57 Agility + 97 Attack Power) / 14 Damage Per Second

  • +82.98 CSR = (67 Agility * .552 Critical Strike Rating) + 46 CSR, +3.63% Critical Strike = (82.98 CSR/22.08 CSR)

  • +42 Armor Penetration

Pet Improvements

  • +25.65 Stam = 57 Stamina *35%

  • +24.25 AP = 97 Attack Power * 22%

  • +1.73 base DPS = 24.25 AP / 14 DPS

  • +12.125 Spell Power = 97 AP *12.5%

Bracers of the Northern Stalker (Horde) / Armbands of the Northern Stalker (Alliance)

Hunter Improvements

  • +11.14 base DPS

  • +13.64 base DPS (with 3/3 Careful Aim) = (67 Agi + 35 Intellect + 89 AP)/14 DPS

  • +36.984 CSR, +1.622% Crit

  • +45 Hit Rating, +1.37% Hit = 45 HR/ 32.79

  • +35 Haste

Pet Improvement

  • +203 Armor

  • +11.25 Stam

  • +22.25 AP

  • +1.589 base DPS

  • +11.125 SP

Acidmaw Treads (Horde) / Acidmaw Boots (Alliance)

These are primarily rogue boots so they should have the loot priority. Even so, these can still offer some positive benefits for a hunter if you need an upgrade.

If you're Marksman or Survival skip the +4 Crit socket bonus and go with a Delicate Cardinal Ruby (+20 Agi). This will give you an added 2.85 base DPS and give you a +11 CSR (.5% Crit). On the other hand if you're raiding as Beast Master get the Bright Cardinal Ruby (+40 AP). Using this will end up giving you a 2.85 base DPS increase but also give your pet +10 AP or +.7 base DPS.

Hunter Improvements

  • +14.5 base DPS

  • +46.92 CSR

  • +2.05% Crit

  • +63 HR, +1.92% Hit

Pet Improvements

  • +143.5 Armor

  • +35.1 Stam

  • +29.5 AP

  • +2.1 base DPS

  • +14.75 SP

  • +1.92% Hit

10-Man Heroic

Collar of Unending Torment (Horde) / Collar of Ceaseless Torment (Alliance)

Don't let the blue socket fool you, the +4 agi Socket bonus is tempting and if you really want it then use the Balanced Dreadstone. However you will probably see a bigger gain if you just forget the socket bonus and go with the Delicate Cardinal Ruby for the +20 agi instead. And if you want the AP bonus for your pet, socket it's counterpart Bright Cardinal Ruby for the +40 AP.

Hunter Improvements

  • +12.57 base DPS

  • +90.64 CSR

  • +3.975% Crit

  • +40 ArPen

Pet Improvements

  • +29.25 Stam

  • +26.5 AP

  • +1.89 base DPS

  • +13.25 SP

Bracers of the Northern Stalker (Horde)/ Armbands of the Northern Stalker (Alliance)

Unlike it's normal mode cousin, this version has a red gem socket. So it's stick with the program and use the Delicate Cardinal Ruby (MM/SV) or Bright Cardinal Ruby (BM).

Hunter Improvements

  • +11.35 base DPS, +14.213 base DPS with 3/3 Careful Aim

  • +38.64 CSR

  • +1.694% Crit

  • +50 HR, +1.5% Hit

  • +36 Haste

Pet Improvement

  • +211.75 Armor

  • +18 Stam

  • +22.26 AP

  • +1.589 base DPS

  • +11.125 SP

  • +1.52% Hit

Acidmaw Treads (Horde) / Acidmaw Boots (Alliance)

These are still rogue boots so they still have loot priority.

The Acidemaw Treads or Boots are a solid upgrade over the normal version. Besides having improved stats, you'll notice they have 2 yellow sockets. If you want the added crit bonus go with an orange gem like Wicked Ametrine (+10 AP and +10 CSR) or go with the Deadly Ametrin (+10 Agi and +10 CSR).

Hunter Improvements

  • +15.714 base DPS

  • +51.336 CSR

  • +2.251% Crit

  • +79 HR, +2.409% Hit

Pet Improvements

  • +149.8 Armor

  • +38.25 Stam

  • +31.75 AP

  • +2.257 base DPS

  • +15.875 SP

  • +2.409% Hit

Normal 25-Man

Cuirass of Cruel Intent (Horde) / Breastplate of Cruel Intent (Alliance)

We've already talked about what Red gems you should get (Delicate Cardinal Ruby or Bright Cardinal Ruby) when the Cuirass or Breastplate of Cruel Intent drops. And as we said for the Color of Unending or Ceaseless Torment go with the purple Balanced Dreadstone as your blue gem. This will give allow you to get the +14 AP socket bonus. The added bonus of this is your pet will see a direct benefit from both the added Attack Power and the Stamina.

