World of Warcraft’s hunters are the quintessential beastmasters of the game, bonding with their wild companions both in and out of battle. Some hunters choose to go at it alone, but none can deny having an affinity for nature. With each new content drop, hunters scramble to see what new creatures can be added to their fearsome stable.
Hunter pets in WoW: Classic work a bit differently from those in retail. Nowadays, which pet you have equipped only marginally matters, and it’s more down to their extra abilities than any differences in damage. In truth, hunters in modern World of Warcraft have been spoiled for choice, not having to rely on a roster of only a handful of the best performers. For this list, it’s not about the damage or even the utility, but rather how gorgeous or difficult to attain these beasties may be.
World of Warcraft: The Unwritten Rules of Playing a Hunter Explained
Beasts and bows aren't all that define World of Warcraft's hunters, but there are things that only hunters themselves will understand.
S-Tier Hunter Pets
- Rare Beasts, Scattered Far and Wide
- Azeoroth's Mystical Spirit Beasts
- WoW's Fantastic Tameable Bosses
Every expansion or so has its own unique roster of rare beasts, usually in the most desired category of Spirit Beasts. These creatures are typically either rare spawns or locked behind secret questlines. Wrath of the Lich King’s infamous spirit cat Loque’Nahak is one of the most iconic, said to be the wandering mate of the snow leopard Loa, Har'koa. He can be found in a variety of locations across Sholozaar Basin, but on a spawn timer that can infuriate even the most patient players. Terrorpene is a magma tortoise that originally comes from the Firelands, a realm of molten elemental fury. He appears very rarely in Mount Hyjal, surrounded by a lake of bubbling lava.
Hati is a spirit wolf imbued with the power of storms. He was a constant companion to Beastmaster hunters in WoW: Legion, as he came with that specialization’s Artifact Weapon. After spending two whole years with him, hunters then got a special quest line to unlock him as a real pet in their stables, along with his multiple other color pallets. He’s a canine companion blessed by the Titan Keepers who’s proven he’s afraid of nothing and no one. Sul'Raka is a regal tiger only found in the Emerald Dream, and is unique in that he has the same model as the Wild God or Loa called Kimbul, also known as Shirvallah. He is a spirit beast with a magnificent red mohawk, giving him a mystical flair that's bound to draw eyeballs.
Raid and dungeon bosses who happen to be beasts are off limits to hunters, at least for a little while. After some time has passed and these bosses are no longer too challenging to beat solo, they can be tamed, making for some of the coolest pet models in World of Warcraft. From Rezan, the undead devilsaur Loa, to Fenrir the mighty wolf spirit in the Halls of Valor, these one-of-a-kind creatures are highly prized.
A-Tier Hunter Pets
- Undead Pets, With Rotting Hides and Hollow Skulls
- Pandaria's Honored Cloud Serpents
- Lesser Dragonkin, Beautiful and Mysterious
- The Feathermanes, Regal and Fierce
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands isn’t remembered fondly by many players, but it did add an interesting new facet for hunters. A new tome dropped from one of the dungeons that taught hunters how to take undead beasts, which were previously unattainable. Undead raptors from the continent of Zandalar were among the most coveted, as these mummified beasts are honored companions to the Zandalari, interred in the same tombs where kings and queens are laid to rest. Undead devilsaurs, hounds and wind serpents were also now up for grabs, perfectly suiting Forsaken hunters in particular.
Cloud serpents were also made tameable on Shadowlands, considered to technically be part of the Serpent family. However, as it was when they were first released as mounts, one has to prove oneself worthy to befriend one of these mythical creatures. Hunters need to be exalted with the Order of the Cloud Serpent faction, and purchase the How to School Your Serpent book. Pandaren hunters, however, have an innate connection to the majestic cloud serpents and can tame them immediately.
Similar to how undead pets became tameable, the Emerald Dream zone in Dragonflight taught hunter players to tame certain dragonkin, namely faerie dragons, which are known for their elusive and mysterious nature. It also allowed players to tame Veilwings, gorgeous dragon-like creatures found only in the Emerald Dream’s mirror realm, Ardenweald. Of course, the Hornswogs in the Dragon Isles also became tameable, which some players hailed as a long-overdue blessing.
During the Legion expansion, players got to experience content unique to their respective classes. Hunters had a field day with their own private lodge atop the snowy peaks of Highmountain, and it wasn’t long before they learned how to tame a tantalizing family. Feathermanes, a group of creatures that includes both wyverns and gryphons, were now tameable. These beasties have been quintessential to Warcraft since its days as a real-time strategy franchise, so finally being able to befriend them as more than mounts was a wonderful feeling.
B-Tier Hunter Pets
- Racial Starter Pets
These are the beasts who may not be fancy or spectacular, but whose charm remains tied to the treasured memories they carry. When a hunter character is created, they have their racial pet as a default. These animals are often culturally significant to their respective playable races, or reflect their quirks and personalities. The true World of Warcraft hunter experience involves spending hours at your first pet’s side while slowly climbing to max level, bonding over every kill.
C-Tier Hunter Pets
- Those Poor Pets With Outdated Models
It’s difficult to say that any pet in World of Warcraft can be considered bad, since they all have a special place in someone’s heart. Some have been neglected by model updates and remain stuck in their more primitive forms, but these are usually given their due attention given enough time. A number of players keep these guys around because they look nostalgic, but sadly, most get left behind in favor of shinier models. They’re still loyal to a fault, however, and that makes them good boys and girls all the same.
- Released
- August 26, 2024
- Base Game
- World of Warcraft
- Developer(s)
- Blizzard
- Publisher(s)
- Blizzard
