2.1.0 Patch Notes

[Mirajj]

Remember for a long time everyone said serpent sting was useless? Well, it there are mutilate rogues in the raid, they may want you to put up serpent sting.

Serpent isn't "useless" per se, it's horribly mana inefficient. For a class that's already having major mana issues, the mana can be much better spent than maybe helping a mutilate rogue IF one's around.

Combine the effect of Scorpid sting (5% hit reduction) with Shadow Embrace debuff from a Warlock (5% less damage) along with Thunder Clap (Increasing time between attacks by 10%) and Demoralizing Shout (lowers AP by 300), it all adds up to help the tank survive.

If I'm around, a boss the raid is facing will have Scorpid on it. I'm a bit torn though, as I often ask if a tank noticed any difference with the Sting up or not, and the answer is always "not really". If the effect is not noticably helping tanks survive...I could convert that 273mana/20sec into more damage. Again with the mana starvation.

Then for those bosses that have 1k to 2k mana and still use that mana for something things you can Viper sting, given though those bosses are few and far between, but it is a niche use and either Serpent or Scorpid would be of better value in most cases.

Um...I can't think of any bosses like this. But if it's a boss, it's likely better off with Scorpid.

You mentioned traps, but are you referring to mobs that are immune to Frost and Ice or are they immune even to Immolation, Explosive, and the damage from the snakes in Snake Trap? You could add a little extra damage initially if the mob can be pulled over one of these traps as it's incoming to the tank.

From what I've read on EJ forums, there is a single type of mob in SSC that is Frost Trappable, and it can be sheeped (a superior form of CC if it's an option). As to the other forms of trap, let's look at them. We'll ignore the issue of aggro before the tank due to a trap, providing we can get it in front of the tank and have the raid wait while we set up the traps. (Max trap ranks/no immunities/resists assumed here)

-Immolation Trap = 305 mana turns into 985 damage over 15seconds.
-Explosive Trap = 650 mana for 272 to 345dd and 450 damage over 20secs (if the mob remains with 10yards of the trap)
-Snake Trap = 305 mana for 15 seconds of "interesting" effects and damage. You can't be sure of what kind of damage this is going to do as it depends on how many snakes, and what they are targetting/doing. It has proven useful to providing multiple targets for NPCS's as well as the Mind Numbing it often procs. However, the change in 2.1.0 means it will only be useful for the Mind Numbing aspect.

Not that exciting after all, is it? For comparison: Arcane Shot = 207 mana for 616 mana, instant. (my arcane shot, depending on what I'm shooting at does between 500-650 dmg). Another point of comparison...Serpent Sting = 247 mana for 660 damage over 15 seconds. Serpent is the best known anything for mana inefficiency, and traps aren't too far in front of it. Which is why you don't see much/any use out of the none Ice ones, which do return decently for their cost.

You are also the only class that clear 100% of your aggro with a short cooldown ability, all other classes with threat reduction have abilities that are on 5 minute timers, some of which can be resisted just like Feign Death.

So? I no longer have to FD. I can't do enough damage to make myself a threat on the threat meter over rogues, mages and warlocks. If someone is pulling aggro in instances these days, it's not a hunter anymore. With tank aggro generation increased, I can pewpew to my hearts content and not have to worry about FD unless I want to do something crazy like FD/Drink or get OOC for a gearswitch.

As Treesh also mentioned, you're neglecting what your pet can bring to the table. Dragonhawks and Wind Serpents bring DD breaths, Wolves bring party buffs, Owls bring reduction debuffs, and you have Snakes that can bring a poison assisting those Mutilate Rogues even further. Your pet is an extension of your DPS and with the buffs they are giving to pets, this lends even more use to having them out in raids.

No, I'm not neglecting it. I choose to use a Ravager at the moment, due to it's DD skill of Gore, while still being a decent tanky sort of pet.

Wolves aren't too bad either, but their buff is so random that's it's not really much of a help and for it to be of any use (to someone other than me) I need to be in a melee group with my pet alive and near the melee. Or it can benefit me, staying by my side.

Owls...I looked Screech up (which is what I presume you are talking about) and the max rank was a pittance of damage, and 210AP stripped off for 4 seconds. That's not much these days. It is still something, I suppose.

Snakes again can help a mutilate rogue IF one is around. But with stable slots at a premium, are you going to keep a maybe pet around in case a mutilate rogue shows up?

Yes pets are a part of a hunters dps (15-40%, depending on who you ask) but even with our pets, hunters are having a deuce of a time.