Hunter Improvements

  • +23.5 base DPS, +28.57 DPS with 3/3 Careful Aim

  • +122.84 CSR

  • +5.388% Crit

  • +71 Haste

Pet Improvements

  • +506.8 Armor

  • +48.15 Stam

  • +63.75 AP

  • +4.55 base DPS

  • +31.875 SP

Cloak of the Untamed Predator (Horde) / Drape of the Untamed Predator (Alliance)

Hunter Improvements

  • +12.64 base DPS

  • +91.952 CSR

  • +4.032% Crit

  • +50 Haste

Pet Improvements

  • +74.7 Armor

  • +34.2 Stam

  • +25.25 AP

  • +1.803 base DPS

  • +12.625 SP

Legwraps of the Broken Beast (Horde) / Leggings of the Broken Beast (Alliance)

Since this is a leather drop the polite thing to do would be to let rogues and feral druids have priority on this. However, if they aren't around, don't let it go to waste. It's a solid item for any marks or survival hunter that might be below the hit cap.

Hunter Improvements

  • +19.214 base DPS

  • +66.24 CSR

  • +2.905% Crit

  • +74 HR, +2.25% Hit

Pet Improvements

  • +245.25 Armor

  • +61.2 Stam

  • +37.25 AP

  • +2.66 base DPS

  • +18.625 SP

  • +2.25% Hit

Stygian Bladebreaker (Horde) / Steel Bladebreaker (Alliance)

I know that running around as a hunter dual wielding daggers isn't the most popular thing, but there are some out there that kinda like it. And when you look at these stats I can see why they're tempting. However it is good to remember, this particular item is truly a feral druid item, so let them have it if you see it drop.

Hunter Improvements

  • +10.5 base DPS

  • +75.016 CSR

  • +3.33% Crit

  • +30 ArPen

Pet Improvements

  • +25.1 Stam

  • +22.25 AP

  • +1.58 base DPS

  • +11.125 SP

25-Man Heroic

Cuirass of Cruel Intent (Horde) / Breastplate of Cruel Intent (Alliance)

When we reviewed the normal mode we talked about how you would want to gem the red socket with Delicate Cardinal Ruby or Bright Cardinal Ruby. Then in the blue socket we said go with a purple Balanced Dreadstone.

The heroic version adds a yellow socket. We'll stick with the Wicked Ametrine or go with the Deadly Ametrin.

Hunter Improvements

  • +25.714 base DPS, +31.428 with 3/3 Careful Aim

  • +133.472 CSR

  • +5.854% Crit

  • +80 Haste

Pet Improvements

  • +506.8 Armor

  • +54.45 Stam

  • +68.5 AP

  • +4.892 base DPS

  • +34.25 SP

Cloak of the Untamed Predator (Horde) / Drape of the Untamed Predator (Alliance)

Make sure to socket it with a purple Balanced Dreadstone.

Hunter Improvements

  • +12.5 base DPS

  • +99.54 CSR

  • +4.364% Crit

  • +57 Haste

Pet Improvements

  • +60.55 Armor

  • +38.25 Stam

  • +24.5 AP

  • +1.75 base DPS

  • +12.25 SP

Legwraps of the Broken Beast (Horde) / Leggings of the Broken Beast (Alliance)

Just like before, hunters should be polite and let the feral druids and rogues get priority on this.

Also, with this upgrade you now have the opportunity to use three different gems. The Balanced Dreadstone for the blue socket. Then use a Delicate Cardinal Ruby or Bright Cardinal Ruby for the red one. Finally, in the yellow socket use the orange Deadly Ametrin or Wicked Ametrine.

Hunter Improvements

  • +22.071 base DPS

  • +75.624 CSR

  • +3.316% Crit

  • +86 HR, +2.622% Hit

  • +86 Haste

Pet Improvements

  • +199.5 Armor

  • +68.85 Stam

  • +42 AP

  • +3.071 base DPS

  • +21.5 SP

  • +2.622% Hit

Stygian Bladebreaker (Horde) / Steel Bladebreaker (Alliance)

Since we covered this in the normal 25-man I thought it was only right we go ahead and review the heroic model. The same loot rules apply though, this is still very much a feral druid dagger.

If you decide to roll on it and get this dagger make sure to use the Deadly Ametrin or Wicked Ametrine for the yellow socket.

Hunter Improvements

  • +10.142 base DPS

  • +82.016 CSR

  • +3.597% Crit

  • +33 ArPen

Pet Improvements

  • +29.7 Stam

  • +21 AP

  • +1.5 base DPS

  • +10.5 SP

There you have it folks. That wraps up part 2 of our "Picking the right hunter loot" guide. Next week we'll either review what's available in Icecrown from patch 3.3 or take a look at Lord Jaraxxus. In the mean time, do you have a Northrend Beast encounter you would like to share? Why not leave a comment and let's hear what you got from IceHowl.


You want to be a Hunter, eh? Well then you came to the right place. Scattered Shots is the one column dedicated to helping you learn everything it takes to be a Hunter. Each week Scattered Shots will cover topics to help you Fix Your DPS, Choosing the Right Spec, Gear Selection, Macros and Pet Selection, Pet Specs and Management.