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c. PvP
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Short for “Player-versus-Player”, the rules of engagement change
drastically when you’re up against a player. Here are some things to
watch out for when you’re pursuing PvP.

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Smarter Enemies
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Since players are much smarter than computers, you’ll have to do things
differently from the typical mob-slaying routine. Most of the time, a
player will never touch your pet. They’ll immediately go after you so
you’ll have to keep players at bay with Traps and slowing abilities. You
must try to keep them away from your eight-yard no-firing zone as much
as possible. Once they get within that zone and snare you, things will
get rough.

The only thing about fighting other players is that even though they’re
smarter, they tend to use similar strategies and attack patterns tailored
specifically for your class. For example, most Warriors have a tendency
to Charge or Intercept you and then Hamstring you, followed by a Mortal
Strike. Of course, varying talent builds can mean different abilities
but generally, most players will use similar tactics against you.

Also, learn to adjust your attack patterns for different classes.
Against Rogues, Paladins, and Warriors, who must fight you at melee
range, they can easily fall for Freezing or Frost Traps. Rogues are
especially easy targets since you have Hunter’s Mark and Flare to your
advantage. You can slow down mana users with Viper Sting but be aware
that Paladins and Druids can quickly remove it.

Speed is also very important in PvP where everyone is trying to inflict
as much damage in as little time as possible. Use Arcane Shot and Multi-
Shot whenever they’re available and maybe Aimed Shot if you can catch
someone off-guard. Gear that adds to your Critical Strike chance makes
a big difference here since that burst damage can save you quite a bit
of time.

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Team Play
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Whenever you’re grouped as a team for PvP, your job is to support what-
ever melee players are in the front line with your shots while the
healers keep them healthy. Ideally, a solid group should consist of
melee, healers, support, and damage but unless you have a planned group,
you won’t often have such a balance. Hopefully, whoever you’re up
against will focus on the melee instead of you but just watch out for
anything that’s firing your way.

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Battlegrounds
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In Warsong Gulch, a Hunter serves as excellent flag defense. In your
home base, a Frost Trap can slow down enemy players who are trying to
take your flag. Once the Trap goes off, you can either start shooting or
run in and Wing Clip or Feign and reapply another Frost Trap near the
doorways. On the offense, Hunters make great support for flag runners,
who should ideally be a Paladin, Shaman, or Druid. While they run with
the enemy flag, they’ll try to focus fire on that runner so slow down
anyone who’s trying to attack the flag runner.

In Arathi Basin, you’ll be heavily supporting melee classes that will
run in and try to capture each flag. Follow your local Plate wearers
and fire away at whatever is attacking them. Since you’re also at a
distance, you can safely fire at anyone who is trying to take the flag.
On the defense, Frost Traps once again does wonders when placed near
flags.

Finally, as for Alterac Valley, stick close to your team members and
fire away at the opposing team with whatever Shots and Stings you feel
are appropriate. Because of the massive number of players in this
Battleground, you have lots of opportunities to set up Aimed Shots
against enemies who aren’t paying attention to you.

Ideally, everyone in a Battleground should be grouped and cooperating
with one another but unless you play with a consistent group, you won’t
see that often. Oftentimes, you’ll encounter lone players who are there
just to reap Honor points and there are always players who just don’t do
well against other players. The best thing to do is to plan out your
visits to Battlegrounds and queue up with a team of people you know and
trust.