Hunters are a fun class with some unique combinations of gameplay and mechanics -- which is why any people choose them when playing World of Warcraft for the first time. For years, however, Gnomes had to watch their Dwarf neighbors have all the fun with guns. Once Legion came around, they too could join the ranks. Gnome Hunters have some tricks up their sleeves that give them a leg up in certain situations and their unique ability to run with mechanical pets doesn't hurt either.
Hunters are masters of ranged combat and have a melee option, crowd control and the ability to track enemies or creatures. They have better defense than spell-casters with their leather and later mail armor and can use their pets to tank and distract enemies while picking away at them. Being able to tame beasts and other exotic creatures throughout World of Warcraft is unique to the Hunter class and it's awesome.
Gnome Hunters and their Goblin counterparts can tame and use mechanical pets, which have their own special skill: Defense Matrix. Other Races can tame mechanical pets too, but it requires some farming to create a special item, whereas Gnomes and Goblins have the ability naturally.
The Defense Matrix skill creates a shield around the pet, which cuts damage in half for a few seconds. It's useful when using a pet to tank enemies or bosses, especially since mechanical pets fall under the Cunning skill tree and not Tenacity. Cunning pets actually pair well with Gnome Racial Abilities and certain Hunter Abilities, making it the perfect match-up.
Gnomes get the Racial Ability 'Escape Artist,' which lets them break free from speed-changing effects, including traps. They also get a passive ability called 'Nimble Fingers,' increasing their haste by 1 percent. It's not much, but it does mean they get to attack slightly faster.
Hunters are quick and have a couple of talents and skills that can increase speed, but when paired with a Cunning pet they gain even more from their passive ability, 'Pathfinding.' Like Gnomes' 'Escape Artist' ability, Cunning pets also get 'Master’s Call,' which does the same thing (but for the pet) and grants a temporary immunity to speed-reducing effects.
All this speed combined with skills to stay on the move make Gnome Hunters formidable in World of Warcraft PVP. They can escape their enemies and slow them down with traps and Concussive Shots, while their mechanical pets help zap their health. Being a smaller target isn't too bad either.
Gnome Hunters are also great in PVE. They have skills that help all around, like increased Focus by 20 and resistance to Arcane damage. With a ranged Hunter, it's nice to have that magic resistance, since spells usually comes from afar. Survival Hunters are still viable for Gnomes, especially since they have so much movement. They can easily maneuver around enemies as needed, back out of dangerous attacks and free themselves from slowing effects. This spec is one case where Leatherworking and Skinning may be more useful than Engineering, however.
The Engineering Profession in World of Warcraft has plenty of equipment and items that help Hunters and, next to Leatherworking, is considered one of the best to take for the class. Gnome Hunters especially benefit here because Gnomes get a bonus to the Profession.
Engineers can make scopes, which provide extra damage and stats to guns, helmets or goggles. They can also make things like explosives and parachutes, which can provide some extra tricks for a Hunter. It's arguably better to have this Profession as a Gnome Hunter than Leatherworking and Skinning, because it's easier and the player will get more out of it.
Gnome Hunters may be relatively new to World of Warcraft, but they make for compelling gameplay.