Whether you’re just picking up Bungie’s blockbuster space shooter Destiny or looking to jump into a new character, the Hunter class has a lot to offer for more offensive-minded players. If you’re looking for advice on the other character classes, check out our guide to the Warlock class.
Hunters are long-range experts with a sniper rifle, but just as deadly when sneaking in close to get off a few swings — or throws — with their class-specific knife blade. Hunters aren’t particularly equipped to take heavy damage or recover quickly, so it’s best to keep it moving and not stay in the direct line of fire for too long. In other words, play to your class strengths like speed and agility.
As is the case with each Destiny guardian, there are two subclasses. Your starting subclass is Gunslinger, and Bladedancer is unlocked at level 15. Switching subclasses during gameplay is as simple as a few button presses, so feel free to mix things up if one isn’t working for you. But don’t get caught with your pants down. Always find cover before switching when enemies are around, or change while you wait to respawn in the Crucible.
Gunslinger
The Solar-powered Gunslinger is a solid beginner subclass geared more for seeking out higher ground to pick enemies off while building up your special power, the Golden Gun (more on that later).
There are three different grenade types within each of the game’s subclasses. For Gunslinger, you’ll start with a traditional Incendiary grenade. Next up is the Swarm grenade, which explodes on impact and releases smaller drones that seek out any lingering enemies. Finally, the Tripmine grenade acts a proximity grenade/mine, which comes in handy when playing Control missions in the Crucible. You can throw a Tripmine down to guard your flank or nearby doorways for unsuspecting enemies to run into, though they do explode on their own after a short time if nothing hits their laser trip sensors.
Like all three character classes, there are a bevy of different modifier upgrades within each subclass to personalize your play style. Do you like having quicker cooldowns on your grenade and throwing knife? Do you prefer a more powerful Golden Gun? How about increased weapon stability following precision kills?
In all, there are five different trees with three modifiers each where, as you level up, you can customize your guardian to best fit your play style. You can only choose one modifier on each tree.
There also are three other trees with four options each: one to upgrade your jumping abilities, a Golden Gun-specific tree, and your knife-throwing tree, which is perhaps the best part about playing as a Gunslinger.
Taking down enemies with the class and subclass-specific throwing knife is incredibly satisfying but your aim must be precise. Nothing is more frustrating than just missing a great knife takedown, forcing you to wait through a cooldown period before using it again. Some enemies are easier to hit than others. The more straight-forward moving Vex are the easiest to hit with a knife, while other enemies zig and zag — especially the other guardians you’ll face off against in the Crucible. 
Upgrading the throwing knife spices things up even further. The first throwing knife modifier is the “Circle of Light” mod, which grants the guardian extended time with the Golden Gun if a throwing knife kill is made with the Golden Gun out.
Next up is the Incendiary Blade, which sets enemies on fire for a short time. This mod is especially handy in the Crucible if you’re looking for Post Mortem badges to complete a bounty.
The final knife upgrade negates the cooldown if a precision kill is scored — so aim for the face (unless it’s a Vex)!
One of the trickier aspects of the throwing knife is being close enough to be accurate but far enough away to avoid a melee swipe instead of a throw. This is especially true when playing in the Crucible. I can’t tell you how many times I had a knife throw ready to pierce a charging enemy, only to have them get too close while I was lining up my throw and causing me to hit them with a melee — which doesn’t usually kill enemies with one blow — only to be gunned down as I try to raise my gun back up for a kill shot.
Bladedancer
Bladedancer’s abilities are better suited for hit-and-run tactics, and players who like to get up close and personal while incorporating more stealth play. The subclass really shines in the Crucible and against lesser enemies in Destiny’s massive game world, but is less effective against bigger bosses who will simply flatten you if you get too close.
The upgrade tree principles are the same, though, the abilities are quite different. Bladedancer has three more grenade options, the Arc Blade replaces the Golden Gun, and Blink Strike replaces the knife throw. An attribute that will probably be very appealing to some players is invisibility after landing specific moves with Blink Strike and the Arc Blade. There’s even an upgrade that allows you to become invisible while crouching — again, great for those Control missions in the Crucible.
The beginning grenade is the Flux, an explosive grenade that deals additional damage with a direct hit to an enemy. Next up is the Skip grenade, which splits on impact to create several projectiles that seek out enemies. Finally, the Arcbolt grenade chains bolts of lightning to nearby enemies. I’ve even seen special armor, sold one weekend in the Temple by Xur, that gave stat boosts to the Arcbolt grenade. So be on the lookout and make sure you have the right piece of armor equipped with the right special ability to maximize your capacity for killing your foes.
Bladedancer also has the jumping ability Blink, which is a short-distance teleport to help liven things up. Blink can even help you avoid damage for a split second during a fire fight.
Instead of the Solar-powered Golden Gun, the Bladedancer employs the lightning-infused Arc Blade. The Showstopper mod adds an area-of-effect attack to the Arc Blade, while Razor’s Edge unleashes a wave of energy that travels along the ground. The final Arc Blade upgrade allows your guardian to vanish from sight while the special is activated.
Instead of the throwing knife the Bladedancer employs powerful melee attack called Blink Strike. The Back-stab modifier is great for sneaking up on unsuspecting enemies from behind, while Escape Artist grants brief invisibility after a successful Blink Strike attack. Fast Twitch reduces your cooldown timer for the Arc Blade.
Just like the Gunslinger subclass, there are four more passive skill sets. Play around with them all to best suit your play style, and whether you are in the main world or battling in the Crucible. What works in the main world may not when facing other guardians.
Gun play
What weapon should you choose? Well, for better or worse, that’s entirely up to you and what you’re most comfortable with.
Early on, a good scout rifle can really come in handy for getting critical hits on low-level enemies, especially once you start finding some with a higher rate of fire. Auto rifles also are great once you get one with high stability so it doesn’t kick too much. Auto rifles with both high stability and rate of fire are especially effective against bosses and fellow guardians in the Crucible. There also is the pulse rifle, somewhat a cross between the auto and scout rifles.
Hand cannons, a primary weapon, and special-weapon grade shotguns are deadly up close, but most have low magazine sizes until you level up and find better models. In tight, confined spaces, a shotgun is generally your best friend.
When it comes to heavy weapons you have two options: the machine gun or the rocket launcher. Ammo is much more scarce for heavy weapons so take care when aiming, especially with the rocket launcher, which is great against bosses or small groups of enemies. The rocket launcher’s also a great weapon to have in your arsenal when defending a control point in the Crucible.
There are a few gripes to be made about Destiny as whole but when it comes to your character, how it looks and its abilities, developer Bungie has given us a wealth of possibilities to choose from.
If you’re ready to try a different class, check out our Titan and Warlock guides.
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