Survival Leveling Build: Cataclysm

In this article I would like to talk about a leveling build centered around the Survival spec. Since you don't receive talent points after each level you will need to make sure to optimize your points for the best performance while leveling.

Level 10: 1/2 Improved Serpent Sting
Level 11: 2/2 Improved Serpent Sting

To provide some survivability we will grab Hunter vs. Wild

Level 13: 1/3 Hunter vs. Wild
Level 15: 2/3 Hunter vs. Wild
Level 17: 3/3 Hunter vs. Wild

I'm grabbing Entrapment to provide some CC onto mobs when they get too close.

Level 19: 1/2 Entrapment
Level 21: 2/2 Entrapment
Level 23: 1/3 Trap Mastery
Level 25: 2/3 Trap Mastery
Level 27: 3/3 Trap Mastery
Level 29: 1/2 Lock and Load
Level 31: 2/2 Lock and Load
Level 33: 1/3 Thrill of the Hunt
Level 35: 2/3 Thrill of the Hunt
Level 37: 3/3 Thrill of the Hunt
Level 39 : 1/2 T.N.T.
Level 41: 2/2 T.N.T

Next I decided it would be best to grab Mirrored Blades. A lot of mobs when soloing like to cast spells. If you find yourself in a bind with low health you can always pop Deterrence to reflect some damage back at the mob and potentially kill them if they are low enough.

Level 43: 1/2 Mirrored Blades
Level 45: 2/2 Mirrored Blades
Level 47: 1/3 Pathing
Level 49: 1/1 Hunting Party
Level 51: 1/2 Toxicology
Level 53: 2/2 Toxicology
Level 55: 1/1 Wyvern Sting
Level 57: 1/2 Noxious Stings
Level 59: 2/2 Noxious Stings
Level 61: 1/3 Sniper Training
Level 63: 2/3 Sniper Training
Level 65: 3/3 Sniper Training
Level 67: 1/2 Serpent Spread

This will lead you to your 31 point talent which is the ever amazing Black Arrow.

Level 69: 1/1 Black Arrow

Next, I would grab 3/3 One With Nature.

Level 71: 1/3 One With Nature
Level 73: 2/3 One With Nature
Level 75: 3/3 One With Nature

Now I would go ahead and grab Efficiency to lower the cost of Explosive Shot.

Level 77: 1/3 Efficiency
Level 79: 2/3 Efficiency
Level 81: 3/3 Efficiency

Now I would grab the rest of Pathing and then put the remainder into Bestial Discipline.

Level 82: 2/3 Pathing
Level 83: 3/3 Pathing
Level 84: 1/3 Bestial Discipline
Level 85: 2/3 Bestial Discipline

So now your final spec will look like this.

Please remember that this is a spec for leveling and not optimized for the best possible dps. When you reach 85 if you would like to try your hands at raiding or experience end game content you will want to respec into a more suitable spec. You can view a great raiding survival spec as well as more information regarding the spec at the Survival page.