WoW Dragonflight: Marksmanship Hunter Rotation & Macros (2024)

World of Warcraft players can certainly survive the leveling experience and reach endgame content without following the advice of number crunchers, but players who want to climb to the top of DPS charts in Mythic+ dungeons or endgame raids should at least consider reviewing their class and spec's optimal rotations.

When it comes to Marksmanship Hunters in WoW Dragonflight, maximizing single target DPS is the name of the game. In order to do that consistently and efficiently, Hunters need to understand how to prioritize their rotation to get the most bang for their buck when those Aimed Shots come off of cooldown.

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The ideal Marksmanship single-target rotation is generally considered a medium difficulty one and players will need to take some time practicing it (and adjusting their UI to make their cooldowns and triggers clear). That said, there are definitely more difficult rotations to play, so stick with it and put in the work if maximum endgame DPS is a serious goal.

Marksmanship Hunter Single-Target Optimal Rotation

1. Steady Shot - apply and maintain the Steady Focus buff. (Refresh by casting two Steady Shots only when you would have cast one of them as part of your rotation, and there is less than 5 seconds left on the buff.)
2. Kill Shot on cooldown.
3. Double Tap on cooldown. Spend its proc on Aimed Shot above 70% (due to Careful Aim), and Rapid Fire below.
4. Covenant Ability on cooldown.
5. Death Chakram/Stampede on cooldown. (Kyrian players - synchronize Death Chakram with Resonating Arrow.)
6. Volley on cooldown. (Kyrian players - synchronize it with Resonating Arrow.)
7. Serpent Sting - Maintain the DoT on the primary target.
8. Steel Trap on cooldown.
9. Wailing Arrow on cooldown. (Kyrian players - synchronize it with Resonating Arrow.)
10. Rapid Fire on cooldown. (Kyrian players - save it up to 10 seconds for Resonating Arrow.)
11. Explosive Shot/Barrage on cooldown.
12. Trueshot on cooldown. This is your main cooldown, so make it worth it!
13. Aimed Shot on cooldown. Don't let it reach 2 charges.
14. 2x Steady Shots - (if Steady Focus has less than 5 seconds remaining).
15. Arcane Shot to spend Precise Shots stacks, and as a filler when you have 55+ Focus.
16. Steady Shot when you have nothing else to do.

Marksmanship Hunter AoE Optimal Rotation

The multi-target rotation isn't too hard to understand once the single-target rotation has been mastered. The main difference comes from activating Trick Shots, so be sure to keep that in mind. The most important differences are highlighted in this rotation breakdown.

• Steady Shot to apply and maintain the Steady Focus Talent Buff. You should prioritize refreshing by casting two Steady Shots only when you would have cast one of them naturally, as part of your rotation, and there is less than 5 seconds left on the buff.
• Kill Shot on cooldown.
• Double Tap on cooldown. Spend its proc on Aimed Shot above 70% (due to Careful Aim), and Rapid Fire below.
• Covenant Ability on cooldown.
• Death Chakram/Stampede on cooldown.(Kyrian players - synchronize it with Resonating Arrow.)
• Volley on cooldown. (Kyrian players - synchronize it with Resonating Arrow.)
• Wailing Arrow on cooldown. (Kyrian players - synchronize it with Resonating Arrow.)
• Before casting Aimed Shot or Rapid Fire, you should always ensure that the Trick Shots Talent is activated by casting Multi-Shot on 3 or more targets.
• Rapid Fire on cooldown. Make sure that Trick Shots is active. (Kyrian players - synchronize it with Resonating Arrow.)
• Explosive Shot/Barrage on cooldown.
• Trueshot on cooldown. This is your main cooldown, so make it worth it!
• Aimed Shot on cooldown. Make sure that Trick Shots is active. Try to never let it reach 2 charges.
• Serpent Sting on main target and as many extra targets as possible while still sticking to the priority order.
• Kill Shot on cooldown.
• Steeltrap on cooldown.
• 2x Steady Shots, if Steady Focus has less than 5 seconds remaining.
• Multi Shot to spend Precise Shots stacks, and as a filler when you have above 55 Focus.
• Steady Shot when you have nothing else to do.

Best Marksmanship Hunter Macros

Mouseover Interrupt

/use [@focus,exists,nodead][]Counter Shot

/focus [@mouseover,nodead,exists];[@target,exists]

Kill Shot Mouseover

/use [@mouseover,exists,harm][]Kill Shot

/use [@pettarget]Claw

/use [@pettarget]Bite

/use [@pettarget]Smack

Pet Attack and Aimed Shot

/petattack

/use Aimed Shot

That's a lot to keep in mind and will likely take a lot of practice to master. That said, using these rotations as a general guide and the macros to speed some things up should put Marksmanship Hunters in a very strong position as they begin climbing their way through the Dragonflight endgame tiers.

Be sure to check back for more WoW Dragonflight news, updates, and strategy guides in the near future. Until then, For the Horde!

World of Warcraft is available now on PC. Dragonflight launches on November 28.

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