Shield Proficiency for Survival Hunters #7990
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herniatedlumbardiskenthusiast
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Is not possible in the current way ChormieCraft is ran. We change the DBC files nor we patch the client to support those changes. For allowing any class, not just the hunter to be able to learn and wield a shield (or any profiency that he can't currently) requires changing the server data and patching the client. |
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As a level 45 hunter on this server and warrior tank enjoyer back in Cata, I propose adding shield proficiency for hunters, specifically tied to the Survival talent tree. This idea feels so intuitive that I initially assumed it was possible—only after multiple searches confirmed otherwise did I accept it’s not part of the class. I’ve encountered others who shared this assumption, suggesting it’s a natural fit for the hunter identity, particularly Survival. Having tested this playstyle for almost all of my admittedly limited experience as hunter, I believe shields align seamlessly with Survival’s mechanics and flavor, enhancing its viability with minimal adjustment. Below, I outline the reasoning and implementation.
Reasoning:
Hunters excel at kiting, with Disengage as a key tool to evade melee threats. By eluding enemies, we prevent most—if not all—damage, leveraging distance as our primary defense. However, terrain constraints (elevation shifts, confined spaces) often limit Disengage’s effectiveness, forcing us into close quarters. Survival hunters are uniquely equipped for these moments, trading a focus on ranged or pet prowess for resilience and versatility. Soloing a few just-about obsolete dungeons, or higher level elites and such, as well taking on such dungeons with a healer and succeeding in a tanking role.
Survival’s kit supports this hybrid role. Distracting Shot, available to all specs, functions as an effective taunt despite its minimum range, pulling aggro off allies. Wing Clip and Concussive Shot slow enemies, Frost Trap and Explosive Trap create advantageous ground, rewarding a stand-your-ground approach over pure flight. Raptor Strike and Mongoose Bite deliver burst damage, unaffected by weapon base damage. Counterattack, requiring a parry, thrives in melee—shields don’t tie directly to Deflection, but their armor reduces incoming damage while you wait for a parry to proc, enabling a safer Disengage, as well boosting a pet's defense significantly. Perhaps this could be balanced by simply not granting hunters the Block passive skill or so.
This synergy paints Survival as a sort of evasion-tank: not a true tank (lacking in threat generation and heavy mitigation), but capable of withstanding damage and controlling fights better than most non-tank classes. Shields would amplify this without overhauling the spec. By mitigating hits, they provide breathing room to execute slowing abilities, set traps, or escape—reinforcing the kiting foundation while supporting melee skirmishing. My Dungeon Finder deaths as an emergency tank highlight the need: a shield could turn those wipe risks into manageable stances.
Proposed Implementation:
Why It Fits:
Survival’s identity is a versatile survivor, skewing the ranged hunter toward melee combat, resilience and CC—a tertiary piece that feels missing is the shield. My experiences—soloing elites, protecting allies, managing aggro—show it’s viable but fragile. Shields bridge that gap, enhancing kiting by reducing damage taken when evasion fails. Given Survival’s low popularity (consistently among the least-played specs per historical data), this addition could boost its appeal without affecting other trees or group roles. It’s a low-effort change with high thematic and practical payoff.
Conclusion:
At level 45, I’ve lived this skirmishing, pet-supported style, often wishing for a shield when shit hits the fan. It’s not about making hunters melee mains or outright tanks—it’s about perfecting Survival’s niche. The assumption that shields belong in our kit is not uncommon and I believe it’s time to make it reality.
Feedback and discussion are highly welcome.
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