The Survival Hunter may unfortunately be the worst performing spec World of Warcraft: Dragonflight. They lack survivability, utility, and the damage output needed to perform well, hence their low rating on our DPS tier list. Having said that, Survival is a unique way to play the Hunter class. Instead of being a ranged DPS, Survival Hunters instead play mostly in melee range. There are those who enjoy the playstyle Survival offers without caring about how it performs. This best in slot guide for Dragonflight Season One is for them.

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Survival Hunter Best in Slot Stat Criteria

Our Best in Slot suggestions will focus on if an item has the most important stats for your spec. For Survival Hunters, the stat priority will depend on the encounter. Haste and Crit will always be best, both the other two secondary stats change between single-target and AOE fights.

Stat Priority

While there is only a slight difference when it comes to the builds, some item slots have limited options with their secondary stats. Due to this, we'll note whether an item is tailored for a single-target or AOE build.

Important Notes For BiS Lists

It is important to note that any jump in ilvl by more than 10 points almost always results in the higher ilvl item being better. If you have an upgrade of 5 ilvl or less, compare the stats based on the stat priorities to decide the better item.

When weighing options of other items not listed below, refer to the stat priority of the class and spec. Keep in mind that stats eventually have diminishing returns, so it is not required to have absolutely every slot stack the same 2 stats. For simplicity, we offer the best per slot assuming you have not capped out these stats.

The calculations for diminishing returns are as follows:

• 0 to 30% in a stat - no penalty.
• 30% to 39% in a stat - 10% penalty.
• 39% to 47% in a stat - 20% penalty.
• 47% to 54% in a stat - 30% penalty.
• 54% to 66% in a stat - 40% penalty.
• 66% to 126% in a stat - 50% penalty.

In the case where you have reached 30% in a secondary stat, an item that has a secondary stat that is lower on priority may be a better upgrade. This is why it is always important to sim your gear. For simplicity, we offer the best item per slot assuming you have not capped out these stats.

The amount that is optimal always depends on the situation. You can also use a simulator, such as RaidBots, to see what you specifically should focus on. We have a section at the end of this guide to learn how to sim your gear.

Survival Hunter BiS Gear

The items appearing in these lists may come from Mythic+, Raids, or The Vault. Their item level will depend on the instance's level of difficulty (Normal, Heroic, Mythic, Mythic+ 1-20). This list does not include Renown or Crafting items as it is meant as a guide on what dungeons or raids to attend to get your best gear from these sources.

Item tooltips will show the Mythic Level 9 version and Normal Raid iLevel of the item to easily compare. Obtaining the highest ilvl version of the item is, however, the ultimate goal.

Best Head

Make sure you sim between tier and Mythic+ gear. The set bonuses could take things over the edge in favor of tier.

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Best Neck

Make sure you focus on getting the best stats while also accounting for diminishing returns. We list a couple of options, but there are more, even if they're not ideal.

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Best Shoulders

Tier shoulders have your two worst stats. This is the tier slot you'll likely skip. In fact, both raid shoulders aren't good stat wise.

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Best Back

You will have a lot of options available for the back slot, make sure your stats line up with our priority list and you sim to ensure you get the best upgrade.

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Best Chest

Tier chest has your two worst stats: Versatility and Haste. Most likely, you'll skip out on this tier piece.

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Best Wrist

Raid wrists are your two worst stats, so you pass on those unless its an ilvl upgrade.

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Best Hands

Tier will most likely be your best option here. There are a lot more options than the ones listed below. As always, sim for your best gear!

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Best Waist

Your waist slot is your best two stats.

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Best Legs

Your tier has Crit and Haste, which are both great!

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Best Feet

You got one option in raid, and it's not the worst.

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Best Rings

You're going to have a lot of options, so sim the best bets. Mythic+ options are better than what's in raid when it comes to raw stats, but the raid options have interesting procs. As always, sim!

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Best Trinkets

The jury is still out on the trinkets, so we're listing the best pre-season trinkets. Once we have a good idea of the best performing options, we'll let you know. For now, these are your best options.

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Best Weapons

Neltharax will most likely be the best bet due to its socket and proc, even with your worst stat on it.

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Best Gems for Survival Hunter

Here we list the best gems you can socket your gear with for Survival Hunter. As always, it is best to sim to ensure you're using the best options available. These gems are chosen given consideration to your best stats.

• Epic unique gem - Fierce Illimited Diamond
• Remaining gems - Crafty Ysemerald

Best Enchants for Survival Hunter

Here are the best enchants available for Survival Hunter in Dragonflight.

• Cloak - Homebound Speed
• Chest - Waking Stats
• Bracers - Devotion of Speed
• Legs - Fierce Armor Kit
• Boots - Plainsrunner's Breeze
• Rings - Devotion of Haste
• Weapon - Sophic Devotion for single-target, Frozen Devotion for AOE

How To Simulate To Determine Your Best Gear

Raidbots is a tool that World of Warcraft players can use to figure out if the gear they just looted is an upgrade. As mentioned earlier, there are so many nuances and diminishing returns as certain points in the game, that determining an exact set of bis gear is impossible. With the ilvl scaling of Mythic+ loot on higher keys and utility different gear has for different fights, there just isn't a pure "this is the absolute best for the entire Season" list. It's even something that certain classes have come across in Classic Wrath!

Don't worry, because we're still here to help. We highly recommend using raidbots to determine if an item you just acquired is an upgrade. Here's a quick guide to help you run simulations to see if your new item is an upgrade:

• Make sure you have the Simulationcraft add-on installed.
• With your new loot in your inventory, open your chatbox and type /simc.
• A window will open up. Copy the entire text and paste it on the Raidbots Top Gear page. I included my Simulation craft window for my personal character below

• This step is important. On the Top Gear page, scroll down and make sure you're selecting the gear you want simmed. If you do not select the gear you're wearing, as well as the gear in your inventory you just acquired, you won't know if you picked up an upgrade.
• Raidbots will then let you know which items allow you to maximize your DPS!