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Hunter’s Choice: Navigating the Covenant System in World of Warcraft

The million-dollar question for any Hunter stepping into the Shadowlands is: Which Covenant should I join? The answer, like a perfectly aimed Steady Shot, is nuanced and depends heavily on your specialization (Beast Mastery, Marksmanship, or Survival), your preferred content (raiding, Mythic+, PvP), and your personal playstyle. There’s no single “best” Covenant for all Hunters, but understanding the strengths of each will empower you to make the right choice. This guide will break down the Covenant options for each Hunter spec to help you optimize your gameplay.

Covenant Breakdown by Specialization

Here’s a detailed look at each Hunter spec and their ideal Covenant choices, based on current meta and performance data:

Best Covenant for Beast Mastery Hunter

Generally, the Kyrian Covenant with the Soulbind Pelagos or Forgelite Prime Mikanikos is considered a strong choice for Beast Mastery Hunters. This setup excels in various content types. Its damage output is competitive with or better than other Covenants in single-target situations. Additionally, it shines in large AoE encounters and Mythic+ dungeons. The buffs it provides to teammates in Mythic+ are a significant bonus.

Best Covenant for Marksmanship Hunter

For Marksmanship Hunters, the Kyrian Covenant with Forgelite Prime Mikanikos is often the go-to for Mythic+. This combination provides excellent AoE damage against groups of 5 or more targets, making it ideal for large pulls. The Soothing Shade Soulbind is valuable. The Bag of Munitions Legendary Power is particularly effective in Mythic+. However, don’t discount the Night Fae Covenant entirely. The Night Fae’s covenant legendary, Fragments of the Elder Antlers, is also a viable option.

Best Covenant for Survival Hunter

Venthyr with Theotar the Mad Duke as a Soulbind is the preferred choice for Survival Hunters in most scenarios. It delivers the highest single-target damage and substantial cleave damage against a small number of enemies. Its primary weakness is its limited effectiveness in short burst damage situations. In Mythic+, Kyrian can be a solid alternative, leveraging a Soulbind that provides frequent and potent damage amplification via enhancements like Effusive Anima Accelerator and Enfeebled Mark.

Making the Right Choice

While these recommendations provide a solid starting point, remember that the “best” Covenant is subjective. Consider the following factors when making your final decision:

Your Primary Content: Are you primarily a raider, a Mythic+ enthusiast, or a PvP competitor?
Your Playstyle: Do you prefer burst damage, sustained damage, or utility?
Covenant Abilities: How well do the Covenant-specific abilities synergize with your spec and playstyle?
Soulbinds: Which Soulbinds offer the most beneficial traits and talents for your spec?
Covenant Campaign: Are you interested in the story and aesthetic of a particular Covenant?

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different Covenants to find the one that feels the best for you. Fortunately, the game allows you to switch Covenants relatively freely once you reach a certain Renown level.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Covenant choices for Hunters:

Why are Kyrian so popular for Hunters?

Kyrian’s Covenant ability, Resonating Arrow, provides significant burst damage and AoE potential, depending on the Soulbind chosen. For Marksmanship, the AoE is especially strong. The utility provided by its Soulbinds, particularly the party-wide buffs in Mythic+, is highly valued.
Is Night Fae viable for any Hunter specs?

Yes! While Kyrian is often favored for Marksmanship and Venthyr for Survival, Night Fae remains a strong contender, especially for Marksmanship Hunters who value mobility and burst potential. The Covenant ability Soulshape offers excellent mobility, and the Covenant legendary Fragments of the Elder Antlers can be very powerful in the right hands. Also, classes like Druid, Shaman and Monk are well-suited for Night Fae, given they use Life magic.
How does Venthyr benefit Survival Hunters?

Venthyr’s Covenant ability, Flayed Shot, grants Survival Hunters an additional Kill Shot, significantly boosting their kill potential in both PvP and PvE scenarios. The sustained damage and cleave offered by this Covenant align perfectly with Survival’s strengths. Flayed Shot giving Kill Shot adds much needed kill power to Survival’s arsenal making the spec much stronger.
What role do Soulbinds play in Covenant choice?

Soulbinds are a crucial component of the Covenant system. They offer passive and active abilities that can significantly enhance your character’s power and utility. Carefully consider the Soulbinds available within each Covenant and choose the one that best complements your spec and playstyle.
What is the importance of Anima Conductor in Covenant progression?

The Anima Conductor is one of the most important Covenant upgrades. While many players might argue that the trinket makes the Fast Travel Network the first upgrade players should make, the Anima Conductor is probably the best upgrade to focus on first for most players. It unlocks daily quests and activities that grant valuable rewards, including gear, anima, and reputation. Prioritize upgrading your Anima Conductor to maximize your Covenant progression.
Can I change Covenants if I’m not happy with my initial choice?

Yes! Players can freely swap between Covenants after reaching Renown 80 with any character in their account. The achievement Renowned is required to unlock free switches. These switches have no restrictions; you can switch back and forth as many times as you want. This includes rejoining Covenants you’ve belonged to before.
Does switching Covenants reset my progress?

Yes, you will lose your rank if you leave the covenant, but make sure you leave the covenant through the NPC in the gargoyle tower to make a clean break.
What are the pros and cons of each Covenant for PvP?
- Kyrian: Excellent burst damage and party-wide buffs, but can be susceptible to interrupts.
- Night Fae: High mobility and burst potential, but may lack sustained damage.
- Venthyr: Strong sustained damage and kill potential, but can be vulnerable to CC.
- Necrolord: Offers a defensive boost, but may lack offensive power compared to other options.
How important is Covenant choice for casual players?

For casual players, Covenant choice is less critical. Your covenant power will not make or break your spec in a noticeable way. As long as you don’t pick maldraxxus or prot Paladin you’re fine. Choose the Covenant that you find the most enjoyable in terms of story, aesthetics, and abilities.
What’s the best way to learn more about Covenant abilities and Soulbinds?

Experiment with different Covenants to find the one that feels the best for you. You can use in-game tooltips, online guides, and community resources to learn more about each Covenant’s abilities and Soulbinds.
Why did the Hunters join the Elites?

The Hunters joined the Elites because the Elites had space travel & they were a proud warrior race, but Hunters still belived Humans were enemies.
What happens if you betray Forest Hunter Covenant?

Attacking Alvina or any of the Forest Hunter NPCs will have you kicked out of the Forest Hunter covenant.
How do you leave the forrest hunter covenant?

Leaving a covenant by joining another covenant or killing a member of the covenant counts as a betrayal. Talking to Oswald, The priest in the church allows you to leave the covenant without betraying them.
Is Covenant important in wow?

Your covenant power will not make or break your spec in a noticeable way. In any sort of casual field you can pick and play anything you want, it’s all good! As long as you don’t pick maldraxxus or prot Paladin you’re fine.
What is the most popular covenant in wow?
1. 6% of characters are playing one of the two most popular covenants for their spec. The most uniform spec is Holy Paladin where 88.9% are Kyrian and 95.1% are Kyrian or Venthyr. The second most uniform spec (over one covenant) is Resto Druid where 87.6% are Night Fae.

Conclusion

Choosing the right Covenant for your Hunter can significantly impact your performance and enjoyment of the game. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each Covenant and considering your own preferences and playstyle, you can make an informed decision that will help you thrive in the Shadowlands. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you! Remember, the goal is to have fun while optimizing your gameplay. For further information on game learning and community, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website. Explore more about game-based learning and educational insights at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

What covenant should I join as a hunter?