Note before using
We hope this guide will be useful to you. But 2023 is a year of class changes. Currently use this guide as a start point for your level 140 journey.
Last update: April
Class update status: First inquiries done. After guardian and loremaster (U37?)
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Red hunter
Introduction
The Red Hunter provides excellent high DPS through long-range stationary attacks. As a class, Hunters have always been a reliable choice in raids and instances for a long time due to their ranged attacks capable of dishing out high-burst damage while staying. Making them ideal as a DPS for all types of content. With the ability to trait for more AoE damage, they can also dish out significant damage to multiple targets, which is useful for trash pulls.
Other information sources available
Older guide, last updated for U34 – https://lotrohq.com/red-hunter/
Stat Goals
Critical Rating (25%) > Physical Mastery (200%) > Tactical Mitigation > Vitality
When it comes to stat prioritization for a Red Hunter, Critical Rating (25%) should be prioritized over Physical Mastery (200%), followed by Tactical Mitigation and then Vitality.
Keep in mind that, through the traits Shoot To Kill and Critical Eye, the cap for Critical Rating is increased to 30% and the cap for Ranged Attacks is increased to 210%.
Trait Trees
Second trait tree is survival focussed version of the top. With strength of earth replaced with mitigations from yellow.
Virtues
The virtues listed below align with the Stat Goals for a Red Hunter:
- Determination: Great for increasing Mastery and Critical Rating
- Valour: Great for increasing Mastery, Finesse and Critical Rating
- Confidence: Great for increasing Critical Rating and Finesse
- Wit: Great for increasing Finesse, Mastery and Critical Rating
- Loyalty: Great for increasing Vitality and survival
Note that depending on the type of fight, you may need to switch some of the virtues to more Defensive options.
If you require more survivability, start by replacing Wit for Fidelity.
Then, depending on if you need more Physical Mitigation or Tactical Mitigation. Slot either Tolerance or Innocence.
Legendary Items
Guardian legendary weapons. Priority upgrades viewable in video. Produced by Gwyn.
Mix red and blue melee weapon followed by a red bow
Rotations - outdated
First, let’s cover traps and the Burst rotation, then move on to the Normal rotation.
If you have an extra trait line available, It is highly recommend to use a Yellow Line Swap to place traps before the fight starts.
You can place a total of 5 traps and it’s best to put them down at least 15 seconds before the fight begins.
Start by placing Triple Trap, Tripwire, The One Trap, Piercing Trap, and Deadly Decoy. These traps provide debuffs to the target, such as +15% incoming damage, DoTs, a small amount of morale absorb, and +10% incoming critical chance. These debuffs last for a short duration, but they provide a nice boost for both you and your group.
Once the traps are placed and a few seconds remain before the Tank engages the boss, go into Camouflage, which provides +50% critical chance on your first hit against the target.
After entering Camouflage, use Burn Hot and then Improved Focus, which gives an additional +25% Critical chance.
Once the boss has started, use Heartseeker first for a big critical hit/devastating hit, followed by Penetrating Shot for the debuff, Upshot, Swift Bow, Blood Arrow, Exsanguinate (for the DoT), and finish with a Barbed Arrow. This concludes the Burst rotation.
Now for the Normal rotation:
Here are a few tips to keep in mind before discussing the rotation:
As a Hunter, it’s important to keep track of debuffs and DoTs vto ensure good uptimes.
First, there is the Penetrating Shot debuff, which provides a -4% mitigation debuff on the target and +10% ranged critical chance for 10 seconds. This skill should be used every 8 seconds or so.
Next, the Barbed Arrow is a strong DoT, use this skill every 10 seconds or so.
The Exsanguinate dot lasts for 20 seconds and has a cooldown of 20 seconds. This skill is opened by using Blood Arrow, which has a cooldown of 15 seconds. It’s important not to use Blood Arrow on cooldown, as sometimes you may not be able to reapply the Exsanguinate dot before it times out. Therefore, it’s best to use Blood Arrow every 20 seconds to ensure the Exsanguinate dot can be applied.
That covers your bleeds and debuffs. Next, focus on keeping Heartseeker and Upshot, your key skills for DPS contribution, on cooldown. As mentioned earlier, critical hits/devastating hits reduce the cooldown of these skills by 1-2 seconds, so try to keep them on cooldown as much as possible. For best results, try to use Upshot with Max Focus.
Next, use Swift Bow when Heartseeker and Upshot are on cooldown. If you have the proc from Quickshot, which makes this skill instant, even better. If not, use it regardless when Heartseeker and Upshot are on cooldown.
Quick shot is your best Focus generator skill, and should always be used when you need Focus and when your big spenders (such as Upshot and Blood Arrow) are on cooldown.
Use Blindside whenever it’s available and you need Focus.
Keep Merciful Shot on cooldown when the target meets the health requirements for the skill, and use it to fill in gaps when Heartseeker, Upshot, and Swift Bow are on cooldown.
Consumables
Information regarding consumables, why, which types, differences, etc.