BM Beta & PTR testers: Arcane, yes or no? (spec question)

[Slickrock]

Question is simple (I hope), but 2 parts...

Once 4.0.1 hits, will we be wanting to use Arcane in its current form? Reason I'm asking is simple. We have a major talent decision with Cobra Strikes. That's three points that could be used elsewhere. So, will it be worthwhile to use Arcane? if so, we'll likely want Cobra strikes, correct?

Same question for 4.0.3, will we want Arcane in the rotation (and Cobra Strikes in the spec) once we get Cobra Shot?

[SgtMakkie]

/disregard - lack of sleep = useless makkie sorry

[Scruff]

Arcane shot will be the focus dump for (i think) all 3 specs. You'll want to use it when you go over a certain amount of focus, to stop yourself from 'focus capping' and thus losing potential damage.
In 4.0.3 and beyond it wont change, even when you get Cobra Shot, as Cobra shot doesn't cost focus - it grants focus. Cobra shot will replace steady shot for BM and SV.
In short: yes you'll be using Arcane Shot

[Slickrock]

Ok, let me rephrase the question...

Are you casting Arcane enough that its part of the "rotation"? or as a filler? That might determine if it's worth spending the points in Cobra Strike.

[Coldfire989]

Cobra Strikes is worth using once you get it at lvl 81 for both BM and SV. Arcane is your focus dump to us if you are going to cap on focus at any time.

[Slickrock]

Cobra Strikes is worth using once you get it at lvl 81 for both BM and SV. Arcane is your focus dump to us if you are going to cap on focus at any time.

You're mixing Cobra Strikes (the talent) and Cobra Shot (the lvl 81 shot for focus regen).

And yeah, that is going to be confusing...

[Coldfire989]

Cobra Strikes is worth using once you get it at lvl 81 for both BM and SV. Arcane is your focus dump to us if you are going to cap on focus at any time.

You're mixing Cobra Strikes (the talent) and Cobra Shot (the lvl 81 shot for focus regen).

And yeah, that is going to be confusing...

LOL I totaly did didnt I! I blame the lack of sleep due to my newborn son

[Slickrock]

Cobra Strikes is worth using once you get it at lvl 81 for both BM and SV. Arcane is your focus dump to us if you are going to cap on focus at any time.

You're mixing Cobra Strikes (the talent) and Cobra Shot (the lvl 81 shot for focus regen).

And yeah, that is going to be confusing...

LOL I totaly did didnt I! I blame the lack of sleep due to my newborn son

Did you name him.... Hunter?..

[SpacemaNxSPIFF]

Yea your gonna wanna use it, any time ur capped on focus ur losing dps and arcane is now a focus dump.
Main rotation is build up focus (SS/CoS) then dump it (ArcS) before cap, while keeping special (CS,ES, or KC) on CD. Also, make sure you have enough focus for the special when it comes off CD.
Easy really.

Thing still hits like a truck despite the nerf, i get 5-10k hits with basic ICC gear.

Cobra strikes procs often and gives you a nice bit of focus when paired with Invigoration.

[Anyia]

Did you name him.... Hunter?..

He named him "Dranosh". It means "Heart of Draenor"...
(wtb fast-forward button)

[Coldfire989]

Did you name him.... Hunter?..

He named him "Dranosh". It means "Heart of Draenor"...
(wtb fast-forward button)

I dont think my wife would have went for that one!

[The Insect Man]

I think arcane should do more damage than cobra/steady (whether it does atm is another question as the numbers have gone up and down) and if you don't use it you'll always have more focus than you know what to do with. Use Arcane when you have plenty of focus, but make sure you retain focus for KC/ES/CS and anything else you might require focus fore. As noted above, it's a way to turn excess focus into damage.

Of course, if the flub the numbers so that cobra/steady is doing more damage then.... pfff

[Kalliope]

There's nothing other than arcane to use while KC is on cooldown and you have focus.

[Saturo]

You can still Steady, tough. If Steady deals more damage than Arcane, you're better off just spamming Steady and Chimera.

[Kalliope]

You can still Steady, tough. If Steady deals more damage than Arcane, you're better off just spamming Steady and Chimera.

BM doesn't have chimera. And in the case of marks, you'll want to use arcane to proc Sic 'Em.

[Saturo]

Oh right, BM! :D

Well, BM will have a jolly 'ol time then. Steady > Steady > Steady > Steady > Steady > Whatever that focus-stack-pet-thingie is named > Steady > Steady

Exaggerated, yes, but likely what will happen if they don't buff Arcane up a bit, and nerf Steady down a little.

[Kalliope]

A BM rotation wouldn't look like that at all, since KCs can proc a cheaper KC. Steadies don't proc Focus Fire; pet frenzy stacks do.

Looking ahead to 85, BM hunters will be able to get Sic 'Em too and will also want to use arcane to proc it. It's probably a good idea to start getting in the habit of using it now.

[SgtMakkie]

After having some time to play and get used to this new focus system, both at lvl 80 and lvl 40+, I'm slowly starting to like it. I can only guess that come 85 and with the relevant gear BM will be stacking Haste like mad.

As I understand the way BM works you should have 3/3 Cobra Strikes (15% chance to cause your pets next two attacks to crit) and 2/2 Invigoration (with each basic pet attack that crits you get 6 focus). So when Cobra Strike procs, you get 12 focus (I know this isn't a huge amount, but as a mechanic it is nice). I'm not sure what the ratio is of focus regen to haste, But I can only guess that come level 85, BM should be to the point where focus is regenerating at an acceptable level.

[SpacemaNxSPIFF]

Actually as far as rotation difficulty
1.SV (same)
2.BM (now with more hard! heh not rlly)
3.MM (was easy b4 tbh not much change so its easiest atm)

yup...
its more fun tho honestly, was painful at first though..so painful....aoe.....ungghh

[SpacemaNxSPIFF]

After having some time to play and get used to this new focus system, both at lvl 80 and lvl 40+, I'm slowly starting to like it. I can only guess that come 85 and with the relevant gear BM will be stacking Haste like mad.

As I understand the way BM works you should have 3/3 Cobra Strikes (15% chance to cause your pets next two attacks to crit) and 2/2 Invigoration (with each basic pet attack that crits you get 6 focus). So when Cobra Strike procs, you get 12 focus (I know this isn't a huge amount, but as a mechanic it is nice). I'm not sure what the ratio is of focus regen to haste, But I can only guess that come level 85, BM should be to the point where focus is regenerating at an acceptable level.

Yup, ive been doing heroics constantly to lvl my new pets and found myself getting much more used to focus. Feels good too.
BM has wicked regen, plus u never cap either, so its nice consistent dps.