Best Race for Hunter in WoW Classic: an x5 guide

Section: Classes & races 3 min read Vanilla 1.12.1 · x5 Updated 08.10.2026

A hunter's damage is almost entirely shots and pet, so what matters is racial bonuses to ranged weapon skill (in 1.12.1 that is +5 skill, not +1% crit), attack speed and pet damage.

Class

Racial

Contents

Available races
Faction breakdown
Key racial abilities
PvP notes
Verdict: which race to pick
Related guides

Available races

Faction	Races	Best pick
Alliance	Dwarf, Night Elf	Dwarf
Horde	Orc, Tauren, Troll	Troll

Faction breakdown

Alliance

On Alliance the best PvE hunter is the Dwarf: Gun Specialization grants +5 Guns skill (fewer misses with a gun), with Find Treasure and Stoneform as pleasant extras. The Night Elf is stronger in PvP: Shadowmeld for ambushes, Quickness (+1% dodge) and Nature Resistance.

Horde

On Horde the choice is between Troll and Orc. Troll: Bow Specialization (+5 Bow skill), Berserking (10–30% attack haste, stronger at low HP) and Beast Slaying (+5% damage vs beasts) — the best raw throughput. Orc: Command (+5% pet damage — and the pet is a notable share of DPS) — often preferred for pet-centric builds and PvP (Hardiness); Blood Fury only raises melee attack power, so it barely helps a hunter.

Key racial abilities

Dwarf

Stoneform — immunity to bleed, poison and disease effects and +10% armor for 8 sec (3 min cooldown).
Gun Specialization — +5 Guns skill.
Find Treasure — shows treasure on the minimap.
Frost Resistance — +10 frost resistance.

StoneformRacial (Dwarf)Instant3 min cooldownWhile active, grants immunity to Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects. In addition, Armor increased by 10%. Lasts 8 sec.

Gun SpecializationRacial (Dwarf)PassiveGuns skill increased by 5.

Troll

Berserking — +10–30% attack and casting speed for 10 sec, stronger at low HP.
Regeneration — +10% HP regen, partly active in combat.
Beast Slaying — +5% damage vs beasts.
Bow/Throwing Specialization — +5 skill with bows / throwing weapons.

BerserkingRacial (Troll)Instant3 min cooldownIncreases your casting and attack speed by 10% to 30%. At full health the speed increase is 10% with a greater effect up to 30% if you are badly hurt when you activate Berserking. Lasts 10 sec.

Bow SpecializationRacial (Troll)PassiveSkill with Bow Weapons increased by 5.

Beast SlayingRacial (Troll)PassiveDamage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.

PvP notes

In PvP the Night Elf is valued for Shadowmeld (setting a trap), and the Orc for Hardiness against rogue stuns and Command for the pet.

ShadowmeldRacial (Night Elf)Instant10 sec cooldownActivate to slip into the shadows, reducing the chance for enemies to detect your presence. Lasts until cancelled or upon moving.

HardinessRacial (Orc)PassiveChance to resist Stun effects increased by an additional 25%.

CommandRacial (Orc)PassiveDamage dealt by Hunter and Warlock pets increased by 5%.

Verdict: which race to pick

Alliance: Dwarf — the best overall racial package for the Hunter. Horde: Troll — the strongest pick for the Hunter.

Related guides

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FAQ

What is the best Hunter race on Alliance?

Dwarf — thanks to racials that suit the Hunter best (see the Faction breakdown).

What is the best Hunter race on Horde?

Troll — the strongest option by racial abilities.

How much does race matter?

On an x5 server race is a noticeable but not decisive bonus: 1–5% stats and utility. Build, gear and play matter more, but all else equal the best race adds DPS and survivability.