MM vs. SV (Hunter Specs)

[Ksandra]

Kinda wanted to start getting some info on these two specs. I'm still lvling (46 atm) so I got a long ways to go before I really should be worrying about specs too much, but figured I'd get the ball rolling nevertheless.

Here's the deal, I hear a lot lately that Survival spec is the current best DPS spec for hunter. I also see a lot of endgame hunters going survival because of this. Taking a look at Elitest Jerks spread sheet post, however, shows that MM still out DPSes SV. Not by much however.

Link:

Best Possible DPS in Shandaras WotLK Spreadsheet - Elitist Jerks

Best BM Template:

Total DPS: 7128,01
Hunter DPS: 4026,18
Pet DPS: 3101,83
AP: 8199
Crit: 44,07%
Hit: 100,00%
ArP: 337
Shot Queue: KS/MS/AS/Sp/SS
Spec: 54/12/5
Race: Orc
Pet: Devilsaur

Best MM Template:

Total DPS: 8221,93
Hunter DPS: 7132,93
Pet DPS: 1089,00
AP: 8055
Crit: 60,09%
Hit: 100,00%
ArP: 389
Shot Queue: Sp/CS/KS/AiS/AS/SilS/SS
Spec: 7/57/7
Race: Orc
Pet: Wolf

Best SV Template:

Total DPS: 8139,32
Hunter DPS: 6930,70
Pet DPS: 1208,61
AP: 10032
Crit: 64,28%
Hit: 100,00%
ArP: 287
Shot Queue: KS/ES/BA/Sp/MS/SS
Spec: 6/14/51
Race: Orc
Pet: Wolf

They throw a lot of numbers and tests around at that site, which I admit goes over my head a lot. It seems though that OP gets updated often so shouldn't be an outdated test.

It seems to me, if anything, the two have a minimal difference, but mostly based on do you a) want to be a trap dancer with lots of AoE or b) not have to run around as much, with limited AoE

I want to know you're experiences/thoughts on this. Currently I static with 3 other people while lvling, so I've been doing MM so far. But ya I'm rather curious about all this, because I'm not sure if SV is worth the effort. I'd also prefer when I'm 80 to already have some pre-knowledge about this before trying it out myself, vs. hitting 80 and having to start looking for info.

[SamanosukeShiva]

well, since patch 3.1 you can't trap dance anymore with SV (on bosses anyway, since they resist frost/freeze trap).

on MM vs SV subject, here's the cliffnote ver.

Naxx25 gear and under = SV spec
Ulduar gears = MM spec

the reason MM spec + ulduar gears excel is because they have alot of armor penetration, which is great vs ulduar bosses with really high armor.

[Ksandra]

well, since patch 3.1 you can't trap dance anymore with SV (on bosses anyway, since they resist frost/freeze trap).

on MM vs SV subject, here's the cliffnote ver.

Naxx25 gear and under = SV spec
Ulduar gears = MM spec

the reason MM spec + ulduar gears excel is because they have alot of armor penetration, which is great vs ulduar bosses with really high armor.

what would cause SV to out dps MM for naxx and under if you can't trap dance? or on regular mobs for that matter where you can? obviously dps related, but wondering how huge a gap it is.

[Gulkeeva]

MM endgame ulduar gear is better then surv because of ARP, although surv is pretty good and or close with tons of crit.

your playstyle/skill = how much better you are. the "theorycrafting" is just optimal settings/latency/fps/no lag/sitting 1 spot probably.. which doesn't happen too often in ulduar.

personally i like surv more because...

1. Equally geared/skilled player... in a 5/10man surv > MM by a noticable margin of several hundred dps.

2. MM wtf pwns people (that can't heal) in a BG, I wear all pve gear, 3.5K crits 50%+ chance on a 800 resilience shaman tends to rape them.

3. Black arrow sometimes procs 2X in 1 blackarrow shot... or even a super rare 3X... it makes your dps spike very sharp.

erm anyway...!

MM for when you get alot arp/crit/ap in 25man raids
Surv you like to take a break and rape people in a bg/world pvp.

ps.s your sig needs more bewbs!

[Warudo Ecksu]

Surv is amazing for solo cuz with a decent amount of crit, I could kill mobs without a pet with just an exp shot + aimed shot.

Surv and MM are very close in DPS. I personally like surv better, but ultimately with ulduar gear MM will out-dps surv by a little bit. You could go either way.

[SilverBreeze]

MM and Survival just seem like more of a taste kind of thing unless you're pimping full Ulduar hard mode gear, then MM is slightly ahead, but even then I would say just play what fits you better.

Me personally, I absolutely hate Survival and I think Lock and Load is fucking gay, and on the same note I love Marksmanship, so that's my choice on my hunter. I just wish they'd buff Beastmaster, because I fucking love yelling at people to buff my pet.

[Palin]

Some fights are better for MM and some for SV than others. MM has a lot of mana consumptions so favors phased based fights that allow Viper time. Shorter fights or fights with more scaling favor MM like Hodir.

[Odon]

As a 2400 rated hunter, I enjoy MM in PVE. and I mix it up between BM/SV in PVP. Tho I'm going to try MM in PVP soon.

Some fights are better for MM and some for SV than others. MM has a lot of mana consumptions so favors phased based fights that allow Viper time. Shorter fights or fights with more scaling favor MM like Hodir.

Mana isn't really an issue anymore with the recent 3.1.3 changes.

[Arvin]

I have more fun as marksman and it does significantly more damage than survival and I'm in like 25naxx/some uld gear on my alt.

[Naramaska]

I have more fun as marksman and it does significantly more damage than survival

This. I find with all the movement fights in ulduar, the increased number of instants, coupled with the burst from rapid fire is well, better usually. The only fights I go SV for anymore usually are Hodir and Vezax due to the way the buffs work.

[Ksandra]

I think I'ma stick with MM then. I like it a lot so glad there's not much difference XD

[Noobta]

For leveling BM has always been the best imo

[Ksandra]

For leveling BM has always been the best imo

I'm in a static group. And convo was about lvl 80

[Headspace]

Just hit 80 on my hunter (first 80) and i figure I'd be going surv for raiding/heroics, but what's best for soloing/doing dailies and all that?

[Arvin]

You're probably fine as Surv for solo'ing, just let your pet gather a little threat, or grab 2piece T5. It's not worth the hassle of respeccing one of your 2 specs into BM.