Gearing up a hunter in Wrath of the Lich King

Whether you like it or hate it, gear is pretty much the only way to advance your character in the endgame of World of Warcraft. You may say that speccing/glyphing/gearing your toon for various purposes in the game is a nice and different enough departure from your main endgame objectives (retooling for pvp, soloing instances, raiding, etc), but I won't back down.

If you raid, your two specs are pretty much set in stone. As a Marksmanship hunter, you probably have the 7/57/7 spec with a few minor changes depending on the amount of Armor Penetration you have. Survival gives you a bit more flexibility, depending on whether your raid needs help with mana replenishment via Hunting Party, as well as a couple of other factors.

Glyphs are a 'set it and forget it' kind of a deal, offering no more flexibility and excitement than your talent spec. Survival must have the glyph of explo shot, and Marksman should have the glyph of steady shot and serpent sting.

This brings us to the only real way to make a difference in the way you play your hunter - gear.

Blizzard made it so easy to gear up it's almost ridiculous. You WILL get your gear, no questions, and your only investment is time.

Here's what I did.

1) Started playing the Auction House and put together a gear fund for crafted 264 items.

2) Started chain-running random dungeons and pug TO(G)C 10/25. With FOUR lockouts, you can run that instance until you are deathly afraid of entering circular rooms.

3) Started pugging ICC10 with a goal to beat at least Mr. Saurfang Jr. every week.



Result?

Head, shoulders, chest, hands, pants - T9 triumph badges, upgrade with Trophies from TOC;
Back, belt - 120 Frost badges from the Frost vendor;
Twohander, neck - Onyxia;
Crossbow - grind Pit of Saron;
Bracers, boots - created items;
Ring - grind Ashen reputation;
Trinkets - grind Forge of Souls, Trial of Champion, or purchase with Triumph.

You will have yourself a well-geared hunter without hardcore time commitments. Of course, your gear grind doesn't stop here. Shoot for grinding TOGC25 for that very elusive BiS trinket, as well as Tier 9, iLevel 258 pieces. Grind ICC25 for Deathbringer's Will ... but then again, ALL of ICC25 is going to be on your wishlist at this point.

Good luck and keep shooting them in the face!