Getting Started

Before you even start to choose your class, you need to be mentally prepared to deal with this power. Hunter's are like none other class you have ever dealt with, most people don't even unlock their full potential. But I will give you the keys to power.
Your main focus is that Hunter's DON'T Melee(unless they are using Wing Clip). All of your power will come from your range, and your bow(or gun). That is what gives Hunter's their unique fighting skills.

Choosing your class

Many people who make hunter's don't know that each class has it's own unique traits that correspond with the Hunter's natural skill and profession.
So generally people choose the Blood Elf(Horde) or the Night Elf(Alliance). But, there are more choices to be looked at here. Lets start with the Blood Elf's.

Blood Elf's - A reasonable race, they have high agility which will help with Rogues, Druids, and Hunter's. But apart from that, they really don't have much to give for the Hunter. Mana Tap can come useful when your low on mana, but the Blood Elf's just don't have that spark that we are looking for here in a Hunter.
Orc's - Orc's are another good Hunter race, they specialize in pet's(which I will not cover in this guide). Giving them access to more skills, and better control over there pets. If you like sending your pets to do the dirty work, then the Orc race is the way to go.
Troll - My 2nd favorite race, trolls specialize in bows, giving them slightly more damage then other race's. Although Trolls start off with low mana, they have an increase in Stamina and Agility. If you like your bows and the arrows piercing your enemy's, then the Troll race is the way to go.
Night Elf - This is my favorite race for this class, not only do they look cool when they draw back with a bow. But also because they are fast(speed) and with haste rating(ranged).

Choosing My Path

Every good player know that once they reach level 10, they get there first talent point. The question is, how are you going to spend that talent. Well this guide is geared towards Marksmanship, so let's stick to that shall we.
You can access this link to look at what I feel is the best talent build for your Hunter(Marksmanship) Hunter Talent Build . Remember this is NOT a PvP spec build, this is only focused on PvE.

Some people then ask themselves, what spells do I need to use the most?? When do I use them?? And how can I become a better hunter.
Well let's start with overall damage and gem's.

Damage and Gem's

An overall geared Hunter will do around 11k-12k damage(unbuffed). Now some people are like "whoa that's freakin sweet" and it is, but there is a price to pay. And that price is called, RELOAD!!! Unlike Melee, you have to reload your bow(or gun), which sucks but the more haste you have the better.
The gem's that you want to strive for are, Agility, Attack Power(Red). Critical Rating, Intellect(Yellow). And Stamina(Blue).
Agility = Attack power, and Critical Rating. So remember that.

Added (2009-06-17, 1:58 Am)
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Gear

I am going to link the gear that you want to strive for your hunter. Most of this gear is SWP, and BT based gear.
Back - Cloak of Unforgivable Sin
Chest - Embrace of the Phoenix (you will need 350 Leatherworking for this one, but it pays off)
Feet - Gronnstalker's Boots
Hands - Thalassian Ranger Gauntlets
Head - Coif of Alleria
Legs - Starstalker Legguards
Shoulder - Mantle of the Golden Forest
Waist - Gronnstalker's Belt
Wrist - Gronnstalker's Bracers
Rings - Ring of Deceitful Intent
Hard Khorium Band
Neck - Clutch of Demise
Trinkets - Dragonspine Trophy
Tsunami Talisman
Ranged Weapon - Thori'dal, the Stars' Fury
Skills/Tatics
Melee Weapon - Apolyon, the Soul-Render

Added (2009-07-20, 10:27 Pm)
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Spells

Alot of people complain that Hunter's are crappy dps'ers, because they only do good white damage. That is where they are wrong. Hunters have a variety of different skils that they can use to their advantage.
Some useful skills that you MUST use for PvE are...
Aimed Shot (A must use spell)
Steady Shot (this one is a MUST, use this constantly.)
Arcane Shot (Massive Damage)
Serpent Sting (Use's DoT)
Hunter's Mark (Use this on every monster(npc) that you face, THIS IS A MUST)
Rapid Fire (This is just pwn, you will be doing massive amounts of damage with this spell)

Added (2009-06-17, 1:59 Am)
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Buffs

Aspect of the Hawk (Useful for raising your ranged damage)
Trueshot Aura (Your best friend)

Although these two combined are GREAT, I would replace Aspect of the Hawk with this.
Aspect of the Viper
Not only will be doing good damage, but now you will also regen your mana even quicker. I use this in raids because my mana runs out most of the time, very fast.

Summary

All in all, Hunter's(in my opinion) are the best class to play as. They are quick, powerful, and the pets and traps help alot.(I did not cover traps or pets, since this is just a PvE bases guide). With the knowledge you learned in this quick summary of a Hunter. I am sure that you will continue to love this class, and grow to be THE BEST PLAYER EVER!!!!!

Guide Made By: †Regret†
06/16/09