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I do know the Blizzard team works hard, and constantly designing new
sets of gear cannot be an easy task. But I feel that this time they
have really let their creative edge slide. This is really a case of bad
recycling as most the gear resembles gear sets we have seen before. To
make matters worse, the shaman and hunter Tier 9 gear, are basically
the same pieces with different color tones. On a brighter note, these
two sets somehow remind me of less colorful Transformers, which
can’t
be a bad thing.



I am sure there will be those that disagree with me, and will
absolutely love these new sets, but I just can’t bring myself
to like them. But hey, it could be worse, I could be stuck with the
cloth sets which look even more similar. I look forward to the Alliance
set being released to see if they fared any better.



The next change I would like to point out is a small one, but one that
I noticed as soon as I looked over the armor. Hunters have since Tier 1
had something plus ‘stalker’ in their armor name
Beaststalker, Cryptstalker, Giantstalker, Scourgestalker, etc. It seems
that the stalker days are done, and the new name (for the horde gear at
least) is Windrunner. I personally like the change, and am curious to
see in future sets if the runner title will stick, as stalker once did,
or if it will be completely different once again.



Finally we reach the most important aspect of any set of gear, the
stats.

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Overall I am pleased with the stats on these pieces of gear. All the
pieces are (as they are supposed to be) a pretty big improvement stat
wise over Tier 8, and I’m rather pleased to see less hit on
these pieces of gear. While hit is important I felt Ulduar gear went a
little overboard, making it so you were usually way over the hit cap,
with no real choice to try and take some of that hit and trade it in
for other stats.



I really think we could have used fewer blue sockets, possibly adding
more red sockets in their place, as I just feel they are more useful
for the hunter in general. But it’s not overly terrible, and
the socket bonuses are fairly decent and can‘t really be
complained about.



The set bonuses on this gear is what everyone is talking about and I
saved it for last for that very reason. At first, the bonuses were
nothing short of awful. With the most recent change to the set pieces
Blizzard has redeemed themselves (in my eyes at least) and made them
much more beneficial.



The 2 set bonus (damage done by your Serpent Sting ability can now be
critical strikes) will make Marksmen Hunters drool when they see the
extradamage they will be able to get from Serpent Sting crits combined
with Chimera Shot. Survival and Beastmaster Hunters should enjoy this
bonus as well, even without the advantages Marksman Hunters possess.



I am thrilled with the new choice for the 4 set bonus. I am glad to
finally see some straight forward pet damage bonuses, that will greatly
benefit Beastmaster Hunters, who in my opinion need the most
improvements at this current time.



With this new gear I feel that Blizzard is making an honest attempt to
make Beastmaster and Marksmen hunters more raid viable. This is
certainly not a bad thing as I feel Hunters should be able to enjoy
raiding with whatever spec they choose. I am not sure if improving the
specs through gear is the right way to go, but it’s a start.



How do you feel about the Tier 9 set? Hate it? Love it? Don’t
care? Share your opinions on our forums!